Chapter 19: Late Arrivals
Times have changed and times are strange
Here I come, but I ain’t the same
Mama, I’m coming home
Ozzy Osbourne, “Mama, I’m Coming Home”
-
NEXT DAY – WEDNESDAY – DAWN & ANDREW’S OFFICE – 6:30 AM
DAWN’S POV
I’ve read Emma’s email about four times and all I can think is WOW. I can’t believe the Goddess told her so much and didn’t question why she was there in the first place. Looking at my watch, I realize it’s still too early to call Sophia. She’s probably up, she’s always up early, but I don’t want to freak her out. Early morning phone calls are rarely a good thing.
Thank god Emma wrote out what happened in Nibiru last night, well, this morning and sent it out to us, or else I’d be going insane looking for something to do until I could talk to Soph. I know she’s that whole strong, silent type, but this has to be hard for her especially alone. Even after Sunnydale, when we were in LA, she took time apart from the others. She would come by to see how I was doing then basically disappear for the rest of the day and night. She needed her own time to deal with the loss of so many of us, friends as well as new-comers. I want to respect her space, but it doesn’t stop me from worrying about her.
Em was not happy about staying here last night, but didn’t want Sophia to be angry with her for jumping again so soon. So Em just sat in the living room and polished off that bottle of Jim her and Faith had been drinking. She still must not have been able to sleep so she had the presence of mind to send out the email, knowing one of us would be up early to get started on the research.
Where oh where do I begin? I print out the email then clear off a white board. Taking a marker in one hand and the print out in the other, I begin:
Across the top I write in large block letters:
Time in Nibiru – roughly ½ hour there = 4 hours here.
Then over to the far left side I list out:
Richard
- Emma’s counterpart [what does this mean exactly?]
- Earthbound champion of Ellil [God of Earth]
- Exploit weaknesses
- Will harm others close to you
Well, I guess we figured that last one out. Shaking my head, I draw a line straight down the board and continue alongside:
Emma
- Blood of both worlds = decide for both worlds
- Carved in stone
- Last sole chosen lead 3 to Nibiru
- Find the reason = find the answers
I look at the email to see if I missed anything, then suddenly get a whiff of… coffee. Slowly turning around, I find my husband standing in the doorway with two steaming mugs. “I can’t believe you’re researching without me!” he pouts as he walks in and places the mugs on his desk.
Putting the marker down, I shuffle over to him and wrap my arms around him, “I’m sorry honey. I was worried and couldn’t sleep.”
“Well, I guess I’ll have to forgive you.” His arms slowly come up around me as he gives me a much needed bear hug.
Nuzzling into his chest, I sigh, “We have a lot of work to do baby.”
“What happened?” He pulls back from me.
Sitting him down at my desk, I bring up Emma’s email then take one of the mugs, “You read and let me finish writing this out, ok?”
“K,” he murmurs already lost in Em’s tale as he sips his coffee.
Making another vertical line down the white board, I place the most amazing piece of information:
3 sides of the pyramid = 3 versions of the future:
1 – Anunnaki will stop Slayers and the end will come for all worlds
2 – Anunnaki will stop when the Slayers ultimate sacrifice taken
3 – Anunnaki will stop as Slayers are proven with trials of blood
Shit, not that I didn’t believe Nicky’s vision years ago, but, damn, “Anunnaki”, “stop” “Slayers”, it’s in each iteration; just different words surrounding it.
“Ha I like the end bit, ‘I’m going to ask for a leave of absence today at work, hopefully I’ll still have a job to come back to. ;-)’ she’s such a riot, even when she’s all stressed out.” He grabs his mug and comes to stand next to me in front of the white board. “Holy shit, you’re right,” he puts an arms around me, “we do have a lot of work to do.” He kisses the top of my head, “I’m going to make another pot of coffee.”
The phone rings almost as soon as he leaves. “Hey Dawn.” It’s Sophia, thank god.
“How are you,” I pause, “and I mean really, no fucking around,” I go for concerned but firm.
She laughs at that, “I’m ok, I promise. A little freaked, but that will pass. Look, I wanted to tell you a couple of things that really shouldn’t wait till I get there tonight.”
“You’re coming? Thank god,” I sigh.
Hearing her slow sigh, “Yeah, I talked to Em about it last night. Then her email said Friday was D-day, so I’m trying to catch the last flight tonight.” She takes a breath, “The Wicca that’s with Richard, her name is Camille. Dawn, she knew Emma had jumped. That’s why he came after me. I don’t know how she’s in tune with Em, but she knew the second she came back too.” She pauses for a second, “I could feel when Em came back while he was trying to drain me. Then the Wicca told him she was back and he stopped.”
