Cat and Mouse
Chapter 7
Commitments and Promises
A/N: This chapter is a bit longer than the other ones. I guess I'm a bit of a perfectionist and want this chapter to pull the first half of the story together with the second half. I don't know exactly where it'll go from here. My muse keeps leading me…
A/N: rain, Thanks for the compliment! (Curtsey) I have put a lot into the characterization, mostly because I want them to come across as "real", not just some empty players playing out a poorly rehearsed play. Keep tuned about Katya.
A/N: Melodie568 – thanks for the reviews. I'm trying to keep up with this between the piles of work on my desk. This is more interesting though…
A/N: It might be up to two weeks before I get the next chapter out. End of semester paperwork is demanding my undivided attention…
…
"The smell of your skin, The taste of your kiss, The way you whisper in the dark, Your hair all around me, Baby you surround me, You touch every place in my heart, You know it feels like the first time, Every time, I want to spend the whole night in your eyes." (Lonestar's Amazed)
…
Emma stopped short. In the room when it was just Shalimar and herself, she was all for the plan. Now, she wasn't quite sure. And she was the one to suggest it! This was a lot to ask of her teammates. It took a lot for her to admit her feelings to Shalimar. Her head spun with all the possibilities that could happen once she and Shalimar walked through that door. Rejection or acceptance, what would it be?
Shalimar slid her hand into Emma's. She sensed the confusion and fear. She tried to smile reassuringly at the younger girl. She really didn't care what the team thought. She just wanted the acceptance of the decision from them. She listened carefully to the movement inside the room: the three Mutant X team members and Emma's children. Children that already accepted her and Emma; children that would love them no matter what. Shalimar squeezed Emma's hand, and put her hand on the doorknob, "Ready, Emma? Everybody's waiting."
Emma gratefully squeezed back. Her eyes sparkled when she realized that Shalimar meant that her two daughters were in there too. She took a deep breath and exhaled hard, then nodded for Shalimar to open the door.
The team looked up expectantly as they entered, hand in hand. Adam noticed the slight redness on each of the girls' necks, but wisely said nothing. He had seen them playing the game of cat and mouse for months now.
Chessy and Jori ran across the room and tackled Emma and Shalimar. Emma smiled as she leaned over to hug them, savoring in their sweet little girl smell. Shalimar waited patiently, and then gave Emma a discreet shove with her foot, when Emma stalled.
Shalimar started, "Emma and I have done a lot of talking and have come to a decision."
Emma looked around, trying to judge their reaction to what would be said next. "I…Shal…we…" She stumbled over her words. She ran her hand through her hair nervously. She wished for the entire world not to be here in front of the group and to be back in the bedroom with Shalimar, where they could touch each other, among other pleasurable thoughts. Shalimar stepped up behind Emma, wound her hands into Emma's and placed them on Emma's hips, trying to give her strength.
Chessy and Jori looked up at them, asking questions in their minds. What's wrong, Mama? What's wrong with loving Shalimar like you do? WE both love you. Why is Mama scared, Mommy? Emma blushed at their words. Shalimar squeezed her hands. "Go on, Emma. Nobody is going to bite you, " she whispered into Emma's ears. I might later, but nobody here is going to bite you without going through me first.
"Ok, Ok." Emma leaned back into Shalimar, seeking all the contact and support she could get in that simple gesture. "Adam. Jesse. Brennan." She looked at each one in turn. "Shalimar and I want to make everything official..." Emma faltered again and blushed bright red as she looked at the ground at nothing in particular.
Chessy and Jori effectively took control of the conversation and said what Emma tried to say, "Mama's in love with Aunt Shalimar and they want to be married!"
Children!!!!! Emma wilted at their audacity, but now that it was in the open, it couldn't be taken back. Shalimar grinned at the twins behind Emma's back. She kept a firm hand on Emma and guided them over to a couch, ignoring Emma's hesitation.
Brennan and Jesse looked at each other and shrugged. If the girls wanted to be together, that was their decision. They thought of the four of them as siblings anyway. "Well, I guess that means I have to look elsewhere for my fun." Brennan teased. Shalimar smiled at him knowingly.
Adam was beaming. So, they came up with a better solution than he did. "Well, I was wondering when you two would realize what was going on around here..."
