Chapter 8 #2
Carleigh: Dad, you and Mom can stay with us if you’d like.
I did order bedding, so that’s taken care of, but if you would get him some clothes, we would appreciate it.
Here are his sizes. Also grab a car seat for a three-year-old who weighs about forty pounds.
My car is at the airport, so we’ll need someone to meet us there.
Low, please start a search on The Council of Shen.
They either wrote the journal or started it.
Also see if you get any hits on this Black Lotus group.
Maybe reach out to the witchy twins and see if they have any ideas on how to break a curse.
We’re pretty sure they used Kiki’s blood.
June, tell Jon moving the furniture to his house is perfect, and I appreciate his help.
I appreciate you all. This is going to be tough on everyone, especially Bayu.
You’re all welcome to stay with us, but remember we need one bedroom for Silas.
Bayu read the screen as Carleigh typed. When she finished, he placed his hand on her thigh. “I cannot thank you enough.”
“No thanks needed. I will warn you now that my family, not just those I’m chatting with, are going to swarm the house. If you need time away from the chaos, feel free to hide out in our bedroom or the library. They can be a lot, especially when a little one is involved.”
“Our bedroom?”
“Unless you prefer to have your own. I should have asked.”
Bayu drew circles on her leg with his fingertip. “No. We are mates, and I would prefer to sleep with you. I will need to get more clothes from my apartment at some point.”
“Do you want me to send Jon and Harlow to get them for you? Since you’re hiding, I’m not sure if you should go back there.”
“How will they get in?”
Carleigh placed her hand on his that was still drawing circles and driving her crazy. “They’ll pick the locks. If you have an alarm, you can give them the code.”
“Your family is scary. I do not have an alarm. If Juni and I are to live with you for now, I would like to pack more than clothes. I have enough in my luggage to last a couple of weeks, so maybe once we get Juni settled, we can get your cousins to help pack up the apartment so I can move out? I will need to either continue paying rent or break the lease.”
“Which one would be cheaper? How much longer on your contract?”
Bayu flipped his hand over and slotted their fingers. “A few months. I’m not worried about the money. I have been saving for a long time.”
Carleigh had already told Bayu her money was now his, but it might take a while before he came to terms with sharing bank accounts. “You let me know when you’re ready for that.”
Juni snuffled and wiggled before shifting to his tiger cub. His little paws kneaded Carleigh’s arm, but thankfully, he kept his claws retracted. Within seconds, he was purring.
Bayu released Carleigh’s hand and stroked Juni’s fur. “He sure has taken to you.”
“Did Gemi say why he was with her and not at home?”
Bayu sighed. “He came to live with her about a year ago as a precaution. My father somehow caught wind that the Black Lotus were sniffing around. That doesn’t make sense considering only the firstborn becomes Nuhuala, and he didn’t send Kiki away.
I wish she’d taken more time to speak with me instead of running off.
I have so many questions. She did describe what she found when she arrived at my parents’ home, and it wasn’t pleasant. I do not wish to speak of it yet.”
“If he lived with her, then he’s probably comfortable with me because I’m a female. That, or he can feel how much I already love him.”
“He’s hard not to love, yes?”
Carleigh looked Bayu in the eyes and said, “Yes, he is.” Hopefully, he would know she wasn’t only speaking of Juni.
The cub slept for several hours, and Carleigh didn’t move the whole time, even though she desperately needed to pee. When he did wake, he let out a big yawn before shifting to his skin. He rubbed his eyes, then flopped back against Carleigh’s chest. “Do you need to potty?”
He leaned forward, looking up at her. “Potty?”
Bayu translated in Malay, and Juni nodded, climbing down.
He looked around, and Bayu rose to take him to the bathroom.
Carleigh stood and stretched, her legs glad for the reprieve.
Celeste, who had spent most of her time in the cockpit, rejoined them.
She had kept them supplied with snacks and drinks.
It was the middle of the night wherever they were in the world, but for everyone except Juni, it was lunchtime.
She had several types of meats and cheeses along with tuna and chicken salad for sandwiches.
Celeste had cut up fruit and veggies for Juni.
According to Gemi’s letter, the boy wasn’t a picky eater except when it came to green vegetables.
The rest of the flight was spent taking turns playing with Juni while the other napped or ate.
Juni played with his toys and jabbered in English and Malay, with Bayu translating for Carleigh and Silas.
Juni climbed back onto Carleigh’s lap to sleep a few hours before they arrived in Atlanta, a little after eleven a.m. Saturday morning.
Carleigh was wiped. At the small airport, two SUVs waited for them, which didn’t surprise her.
Silas, alert to the strangers, stood abruptly.
“That’s my family, Silas. I asked them to bring Juni a car seat, but I didn’t expect them all to show up. I should have.” The Goyle relaxed, moving away from the door. Her parents, Juniper, and Jon, all waited on the tarmac.
Bayu looked out the window. “I’m assuming the smaller male is your father, and the taller one is Jon, but which female is your mother, and which is your sister?”
“You are correct on the males. Juniper’s the one in a ponytail with the pink top.”
“That’s amazing how young your parents look. Then again, Silas is over three hundred and doesn’t look a day over forty.”
Carleigh hated to wake Juni, but it couldn’t be helped.
As soon as the jet came to a stop and Celeste let the stairs down, Julian was the first one up the steps.
He stuck his head around the corner, smiling when he got a look at the tiger cub in her lap.
“Hey, we thought a little extra muscle wouldn’t be unwarranted. ”
“Hey, Dad. You thought right. Not that Silas can’t keep us safe, but I’m always glad to see my family.” Carleigh rubbed her hands across Juni’s fur, shaking him gently. “Juni?”
The cub shifted. “Carwee?”
“Yeah, buddy. We need to get off the plane. We’re going to my house.”
The sleepy boy nodded, then turned and stuck his nose in her neck. He held out his hand. “Hawwy?” Bayu placed the stuffed tiger in Juni’s hand. Harimau was the Malay word for tiger, and Juni shortened it to Harry. Carleigh stood with the help of Bayu.
“Want me to carry him?” Bayu offered.
“I’ve got him.” She pressed a kiss to his dark hair.
Her father’s eyes were shiny, but his smile was brighter than she’d seen in a long time.
Julian helped gather their bags, and Bayu walked down the steps in front of Carleigh, glancing back to check on their descent.
The Stone Clanmates gathered around them, silently taking in the boy.
Carleigh made the introductions while her dad and Silas loaded the luggage into one of the SUV’s.
Celeste and Cruz joined them, and Carleigh said, “I cannot thank you both enough. I know you’re Goyles, but that was two long-ass flights back-to-back.
Expect a little extra on your paycheck.”
Cruz waved her off. “That’s not necessary. You’re family, and these two are special. It was our honor to assist.”
Celeste ran a finger down Juni’s face. “See you soon, Juni.”
Juni waved his tiger at the older female. “See you soon, West.”
Kat stepped up next to Carleigh. “I wish Mom could’ve met him.” Nora had passed away a couple of years back, and they all missed her. Kat placed her hand on Juni’s back. “We put the car seat in our rental. I hope that’s okay?”
“Of course. Juniper can drive my car. Come on. I’m ready to be home.”
“Home,” a little voice mimicked.