“You think he stopped cause she was back?” This Richard is a real bastard but he really does know how to exploit people. The Goddess was dead on with that one.
Almost seeing her nod, “Yeah, one of the things he said was ‘she’s jumped and we need her here’. Dawn, why would they need her here, what can that mean?”
“I don’t know.” I think for a moment, “What else did he say?”
She doesn’t answer right away, “Some personal stuff about me and Emma.” She blows out a breath, “He knew we were… well, together… and that we hadn’t… I mean that we haven’t… yet … Jesus,” she laughs, “this is embarrassing.”
“It’s ok,” I smile, “I get the idea. If you remember anything else, send me an email. That way we can add it to the pile of stuff we have to look into, ok?”
Hearing some rustling in the background, I realize she’s probably getting ready for work. “Yeah, will do, just wanted to give you the heads up on the ‘highlights’, you know?”
“I know,” I answer softly, “I’m really glad you called. I’ve been up for a while waiting for a decent time to check up on you.”
She laughs, “You could have called, you know I’m up.”
“Yeah, but I know you, and know you need time to think things out on your own.” I smile, “I’m glad you’re coming, Em wasn’t happy when you told her not to jump to you last night.”
Another laugh, “Yeah, I know. Look, I have to get going Dawn, see you tonight?”
“You bet; I’ll be part of the welcoming committee. See you then.” Then we hang up and I sit at my desk looking at the white board. Yeah, we have to figure this out fast.
NICKY’S ROOM – 6:57 AM
NICKY’S POV
It’s strange, I know this place, but I don’t. It’s so hot and claustrophobic here. I’ve been walking down this corridor forever it seems. The rock walls lining the path are grey and hot to the touch. My feet are kicking up little puffs of dirt as I walk. Then it hits me, I’m in Sanal. The heat, the caves, the dust… how could I have forgotten?
Almost as soon as I realize where I am, I come to a large opening, almost like a room. Then I see Buffy and Faith, they are holding hands, sweet. I call to them but they don’t hear me, they are looking over at something far away. I try to see what they are looking at, but can’t make it out. As I draw nearer, I’m so happy to see they are looking at Emma. She’s operating on someone. That’s weird, cause she’s not a surgeon, then I laugh to myself, silly Nicky, you’re dreaming, that’s why nothing is making sense.
Buffy and Faith walk away and I try to follow them, but I can’t. Making my way towards Emma, I find I can’t move, someone had grabbed my shoulders.
“She doesn’t need you anymore,” the voice tells me. The voice is familiar, but I can’t place it.
Furrowing my brow, I’m confused, “Who doesn’t need me? Emma? Of course she needs me, we’re buds, we’re sisters, we’ll always need each other.”
“Look,” he points to Em who has just been joined by Sophia, “she has a girlfriend now; she won’t have time for you anymore.”
Getting very angry, I shout, “That’s not true, Em will always have time for me!”
“Not if I can help it,” then I see him, Richard, as he pushes Sophia away as he begins to drain Emma dry. Sophia looks up from the floor and I see her neck is bleeding too, it’s running down from two puncture marks. When did he bite her? And he’s killing Emma, and Buffy and Faith are gone, and now all I can do is scream Emma’s name as she crumples to the ground.
“Wake up, honey wake up, it’s ok, I’m here,” Emma coos to me as I wake up covered in sweat in her arms.
I look at her, then around and realize it was a nightmare, bury my head in her shoulder and burst into tears.
“Shhh, it’s ok” she tries again to calm me, “tell me what you dreamt about,” she coaxes as she pulls me onto her lap and leans against the headboard.
Trying to get a grip, I start, “I was in Sanal and then Buffy and Faith were there and nobody knew I was there, then you couldn’t hear me and then Sophia came and then Richard was there and…” I can’t talk anymore as my sobs take my breath away.
“Shhh, I’ll never let him hurt you, Nicky. I promise you that on my life,” she holds my gaze then pulls me closer to her.
Basking in the safety of Emma’s arms, I realize something from my dream, “He bit Sophia last night didn’t he?”
“Yes, he did,” she says evenly.
I turn to face her, “Is she ok?”
“Yeah, she’s coming later on tonight,” she tries to soothe me, “it will probably be too late for you to be up, but she’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
Burrowing deeper into her, I sigh, “I’m sorry I’m acting like a big baby. I was just scared. I felt so alone.”
