Kitty: Hoyo...hi...the sixth life, COOL! Almost done! Three more chapters, including this one! Read and review!

Chapter Six

Harboring Secrets

Raven sighed and sat back on her feet. She eyed the porcelain in front of her critically. She nodded. The toilet was definitely a clean now. She didn't know what the hell was up with that stupid cat, but its fur had gotten everywhere. It loved the toilet seat for some reason and she had to clean it everyday! Yes, I'm a neat freak and anal, but I have nothing better to do! Raven got to her feet and threw away the white rag from the hospital. Those rags weren't worth washing.

She growled as the huge, fat, fluffy, black and white cat meowed up at her.

"You want food, right?" Raven asked pleasantly.

"Mrrow!"

"Well, too bad! You fat lazy ball of fur!" Raven laughed maniacally. She stopped and frowned. "I was just laughing maniacally at a cat...after I talked to it. Damn, I'm going insane. That's it, Luke is getting rid of the beast or I'm killing it." Raven muttered darkly.

"Mrow?" Sylvester, named after his coloring, cocked one ear, big yellow-green eyes wide.

Raven's body seemed to hum and her lips tightened. He purred and rubbed against her leg. Sweat popped out on her forehead.

"DAMN!" She fell to her knees and stretched out a shaky hand. He let her pet him then hissed and scratched her hand. Raven burst into tears. "You demon!" She jumped up and kicked at him.

The truth was, she loved cats. She loved all animals, but she was afraid of them, too. After an incident at a zoo when she was four involving an angry elephant and her head, she had animal phobia. She tried so many times to have pets or at least pet one, but they seemed to sense her fear. She had yet to pet Sylvester without out him wigging out on her. She sighed. Instead of showing hurt, she pretended like she hated animals. Her husband just had to have a cat.

"Raven, I'm home." called a voice. Raven rolled her eyes. You'd think she couldn't hear the door opening.

"Hey, Luke, did you bring dinner?" Raven asked walking to the door.

"What?"

"I told you this morning and I called you three times at work. I told you to bring dinner because you were staying late. You can't start dinner now. It's ten 'o' clock." Raven said slowly.

"Why didn't you start dinner?" Luke set down his briefcase and ran his fingers through his hair.

"Every time I time, you complain how horrible it is. You know I can't cook." Raven ground out.

"I'm kidding. How about we go out to eat?" Luke suggested with a soft smile. Raven relaxed.

"At ten at night?" Raven asked with a raised eyebrow. Luke grinned sheepishly.

"You're right. Fast food?" Luke grinned wider. Raven shook her head with a smile.

"Right... how about... Checkers! I'm craving those fries! I haven't had any in a while." Raven grabbed her purse.

"Let's me get out of this suit."

"Okay. I'll meet you in the car." Raven agreed.

"Travis, konnichiwa." Raven greeted him.

"I haven't heard that in a while." A tall light-skinned black man grinned down at her.

"We left Japan when we were seven. It's not surprising." Raven smiled back. They hugged tightly. "You big lug! You should've told me a long time ago!"

"But...I liked it being just me and Breondra." Travis protested. "I told you now!"

"I guess it's okay. Now, let me meet her!" Raven looked eagerly behind him at the small white house.

"I guess that's my queue. I'm Breondra Queen, well, not for long."

Raven grasped the extended hand firmly. She stood back and looked the woman up and down. Breondra was slim, fit, and about three inches taller than her. Which was good seeing as Travis was over six feet. Breondra had almond shaped black eyes, fluffy black hair up in a bun, thin tendrils framing her face, and had dark chocolatey skin.

"Do I meet your qualifications?" Breondra asked, her wide soft-lipped mouth smiling.

"Do you have a sense of humor?" Raven asked seriously while her eyes danced.

"I love laughing." Breondra supplied. Raven nodded.

"Do you...like children?" Raven forced out.

"Oh, yes! I want dozens!" Breondra exclaimed. Raven's eyes lit up.