Emma was still embarrassed, but she felt the glowing acceptance of the situation from the team and her children surrounding her. Shalimar did not let go of her hand, which she was grateful. Then the twins were clamoring and climbing up to sit in their laps.
"Mama, do we get to call Aunt Shalimar 'Mommy' now?" Jori asked, when she was firmly in Emma's lap.
"Yes, sweetie, you do." Emma and Shalimar looked deep into each other's eyes and smiled as the twins yelled "Yippee!"
"So, do you want to have a ceremony?" Jesse hugged them and asked.
"I don't know. We haven't discussed that yet."
"Does that mean you want the twins to live with us at Sanctuary?" Adam asked.
"Of course, Adam." Shalimar smiled at the unanswered question in Adam's eyes. "We'll probably want to renovate a slighter bigger suite for the four of us, though."
Emma sighed. Myra wanted us to be together. Now she gets her other wish. She sighed again as she remembered something and then squeezed Shalimar's hand and bit her lip. "Shal, let's go tell Myra. And bring the twins with us." She said quietly.
Shalimar looked up with concern. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Ok. Adam, we're taking the twins for a walk."
…
It was a little tough walking up to Myra's grave. The twins scampered every which way. Emma almost turned around and headed back to the house, but Shalimar kept her headed up to Myra's gravesite.
"You were my strength when I was weak.
You were my voice when I couldn't speak.
You were my eyes when I couldn't see.
You saw the best there was in me.
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach.
You gave me faith 'coz you believed.
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me..."
The gravesite was neat and well tended. The Estate house staff had seen that new flowers were planted all around. The grave marker was a simple one:
Mariya "Myra" Hunt-Heinz
Born June 19, 1964
Died November 3, 2003
She lived, as she loved
Emma sat down and talked to Myra. Shalimar kept the twins at a short distance away and told them to be quiet.
"…You gave me wings and made me fly.
You touched my hand I could touch the sky.
I lost my faith; you gave it back to me.
You said no star was out of reach.
You stood by me and I stood tall.
I had your love, I had it all.
I'm grateful for each day you gave to me.
Maybe I don't know that much,
But I know this much is true,
I was blessed because I was loved by you." (Celine Dion's Because You Loved Me)
"Myra, I wish you could have lived longer, to see me with my daughters. You kept them safe for me. Thank you. You should have seen us earlier today. We had an impromptu recital and the girls and I danced to our song. It's been so hard with out you. But Shalimar and I are together. I was stubborn and couldn't see her love, but now I do."
Emma reached around for Shalimar's hand. Shalimar came over and took it. Emma looked at the hillside and Myra's land. Her land now. She pointed at a tree a little ways down the hillside. "Let's do it over there, Shal."
"Do what?"
"Our commitment ceremony." Emma leaned over and kissed Shalimar.
"Do we get to be there?" Chessy and Jori asked a few minutes late, interrupting them. Emma and Shalimar had almost forgotten that the twins were there with them.
"Of course. We want you to be the flower girls."
"Goody. Jori should wear violet, like her name and eyes." Chessy exclaimed.
"And Chessy looks good in buttercup with her darker hair." Jori hugged her sister.
"Alright. Let's go make plans and discuss them with the rest of the group."
…
A flurry of activity surrounded the four girls. Emma and Shalimar decided on the date of December 6 for the ceremony. They went shopping for everything: dresses for them and the girls, food, decorations and presents. They even bought stuff for their new suite at Sanctuary that the boys were overseeing the renovations of. The four stayed at the Estate house for the few weeks in the meantime.
Finally, the morning of the 6th arrived. Emma did not sleep a wink the night before and was up early making sure the dining room table was ready. Shalimar laughed at her from the doorway.
"If you fold those napkins again, you're going to wear the material out." She chided.
"I know, I know. I just want everything to be just right."
Shalimar looked at her watch. "The boys will be here at 9. So why don't you find Jori and go get ready."
They had decided that Jori and Emma would get dressed together and Chessy and Shalimar would get dressed together in a different room, thereby preserving the 'don't see the bride before the ceremony' ritual.
