He was saying something about how Aylwyn couldn’t make it, and she only heard the sound of his voice that she had missed so much. The strangely accented syllables, that when whispered against her hair did wonderful things to her equilibrium.
“Can I smell the pretty flowers?” Clover’s voice interrupted her reverie.
Right. Clover. The kids.
She cleared her throat and smiled at the little girl. “Of course you can, in a bit. When we sit down, although…”
She looked at the restaurant that she was supposed to have a meal with Aylwyn in. In the reflection of the glass, she could see Col looking at the twins as if they were three headed dogs. Beyond the glass, there were candlelit tables with white tablecloths. The crystal glasses on each table were meant for fine wine, and she bet that the plates would be of the finest thin ceramic, the utensils of hefty metal. The waiters were wearing crisp white shirts, and black aprons and looking even more polished than she was, in her earthen toned linen overdress and white chemise.
And definitely more polished than the two preschoolers by her side, each of whom was more than capable of wreaking havoc where there was glass, ceramic, metal, white linens, open flame and the expectation of refined behavior. