Chapter Three
Larrin sat outside of Miller's apartment, she could easily wait inside but she wanted to see him be surprised when he walked in. Be at his side. She really excited to see, yes she wanted to make sure he was ok but she was just happy he was home in one piece. She heard the downstairs entry door to the apartments open and Larrin's heart skipped a beat as she hoped it was Miller.
"Mom, I'm good." his voice carried through the stairwell. She smiled in joy as he was here. she rose to her feet and smoothed out the skirt of her sweater dress.
"I just want to take care of you." Larrin heard his mother say. Her smile slipped slightly as she didn't want to intrude on family time for Miller and given his mother hated her it made her second guess being there. She looked around and wondered if she should hide or run for the fire exit.
"I appreciate that but I need some space. So please on't take this the wrong way but I'd like to be alone. I'll see you in the morning." Miller said to his mother, Larrin could feel the frustration in his voice and it was clear that he sounded tired. It made her worry that maybe he needed time alone but she decided if his mother left then she'd let him decide if he wanted her around. If he didn't then she'd just go.
"Ok, fine." His mother replied clearly she was hurt by being sent away.
"I love you Mom and thanks for picking me up." Miller said to her, Larrin heard his mother give a withering sigh, a sigh she knew well as it meant that Ms Miller was not getting her way and it was annoying. But a few seconds later, the exterior door to the building opened and closed. Larrin leaned against the wall by his front door and waited, a few seconds later he came up the stairs to floor they were on and stopped as he saw her. Larrin smiled and gave a small wave.
"Hey," Miller said as he drank in the sight of Larrin. She was wearing a snow white sweater dress over Christmas patterned navy and red leggings tucked into baggy black boots with a crimson red long winter coat over the top. Her dark hair was loose and around her shoulders, it was longer than he remembered and she was more beautiful than he remembered. He walked up to her and dropped his sea bag by the door.
Larrin took the last few steps towards him closing the space between them right into his waiting arms. Miller pulled her in tight, settling one hand on the nape of her neck to lift her for his kiss. He had meant to kiss her softly, tenderly but emotions he'd had roiling within him took over. Larrin didn't mind as he kissed her with hard, quick ecstatic kisses that spoke of his love and his fear of never coming home to her.
Larrin kissed him just as desperately. Love wasn't near strong enough a word for what she felt for him. The emotion swelling in her chest was a thousand times more powerful and painful. He was a part of her. Miller lifted his hea and brushed at the tear marks on her cheeks Larrin hadn't known were there until he had made them known.
"I missed you." he whispered against her skin.
"I missed you too." Larrin replied with a smile as she playfully pulled on his overcoat as she was a little giddy from the kiss and overwhelmed by the moment. She was so grateful he was here so whole and healthy. She had missed his warmth and strength.
"What you doing outside?" he asked her, he brushed her hair behind her ear enjoying the tactile feel of her soft hair. He'd needed this, he hadn't realised how much until this moment how true that need was. He loved her insanely and it wasn't some byproduct of adrenaline and a highly dangerous event.
"Waiting for you." she said with a shy smile that made him want to kiss her senseless again.
"You could have done that inside." Miller said, though he was happy just to see her and have her in his arms.
"Yeah but I wanted to be at your side when you saw your surprise. But if you need time to decompress then I can go." Larrin assured him, Miller shook his head as he didn't want her to go anywhere but inside his apartment.
"No, stay. So my surprise is inside?" he asked her.
"Yep." Larrin said, practically vibrating with excitement. Miller pulled out his keys and opened the door. He flicked on the lights and his eyes went wide. The apartment was decked out in Christmas lights and decorations. There was a tree in one of the corner of the living room, there were presents under it and the fireplace had two stocking hanging from the mantle. No space was left untouched by the Christmas spirit. It would have taken her hours to put it all up.
"Wow." Miller said as it was amazing, like something one would see in a movie yet it was his place. He loved it. He picked up his bag and pulled it into the apartment and closed the door as Larrin was by the kitchen island looking at him with a smile.
