Chapter 23
Carleigh wasn’t ready for Bayu to travel across the globe, with or without her, but she had to get used to him fulfilling his responsibilities.
Baekyo told him Carleigh and her family would be useful to him, so hopefully, this was a one-off.
Then again, with Juni, it would be hard to travel often.
Not that he was a difficult child. If anything, he was close to perfect for a toddler, but she wanted him to have a normal life.
When Juniper returned, she had several photos printed off in various sizes, and Carleigh got online and bought frames for them all.
Granted, she had to fight her mom for some of them until her sister promised to have more printed.
They spent the rest of the day around the pool since that’s where Juni was happiest. Gemi fixed another delicious meal for supper, then they all gathered in the family room to watch an animated movie and share bowls of popcorn.
Juni was fascinated and laughed and clapped even if he didn’t understand all that was happening in the film.
Bayu requested they leave their door open that night in case Juni wanted to join them.
Through their bond, Carleigh sensed Bayu’s reluctance to leave them behind, and sleep was a long time coming for both of them.
Around midnight, the little cub jumped on the bed and settled between them.
Carleigh didn’t know if sleeping in his tiger form was comforting or something he did when he was scared.
Bayu and Silas left before the sun was up.
They were meeting Warren at the airport, where Cruz and Celeste were waiting.
Carleigh didn’t bother trying to go back to sleep.
Instead, she grabbed her laptop and a cup of coffee, taking both to the patio.
She hadn’t been out there long when the door opened and her dad joined her.
“I’ve been thinking,” he started as he sat next to her with his own coffee.
Carleigh arched a brow, waiting. After taking a couple of sips, he said, “I think we need to buy our own jet. Your mom and I are going to want to visit often. Bayu can use it for his duties, and Juniper can use it when she flies out for a job.”
Carleigh chuckled and angled her laptop so he could see her screen. “I totally agree.” While snuggled with her tigers, she’d had the same thought. “We need to find a pilot.”
“Silas’s brother, Steven, is one, and he’s ready to relocate from the West Coast.”
“So, this wasn’t a recent thought.”
Julian shrugged. “Nope. Your mom and I talked about it as soon as we first met Juni. Don’t think we love him more than you and your sister, but there’s something special about him.”
“You don’t have to convince me. I fell in love with him the second Gemi handed him over.
” Carleigh passed him her laptop. “I know nothing about planes, so I’ll let you choose one you think is best for all of us.
But don’t think you’re paying for it on your own.
Bayu and I have plenty of money, and if this is going to be a family jet, we should all chip in.
I already own half a helicopter with Lydia. ”
“You and Juniper can each donate a quarter, and I’ll pay half. June has already offered, so I’m not speaking out of turn.”
Gods, Carleigh loved her family. “Deal.”
Carleigh’s phone chimed, and she expected it to be Bayu. It wasn’t. It was a text from her Queen.
Dakota: If you don’t bring your mate and cub to see us soon, your King might revolt.
Carleigh laughed, then read the message to her dad. “I had planned on moving to West Virginia before I met Bayu. He isn’t opposed to the idea, but I hate to uproot Juni so soon.”
“That boy will be happy no matter where he lives as long as he has his Carwee and a pool.”
“You think so?” Julian angled his head and gave her a “really?” look.
“Yeah, okay. We need to ask Gemi about moving too. Her life has been uprooted as well. Bayu and I talked about building a house on the property next door for her, but if we move, that won’t be necessary.
Silas piped up and offered to buy the land, so we have options. ”
“I might be wrong, but Gemi will probably want to be wherever Bayu and Juni are. She spent her whole life in the shadow of her brother, doing what was best for his family, and that was living apart from them.”
“Exactly. She did what was best for them, not what was best for her. I want to consider her feelings and not tell her we’re moving whether she wants to or not.”
“Then take her with you when you go visit Bas and Dakota. You haven’t made any promises to move there. Who knows? She might prefer the quieter life you’ll have in a smaller town since that’s what she’s used to.” Julian handed the laptop back. “I think one like this.”
Carleigh scrolled through the photos of the plane, noting the similarities and differences to the other Clan jets. “I like it.”
