"He likes Penny; they've been playing together all day," Meryn said smiling at Penny.
Rheia turned to the strange, yet brilliant woman. "You can see him?"
Meryn nodded. "Yup. I met Felix in Vivian's garden. A whole colony of sprites live there."
Penny clapped happily and spun her finger around in circles. Coming here had been a good thing. Rheia turned to Ryuu was standing by the kitchen doorway. "Any news?"
Colton turned to her. "What news?"
"I asked Ryuu to see if Penny had any relatives in Lycaonia. I thought she might want to visit and get to know them," she explained.
Ryuu bowed. "Marius and Byron are working on it. I believe they have located Penny's maternal grandparents. Unfortunately, since they were estranged from their daughter, they have had to break the news to them about what happened."
Penny stopped playing with Felix and scooted closer to her. Rheia wrapped an arm around her small frame. "What wonderful news, Penny, you have family here." She kissed the top of the girl's head.
Colton leaned in and ruffled Penny's hair. "As soon as they're open to it, I'll take you both for a visit. Won't that be fun?"
Penny's face had returned to the one that Rheia knew best. Penny's eyes looked flat and lifeless, her expression solemn. Colton looked to Rheia concern in his eyes. Rheia shook her head. They had to let Penny process this news without their interference. Rheia looked down into Penny's face. "If you don't like them, we won't visit again. But I do want you to at least meet with them once, deal?"
Penny stared at her for a long moment then nodded. Rheia kissed her face repeatedly until the girl squirmed away and practically jumped into Colton's lap. Colton scooted his chair back and easily lifted her up over his head. He brought her down and began his own kissy-face assault. Penny was smiling when he set her back in her own chair between them.
Rheia stood. "Okay, I'm going to head back to the clinic to help wrap up that mess," she made a face, remembering that awful smell.
Colton stood. "I'll go with you."
Rheia couldn't think of a possible thing he could assist with, but she kept her mouth shut. She wanted him next to her. The idea of spending the afternoon with him left her feeling giddy. He stretched his hand out between them. Smiling she took it and squeezed tight. He had a questioning look on his face but didn't say anything. They both said goodbye to Penny and headed to the hall. They grabbed their coats from the closet and went out to her car.
During the drive back to the clinic, a comfortable silence filled the car. On the console between them, Colton never let go of her hand. She pulled her hand out of his to park but reached for him the car was turned off. They sat there not saying a word.
"Everything okay?" he finally asked.
"No. But I think it'd be scarier if I was okay. I've been here less than a day, but needed to be with you this afternoon. My body... no, my heart craved it. There are moments when you're with Penny that threaten to overwhelm me because the two of you together is so beautiful. The core of who I am is being pulled towards you, but my mind is confused." She looked down afraid to see the disappointment in his eyes.
She felt soft, warm lips on her hand and she looked over to him. His eyes were gentle as he raised her hand to his cheek. He closed his eyes and sighed happily. He stayed that way for a moment before opening his eyes.
"Before we met, I dreamt of you. At first, all I could see were your eyes, then your face. You were always worried, so anxious and sad. You would look in the distance and I could see the pain you were trying to bury. I remember how hot my tears were when I begged Fate for just once chance to be with you, just one chance to hold you in my arms and tell you everything would be okay."
Rheia swallowed hard and tried to keep the tears from falling. How many times had she wanted just that? Not sex, not Valentine's Day gifts or date nights, just someone at the end of the day to be there. A set of opened arms she could collapse into and not have to worry about hitting the floor.
"Do you know how blessed I am?" he asked, tracing her hand with his thumb. She shook her head.
He continued. "Fate not only granted my wish, but gave me so much more. I have you by my side and you have given me the gift of a daughter. Overnight I have a family of my own. I know that this may seem impossible to you, but it's not to me. If you're ever in doubt, lean on me; let my faith support us both. We can take this at your pace, sweetness, because as long as you're beside me, I'm the luckiest and happiest man on the planet."
"Shut up," she choked out, tears streaming unchecked down her cheeks. He looked at her a painful expression in his face. "Shut up and kiss me," She said already reaching for him.
Colton didn't hesitate. Both hands came up to frame her face, pulling her as close as the console would allow. The second his lips touched hers a shiver raced down her spine. The smell and the taste of him was exactly what she wanted. She sucked on his tongue and buried her fingers in his hair, every erogenous zone was screaming for attention. She turned and in an attempt to get closer and was brought back to reality when she got wedged between the steering wheel and her seat.
She pulled back and saw Colton's eyes had changed from his normal bright green to a dull yellow.
"Gods, I want to eat you up," he growled.
She whimpered. She wanted nothing more than to be at his mercy. Colton turned his head towards the road. Some unit warriors were jogging by on their way to the Alpha estate for afternoon drills. He sat back and closed his eyes. Breathing hard she went to sit back in her seat but found she was stuck. The leather case that held the slides had shifted in her pocket to wedge itself in the steering wheel.