"You're perfect! I want dozens too! Dozens upon dozens! I want lots of children so I'll never stop to think!" Raven burst out clasping both of Breondra's hands.

"Oh no. You found our Ravey's weakness, fiancée of mine." Travis rolled his eyes heavenward. The women laughed.

"Let's go bond, adopted-sister-in-law." Breondra declared dragging Raven to the door.

"I've never seen Raven so excited." Luke said suddenly at Travis' side. Travis looked at him surprised.

"You've been married for three years. You've never spoken about children before?"

"Yes, only once, however. I thought we should settle down first. We've tried, but she hasn't conceived at all." Luke replied following Travis to the house.

"But...Raven wanted more than anything to have a child." Travis murmured surprised.

"She never talks about it with me." Luke said. His black eyes met Travis' black eyes.

"Well, bring it up to her." Travis shrugged. "I don't see why she'd object. You saw her."

"Travis, when is the wedding?" Raven asked spinning around to look over the bar separating the kitchen from the living room as the men walked in.

"March 18th." Breondra and Travis said at the same time.

"Why didn't you just ask me?" Breondra laughed.

"Um...I...don't know..." Raven answered slowly. She laughed with the rest of them.

"Raven, I know this is going to sound weird... but will you be my best man?" Travis asked earnestly.

"What!" Raven and Luke exclaimed surprised.

"I have a lot of guy friends, true, but I want you to be by my side, not them. You won't have to wear a tux, I promise. You can dress to match the bouquet or something."

"I don't know..." Raven trailed off thoughtfully.

"That's not very...traditional." Luke said prudently.

"Who wants a traditional wedding? What a great idea!" Breondra affirmed. Raven smiled widely.

"If it's not a problem with your other groomsmen, I don't see why not." Raven decided.

"Raven...we need to get home. I have to go to that dinner with the dean, remember?" Luke said looking down at his watch.

"But you just got here." Travis interjected baffled.

"Why don't I stay? Travis, can you take me home later? Or do you two have plans?"

"Oh no! It's boring with that ugly mug to stare at all day long! Stay please!" Breondra begged dramatically gripping Raven's arm.

"HEY!" Travis cried out in mock-hurt. Breondra giggled with Raven. "I'd love for you to stay Ravey. I don't see a problem, do you, Luke?"

"It's fine. I'll go now. I don't want to be late. See ya, Raven."

"Bye, Luke." Raven waved. Luke left quickly walking to the gray Mercedes.

"Impressive car, Ravey, by the way."

"Not mine. I hate cars. I want an SUV to fill to the brim with soccer balls and legs and little faces. You can't do that to a Mercedes." Raven frowned and then shrugged. "Whatever. Can you do that thing again with the chicken? I need to learn how to cook." Travis burst out laughing at the thought of Raven's attempts to 'cook'. "Oh, shut up!"

Raven walked sedately through the park. The sun was setting to her right side and she shifted the grocery bags in her arms. She liked walking through the park, even with the bags of food weighing her down. She liked leaving 'home' behind and escape to think and daydream, a luxury she refused herself at the house. She sighed at her thoughts.

The house. What a depressing thing to call it. But it was true. It was just a house, even after three years. With no little feet, runny noses, and high-pitched voices calling out for their mommy, that tomb called the house was just a house. It would never be home. Luke and Raven tried many times, but she couldn't conceive. It wasn't her fault, though. She went to the doctor and they said she shouldn't be having any problems with producing.

She just...couldn't bring it up with Luke knowing the problem was with his side. What if he got upset or angry with her? Or misunderstood her reason for wanting him to check? She loved him...didn't she? She sighed. Maybe giving in had been a bad idea. She was so sure she was in love with the tall, black eyed, black haired marine biology major she had said yes. But she had never felt love before, besides what she felt for her adopted brother, Travis, and grabbed at it when she thought it was love.

Too wrapped up in her thoughts, she didn't hear the hurried footsteps until it was too late.

"AUUGGGH!" Raven fell backwards her groceries clutched to her chest.