“I hear little feet. Why don’t you text Dakota back so she’s not waiting, and Juni can help me start on breakfast.”
“Sounds good.”
Me: Bayu left this morning for Japan. As soon as he gets back and has a chance to rest, we’ll head your way.
Carleigh’s phone rang, making her smile. “Hello, Kody.”
“You don’t write. You don’t call,” Dakota joked. “How are things with your mate?”
Carleigh spent the next few minutes explaining everything that had happened since she sent the last email.
“Dear goddess, that’s a lot. How’s he holding up?”
“He’s putting on a brave face, but I don’t think he’s given himself time to grieve properly.
During his dream, the ghosts of his parents and sister were there, and they got to say goodbye.
I don’t know if that was Baekyo’s way of offering closure or if it really happened.
Who knows what an ancient god is capable of? ”
“I’m so sorry. I need every one of you to move up here so I can keep an eye on you. Bas and I are worried about Cailín.”
“I don’t want to add to your worries, but Harlow’s in the same boat since Prince Rhoan is her mate.”
“You are shitting me.” Dakota covered the phone and yelled, “Bas, get in here.” When she returned to Carleigh, she sighed. “Y’all weren’t kidding when you said everyone has to go through hell to get your mates.”
“Not everyone, but most of us, yeah. Not only do Cailín and Harlow have mates on a different realm, but Jon transitioned when he was a teen, and his mate could be either a married woman or her daughter who was a toddler at the time. I would like to meet the fates and ask them why, but I already know it’s so that we’ll appreciate our mates more once all the shit is over. ”
“Bas, I have Carleigh on the phone. You’re not going to believe this.
” Dakota put the phone on speaker as she recounted what they’d discussed.
Carleigh sipped her coffee and let their voices wash over her.
She missed her cousin. Growing up as they did, there wasn’t a day that went by where one or more of them weren’t together.
They went to school together. Trained together.
Spent the night at each other’s houses. She wanted that for Juni and any kids she and Bayu had.
“Damn, C. Either Cailín was respecting your privacy, or she was only focused on how cute Juni is when we talked to her last,” Bas said.
“Probably the latter because he is pretty damn cute. Like I told Kody, we do plan on visiting soon, and I’d like to bring Gemi with us.”
“Please do. I have Missy Perkins, the realtor, notifying me anytime property comes up for sale, whether it’s a small house or land.
The small houses are for when family comes to visit so we don’t have to block off rooms in the lodge.
Land is for anyone who wants to move here to have options on where to build a house.
Grace did tell me about Bayu coming to see me.
I assume since you’re mated he’s not still planning on building? ”
“We’ve put that on hold. If we stay here, we might build Gemi a house over there. If we decide to relocate, Silas has offered to buy that land and help keep an eye on this house.”
“I vote for that option. Bas and I want as many of the Clan here as are willing to move. If you don’t come sooner, we have already closed the lodge the week of the fourth, so it will be family only.”
Shit! Carleigh completely forgot about the upcoming holiday. She and Harlow had been working on something as a surprise.
“Thanks, Kody. That—”
“Carwee!” Juni ran out onto the patio as fast as his little legs would carry him. “Juju says come eat.”
“Oh, my goddess,” Dakota husked. “If you don’t get your asses here, I’m coming there. I can’t stand it.”
“We’ll get there. Love you both.”
“Love you too,” they said together.
Carleigh disconnected and stood, tucking her laptop under one arm. “Let’s go eat.”
Gemi and Katherine were setting the table, and Julian was pulling a pan of biscuits out of the oven.
Carleigh took Juni to the half bath and helped him wash his hands.
While eating, Carleigh told Gemi about Sebastian and Dakota and mentioned taking a trip to see them.
She described the land and the lodge, hoping the female would be interested in visiting.
“That sounds like Anjailang without it being an island. I do miss the mountains.”
“Then I think you’ll enjoy visiting,” Carleigh hedged. “I promised we’d visit as soon as Bayu returns from Japan and has a chance to rest.” Her phone buzzed with an alarm from the gate. She checked it to see Dominic letting himself in.
“What about your job? Don’t you need to work?” Gemi ducked her head, blushing. “Forgive me. It is none of my business.”