Emma and Shalimar had picked out matching white gauzy dresses, almost Spanish in style with a neckline that complimented both of their curves, clingy enough without revealing too much. They had matching violet and buttercup sashes on the dresses and their hats. Chessy and Jori were in miniature dresses of the same style, one violet, and the other one buttercup. Emma and Shalimar also had matching blue topaz necklaces and earrings that Chessy and Jori had picked out for them.
Adam had found a justice of the peace who was also a new mutant to perform the ceremony. Sarah and Clara had left at 8:30 to go pick her up.
Emma made sure that Jori had the ring she was giving Shalimar. They had picked them out separately and only the twins had seen the other one. Jori and Emma showered quickly and Emma quickly fixed Jori's hair up in a lazy bun after it was dried. She kept finding herself not breathing. Jori giggled at her. "Mama, don't worry. You look pretty. It's going to be fun day."
"I know sweetie, but that doesn't keep me from being nervous."
How can you be nervous when you are doing this with the person you love? Emma heard Jori's unspoken question and chose not to answer it.
She heard the cars drive up and looked at her watch. "Ok, Jori. Tell Chessy that we're ready."
Jori squinted as she telepathically contacted her twin sister. "She already knows. Mommy almost ripped her dress putting it on." She reported to Emma.
"That was something I was afraid was going to happen." She smiled at her daughter and seeing the picture of Shalimar getting tangled up in her dress, she half-giggled.
Clara discreetly knocked at the door, while Sarah had gone to get Shalimar and Chessy "Everybody's seated, Emma. Should I start the music?"
"In about 5 minutes. Thanks, Clara." Emma sat down and meditated. Jori held her hands and kept quiet, helping her mother with calming thoughts. They had been practicing this together the past few weeks and the twins were much better at it. Privacy was still the biggest problem for the twins, as they did not quite grasp the concept of discretion. Oh well, there was more time to work on that later.
Emma opened her eyes, calmer now. "Ready?" She asked Jori.
Jori nodded. She led Emma out of the room. They were to come of the house from the east side, while Shalimar and Chessy would leave from the west side. There were two separate paths up the hillside where everybody invited would be waiting under the tree. Emma insisted on a small ceremony, knowing she would be too nervous to handle anything more than their teammates and Myra's staff.
Jesse had worked wonders on the sound system outside. The speakers were hidden all over, so the music sounded like the flowers and trees were singing. The processional music started. Emma had selected "Out here on my own" from Fame for the music.
"Sometimes I wonder, where I've been, who I am, do I fit in.
Make believin' is hard alone out here on my own.
We're always proving who we areAlways reaching for the rising star
To guide me far and shine me home
Out here on my own.
When I'm down and feelin' blue,
I close my eyes so I can be with you.
Baby be strong for me, baby belong to me
Help me through, help me need you.
Until the morning sun appears,
Making light of all my fears,
I dry the tears I've never shown
Out here on my own. (Irene Cara's Out Here on my Own)
They walked up the pathway. She could see Shalimar and Chessy walking through the trees towards them.
They meet in front of the justice of peace. The woman greeted them warmly and the rest of her words were lost to Emma as she looked at Shalimar. Emma was glad she had chosen to wear flats today, so she could look Shalimar directly in those brown eyes of hers, that she loved getting lost in…
"Every time our eyes meet, This feelin' inside me, Is almost more than I can take, Baby when you touch me, I can feel how much you love me, And it just blows me away, I've never been this close to anyone or anything, I can hear your thoughts, I can see your dreams. " (Lonestar's Amazed)
Jori tugged her hand. It was time for their commitment speeches. Each woman had written their own, not liking the standard ones.
Emma said her's first: "I, Emma de Lauro, take thee, Shalimar Fox, for my beloved partner in life. You have been my friend first and lover second. You helped me up when I was low. You gave me strength to carry on when I thought I could not go on. I stand before our friends and family and pledge my love and support. As the phrase goes, "Whither thou goest, I will go." This, I give to you, Shalimar Fox."
Shalimar smiled as she heard Emma's words. She said her's next: " I, Shalimar Fox, take thee Emma de Lauro for my beloved partner and mate in life. I've loved you since the first time I saw your picture, but I was scared to express that to you because I might hurt you. I thought I knew music, but my music was just a soloist until you showed me there are a whole orchestra and choir out there. I stand before our friends and our new family and pledge my love to you, Emma. That saying goes on with, "Whither thou leadest, I will follow." This I give to you, Emma de Lauro."