“You’re not acting like a big baby. But you’re not alone, kiddo, I’m right here with you,” she kisses the side of my forehead. “How about while I’m in the shower you write out everything you remember from your dream and we’ll give it to Andy to figure out?”
Pouting a little, I bow my head, “Some of it was stupid and not nice and me just being a jerk.”
“Well, then you don’t have to show it to anyone but him and swear him to secrecy. Sometimes the little personal things have other meanings you know? So maybe if one other person knows, he’ll be able to figure something out and not embarrass you, ok?”
Rubbing my head into her shoulder, I nod. Then I silently curse Richard for invading my dream. He’s so not a good man, and I don’t care what anyone says about the old stories of Angel and Spike, vampires are not good, they never can be. I will not let him or any anyone else destroy my family.
BACK PORCH – 1:36 PM
KENNEDY’S POV
“Hey” Nicky calls out to me.
Looking over at her, I smile, “Hey yourself.”
“I need to talk to you about something important,” she has quite the stern look in her eyes. Hell, we’ve all been on edge for a while, why not the mini Slayer too?
Sitting down next to her, I regard her seriousness, “Shoot.”
“I want you to teach me how to fight.”
Confused, I falter, “But that’s what I have - ”
“No,” she looks me dead in the eye, “I mean really teach me.” She hardens her gaze to that of someone twice her age. “I won’t be any help if the others are wasting time trying to protect me. I need to be able to hold my own.”
Slowly nodding, I begin to understand. Will and I heard her this morning, none of us know if it was just a nightmare or a vision. She’s scared now but determined; it’s a good combination, “You have to pay attention and train a lot in these couple of days.” I narrow my eyes at her, “No bullshit about bruised feelings when we’re training Nicky, absolutely none, understand? There’s no time for it.”
“I won’t, Ken, I promise,” she holds my gaze, “I know I’m little, but I know how important this is.” She sighs then turns away, looking out to the yard, “That’s why I asked you not Faith. She’d be easy on me and I need you not to be.”
Standing, I turn to her, “Alright then, let’s go downstairs, your extra training sessions begin right now.”
BUFFY & FAITH’S ROOM – 8:55 PM
FAITH’S POV
B’s homecoming started off a shade on the perfect side. Her plane got in a half hour early so she hopped a cab home and was in my arms three seconds after the cabbie pulled into the driveway. Nicky spent the day with her little boyfriend across the street, Em got out of work early and had no problems getting a leave of absence, we had an amazing light dinner care of Andrew, Red had almost finished the spell she was working on for us and now the girls are in our room knowing most of the happiness of this past hour is going to disappear.
There’s a ‘General Buffy’ feel to B right now as she paces while we watch her from our places on the bed. She had been able to access Emma’s email this morning at the airport before her flight took off. So did her own research during the transcontinental flight. She finally stops and turns to us, “You’re certain she said the next waxing moon?” she asks Emma, knowing the answer already.
“Yeah, Buffy, not something I’d forget,” Emma sighs, “Will and Dawn already gave me the inquisition this morning. Besides, before I even started writing it out, I checked on the internet when the next one would be. Friday’s it.”
B nods then bows her head, “I know honey, I’m just… well, I...” She sits on the edge of the over-stuffed reading chair and runs her hands through her hair.
“Come here,” I call to her.
She looks up at me, then the girls and smiles. Walking over and sitting next to me, she takes my hand, “I’m not doing this very well, am I?”
“Doing what?” Nicky is looking at us expectantly.
Taking a breath, I lean back against the headboard and begin, “Nick, Buffy and I wanted to talk to you two about Nibiru and what different things can happen there.” I look over to Emma who has her jaw clenched tightly, “It’s going to be very dangerous and, well,” I feel B squeeze my hand; “there’s a very real chance not all of us will make it back.”
“You mean like we can really die there?” Nicky cuts to the chase.
Nodding, I meet her wide eyes, “Yeah we really can.”
“But, but…” Nicky looks around to each of us, clearly distraught, “I don’t want any of you to die.”
Emma puts her arm around her shoulders and hugs her tightly, “Dying is not the plan, kiddo. This is the ‘just in case’ conversation.”
“I don’t want to have a ‘just in case’ conversation,” tears begin to slide down her cheeks, “because no one is going to die!”
Motioning Nicky to come to me, she crawls into my lap. As I put my arms around her, Em lays across the bottom of the bed, head resting on her hand, as B leans back against the headboard next to me. “Look honey, Buffy and I have been through a ton of these things, and we’re not going to let anything happen to you.”
