Day 5

Anah was happy to be back home. The last two weeks spent with Troy were nice, especially since she got to help him through some problems of his, but she was glad to be back with Moffitt.

Then again, Anah was aware that things were going to be different now. Very different.

She had spent the last two weeks with Troy because Moffitt had been on his honeymoon with his new wife, Vanora. Anah wouldn't deny that she liked Vanora. She was quiet, kind, a little bit timid—all things she had a lot in common with Moffitt. Months of dating gave the impression that the two were a perfect fit for each other, and so Anah had no arguments about them getting married. The last thing she wanted to do was deny Moffitt any form of happiness, especially a happiness as sweet and profound as love.

It did mean there was a lot that Anah was going to have to get used to. It wasn't just going to be her and Moffitt anymore.

Anah hoped their routines would be relatively the same, so when the newlywed couple got in bed that night, the cobra slithered over from Moffitt's bedside table to curl up on his chest like she usually did.

"I'm sorry, Anah." Moffitt picked up the snake and set her back on the bedside table. "I don't want you getting stuck between me and Vanora by accident."

Anah froze on the bedside table, her hood half-spread in annoyance and disappointment. "Oh… okay." That seemed like a reasonable concern, but it didn't stop Anah from feeling a bit hurt. She curled up on the table, retracting her hood and resting her head on her black coils. She glanced over at the bed when she heard Moffitt whispering something to Vanora. Vanora whispered back, and they both giggled softly before cuddling up together.

"Could we just stay like this forever?" Vanora asked.

"I'd be alright with that," Moffitt replied, kissing her forehead. "I think you said the same thing after we made love for the first time."

Anah slithered off the nightstand. Whatever went on in bed between Moffitt and Vanora was their own private business, so Anah figured it was best to let them have that privacy, even if it was just to talk. She squeezed under the bedroom door, emerging out into the quiet and dark drawing room. A few flicks of her tongue told her just how much had changed, as Moffitt's scent was no longer dominant in the house. It was mingled with Vanora's.

A heavy feeling of sadness settled in Anah's chest. She remembered how Moffitt's scent brought her comfort after he retrieved her from the temple in Tunisia. After two thousand years of the same dry, hot, stale scents, this was welcome. She liked being able to feel his warmth and heartbeat when trying to sleep. It was a constant reminder that she was no longer trapped in that temple.

That wasn't something she wanted to lose.

Anah went around the house for a little while. Being a supernatural being meant she didn't require sleep as often as a normal member of her species did, but she still enjoyed it as a means to recharge and relax. That particular night, she was tired, after having been on a long flight and sleeping in a bed that she normally didn't sleep in for the previous two weeks. She had been looking forward to her own bed. As the hours ticked by, now she just wanted something familiar to curl up with.

She spotted that familiar something on the coat rack by the front door. The blue of Moffitt's scarf stood out against the dark gray of his winter coat. Anah remembered burrowing under that scarf while she was still getting used to being around Moffitt and the rest of the Rat Patrol. The scarf became a source of comfort as well, and for Anah it became a symbol of her freedom from the temple.

Anah climbed up the coat rack to take the scarf. It was quite old, having been a gift for Moffitt from his father when he was ten. It had seen countless desert expeditions, as well as war campaigns. It was a bit worn, but still in good condition. Best of all, it still strongly smelled of Moffitt. Anah climbed back down with the scarf draped over her, then slithered out to the parlor. She glanced toward the bedroom door, disappointment and uncertainty still sitting heavy in her heart, then turned away to go down the pair of steps into the parlor.

She climbed up onto the couch, and laid a pillow flat on one of the cushions before coiling up and laying the scarf over her like a blanket. She didn't expect to sleep well, but made an effort. The scarf helped a little, but Anah still felt that she was drowning in uncertainty. She was glad Moffitt found love—she felt he needed it—but hoped he wouldn't forget their own special bond.

Anah managed to fall asleep, and awoke the next morning to see a blanket of fresh snow now covering the yard and horse pasture. She heard the bedroom door open, and figured that was her cue to go make breakfast for Moffitt and his new wife.

"…She must be around here somewhere," Moffitt was saying. He came into the parlor, wearing his bathrobe, and breathed a sigh of relief before looking out into the drawing room, calling, "I found her!"

"Good morning," Anah said. "What is all the commotion?"

Moffitt gave her an incredulous look. "What—Well, you left at some point during the night. I was worried something happened."

"You… were worried?"

"Of course." Moffitt's expression became one of concern. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Anah looked down at the pillow, unsure of how to explain herself.

Moffitt sighed. "This is about me kicking you off the bed, isn't it?"

Anah nodded.

"Will you accept an apology over that?"

"Yes."

"Thanks. I should've put a bit more thought into my words. I really was a little worried about you getting stuck, but I also let the… the excitement of being in love override everything else."

"I understand. I did not want to get in the way. This is special. You deserve to have this kind of love. You told me for years that you were afraid you would never have something like this, and now you do."

"That doesn't mean you don't mean anything to me anymore. Some things are going to have to change in order for this to work, but under no circumstances should that mean pushing you or anyone else away."

"Your wife should take priority."

"I agree, but I still care about you. You do live here. You do have a say in what goes on in this house. Besides, Christmas is coming up, and it just wouldn't be the same without your enthusiasm."

Anah smiled a little. "I appreciate that."

Moffitt patted her head before sitting next to her. "I understand you're still struggling with your memories of being stuck in that temple. You do have nightmares sometimes, and the last thing I want is for you to be out here, by yourself, if you were to have one. My proposal is that you sleep on my nightstand—" he gently tugged his scarf, "—with this."

Anah thought about that for a moment. It was certainly better than sleeping out in the parlor forever. She nodded. "Alright. I like that."

"Plus, I know you enjoy being cuddled. Never in my life did I think that was even possible in snakes, but here we are. You can still have that."

"Thanks." Relief lightened Anah's heart. "One other thing, dear, I understand that you need… shall we say, deep physical intimacy with Vanora, but if you feel that moment coming on, could you please let me know so I can give you some privacy?"

Moffitt grinned. "Of course."

"That would be appreciated." Anah looked up at the clock on the wall. "I should get started on your breakfast. You must be hungry."

"I would like my tea."

"Yes, and you need to eat as well." Anah slithered out to the kitchen. Yes, some things would be changing, but at least there were other things that would always stay the same.