"You like it?" she asked him as she pulled off her jacket and folded it over a chair and pushed up the sleeves of her sweater. She still had a scar from when Hannah put a tracker in her arm to save her life. Seeing it made Miller want to kiss it and any other bad memories away.
"It's amazing." he said, it was then his eyes landed on the eight lizard statues lined on the bench. All adorned with Santa hats. He couldn't help but laugh as they were a constant presence in their lives since they took them out of Kara and Danny's house.
"They needed a festive feel." Larrin said referring to the lizards. Miller move to her side and wrapped his hands around her waist wanting her close.
"They are still creepy." Miller said, Larrin laughed and gave a nod in agreement. She looked to him and then they were kissing again. Larrin's hands sank into his hair, as the tender and soft kiss deepened. Taking the time to luxuriate in each other's presence.
"We should go somewhere where the lizards can't watch us." Larrin said between kisses. Miller laughed against her lips.
"Where's Larrin?" Wolf asked as he came down the stairs, Tex's house was sedately decorated with Christmas decorations and he had a fire crackling along with Christmas music playing in the background. Kat was in the kitchen setting up with Tex's help while Andrea was looking after Frankie's needs. Wolf had freshened up and changed for dinner, he'd hoped to see Larrin and reconnect with her. He had really been a bad brother and he wanted to make amends or at least lay down the groundwork to.
"She'll be here soon with Miller." Tex said just before Andrea slapped his hand away from one of the many plates of food that were on the main table.
"It's not seven yet, so show some patience." Andrea informed Tex before she turned her attention back to Frankie who was guzzling a bottle of milk for her dessert as she'd already had her solids for the day. Tex smiled as he liked seeing the maternal more softer side of Andrea. Kara and Danny were currently at their place getting ready to come over for dinner.
"I'm hungry." Tex griped, he wasn't the only one as the food on the table looked and smelled amazing. He knew if he ate another of Larrin's biscuits she'd probably hurt him.
"Eat an apple." Kat told him with a smart ass smile as she was throwing his own words back at him. A knock at the door sounded and everyone looked to the door.
"I'll get it." Wolf said as he wasn't doing anything and he hoped it was Larrin. He went to the door and opened it, cold air smacked him in the face. He noticed the snow was falling heavier than before and much to his disappointed to find a half frozen Sasha.
"Sasha Cooper, I'm Tex Nolan. Get in here." Tex said with a smile as he waved her in.
"Thanks, I got a little lost. It's wild out there." Sasha chagrined as she raced inside for the warmth. Wolf closed the door an Tex helped her out of her jacket.
"You find accommodations?" Tex asked her as he hung her coat on the coat rack. He noted Hannah's coat and wondered where the woman was hiding as she wasn't one to pass up a free meal. But for now he focused on Sasha who had dropped her small duffel bag to the side of the room out of the way.
"Not yet, all the hotels are overbooked. So I was thinking of heading back to base to see if there was any base accommodation left." Sasha said making a face as it wasn't easy being a new member of the crew and having literally no where to go. She should have just stayed in Norfolk but the invitation to visit St Louis and have dinner sounded better than being alone at Christmas.
"Stay here, I got the space." Tex told her, casually as if it were no skin off his nose.
"You sure?" Sasha asked not wanting to intrude on his world given she'd only met him less than a minute ago.
"Yeah, take the room at the top of the stairs to the left. There's a bathroom up there. Spare towels are in the closet next to it. If you want to freshen up." Tex said, showing true hospitality that made Sasha feel incredibly welcome.
"That would be really nice." Sasha admitted as she wouldn't mind a hot shower to thaw out.
"The room with the bright blue furry blanket is mine." Wolf told her.
"And now I understand why you're single." Sasha told him with a mocking smile as she picked up her duffel bag.