“Neither will I Nick, like I told you this morning,” Em adds.
Nicky slowly nods, “Ok, but what about - ”
“We’ll all be watching out for each other. But sometimes things happen and people die. Just like your parents died.” I take another huge breath as Nick nods against my chest. “Well, you remember how your Dad wrote that letter to me about taking care of you?”
Nicky pulls away from me as her eye dart between me and B, “Yeah,” she says slowly.
“Well,” Buffy takes over, “Faith and I had some papers drawn up, just in case something happens to us, that say Dawn and Andrew would be your guardians.”
Emma immediately lifts her head, “But why them?”
“Em, we had to prepare for the worst case,” Buffy begs her in her stare not to have to say it aloud, “ok? It’s not like they’d be going anywhere from here if something does happen.”
She bows her head then once again rests it on her hand, “Yeah, I get it.” No longer feeling slighted, I think Emma feels more resigned.
“Nicky, Friday is only 2 days away, and you need to do a lot of training. The most important thing you need to know is how to come back here,” I swallow, “if one or more of us is hurt or if you’re alone. So me, Em and Red are - ”
Our little slayer jumps from my arms, “Alone?? I won’t be alone… you mean you think ALL of you are going to die and leave me alone in another freaking dimension???”
“Whoa, babe, it’s just like Em said, this is the ‘just in case’ conversation,” I try to pull her back to me, but she’s having none of it.
Em sits up, “Nicky, we’ll make it out of this. We’re going to do some extra training, sharpen our skills. We’ll be there and back before you know it.”
Nick jumps off my lap and onto the floor, “I’m not letting anything happen to any of us.” She leans against Em, “They’ll have to get though us and we’re pretty tough right?”
“You betcha!” Em rubs her shoulder as she looks over a B and me, “See? We got nothing to worry about.”
I return her smile and B just lays her head on my shoulder, “Yeah, I see that.”
Em’s phone buzzes and she looks at the screen. Before she reads it, Nick rips it from her hand, “Is it Sophia?” then she reads the txt aloud ‘Got the plane. It gets in 11:27. See you then? S’”
Nicky looks up as Emma laughs, “It’s just really cute how Sophia refuses to shorten words for texting.” She takes the phone back to reply.
“Wait, what are you replying,” Nicky leans over and reads Em reply as she enters it, ‘k - b waiting 4 u.’
Nicky rests back against Em and smiles, “See; now Sophia’s going to be here, so even if someone gets hurt she’ll be able to fix them up.”
“Exactly,” I smile back at her, wondering if she overheard Willow talking bout her spell.
Emma takes Nicky by the hand, “Come on hot stuff, it’s like 10:30, somebody needs to get ready for bed.” She throws a grin to me and B, “And I think these two need a little alone time.”
“Oh, ok, ‘alone time’” she drags out the two words as they leave, “can I wait up for Sophia?”
Em laughs as she ushers her out of our room them closes the door, “Brush your teeth and wash your face first, then we’ll talk.”
“Hmmm, I think you just want some ‘alone time’ too!” Nicky teases her.
We hear their footsteps as Em chases her down the stairs, “Why I oughtta…”
“I guess I didn’t fuck that up too bad, right?” B asks as she lays her head in my lap.
Smoothing her hair away from her face, “You didn’t fuck anything up, baby. I think they took it pretty well.”
“Nicky was kinda freaked,” she looks up at me.
Reaching down to kiss her, “She’ll be fine, we all will.”
“I think I’m kinda freaked too,” she wraps her arms around my waist and sighs.
Bending down, I kiss the top of her head and rub her back, “You’re just tired and jet lagged, baby.” Smirking a bit, I pull her to face me, “I know tomorrow morning I’m going to wake up next to General Buffy and she’s gonna make everyone crazy with the orders, the researching, checking and double checking the spell...”
“You’re a big meany and you know it,” she pinches my side.
My laughter turns to a wince, “Ouch! Hey, oh with the pinching, stop!”
“Hmmm, that should teach you not to mess with ‘General Buffy’,” she gets up and stands over me, hands on hips. “I knew that’s what you guys called me in Sunnydale, by the way. Can you say ‘so babyish’ Faith?”
Smiling, I put my hands on her waist to pull her back to me, “First of all, Dawn started it, so go talk to your sister.” Taking in her shocked look I laugh again.
“There is nothing sacred, not even the bonds of sisterhood!” she pouts.