"Oh shit!" Arms grabbed desperately at her arms on either side of the bags. She felt herself hauled onto her feet. "I'm so sorry. I'm in a hurry." apologized a frantic male voice. She felt something that reminded her of warm bright red fill her belly and head.

"It's okay..." she breathed softly feeling unsteady. The skin of her arms was on fire where long-fingered hands had grabbed her. The hair was rising on the back of her neck.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sorry for not paying attention." She lowered her bags looking inside to see the damage. "Why are you in a hurry? If you don't mind me asking?"

"A bird was reported with a broken wing. It sounded like a raven from the description. All black is a pretty easy guess." said the warm voice with a bit of laughter. Her head jerked up.

"I'm Raven." she gasped.

"Are you...now..." his voice trailed off as eyes widened

Large green eyes met navy blue.

"Ko-koni-ni...konnichiwa." Raven stammered.

"Gottzuheit?"

"Hello." Raven amended instantly.

"Hello." he said back.

"What about the bird?"

"Oh, right."

"May I come?"

"Keep the food away and stay back." he said taking off.

She followed him slowly feeling as if she was dragged behind with an unbreakable chain. Raven stood behind him a ways as he knelt behind a tree.

"I'm the one that called you, Doctor." said a little girl in pink in group of three children.

"Thank you." he pulled out rubber gloves and shooed them away.

"Is it? A raven, I mean?" she whispered. He rose to his feet holding a black bird with shining feathers in his hands.

"Yes. Maybe fate brought you both to me today...Raven." he whispered meeting her wide eyes. She felt a shiver running up her spine hearing her name on his lips. She never felt this way around Luke... Maybe it's...lust? Maybe...

"Where are you taking...him or her?" Raven asked curiously.

"To the wild animal hospital. Well, it's a veterinary clinic, but I take in wild animals to save." His full-lips smiled. She watched mesmerized before glancing quickly back to his eyes.

"That sounds beautiful. I love animals." Raven murmured. "You should get the raven back to your clinic to help. I need to put the milk in the fridge. Maybe I'll find you one day. What clinic is it?"

"Three Points. Not all that original, but it's on a corner where three streets meet."

"I don't want to say bye." Raven confessed blushing.

"I'll see you later, Raven." He quickly turned. She continued home cursing herself for making herself look a fool.

Raven tapped her foot irritable. She glared at the bright white screen. She punched down her fingers, frowned, and tapped one button a bunch of times rapidly.

"Ugh!" She flung herself backwards her hair falling towards the floor. "I got green on the brain." she moaned thinking about green eyes. "Such a lovely green." She smiled dreamily. She chewed her lip.

She looked at her watch and flipped up straight. She glanced back at the black letters typed on the computer in front of her. She looked back at her watch.

"That's it! Luke won't be home for another eight hours. I can't get that weird man out of my head. I can't write as a result. I'm...going to the vet!" Raven got to her feet, "But what am I going to wear?"

Raven pushed open the door and flinched when a bell jangled. She stepped inside looking around. A small, cozy looking, plaid couch was against the wall next to the door. A desk was directly in front of her with a redhead woman bending over something chatting into a phone. 'Starla Robin' was written on her small nameplate sitting on her desk. A little girl with teary brown eyes idly flipped the pages in a small picture book by the couch. Raven immediately fell to her knees.

"Why are you crying?" Raven asked softly. The little girl sniffed, pushing brown hair out of her face.

"My puppy was hit by a bicycle. I'm so scared!" She burst into tears. Raven scooped her up into a hug, stroking her head.

"It's okay. I'm sure the doctor will make your puppy all better. Why don't you talk to me?" Raven suggested with a smile.

"Okay... what about?"

"Well, what's your name for one? And how about your puppy's name?"

"Okay..."

A door behind the desk opened. Raven was reading the picture book to little Suzy.

"Is Suzy Carmichael still here?" asked a voice. Raven stiffened and turned around, hair flying around her face.

