BIG BEAR CHAPTER 14-1
1129 Words
BIG BEAR CHAPTER 14
An hour later, Vanessa unlocked the door to her apartment and was bombarded by the familiar sights and smells. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, exhaling with satisfaction at the air that almost seemed to be welcoming her back. She knew she'd have to call her parents, followed by her work to find out her schedule, but for now she wanted to rejoice in the moment. They'd packed light for their trip, so they each only had one suitcase to bring into the bedroom. It was strange, unpacking their clothes together. For the first time ever, they'd be sharing Vanessa's room. The bed was a queen size, so space wasn't a problem. However, when Emma Jane had stayed at the apartment before the trip, Vanessa had slept in the spare bed in Cat's room. Not only would Vanessa be getting her bed back, it now also came complete with a wife.
"Come here," Vanessa said, holding out her hand for Emma Jane.
Once she accepted it, Vanessa drew her into an embrace. As they stood together holding each other, Vanessa could feel Emma Jane's heartbeat against her and the same familiar melting sensation came from within.
"I love you, Emma Jane."
Emma Jane pressed herself more tightly against Vanessa, entwining herself as completely as she could. "I love you too, Vanessa."
They stood silently, holding each other while Vanessa thought about how completely at home she was now. She didn't think it was possible for her heart to have any more room for happiness. As the warmth spread lower, she reached down to kiss her friend, her lover, her wife. Sinking into her forever home, she gave thanks to all the gods above and below and for all the circumstances that had brought them together.
A voice from the kitchen abruptly returned them to the present. "Hello? Vanessa? Emma Jane? Are you guys home? I can see your shoes in the kitchen."
The sound of Cat calling for them elicited a groan of frustration from Vanessa. She rested her forehead against Emma Jane's and whispered, "there isn’t enough time to do what I'd like to do to welcome you home. I'll have to make up for it later." She leered, causing Emma Jane to swat her on the arm.
"Of course you will. I'm holding you to that."
The searing look Emma Jane gave her caused Vanessa to reconsider answering her sister, but she knew that Cat was relentless and would keep knocking on the door until she answered, which would completely destroy her mood. She gave Emma Jane a scorching look in return, then answered her sister’s call.
"Hey, Cat, we're in here, unpacking."
Cat burst into the room, launching herself at Vanessa with an attack hug, before holding her out at arm's length to look at her. Delight lit her face. "You did it! Your aura looks amazing! I don't even have to give it a touch up. And Emma Jane, you look amazing too!"
Cat let go of Vanessa to grab Emma Jane in a tight hug, spinning her around before putting her down.
"Tell me all about the trip! You were so vague and frustrating while you were away. I was pretty close to coming to find you because of the lack of details you were feeding me."
Vanessa shrugged, giving her a half smile before responding airily. "It wasn't any of your business, little one. I was perfectly capable, as was Emma Jane, of keeping us safe."
Cat gave her an incredulous look.
"Okay, fine, fine. I know, I was vague on purpose. I didn't want you to worry," said Vanessa then paused, biting her lip. "Umm. I also...well, there's something else..." She hedged, looking to Emma Jane to see if she was going to hop in, but her new wife merely shook her head with amusement while she watched Vanessa fumble her words.
Cat looked at Vanessa suspiciously, then her eyes went wide and darted first to her hand, then to Emma Jane's hand, coming back to rest on her sister’s face.
"What? No way!" Cat squealed, giving them both another hug before her expression changed. "Wait a minute. Is that an engagement ring or...?"
Vanessa looked at the ground and when she didn't answer, Cat hit her gently on the top of the head.
"Oh, you're going to be in so much trouble when Mom and Dad find out. Getting married without family present? What were you thinking?"
"I just wanted it to be the two of us. It was private and special and Emma Jane doesn't have any family, so it didn't feel right for me to have all you guys there if she didn't have anyone. We can have another ceremony as a celebration, but this one was about our promises to each other."
Cat rolled her eyes, but Vanessa was relieved to see her irritation had already faded. Cat usually had a slower fuse, so when it did go off, it could sometimes be days until she calmed down again.
"Fine. An acceptable response. But we’re definitely having a party to celebrate. I'm not planning on getting married anytime soon, maybe never, so this could be it for Mom and Dad. You know that Dad needs his rituals and Mom needs to have her 'say yes to the dress' moment with at least one of us. Congratulations, you guys."
Cat smiled, taking both of their hands and inspecting the rings with a low whistle.
"These are really pretty. We have to call Mai and Zahara to let them know. They'll be so happy for you."
"What about Evelyn? Shouldn't we call her too?" Vanessa asked, confused why Cat hadn't mentioned her.
"No, she's still around. She's been in and out of the apartment all week."
"What? Why?" Vanessa asked, surprised.
She couldn't remember the last time Evelyn had hung out like that. Not since Scotland, when they'd first met Zahara and spent time at her parent’s place watching movies.
Cat shook her head. "I don't know. She said she had some things to do, but I think it’s because she’s been having more bad dreams lately and it helps her to be near me."
Cat spoke seriously and Vanessa knew that she was worried. Evelyn's dreams had taken on a whole new quality since discovering she was the goddess of dreams, so bad dreams for her had an intensity other people would never experience.
"I'll call the others soon. Do you have plans for tonight? I was thinking we could go out to celebrate, maybe have sushi? Unless you’d rather do takeout?" asked Vanessa, surprised when Emma Jane shook her head.
"Let's do takeout, if that's okay. I need some time to decompress from everything and I'd love a quiet night in."
"Of course. We'll likely have more than a few celebratory dinners coming up in the future with friends and family."
Vanessa looked at Cat, who nodded her head emphatically. "We can totally do takeout tonight. I want all the details."
––––––––
- Writer