Meanwhile, Emma was lost again in those brown eyes that were looking back at her. Just for her. She held tight to Shalimar's hands. Suddenly, she was too hot, and she swayed briefly. She clung tighter to Shalimar. She couldn't believe today was finally happening. Shalimar didn't seem to notice her slight sway, or if she did, she put it down to Emma's jitters. She certainly had some of them herself.
"Mama," Jori whispered and tugged her hand. Mama! She said in Emma's head to snap her out of her reverie. "The ring!" she stage whispered. Emma blushed and nearly dropped the ring. She looked around nervously. Thankfully nobody but Jori noticed. The justice of peace waited patiently for her to proceed.
"I, Emma, give you, Shalimar, this ring as a token of my love and friendship." She moved the com-link rink to Shalimar's right hand and placed her ring that she had picked out with Jori on Shalimar's left hand.
Shalimar smiled as she looked down at the ring and shot a mischievous look at Jori and Chessy. "I, Shalimar, give you, Emma, this ring as a token of my love and friendship." She repeated the same process as Emma did and waited for Emma's reaction. The twins had manipulated them into picking out the same rings for each other, except for their inscriptions to each other inside the rings.
Emma gasped and gave the twins a duplicate look as Shal did earlier. The twins just smiled and gave themselves mental high fives for pulling the deception off.
"You may kiss your partners!"
Emma had lost herself in Shal's brown eyes again and Jori had to nudge her again. Mama, you can kiss Mommy now! Jori shook her head. Mama was acting weird today! You'd think that she didn't love Mommy the way she was acting.
Emma moaned under Shal's tongue that spoke many words and promises. Shalimar had not slept with her this past week, saying she wanted tonight to be extra special. Emma leaned into the kiss harder and was rewarded with a purr that made Emma weak in the knees.
The Justice of the Peace discreetly coughed. Neither of them heard her.
Jori and Chessy interrupted them. Mama! Mommy! Emma and Shalimar reluctantly broke off the kiss.
"I present Emma and Shalimar de Lauro-Fox."
They had disagreed over this as neither woman wanted to give up their own identity and name fully. The hyphenated name was the final compromise. Shalimar also insisted on adopting the twins in the process. Emma and Shalimar had planned the daytime part of their day with the twins in mind. The evening was planned for adult parties.
Jesse played the vigilant photographer and took a lot of candid shots during the ceremony.
Then Shalimar's choice of music for the processional started, Shania Twain's From This Moment On. Shalimar encircled her arm about Emma and led them down to brunch.
Brunch was a simple affair, French toast, bacon, and sparkling grape juice. Adam had not lifted the alcohol ban on Emma yet, since her suicide attempt. She sighed but was happy to be here with her friends.
Afterwards, Emma and Shalimar changed into jeans with matching violet and buttercup t-shirts, keeping the same color theme going through out the day. They were taking the twins out for a movie and then ice cream. Emma and Shalimar had reservations for a private dining room for dinner as a present from Brennan and Jesse. The boys were having supper with the twins in return. Then the 5 adults were going out to a club of Shalimar's choice. It was at a feral-friendly bar that Shal had partied at many times. She wanted to show off Emma tonight. What she didn't know the owner had planned a private surprise party for the two women.
…
Emma and Shalimar slipped into matching leather mini skirts for their dinner date. Emma had a card from Adam that he had instructed her to open when they were at their table. Shalimar looked up in surprise when Emma ordered her steak medium rare too. Emma shrugged at Shal's unspoken question. "It sounded better to me."
Emma opened the card. Inside was a prescription script that gave her permission to drink tonight for the special occasion. She giggled when she read it and then passed it over to Shal to read. Shal nodded.
"I know. I talked to Adam about that earlier this week, with this being our day, and using the limo to take us around." Shalimar signaled to the waiter over and whispered in his ear.
"Of course, madam. Right away!"
He came back with a bottle of German Riesling Wine. He poured two glasses for them and scooted away.
Emma sighed. "I couldn't be much happier than this."
Shal saluted her with the glass. "To us."