"Oh! Um..."

"Raven..." said the vet.

"Dr. Bransten! How's Derby?" Suzy asked running forward.

"He's fine. Just a couple broken ribs and hurt front paw." Dr. Bransten assured her.

"Dr. Bransten..." Raven said cordially, putting out her hand. He grasped it firmly. She pointedly ignored the goosebumps running up her arms.

"Raven. I'm glad you came today." he smiled.

"Me too. Suzy is an adorable little girl. Is Derby going to be out soon?"

"Yeah, doctor! When's Derby coming home?" Suzy asked gripping Raven's hand.

"He'll be home very soon. I say two weeks at the most. I'd like to keep him here for tonight to make sure he's okay. He's totally wiped out anyway. He won't wake for a while yet. He just needs to rest now." Bransten assured the little girl.

"Will he get a lollipop like I do when I go to the doctor?" Suzy asked with wide eyes. Raven's and Bransten's eyes met lighting with laughter over her head.

"Yes. I'm sure I'll find just the thing. I'll even give him a sticker." Bransten grinned.

"You silly! He's all furry! Where will Derby put it?" Suzy admonished Bransten seriously. The receptionist, Raven, and Bransten laughed.

"I believe you're right, Suzy. Why don't you go home now?" Bransten supplied.

"Okay, mommy will be waiting. I'm really hungry, too." Suzy ran out the door.

"Why was she here alone?" Raven asked concerned. Bransten rose to his feet.

"Her father's always at work and her mother isn't what you call 'doting'. Her maid really raises her. But she often escape her maid's eye and comes here with her puppy to see the other animals."

"Dr. Bransten, you're late for lunch again. And as a result, so am I."

"I'm sorry, Starla. You can take it now." Starla pulled a container of salad out and started eating. Raven rose an eyebrow. "Do you mind, Starla, if I take off? I forgot my lunch."

"No, Teri probably gave you meat again." Starla said teased, grass green eyes dancing.

"Is that a yes?"

"Oh, go and eat. " Starla laughed with shooing motions.

"Say hello to Nick for me, okay?" Bransten said.

Raven and Bransten left after he hung his lab coat up on a rack near a door.

"So, um...do you not eat meat?" Raven asked uneasily. She didn't want to pry, but she wanted to break the silence.

"Nope. Being around animals so much, I can't stand the thought of eating the species I save."

"Oh, that's... understandable..." she blushed. I'm a writer! I should come up with something better than that! She started as Bransten's laugh filled her ears.

"You seem a little uncomfortable." Bransten teased. Raven blushed.

"I haven't really been out for a while. Um, did you want me to go...or something?"

"No! I want you come to lunch with me. Do you have a favorite restaurant?"

"Um, well, I want to try something new, where do you usually go, Bransten?" Raven asked.

"I know a great place. You can call me Blake." Bransten smiled. Raven blushed and smiled back.

Her eyes widened as she saw all the animals.

"You told me you loved animals. I thought we could visit these fellows before lunch, I ususally do. I love animals, too." Blake grinned. She smiled and then shuddered.

"I'm sory, but I have animal phobia. I love them, but they've never liked me. I was attacked by an elephant once..." She admitted.

"And ever since been scared of them?" Blake gathered, pensive.

"Yes. And they've always attacked me whenever I've tried to pet them." She said sadly.

"Because they sense your fear. They attack when they smell your fear. Here." Blake opened of a cage and pulled out a drowsy white and brown patched puppy. "He's perfectly harmless. He was the only one who survived after his mother died giving birth in the gutter. He's only a month old. Don't be scared."

Raven reached out with a shaking hand. She gulped and pushed away the fear and her eyes widened as fingers touched soft fur. She gasped and drew back her hand as the puppy rose his head...and yawned. She laughed and stroked him again.

"You given something I've wanted all my life. This is the greatest gift I've ever received." Her navy blue eyes met his filled with wonder and gratitude. "Thank you so much."

