The next time Carolyn awoke it was to the very loud whispers of her daughters and the lower whisper of a man who wasn't Riddick. She cracked her eyes open and saw Vaako kneeling beside her bed with a girl on each side of him and they appeared to be having a very serious conversation. Just when it appeared as though Rory was about to have a thermal meltdown Carolyn decided to spare Vaako the horror. Riddicks daughter throwing a temper tantrum was not for the faint of heart.
"Good morning" she croaked out getting their attention. Ziza reached her first, Vaako having had a hold of Rory and not her, and Carolyn smothered her face in kisses before settling her beside her and then held out her arm for Rory who Vaako gently deposited on her lap. The little girl buried her face in her mother's neck as Carolyn stroked her back and murmured in her ear.
Carolyn finally turned her attention back to Vaako. "Thank you" she smiled at him. "Would you mind?" she asked, indicating the sling that was holding her arm. Vaako leaned over her and undid the clasp in the back. He then gently helped her to slide it off her arm. "Thank you again," she told him as she began to rearrange the girls so that she was able to hold them both. Carolyn nodded her head in the direction of the chair sitting next to her bedside motioning Vaako to sit as the girls both started talking.
"One at a time you two!" Carolyn said laughing at their antics. The girls looked at each other and Rory started.
"We're going on a trip."
"We're leaving today."
"All of our Uncles are coming with us."
"Even Vaako."
"And where are we going?" Carolyn interrupted. At which point Rory excitedly got on her knees and placed a hand on each of her mother's cheeks.
"Daddy's taking us to Furya!"
Carolyn's mouth hung open and she looked to Vaako as the girls continued to talk.
Vaako stood from the chair "Girls, breakfast is getting cold and you know how cranky your Grandmother gets. We can give your mother all our travel details later. Now go wash your hands and tell Aereon we'll be right there." The girls scrambled off the bed and ran to do as instructed.
He watched the girls leave the room and turned back to Carolyn.
She cocked her head looking at him "Where's Riddick?"
"He had some last minute things to take care of. He needed all of your escorts so I volunteered to stay back with you and the girls."
"And Aereon?"
He sighed heavily. "And with her as well." Carolyn couldn't help but laugh out loud at this. He and the Elemental were not each other's favorite people. She scooted towards the edge of the bed and he knelt to help her with her slippers and then helped her ease her arm into the robe lying at the end of the bed. She took a step to walk towards the door when Vaako stepped in front of her blocking her way. Carolyn tilted her head back to look up at him with an eyebrow raised.
He looked down meeting her glare. "I'm under orders from the Lord Marshall not to let you walk anywhere."
Carolyn rolled her eyes. "Oh for the love of… well I guess he better hope that he's back before I get ready to shower or you and I are going to get really friendly," she said with a scowl and lifted her uninjured arm up to his neck, waiting to be lifted. Vaako scooped her up easily and carried her to the dining table where Aereon had the girls seated and eating. He deposited her into chair that Aereon indicated and moved to the sideboard to make his plate. Aereon bent down embracing the younger woman, kissing her check. "It's so good to see you up and awake."
"It's good to see you as well, Old Woman," Carolyn said with a smirk.
Aereon just smiled and joined Vaako at the sideboard to make her a plate. "So I take it you've heard about our plans?" the older woman asked as she sat her plate down in front of her.
"Just that we're going and where we're going. I take it that you'll be joining us?
"Yes, for a while I think." She answered with a faraway look on her face. Carolyn wondered what odds she was speculating on now.
Carolyn talked with the girls as they all finished eating, finally sending them with Aereon to wash up and get dressed as she finished her coffee. "So, am I to be let in on all the little details?"
"We're leaving tonight. The men and I will transfer you to my frigate where we'll meet up with one of the smaller transports in the fleet. It's already been emptied of all personal and everyone wanting to go with us is being shuttled over."
"Everyone, meaning whom exactly?"
"Converted Furians and any other Necromonger who wishes to abandon the faith. Prisoners on board who wish to travel with us instead of staying on this planet and anyone on the surface as well."
"That's a lot of people"
"It's going to be a long trip. We expect to lose many along the way to other planets that we visit."
All Carolyn heard was "long trip." "How long a trip?" She refused to go into hyper sleep nor did she want the girls to be put under either.
"Several months at least. However, we should be there before your child is born."
Carolyn relaxed in her chair slightly. "And why this sudden urge to flee?"
"After the events of last night I informed the Lord Marshall that I no longer believe that it is safe for you or the children here. He agreed and we put your emergency back up plan into effect."
