No Longer Alone

Chapter Thirty-Seven

***Nicole's POV***

    I looked around, awkwardly hugging Val back with my arm that wasn't holding my coffee, since we were close to the same height it wasn't as weird as it could have been, but this still was one of the strangest situations for me.  Val finally stepped back and looked me over, nodding a little as she did so, and then claiming a bag from Xander that he had been holding.

    "Just as I thought, these boys don't think of the things women need to feel comfortable, probably didn't take you anywhere to get a real change of clothes or anything for grooming," she looked over my lightly brushed hair that was still damp. "Well at least one of them thought to get you a different shirt, but still, its a good thing I came prepared.  Damian which one is your room so she can have some privacy to change?"

    Damian just pointed the way and Val grabbed my arm leading me back to the room I had so recently left.  Closing the door and locking it behind her, she pulled out some nice bra and underwear sets, a few shirts, some pants, and even a new brush.  everything had partial tags on it, showing them to be new, though the prices were removed.

    "Standing near you last night I figured we were close enough to the same size that I could guess at what would fit you, though I wasn't sure what styles you would prefer."  Val stated looking rather smug, and I had to admit the woman has exceptional taste in clothing.

    I was torn between the outfits, when I decided on a pair of midrise boot cut jeans, and a deep green tank top that was slit in the front about midway down, I loved anything that let me still show off my belly button piercing and the color was absolutely wonderful.  I picked up one of the underwear sets, a matching shade of green with lacey hipster style underwear that I preferred.  Val grinned and hustled me into the bathroom to change, putting the brush on top of the clothing I had picked.

    "Thank you for bringing me all this,"  I called through the door, "I really appreciate it.  Should I wash it and get it back to you, or can I pay you back for this?"  

    "You are welcome, but don't you dare think of trying to pay me back for this!  You are welcome to keep them."  Val stated in a firm voice, but that bothered me, I didn't like feeling like I was indebted to anyone, or like a charity case, so there had to be something I could do for her.

    "Well then, is there anything I can do as a thank you for this favor?"

    "There is something...it might be asking a lot, but my husband and I were really hoping to take a trip to Glacier Park, have you ever been there?"

    "More than once, it's a beautiful place and one I recommend to anyone who comes up here."  I smile, tugging the top over my head, almost finished changing.

    "Well, I'm afraid the boys won't take the time away from work to go there with us, and I would really love to have someone from this area showing us around the park, or at least part of it, I understand that some parts may not be open."  Val's voice sounded a bit wistful, and I could understand, I had been to several national parks in my life, Glacier, Silver Falls, Yellowstone, and many more, but Glacier and Silver Falls were by far my favorites.  Yellowstone may be awe inspiring in it's own way, the geysers were incredible, but Silver Falls hiking to all the waterfalls, and Glacier, especially the trail of the cedars, were inspiring to a new level.

    "It has been a while, and I love the hike there, I could take you, though I think my kids will want to join too."  I felt myself get a bit excited about the prospect, and brushed out my hair with a bit more energy.  Finally I gathered my clothing, stepping out, I set Damian's shirt on the bed, and added my shirt from the day before to the pile of my clothing.  Val tilted her head looking at me, smiling faintly before her eyes widened slightly at something.  Looking to where her eyes were pointed I chuckled a little, I wasn't sure if it was the belly button charm or the tattoo that caught her attention, or both.

    "Well those are unique...the tattoo is lovely, but is that a skull hanging from your belly button?  Is it sparkling?"  Val moved closer to look, and I laughed whole heartedly.  

    "Yes it is a skull, and it is sparkling.  I collect skulls and my mother is always drawn to sparkly things."  I looked down at the tiny skull, smaller than my pinky nail, that had clear rhinestones covering it that sparkled. "The rose came from a book that I love and holds a few reminders to me."

       "Well I must admit, I am curious now, why skulls if I may ask?  And I hope none of them are real ones!"  Val said with a laugh.

    "No real ones, usually just stuff with the design, as for why, skulls contain all we were, all we are, and all we can be.  It's silly but all the potential of a person can be found within that one part of a person, so much ability, and yet at the same time, so fragile, it is an interesting contradiction."  I'm used to people not understanding my odd collection, some women collected tea pots or figurines, I collected skulls.

    "It really is actually very interesting when you think of it that way."  Val's response was sincere and thoughtful sounding, and looking at her, she was in serious thought watching me for a moment before smiling again. "Well, you are very interesting and intelligent woman, I am so happy I got to meet you!  Now though, put that in here and we will go tell the boys and Xander that we are going to Glacier!  And we would love it if you would bring your kids!  They were so much fun!"

    Val rushed me to toss my clothing and the brush into the bag she was holding before hustling me out of the room.  The commotion causing all the men in the room to turn and look at us.  Xander and Alex looking us then looking at Damian with expectant grins, while Damian just stared for a moment before I realize something.  The shirt I picked was almost the same green as his eyes.