Blake shifted uneasily under her navy eyes. He shouldn't be feeling this...no, he shouldn't.

"Raven? Why are you home so late?" Luke asked. Raven froze and gripped the doorknob.

He's not supposed be home early! He's never home this early. Raven thought wildly.

"You've been acting so strange these days." Luke said. "And what are you wearing?"

Raven looked down. She wore low-riding jeans and a long-sleeved, dark blue shirt. A long silver necklace with a flat, square pendant flashed on her breast. A black knit sweater was in her arms. Black sneakers with white laces adorned her feet. Her hair was clipped back from the left side of her face with two silver clips. Red earrings were in her ears.

"I felt like looking nice. Is that a problem?" snapped Raven. Luke blinked.

"No, you look great." Luke said softly.

Raven looked away. Blake said I looked beautiful, not great. His eyes shined when he looked at me. I really believed him. I was beautiful tonight. She jumped when fingers grasped her pendant.

"I've never seen this before." Luke murmured. Raven grabbed it and held it to her protectively.

"It was my mother's. It's all I have left because she died when I was born." Raven told him. Her thumb smoothed over the worn filigree on the top. "I've never worn it for fear it would break."

"Then why'd you wear it tonight? And those clothes?" Luke asked suspiciously.

"You may be my husband, but you're not my keeper." Raven whispered angrily. Luke stepped back.

"Is this...Is this about us not having children? Maybe you should go to the doctor..." Raven stopped hearing his words there anger filling her vision red.

"I should go to the doctor? Is that what you said? What about you, oh so mighty husband? Couldn't it be you with the problem?" Raven hissed. Luke looked dumbfounded.

"Raven, I don't think...I mean, my father didn't have any problems...I-"

"I went to the doctor! I went three times to make sure! I want a baby! I want a SUV! I want to sing lullabies and change diapers! And guess what? I can. You can't, Luke Aquan!" Raven yelled at him.

"You don't know that!" Luke shouted back.

"Oh, so if the doctor, three different doctors actually, told me three times I can successfully bear children and probably quite well then how can it be my fault?" Raven spat.

"Well, it can't be mine!"

"Oh, so three doctors are wrong? You should go check it out if you're so sure. Or maybe we're just incompatible and shouldn't have been married in the first place?" Raven seethed. Luke took a step back. "I'm leaving."

"Raven, there are marriages without children, or we can adopt-" he cut off at the swift motion of her hand.

"No, not me. I want my own children first. All I ever wanted was a happy home with children and opening tons of presents. I wanted a family. I wanted a home. This isn't home, Luke, this..." she waved her arm to emphasis, "Is a house." She opened the door and left.

Raven smiled as footsteps came up behind her.

"Hi Raven." Blake grinned.

"Konnichiwa." Raven answered with a bow of her head. Blake grinned wider.

"You sound like you were born Japanese. It's amusing when you get angry with yourself. I think I learned every curse word in Japan and I don't even know what they mean." Blake joked.

"I was born in Japan." Raven said, too embarrassed to think of anything else to say.

"I should've known. You don't look it."

"My mother was an anthropologist. She loved Japan best and lived there for many years. She...she was raped one summer, but decided to keep me. She died giving birth to me-"

"And all you had left was her necklace. It's beautiful." Blake said remembering it.

"Yes. The Japanese inscription in the middle of it says the mirror on the back shows your true face, what's inside." Raven told him, her hand lifting to grasp where her necklace would have lain.

"I'm sure the mirror was dazzled when you looked into it."

"You're flirting with me." Raven accused. Blake wagged his eyebrows suggestively. Raven laughed.

"I love it when you laugh. You don't doit very much."

"I laugh so much around you. I think my face is beginning to hurt with it." Raven said, smiling none-the-less.

"Good. You need to smile more. Where do you live?" Blake asked. Raven felt her head spin at this sudden shift in conversation.

"Nowhere." Raven blurted. She slapped a hand to her mouth. "I mean-I live...I- down- here." Raven said stopping her verbal diarrhea.