"Riddick agreed to give up being Lord Marshal?"
"Yes. He said that keeping you and the children safe was his main priority now."
Carolyn turned quietly back to her coffee. There simply hadn't been time for her to talk to Richard about their future plans. The last few days had been a whirlwind of emotional upheaval for her and the girls. She already knew that she wouldn't stay here any longer than she had to with these people who had destroyed her home and killed her family. She wondered what was going on in his head. He was serious this morning about her and the girls being with him but never expected him to give up this kind of power for them. Never expected that he would want to. She shook herself out of her thoughts when she heard Vaako calling her name.
"I'm sorry. When do we leave?"
"It shouldn't be more than a few hours from now."
"Are you coming with us?"
Vaako moved his jaw back and forth before answering her, "The Lord Marshal has asked me to join him." He looked at a spot over her shoulder. "I have not made a decision yet." The expression on his face turned grim.
She nodded her head. "I understand."
"Would you mind dropping me in the bath?" she inquired, bringing him back from where he was.
"Of course, Dame Riddick." He replied scooping her up and carrying her back to her private bath.
He set her on her feet in the doorway. "I must apologize."
Carolyn was baffled. "For what?"
"For my wife. What she did was inexcusable."
Carolyn could see the quiet fury that masked his face. She laid a hand on his forearm. "Vaako, I don't blame you for her actions. If anyone is sorry it's me."
His eyes flicked to her face and he saw understanding there.
She gave his arm a squeeze and smiled up at him, "I accept your apology."
"Would you mind sending Aereon to me? I need to get cleaned up and I think it would probably be better for Riddicks blood pressure if she were helping me instead of you."
He nodded and left. Carolyn went ahead and got in the shower knowing that Aereon would bring her clothes so the only walking she would be doing would be in the bath. However, what Riddick didn't know wouldn't hurt him. She stomped around the shower aggravated with Riddick for being an overprotective ass and at herself for being insecure enough to wonder if he was more concerned about her or the baby. Damn hormones she huffed to herself stopping short when she saw Aereon waiting on her with the most beautiful cream-colored peignoir set that she had ever seen. Her eyes jumped to Aereon the question plainly in her face.
"Evidently Riddick is tired of seeing you in dead black things as well."
And Carolyn fell in love with the brute all over again. Aereon helped her dress and dried her hair pinning it up for her. After slipping on the matching slippers and robe she sent Aereon out for Vaako to come get her. Aereon would set her up a spot on one of the couches so that she could spend time in the living area. She didn't wait very long before Vaako appeared at the door to the bath. "Dame Riddick."
Carolyn stepped in front of him and laid a hand on his arm once again, looking up at him. "I love Riddick very much for many different reasons. Nothing but death will ever separate us and even then it will be up for discussion." She chuckled, bringing her good hand up to rub the spot just below her breasts where the scar tissue had thickened over the years. Her eyes closed thinking back to those dark times.
Riddick who had entered the room behind Vaako slipped back out telling Aereon to make sure they were ready to go in two hours. She nodded and a watched him leave as quietly as he had came and then looked back to the bedroom door setting down the tea tray she had just fixed for Carolyn and herself.
Vaako gripped Carolyn's elbow and stood looking at her for a moment after she finished speaking. "I have come to care about you, Carolyn. I hope you know I would never do anything to hurt you."
Carolyn looked up into his eyes and seeing the sincerity there nodded. "Would you mind?" she asked making a sweeping gesture towards the living area.
He let go of her elbow and gathered her up taking her to the couch. "Riddick was just here," Aereon announced. "He said to be ready in two hours." She continued pouring tea into cups while Vaako excused himself stating that he had a few matters to attend to.
"There are guards posted outside the door if you need anything." With a nod of his head he quickly left.
Carolyn and Aereon spent the next two hours drinking tea and talking about their upcoming trip. When Riddick finally returned it was with Vaako and Carolyn's Necro/Furyans in tow. "Where are the girls?"
"In their room playing," Carolyn told him setting her teacup down. She caught the look passed between Riddick and the men and watched as Butcher and Sulaco went to get the girls.
As they came back into the room carrying the girls, Riddick made his way to the main doors as Chode descended upon his mistress ready to inflict the same fate upon her. Carolyn promptly started batting his hands away with an indignant "I don't think so" that caused a stunned Chode to immediately back away from her. Carolyn had never told him no before and had never had any problems with him touching her in the past. She almost burst out laughing at the hurt look on his face. Aereon who had sat back down at Carolyn's fussing bit her lip and rolled her eyes.
Riddick who was still standing by the doors watched the scene play out in front of him.