Emma sipped the wine and looked lazily over at her mate, "I love you, Shalimar de Lauro-Fox," rolling the name over her tongue and in her mind too.
"I love you too, Emma de Lauro-Fox."
Emma couldn't remember drinking a wine that tasted so good or smelled so delicious. "It smells clean," she murmured to herself. She finished her glass and waited for Shal to pour some more. She felt her cheeks responding in kind with the warmth in her stomach from the wine.
Shal looked at her flushed cheeks and put it down to the wine. She poured Emma a half glass full, explaining, "Adam will scalp me if you were drunk before the rest of the night is even started."
Their plates of steaks arrived. Emma was suddenly desperate for contact with Shal; even if it is was just a simple contact. She moved her chair closer to Shal's. She felt another heat flash starting. Must be the wine she mused. She wiggled her new ring around and held her hand out to admire it again.
"Those girls had us going with the rings."
"They know us better than we do sometimes." Shal commented.
Emma ate some of the steak and soon pushed her plate away, not feeling hungry any more. She sipped her wine as she watched Shal eat, fascinated by her mate's mouth. She refrained from crawling into Shal's lap and kissing those lips.
"What's wrong? Not hungry, Emma?"
"Not for food," Emma replied, putting some of her feelings behind it, hoping Shal would catch the hint.
Shalimar leaned over and kissed Emma. Emma's eyes glazed over briefly.
The waiter popped his head in and asked if they wanted dessert. Not taking her eyes off of Emma, Shalimar told him, "No dessert. Will you call our driver to the door?" Good, Emma thought. She caught the hint.
They paid for the meal and left a twenty-dollar tip for the waiter.
Casually they walked to the door and into the limo. Once the door lock clicked and they had pulled the privacy curtain across, they were on each other. Kissing and groping, they sought release for the pent up feelings that had been building all week long from not being together.
They were composed by the time the limo had pulled up to the Estate house. They were going in long enough to tuck the twins in for the night; a ritual that they had never failed to do since they met the young girls.
Adam, Brennan and Jesse were waiting downstairs with yet another present. They had four radiophones. "So you can keep in touch with the girls while you're away."
"I even made sure they are secure lines," Jesse added.
"Thanks guys. I was wondering how we were going to get through the week without talking to them."
They left for the club after Shalimar called up and confirmed they were on their way. Emma realized that she could smell Shalimar on the seats from earlier and her eyes widened. She looked around to see if any of the guys noted it. Shalimar grinned mischievously at Emma.
"I can smell us," she whispered in Shal's ear. Shal just hugged her.
Arriving at the club, the doorman held them up. "Sorry, it's a private party tonight."
"Ali is expecting us."
On cue, Ali came to the door. "Bruce, let them in. They are the guests of honor tonight."
She held the door as they walked in. She reached down behind a counter and came up with purple and yellow bracelets. "Drinks are on the house tonight."
She hugged Shalimar and sniffed the air. She turned to hug Emma with a, "Ah, so this is the lucky lady who captured our Shalimar's heart. Come on, the party is especially for you two."
Ali led them to the bar. "Frank, these are our guests of honor tonight. Shalimar & Emma, and their friends Adam, Jesse and Brennan. Treat them right." Her eyes flashed briefly.
Frank took their drink orders. Emma took the time to hug Adam and to thank him for the card at dinner. Emma ordered a Bacardi Silver. She wanted to keep a clear head tonight.
After throwing back a few shots of tequila, Shalimar pulled Emma onto the dance floor. She was here to show off Emma to her feral friends. It didn't take long for Emma to loosen up and enjoy herself.
A few songs later, the DJ announced, "Everybody, this next dance is for our special guests, Shalimar and Emma. Let them have the floor." Emma blushed at the attention. Shalimar pulled Emma close as the DJ played Celine Dion's Because You Loved Me for them. Emma hid her face in Shal's neck and teasingly kissed her there. Shal purred back.
Ali came up to them after the song ended and invited them upstairs. Emma was glad because the dance floor was getting unbearably hot. Shal didn't seem to mind the heat though.
There was a smaller room with dim lighting and several couples lying on the floor. They looked up when Ali opened the door. "Shal, I'm sure you remember some of these people. I'll check on you later."
Shal took Emma's hand and lead her around the room, introducing her to her friends there. While they were making small talk with the one couple, Emma nearly jumped out of her skin when a firm hand appeared on her shoulder, which somehow she knew was attached to a male body without even looking at it. "So this is who Shal's been hiding all this time." He kissed her hand.
Shal turned around and hugged the guy, "Chas, you made it. Yes this is Emma." She pulled Emma close in to her side and whispered, "He is wonderful in bed."
Emma nodded. The heat was getting to her again. "Shal is there a balcony where I can get some fresh air?"
"Right through that hallway. We'll be right behind you."
Shal turned back to Chas and they talked for awhile. She didn't notice that almost a half hour passed before she headed to Emma, Chas on her tail.
They found Emma sitting against the wall, meditating.
"Emma?" Shal asked worriedly."It's nothing, I'm just a little tired."
Chas offered to give her a back rub. Emma relaxed and almost fell asleep.
"Let's take this into one of the private rooms." Chas easily picked Emma up. Shal lead the way to find an empty room.
Emma was now feeling good since the backrub relaxed her and she wanted Shal to herself. That was all she really wanted. She ignored Chas and stared kissing Shal with an urgency that even Chas felt. She blinked her eyes in the dark and soon was able to see Shalimar fully.
"Emma, are you ok?"
"I'm ok." She moved her hand to between Shal's thighs. "Make love to me, Shal." She pulled Shal's underwear to the side and teased her feral there with her fingers. "Please," she almost purred. Shal obliged her. They momentarily forgot Chas in the process until he joined in. Emma was too far into a good mood to push him away. Shalimar trusted him, so she trusted him. It added an extra excitement level to their lovemaking. Emma had not done much more than heavy groping with a guy for over a year, since Caleb really, but she didn't struggle against Chas's intentions. Her body demanded release and she listened to it, however it got the release.
Afterwards, she recoiled from anybody touching her but Shal. She snuggled deep into Shal's side and refused to move. Chas gave them both a chaste kiss on the forehead and left them alone.
Ali found them a few minutes later. "Hey you two. Everybody wants to do the money dance now."
Shal pulled Emma to her feet. Ali led them to the washroom to freshen up. Apparently this was nothing new to her about Shalimar's habits here.
"What is a money dance?" Emma asked.
"The couple starts out dancing alone. Others break in and slip money into their clothing. It's a tradition at this club. It's fun too."
Emma pouted, really wanting to go home and have a nice soak in the hot tub. She looked up when Shal spoke, not realizing that she projected the image at her.
"Emma, I promise we'll go home and have that snack in the hot tub as soon as possible. We can probably leave about a half hour after the money dance. All right?" Shal pleaded with her eyes, those deep brown eyes that Emma couldn't say no to.
"Ok," Emma finally agreed.
Adam, Jesse and Brennan came up with ladies in tow. "Hey you two. Have you been having fun?"
"Yep."
They ordered another round of drinks and soon the DJ announced the beginning of the money dance.
Shal lead Emma to the center of the floor and they started slow dancing. As each new partner claimed them, singles, fives, tens, and twenties made their way into their pockets. Some partners were even daring enough to slip the money down their bras. Emma vaguely remembered dancing with Adam, Jesse and Brennan. She suspected that Chas danced with both of them. Males and females alike danced with them. Emma just surrendered to the music. She was so happy to finally claim Shalimar again at the end of the long dance. They danced together a few songs, holding each other close, and then they finally went to find the other members of their group.
The others noticed how tired Emma was, so they didn't protest with leaving early. Emma fell asleep on the way home, holding tight to Shal's waist. Shal had to carry her in and put her to bed. Poor thing. She must have exhausted herself with planning everything for today. Nothing would wake her up. Shal locked the door and turned to undress the two of them. She stretched out under the covers, watching Emma sleep. She watched her for a long time before she eventually went to sleep herself.
"I could stay awake just to hear you breathing,
Watch you smile while you are sleeping,
While you're far away and dreaming…
I don't wanna close my eyes,
I don't wanna fall asleep…"
(Aerosmith's I Don't Want to Miss a Thing)
…
Emma slept late into the next afternoon. Shal had been up early, done her morning run and had eaten lunch with the twins before Emma finally put in an appearance.
"Hey sleepyhead, feel better?"
TBC