"Here?"

"Yes, here. In New York." Raven agreed.

"I was asked for your home."

"I don't have one."

"What?" Blake choked.

"Oh, I'm not a hobo. I just...am hanging at a hotel for a while. I needed to get away. You've turned my life upside down." Raven explained nervously. She didn't really lie. His hand cupped her cheek.

"You've done the same for me. Shall we go to dinner?"

"Yes."

"So, you and Travis were adopted into the same family?"

"Yes. His familyreally is from Africa. They put him in an adoption center that closed down and he was sent to a brother one in Japan. It happened to be mine. A couple from New York was visiting Japan and decided it was time to make a family. They lived there until Travis and I were seven and then we came here." Raven pushed her card into the slot and pulled open the door when the light went green.

"You've had quite an adventure. You life is like a book." Blake said.

"That's why I'm a writer. My mother inspired since I was a little girl. I would sit in my room and write out stories in my head of my mother and I doing all sorts of adventures all over the world. Travis and I would reenact them. As I grew older I took studies in languages, creative writing, travel, anything that would remind me of my mother developing my childish stories into something that appealed to thousands of people. I love every minute of it." Raven walked towards the small counter. "Want coffee?"

"Ugh, not that stuff. Starbucks for me." Blake said snottily.

"Are you making fun of me?" Raven asked her eyes glittering.

"Of course not. But I couldn't possibly drink this. It's..." he paused and lifted a packet, " Not a name brand."

"You are making fun of me!"

"You sure catch on fast." Blake snickered.

"You jerk!" Raven pounced on him sending them sprawling onto the bed with an 'oomph'.

"So, what are you going to do to me?" Blake asked.

"I don't know...I didn't plan past this." Raven confessed with an abashed smile.

"How about I help?" Blake whispered huskily.

Raven's eyes widened and she blushed. He flipped over and kissed her tentatively on the lips. After the initial shock, Raven kissed back with everything she had. All the colorful feelings inside that had confused for these past two months, hoping, hoping so much, that he could feel those vibrant colors, too.

The colors flooded into her very being, annihilating all thought as their bodies claimed more.

Raven awoke and felt a drowsy calm in her. The clock read about noon, but her body said it was still too early to wake. A night of the most intense and passionate love making in her life made her still feel woozy. She knew then that, even though Luke was a great lover, nothing could compare when it was with the one you love. She gasped.

I am in love. I really am. I mean...I am...right? I shouldn't say it. Look what happened with Luke...SHIT! Luke! Raven sat up abruptly, slid from the bed, and pulled some clothes from her suitcase.

She turned as Blake made a small noise. She smiled as he woke. He smiled dreamily at her and closed his eyes before snapping them open. She watched with mild amusement when he made an incoherent noise and fell off the other side of the bed.

"Are you all right, Blake?"

"No-I mean yes. I-I'm fine."

"Blake... I lied to you...I guess...yes, I did." Raven wrung her hands.

"What?"

"I...I'm married...technically. I left my husband a week ago. I couldn't handle it." Raven looked at the mussed white sheet. She heard him inhale sharply. "I'm sorry. It wasn't you! I mean, I've been having some problems with him before...but...after I met you... I couldn't pretend to love him."

"Raven...how...what...why didn't you-no that doesn't matter." Blake fumbled around, found his pants and pulled them on.

"I-I'm sorry. Blake...Blake!" Raven leaned over the bed. "Blake, look at me!" Raven pleaded.

Blake looked up at her. The morning sun filtered through the window on her and he was suddenly brought back to that night, remembering what he had seen, had felt. He shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Raven. I'm really confused right now. I have to go think." Blake stood and walked to the door. Raven watched as her heart left when the door slammed.

Raven wiped her mouth. She breathed deeply through her mouth. She gagged and then flung herself over the rim of the bowl.

"Ravey, are you all right?" Travis whispered, large hands pulling the hair off her forehead.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just a flu." Raven smiled tremulously.

