Chapter 12
Hours later after Lore and Destroy had tired of fighting over Eli, and Eli was ready for bath and bedtime, Tempest and Brandt began to gather their and Eli’s things.
“What are you doing?” Destroy asked, realizing they were preparing to go.
“He’s tired, and fussy. We’re going to take him home and give him a bath and get him ready for bedtime,” Tempest said.
“He’s not tired. He just wants Destroy to go away,” Lore said.
“I’m not the one who made him cry; you are,” Destroy snapped at Lore.
“You both did!” Tempest exclaimed.
Destroy and Lore wore identical expressions of shock as they both gazed at Tempest.
“We did no such thing!” they both shouted at the same time.
“Not intentionally, no. But you both played with him so well, that he’s tired. He’s a tiny little baby and gets tired easily. He’s so tired that he’s fussy. So, we are taking him to Mom’s house to put him to bed,” Tempest said firmly.
Destroy pouted for a split second as he reached out and touched Elijah’s hand. “He was having fun,” Destroy said sullenly.
“He most certainly was. And a lot of fun,” Lore insisted.
“I know. And that’s a good thing. But now it’s time for him to rest,” Tempest said.
Lore stood straight and tall as he looked down his nose at Tempest. “Come, Destroy. We shall take our leave. We will, however, return to play with Elijah tomorrow. Please be sure he is well rested.”
“Hmpf!” Destroy said dramatically, pulling himself to his tallest height beside Lore. “Take us away, Lore.”
“At once,” Lore said, gathering his mists and laying a hand on Destroy’s shoulder.
“Do you think perhaps I could come, too?” Evangeline asked.
Lore’s mists dissipated quickly as he hurried to his mate’s side. “I would never forget you, my love.”
“Of course, not,” Evangeline said with a twinkle in her eye as she suppressed a smile.
“Destroy!” Lore beckoned him over.
“I’m coming!” Destroy said, hurrying to Lore’s side.
“Sleep well, little one. We will play Bears and Dragons on the ‘morrow,” Lore said, bowing to those in the room as his mists carried them all away.
Tempest started laughing.
“They’ll never change,” Lily said.
“I sometimes wonder if they could possibly be any more dramatic, then they do something to prove that they can in fact be more dramatic,” Carrik said.
“I’m a little confused,” Brandt said. “I thought they hated each other.”
“Only when it’s fitting for their needs. Otherwise, they are thick as thieves,” Lily said.
“That’s true. There are not many friends who would go into Hell to bring your mate back for you,” Boon said.
“Hell?! As in, the Hell?” Brandt said.
Boon nodded.
“And Lore seemed so self-centered, I’m surprised he’s so selfless,” Daniel said.
“Oh, he’s both, believe me,” Lily said. “But it wasn’t Lore who went into Hell for Destroy. It was Destroy who went into Hell for Lore. Along with my father, and Murder. It’s a long complicated story, but everyone is home and safe, and despite their bickering, they are dear and trusted friends.”
Elijah started whining and rubbing at his eyes again.
“Well, that’s our final cue. We really enjoyed our day, spending it with family, but the master has indicated it’s bedtime.”
Boon grinned and hugged her tightly. “Me, too. Thank you for being here. Thank you for the house.”
“The only thanks I need is seeing you so happy here. And, Angelle. Remember if you decide something would work better if it was arranged differently, just let me know. I’ll take care of it,” Tempest said.
Angelle hugged Tempest, though not as robustly as Boon had. She wasn’t quite that comfortable yet. “It’s perfect. I can’t imagine it any other way. Thank you, Tempest.”
“Again, only thanks I need is seeing you two happy here,” Tempest said, stepping away as she headed toward Daniel and Avaleigh.
Brandt shook Boon’s hand. “Thanks for having us. I’m really having fun. It seems like it’s never a dull second.”
“You’re welcome any time, and you’re right, it’s never a dull second around here. Someone is always getting into something or trying to outdo someone else. But it’s all harmless teasing,” Boon said.
“Taunting,” Lily said. “Teasing does not usually go so deep.”
“True,” Carrik agreed.
“They’re amusing regardless,” Brandt said. He canted his head as he met Angelle’s gaze. She was at ease, wearing a slight smile. “I like that look on you.”
Angelle’s brows bunched a little at his comment. “What look?” she asked, looking down at her clothes.
Brandt laughed. “Not your clothes. Your attitude. Your smile. It’s nice.”
“Oh, thanks, Brandt. It’s a different kind of feeling. I’m not quite used to it, but I do like it.”
“Good for you. Only thing you need to remember is that no matter where you are, no matter who you’re with, no matter the reason, I’m still your Alpha.