"Ouch." Wolf said as he watched her head up the stairs. Once she disappeared Wolf turned to Tex who was wearing a somewhat cryptic expression.
"What?" he asked him, wondering what his bearded friend was thinking.
"Nothing." Tex said a smile spread across his lips.
"We should get moving." Larrin said reluctantly as she and Miller were going to be late to the party if they didn't move. It was definitely a struggle as they were laying on the couch together. Miller had turned off the main lights so they could enough the Christmas lights and put 50's Christmas carols on the stereo. They played softly in the background. It was so beautiful to just be with him in their little Christmas cocoon.
"Just a little longer." Miller said as he held her close. He'd already taken a quick shower and changed so all they had to do was put on their boots and coats and go. But damn, if he just wanted to stay like this for more time they had.
"Ok." Larrin said snuggling closer and relaxing. They lapsed into a companionable silence, Miller felt part of him that had been messed up by the vampirates heal just a little by sitting here. He had a newer appreciation for Larrin, for what they had together.
"Marry me." Miller said, the proposal slipped out before he gave it too much thought. Lord knew he'd been thinking about it a lot over the past months before he was taken hostage. But now he just wanted her to be by his side all the time not just as his girlfriend but as his wife. He wanted to come home to her, he wanted to share his life with her, have children with her. He wanted it all.
"What?" Larrin asked, she heard him but she really wanted him to repeat what he said. She pushed up and looked down at him, he brushed her hair back behind her ear and left his hand; cupping the side her face. Her breath caught in her throat as he looked at her like she were his world and nothing existed outside of her. The love shining in his eyes as he looked at her.
"Marry me." he said with a smile, not even asking he was so confident. He just wanted her on board. She smiled as she liked how well he knew her.
"Yes." Larrin said returning his smile before he pulled her down for a deep, long kiss.
Wolf heard a knock on the door half an hour later and opened the door to find Burk, Miller and Larrin. His sister had changed since he last saw her. Her hair was longer, she looked like she had put on some weight but it looked good on her.
"Dude, you can admire me inside as I'm freezing my nuts off. So move." Burk told him, Wolf stepped out of the way and Burk raced into the house and shook out the chill from his bones as he went to the fire place that was crackling with a strong fire. Larrin came in next, she gave him a small smile, Miller came in after her. Wolf closed the door.
"Hey Everyone!" Larrin said warmly as she let Miller take her Jacket. She smiled at him, a light blush gracing cheeks and she was glowing with happiness. Miller hung her and his own coats on the rack by the door. They exchanged pleasantries with everyone before Larrin turned to Wolf.
"Hey." she said to him, she felt awkward as she really wanted to shout and cry at him for how he'd treated her but there was an audience and frankly she just wanted to have a good night.
"I'm sorry." Wolf told her sincerely.
"For what?" she asked him, Wolf wondered how much Larrin was going to drag this out as she did look pissed. He deserved it, they lost their family and then he'd gone off the reservation in regards to his big brother duties.
"For the radio silence and not coping better." he told her honestly.
"I'm sorry too." Larrin said as she knew it wasn't all his fault. But it still hurt and she had said some pretty mean things herself. She also stopped actively trying to contact him when her emails and phone messages went unanswered.
"We good?" Wolf asked.
"In time." she told him, which was better than 'no'. She walked over to him and pulled him into a hug. "You scared me, I thought you were doing what Dad did." she whispered. Wolf wrapped his arms around her, his heart twisting as he hadn't thought she would see it that way.
"I'm back." Wolf told her.
"Until the next mission." She said pulling back and wiping the tears from her eyes. She gave him a tight smile as they both knew that was the reality of the situation.
"Yeah." he said not bothering to dress it up. Larrin nodded as she moved to Miller's side. Wolf wasn't sure how much he liked his sister leaning on Miller but decided to let it slide. Burk and Miller were right, what choices his sister made were really none of his business and it wasn't like she'd made any bad ones yet.
"Ok, you got a lot to make up for." She told him.