Placing a slow kiss on her stomach, I continue, “And I thought you liked it when I ‘messed’ with General Buffy?”
“Oh babe,” she holds my head to her and sighs, “You know I do.”
AIRPORT – 11:20 PM
EMMA’S POV
My mind is whirling right now. Our family meeting was sobering to say the least. It’s like it all finally hit me, it’s one thing to know you’re going to die one day, even sooner than most people. But for odds to be it’s going to happen in 3 days kinda gives you reason for pause.
Nicky’s totally freaked out by the notion of one of us not coming back; she won’t even consider more than one. It feels like we just got her over the whole separation anxiety thing, now permanent separation is a very real option.
Permanent separation... shit, I shake my head as I jump up to sit on the hood of my car. Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and feel Sophia is very close, she must have just landed. Staring down at my dangling feet, I wonder if it’s really fair to her to continue this. Won’t it just be that much harder for her if I don’t come back? Like it or not, that’s the most viable option. Two out of three scenarios having people dying; I’d be a fool to say it won’t be me.
Maybe I should just cool this off and see what happens if I make it back. I mean anything can happen and I know I’d do absolutely anything to keep Nicky out of danger. And Buffy and Faith have done so much already; my dying feels right in some completely awful, horrible but true way. I can’t shake the feeling I will never see any of them after this. Spiraling down into my own world of doom and gloom, I suddenly realize there is a pair of shoes in front of me, then a finger lifting my chin. I look up to see a very tired Sophia smiling at me.
“Hey,” she cocks her head to the side, “lost in thought?”
Sighing, I return her smile then reach out and pull her into me. Then I promptly forget everything I just told myself when her lips touch mine. The sweet taste of her soothes me immediately and I realize I’d be a bigger fool to think I won’t fight to come back for this, for her. Leaning back a little, I take a good look at her, “How are you?”
“Ok,” she smiles again, “better now.” She visibly relaxes in my arms until our reunion is broken up by some catcalls from the sky caps as well as some other people milling about enjoying the free show.
Regretting that I have to let go, I give her a sheepish grin, “Let’s go home, we’ll get less comments there.”
“Right,” she laughs as she opens the passenger side door, “I think we’re safer with the sky caps and rent-a-cops.”
I jump into my car and start the engine. Before I pull away, I take her hand and kiss it then rest it on the gear shift with mine. “At least I can kick their asses though,” then wink at her as I pull onto the freeway.
We spend the next half hour talking about everything Buffy and Faith said tonight. Sophia asks no questions, just listens as I tell her what happened. When we get home around midnight, Buffy, Faith and Dawn are waiting for us. They’re set up in the living room with a couple bottles of wine and another one of Nicky’s special cheese plates. The lovely cheese plate creator crashed a little bit after 11:00 so didn’t get to see her masterpiece get devoured.
Dawn swoops Sophia into a huge bear hug as soon as she walks in the door, “I’m so glad you’re here.” She carefully inspects Sophia’s neck, “Jesus, you can barely see it, just like Dracula’s.”
Not wanting to interrupt them, I ask Faith, “Are we the last ones in?”
“Yeah, you lock up and I’ll get you two a drink?” she raises her eyebrows.
Nodding, “Sounds like a plan,” I walk into Dawn and Andrew’s office to the control panel and activate the alarms.
Dawn didn’t stay long, only an hour or so, she was up at 6 and totally exhausted from researching all day. Her and Willow are working on some other kind of spell for us. She gave Sophia another fierce hug then said goodnight.
Buffy is leaning her head on Faith’s shoulder just looking at us, a smile gracing her face. “What?” I ask, not really in the mood for teasing tonight.
“Huh?” Buff shakes her head, “I’m sorry, I’m pretty beat myself.” She runs her hand down Faith’s thigh and squeezes at the kneecap. “I was up all last night worrying about you, then I couldn’t sleep on the plane because I was worried about you, Sophia.” She smiles at us now, “I’m glad you’re both here, safe and sound. But now,” she gets up and takes Faith’s hand, “we need to get to bed too. So good night and see you in the morning.”
Faith allows Buffy to pull her off the couch, “The number one Slayer has spoken!” She laughs as Buffy slaps her shoulder, “Goodnight guys.”
Then we are alone, “So, more wine or hit the sack?” I look over to her.
“I’m thinking sack if you don’t mind,” she rests her head on the back of the couch and closes her eyes.