"Luke called yesterday. You should go home." Travis suggested gently. Raven looked away. A slow smile spread over her face.

"You're right. I should go home. I love you, onii-san."

"I love you, too, immouto. I will always be behind you." His black eyes met hers and she knew he knew.

"Arigatu." She watched him leave and brushed her teeth.

Luke Aquan got out of his Mercedes and walked down his driveway. He pulled open the door of his mailbox. He unlocked his front door and threw down the large stack of envelopes. He pulled open the fridge on grabbed the orange juice and turned back to the mail. He opened them one by one, bill after bill. His eyes widened seeing the address on the large manilla envelope.

He opened it slowly and pulled out a stack of stapled papers. He fell hard onto a chair by the dining table. A piece of paper fell out of the sheaf of papers. He leaned down and picked it up to see two words written in curvy handwriting.

I'm sorry.

Raven looked up from the small piece of paper in her hand.

"This is it." Raven laid a hand on her stomach comfortingly. She then striaghtened and walked up to the door. She knocked smartly.

The door flung open and Raven felt her stomach drop. Blue eyes and blonde hair filled her vision.

"Hello! Do you need something?" asked the blonde woman.

"Y-yes... does Dr. Bransten live here?" Raven stammered. Her hand defensively fell to her stomach.

"Yes. My name is Teri. Are you one of his patient's owners?" Teri asked. Raven was sent spinning back to a faraway memory.

... No, Teri probably gave you meat again. Teri...Teri...Teri must be...

Raven's eyes darted to her left hand and saw gold. She took a step back.

"Yes... My cat... Goober... he... he has a heart murmur...I'm sorry...I have to go." Her eyes closed and she shook her head.

"Are you okay?" Teri asked concerned. Raven's eyes flew open as hands grasped her arms and steadied her.

"Just dizzy..." Raven whispered. "Mrs. Brasnten?"

"Yes, I am. How'd you guess?"

"The ring..."

"Oh. Of course. Are you sure you're okay? You should come inside and sit down."

"No, I couldn't." Raven protested.

"You're here for Blake aren't you? He'll be home soon." Teri said.

"I can't, really. I should just go home..." Raven trailed off. Home...I want to go home... Tears formed in her eyes.

"Oh my. Please, come in."

"No...I'm just emotional theses days. I'm getting through a divorce after three years of a loveless marriage...I'm pregnant and I don't have a home. I'm so sorry. Please, let me go." Raven began to cry in earnest at this woman's kindness. She slept with this beautiful woman's husband. Was it all a game to Blake, all a lie?

"Oh my! You poor woman. Please come in!" Teri exclaimed.

"I deserve your kindness. I don't deserve anything!" Raven pulled away and began to run down through the front yard.

"Wait!" Teri chased after her. Raven tripped and fell on her face, grass going up her nose. She choked on the morning's dew.

Raven pushed herself to her knees and hands and wobbled on her feet. A car pulled up and Raven spun around and saw Blake get out of the car. She took a step back, tears falling unheeded. She turned and ran, sneakers pounding on cement.

His green eyes had met hers for just a few seconds and still she felt those colors, wild and demanding. Home was there, just beyond the front yard and on the other side of that beat up green car. But it wasn't hers to have and it never will be. Her home was taken before she had really had it. Her breath broke harshly as she ran for all her worth, away from that life, away from loveless pain.

Six Years Later

She sighed in relief and dragged the mouse up. She clicked it and smiled as she saved her last chapter to end of her adventure series. She got up and stretched, reaching towards the ceiling. She turned off her computer and walked out of her small room. She stopped and turned in the doorway.

A small bed with a thick navy blue comforter and creamy sheets and two big pillows sat by the window. Her desk was at the foot of her bed against the wall. A small nightstand sat beside the head of her bed with a large lamp and a book on it. Her closet was on the other side of the room. The floors were hardwood and gleamed mutely.

She walked out of the room and leaned down to trail her fingers over the fluffy thick fur of her black cat.