"Carolyn, we need to go."
Carolyn picked up her teacup bringing it to her lips, "So I hear."
At this point six men in the room promptly took a step back towards the door and Riddick while Aereon stood and busied herself with her cloak.
"And what part of that don't you understand?"
"Who said I didn't understand?" Another step was taken towards the door as Carolyn smiled sweetly at all of them before taking another sip of her tea.
"Then what is the problem?"
"There is no problem." Yet another step closer to the door as Carolyn glared at Vaako who promptly shut his mouth, cutting off whatever comment he was going to make.
Riddick crossed his arms, "Good. Now let Chode pick you up and let's be on our way." He signaled to Chode who refused, standing his ground after seeing the death glare that Carolyn had pointed in his direction.
"Carolyn" Riddick growled, stomping towards her, which caused the opposite reaction in the other men in room who as one took a step in their direction. Riddick ignored them as he bent over, trapping her on the couch an arm on each side.
"What?" he asked her.
"I refuse to be carried anymore."
"This is not up for negotiation. We need to get off of this ship and you are not walking."
"Fine. Then you can carry me."
Riddick breathed in deeply and closed his eyes for a moment. "Carolyn, I can't do that and protect you at the same time."
She leaned around him and looked at her escorts who had suddenly become interested in the ceiling, floors and walls. "Really?" she asked dryly, "Then what are they here for?"
Riddick was dimly aware of the snorting and coughing fits that broke out behind his back as he looked down at Carolyn with a frown. Finally with a shake of his head and a murmur about psycho families he flipped her into his arms, her teacup flying. He felt himself soften when she wrapped her arms around his neck while burying her face in it and softly sighing. He took a moment and breathed in her scent nuzzling the top of her head with his nose.
The girls giggled at their antics. Vaako led them out into the ship where they were surrounded with a few of his personal guards as well. Once they arrived on his frigate it was a short trip to the ship they would be taking on their journey.
Once there Riddick returned for them, again taking Carolyn in his arms while Aereon trailed along with the two, curious little girls. Carolyn thought that this ship appeared to be a smaller version of the last.
He finally deposited her into the living area of their much larger quarters and she said as much. Looking back at the six men and Vaako who had joined them he shrugged his shoulders. "Family's a lot bigger. I have some things to attend to but will be back soon." She smiled and nodded. As soon as Riddick left the room Carolyn got up and she and Aereon took a tour of their new living quarters with the girls in tow. Instead of having the girls in a separate suite they would once again all be in the same. There would be enough room for Aereon and if the men would be willing to double up enough for them as well. She and Riddicks room was set up much as the last. Private bath, large bed, low lights. Carolyn could see getting bored quickly. Hopefully they would have free run of the ship once everyone was settled.
They returned to the living area just as Riddick returned with the Monk who had conducted the funeral service for Jack and Imam. Riddick scowled at the sight of Carolyn up and walking around. She walked over and laid her hand on his arm. "I feel fine, Richard," she placed her other hand on her stomach. "We're both fine."
He drew back her robe to look at her bandages. "How's your shoulder feel?"
She met his eyes, "It hurts, but I've had worse."
At this his jaw began to clench. He looked at the priest. "Have a seat; we'll be right back." Taking a puzzled Carolyn by the hand he lead her to their room. He let go of her as soon as the door shut behind them taking off his goggles and just stood looking at her. Carolyn sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Something's been bothering me."
"No kidding."
He glared and she held up her hands in mock surrender.
"What's been bothering you, Richard?"
"What Butcher said, about full blooded mates and children."
Carolyn shook her head not understanding his point. "And you made it clear that this is how it is and I made it clear I'm not going anywhere."
"I know that and you know that and they know that. But what do any of us really know about Furya? What if none of that means anything to those people. What if they won't accept you as my mate or don't consider the children anything other than bastards?"
A light suddenly went off in Carolyn's head. "The Monk," she breathed out, her eyes going wide, watching Riddick as he moved towards her.
"I won't accept someone thinking you're not worthy enough or that the children aren't good enough just because there haven't been words spoken between us."
Carolyn took his hand in hers. "I never needed that, Richard. All I ever needed or wanted was you."
"I told you this morning, Carolyn that I wasn't letting you go."
Carolyn smirked at that. If she had ever pictured this moment in her head it would have not looked anything like this. However, she hadn't ever pictured it because Richard B. Riddick was not the kind of person that someone thought about marrying. Nor, she supposed, was he kind of person you considered having children with but here she was, already the mother of his children.
She smiled. "So, are we doing this or not?"