She does look pretty tired. I was too the day after. “Sounds good to me, I went in early,” I take her glass and bring it to the kitchen. When we get to the second floor, she hesitates at the guest room next to mine, the one she usually takes. “Talk about not being an option,” I pull her into my room.
“Well I didn’t want to assume…” she smiles.
I close my door as Sophia tosses her duffle on my desk chair and sits on my bed. “You’re a funny lady,” I shake my head. Walking over to her, I crouch down in front of her and rest my hands on her thighs, “You really ok?”
She raises her head and cups my face in her hands, “Getting there,” she smiles then bends to kiss me. I lean into her kiss and slide my arms around her waist. Pulling me with her, she falls back onto the bed and drags me on top of her. Slowly breaking away, she kisses my forehead then slips her hands under the back of my shirt, making slow circles on my back just like she did over the weekend… nice. “It’s a tease to feel your being and not feelyou.”
“I know, you should have let me come to you last night,” I roll to the side and lean my head in my hand. Knowing all too well about the healing power of her touch, I run my hand over hers and smile, “All I wanted to do was hold you all night.”
She smiles such a sad smile back to me, “And that’s all I wanted too.” I’m about to say something, but she cuts me off. “You jumped twice in four hours, Em. I wasn’t going to let you do it again.”
“My tests were all clear this morning.” I lean over and give her a quick kiss. “I would have come anyway,” I state plainly, letting it go unsaid that I didn’t really care about the consequences.
Sophia runs a hand through my hair and pulls me a bit closer, “I know, that’s why I couldn’t let you.” She kisses me warmly then pulls away, “I’m here now, besides, how are you gonna take care of your girl if you don’t take care of yourself?”
“I can take care of y-…” I stop and look at her questioningly, trying to stop the gigantic smile that’s spreading on my face, “Yeah? Really? My girl?”
She laughs as I scoop her up and lean over her, “Like I have a choice,” she brushes her lips against mine in a quick kiss. “Who could resist you?”
“Well, do you want to resist me?” I cautiously ask, running my hands into her hair.
She searches my eyes as she slides her hands up and down my sides, driving me absolutely insane, “It’s getting harder and harder.”
“So maybe if I get back from this craziness we’ll see if the wait was worth it, huh?” I waggle my eyebrows in my best Faith imitation.
She smiles, “When you get back,” she counters as she reaches up to kiss me again, “I have no doubt it will be.”
BUFFY & FAITH’S ROOM – 2:57 AM
BUFFY’S POV
There’s a fine sheen of sweat now covering Faith’s entire body as I slowly bring her down. She’s still gasping for air as I alternate little kisses on the insides of her thighs, my fingers still trapped within her. Leaving them in place I slowly make my way up her body, trailing kisses on every piece of skin I find, hip, stomach, breast, neck, until I find those luscious lips again. God, I love her lips. Hell, I love every inch of her.
“You’re trying to kill me,” she breathes out.
Nuzzling into her neck again, I murmur, “Nah, I just can’t get enough of you.” Sliding my thumb over her soft, hot, wetness, we both groan again. “I missed you so much.”
“B-B-Buffy,” she’s so sensitive, I barely need to touch her to make her mine again. Once more, I bring her slowly down. “God you really need to stop,” she grazes her fingers over mine until I allow mine to slip from her. With great effort, she reverses our positions until she’s leaning over me. “The forces of evil would have a field day with me right now,” she nuzzles into my neck and leans her weight on me in the type of exhaustion I love to bring out in her.
Smiling widely, I run my hands up and down her back, “I guess my work here is done now that I’ve softened you up for the big fight?”
“Yeah, I always knew that ‘good girl’ thing was a front,” she mumbles into my neck.
Holding her tightly to me, I revel in her touch, her smell, her taste that’s still on my lips. I feel her breath start to slow, “I love you, Faith. I always have and always will.”
“I love you too, B. And I always knew,” she leans up to kiss me, “Sleep baby, we have a lot to do tomorrow and somebody kept me up all night.”
Raising my eyebrow, “Like you were really saying, ‘oh, no, stop, don’t’ right?”
“You know I can’t say no to you,” she kisses me again.
Gathering her in my arms as she tucks her head under my chin, “And I recall someone that is NOT me, started with the frisky behavior…”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she feigns shock.
Slowly breaking away I nod, “Uh huh… good thing I know, and you’re right, we should try and get some sleep.” Looking over at the clock, my eyes fly open wide, “Shit, babe it’s almost 3.”
“Yeah,” she snuggles back into me, “it will be morning soon.”