"Good afternoon, Orville." Raven said pleasantly.

"Mrow!" Her popcorn-named cat meowed loudly.

"No. You're going to be fat if I keep feeding you whenever you ask." Raven said firmly.

She entered the hay-gold-tiled floored kitchen and went to the fridge. She pulled out salad and some other items of food. She put them on the brick counter and grabbed the cooking book off the top of the fridge.

"Hmmm, I think Indian tonight, this tofu dish is perfect. He'll love it. What do you think, Orville?"

"MRROW!" His front paws rested on the cabinet door as he stood up.

"I take that as a yes." Raven said with a nod. She sighed as Bransten, her white and brown patched mutt barked loudly outside. "Just because you're the first animal I ever petted without fear does not make you special. Shut up!" Raven shouted out the kitchen window into the backyard, yellow curtains flapping around her in the wind. She looked down to see Bransten wagging his stub of a tail his tongue lolling out of his mouth. "How can you be so energetic? You're seven years old! Aren't you old in doggy years?"

"Woof!"

"Ugh!" Raven shook her head and pulled her head back into the kitchen. Her eyes lit up as she heard an engine rumble up. She ran to the front door. She pulled open the door to see large green eyes look up at her.

"I'm home!" announced a male voice. She scooped him up and waved out the door.

The yellow school bus drove away.

"And you did it all by yourself! That's my big boy! Guess what's for dinner?"

"What?"

"Guess." Raven's eyes sparkled.

"Tofu?"

"YUP!"

"YAY! You're the best mommy ever!"

"And you're the best son ever, Riley." Raven said snuggled against his soft chubby cheek. "Now, go play with Bransten, he misses you already."

"Okay!" Raven watched her six-year-old son rush away. She heard the glass doors open as he went into the back yard and she walked to the kitchen. Today had been an exciting day. His first day of kindergarden and going there by himself on the bus. Cooking would calm her down. After six years of practice, she was pretty good at it now.

That night, she closed the book as his green eyes closed. She brushed back black hair, the same color as his father's, with strange green highlight when the sun hit it. She had not loooked back that day she ran away. Blake never came to find her. Neither did Luke. Now, she was Raven Cyben once more. She had wanted dozens of children and lots of animals when she was girl. She wanted so large a family she couldn't see straight, and a husband to hold her close every night.

Instead, she got no children from her marriage and one child out of adultery. She had two animals, the dog had been claimed by her son, however, who had been raised with the puppy. The puppy had been just barely over a year when Riley was born. And every night she went to bed by herself. With only her own body heat to keep her company, occasionally Orville, too, and a spare pillow.

Once again she slid between the sheets. She snuggled with her fluffy pillow. Orville curled at her feet. She sat up startled as her door opened. Her eyes softened as Riley suffled into her room, rubbed his eye with a chubby fist.

"What's wrong, Rye-Rye?" Raven whispered, pushing back her comforter.

"I missed you, Mommy. I was so scared. Will you take me to school tomorrow?" Riley whimpered cutely.

"Of course, if you're sure. But, for right now, come up and snuggle with Mommy." Raven said smiling. Riley's face lit into a large, sleepy grin that made her heart squeeze.

She scooted over as Riley managed to pull himself up. They arranged themselves in a spooning position, her arms around him. He snuggled agains the pillows and grasped the pillows in his little fist.

"I love you, Mommy." he whispered sleepily. She smiled and pulled him close, her nose against his black hair.

"I love you, too, Rye-Rye." Raven whispered.

She did not have a bunch a kids, a ton of animals, or a husband. None-the-less, she finally found home by giving up her old life for a brand new scary one. And it all started because she finally found love.

V V V

Kitty: YAY! Six lives done! Two more chapters to go! Do you know what's happening yet? insert evil laugh Of course not, you're probably confused out of your puny minds! Of course, I shouldn't be talking...I have a brain the size of a dime... I LOVE YOU ALL! Well, the ones reading and liking this anyway. And even if you don't like it, I still love you for reading this.