I’ve got your back. You need something, you call for me.
You just want something, or don’t like something, you call for me.
I’m coming. You find a way to get a message to me, or to Tempest, and I’m on the way.
I’ll stand behind you, in front of you, wherever you need me. ”
Angelle smiled at him and quickly moved forward to hug him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now we gotta get this wild child home for his bath, his dinner and some rest,” Brandt said.
As Brandt went back to making sure they had everything they needed for Eli, Angelle moved back to the kitchen where Boon had relocated to when everyone started leaving. She stood next to him, grinning as he bumped her hip with his own.
She looked up at Boon and laughed at something he whispered, before she leaned in close to him and whispered something back.
“What about you guys? Are you coming home with us, or are you staying here?” Lily asked Daniel and Avaleigh.
“Well, if you’re sure you don’t mind, our bags are at your house. We’ll just go spend the night in your spare room,” Avaleigh said.
“It’s no problem at all, but if you want to stay here I can just mist your things right in,” Lily said.
“No! No,” Daniel said, looking across the room at Boon and Angelle standing in the kitchen talking animatedly to one another, their voices so low that no one else could quite make it out.
Both were laughing and completely at ease, “I think Avaleigh’s right.
If the invitation is still open, we’ll take advantage of your guest room. ”
“I’m so glad! I never get company! Are you ready or did you want to visit a little longer?” Lily said.
“It’s getting dark outside. We may as well head out and get settled for the night,” Daniel said.
Daniel and Avaleigh both hugged Angelle, and Daniel shook Boon’s hand before they left. “We’ll catch up with you sometime tomorrow.”
“Definitely. My parents will want to spend some time with you, too. We’re headed over there early tomorrow, if you’d like to join us.”
“That’d be great. We’ll head this way once we get up and around,” Daniel said.
Avaleigh hugged Boon and held his face in her hands like a mother would, looking up into his eyes. “Thank you, for taking such good care of, and thinking so much of our girl.”
Boon blushed a little and shrugged. “It’s very easy to do. I love her.”
Avaleigh smiled at him and hugged him again. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Avaleigh repeated to Angelle.
“Sleep well, Mom. See you tomorrow, Daddy,” Angelle said.
“You want to walk, or would you rather me mist you home?” Lily asked.
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather walk. Allows us to get a little more familiar with our surroundings,” Avaleigh said.
“I was thinking the same thing, but didn’t want to assume,” Lily said.
She looped her arm through Avaleigh’s and together they led the way, allowing Carrik and Daniel to bring up the rear.
“So, I hear your cooking can’t be matched.
Maybe you won’t mind sharing a few recipes while you’re here.
I’ve been told Lasagna is one of your specialties,” Lily said.
Avaleigh laughed. “I’d love to show you my recipes. I make a fantastic bread pudding, too.”
“Don’t let her fool you. Everything she makes is fantastic,” Daniel said.
“I can see a little cooking in our future,” Lily said.
“Don’t sell yourself short. You’re a great cook, too,” Carrik said.
“Yes, but Italian throws me off my game,” Lily said. She leaned toward Avaleigh and whispered quietly. “I usually just mist in Italian food when I want it.”
Avaleigh laughed. “I’ll show you how to make it yourself. You’ll be the Italian food master.”
“I’m so looking forward to it. Most wouldn’t understand, but I try to do as much myself as I can these days, rather than using my magics for everything. I get so bored if I just set things as I want them in a matter of seconds and have so much time leftover.”
“I never thought of it, but I can certainly understand it. It’s not like you have a television, or can get in a car and go shopping or something,” Avaleigh said.
“Exactly. I’m not against my magic, but I’ve realized I enjoy doing the fun things like cooking, or party planning myself — hands on.”
~~~
Boon and Angelle stood alone in the kitchen.
Angelle looked around the kitchen and the family room that had just moments before been so full of activity. “Guess I should get this place back in order.”
“I’ll help,” he said.
“No, it’s not much. I’ll take care of it.”
“Okay.” He watched her as she cleaned the countertops and placed the leftover cinnamon rolls on a glass cake plate and covered them with the matching glass dome. She was setting the teacups on a dish towel to dry when he finally spoke again.
“I like seeing you at home in your kitchen.”
“I like being here. It feels right.”
“So, what’s next now that we’re alone?”
“I don’t know. But I think maybe we should light some candles or something, or we’ll be bouncing off the furniture soon.”
Boon laughed. “It does get really, really dark out here, but I don’t think much about it.” He tapped his face next to his eyes. “I can see at night.”