"There's someone I want you to meet." Wolf told her as he spotted Sasha coming down the stairs. She was dressed in a long sleeve white top layered over a tank with olive green skinny jeans. Her hair loose around her shoulders. "Sasha Cooper, this is my sister; Larrin Taylor." he said making the introduction.
"Hi." Larrin said with a warm smile that didn't reach her eyes as she wondered what was wrong with her brother. Hannah was pregnant with his kid. She'd left numerous messages and he brought this goddess of a woman home.
"Nice to meet you, I've heard so much about you from Miller and your brother." Sasha said shaking her hand, she was so warm and friendly with her smile. She was an angel which made it hard for Larrin to hate her.
"I'll admit, I've only heard a small amount of details about you." Larrin said in return.
"I like to be a mystery." Sasha joked, before she turned to Kat. "I'm so sorry I was rude before. Sasha Cooper." she said to her.
"Kat Nolan, I'm his daughter." she said tilting her head at Tex as she shook Sasha's hand. Sasha smiled and once they released hands she looked to Frankie "This must be Frankie, I recognise her from the photos." She said as she brushed a hand over Frankie's hair.
"Yep, that's everyone except Hannah." Tex said not sure if they were going to see Hannah.
"Someone say my name?" Hannah asked as she came into the room. She'd been hiding but then she realised that she had nothing to be ashamed of and frankly she refused to hide and feel pathetic. She was just glad she had enough time to lather on make up like it was war paint and change into a nice navy blue loose sweater and maternity skinny jeans. So ok, the sweater wasn't very loose but it looked good.
"Hannah St Claire, Sasha Cooper. She's joined the Nathan James crew and is an honorary member of vulture team. Hannah is a doctor at the local hospital and rents the flat out the back." Tex said selling Sasha to Hannah while those who'd just come back from deployment looked shocked at Hannah's condition. Andrea and Burk didn't seem to care, Miller already knew thanks to a text message from Larrin. But Wolf was shell shocked as he took in her baby bump.
"Nice to meet you." Hannah said to Sasha as she shook her hand.
"You too, congratulations when are you due?" Sasha asked.
"I got another three weeks." Hannah said with a smile, she couldn't help but feel a little zing of satisfaction as she could see Wolf was doing the math in his head. Yeah put that in your pipe and smoke... she thought gleefully as she pressed her hands to her lower back not just to elevate the ache but to show off the bump. She knew it was vindictive but she been waiting a long while for this moment.
"Santa-Hannah." Wolf said as he made new connections on the message but then an idiot could given how blatantly obvious it was that Hannah pregnant not Larrin. Hannah had called him from Tex's house phone. Anger and disappointment welled in him as he hadn't made any sense of those messages but here Hannah was pregnant and the timing was perfect that the baby growing in her was his. He was angry that no one had told him, that he hadn't returned the calls but even angrier as he'd been in the house for over two hours and she didn't search him out?
"What?" Hannah said with a frown as everyone else was looking a little lost as to what was eating Wolf.
"You're not pregnant." Wolf said pointing at Larrin, he said it like he was stating a fact.
"Maybe one day but not today." Larrin said confused as to why he'd think she was pregnant.
"You, me- we need to talk." Wolf said to Hannah, he didn't even give her a chance to refuse as he dragged her out of the living room and down the hallway to the first empty room that happened to be Tex's room. He shut the door and turned to Hannah.
"You're pregnant." Wolf stated but to Hannah it sounded more like an accusation.
"Really? I thought I just one too many burritos at lunch." Hannah told him.
"Why didn't you contact me?" he demanded. Hannah was half tempted to play the 'Are you sure you're the father' card but left it alone as she felt it would just make things worse.
"Hey, I called you half a dozen times and left messages as soon as I found out. I got your sister to call you. So don't even think of accusing me of not doing my due diligence. If anyone had the right to be pissed it's me!" Hannah said shouting the last part at him.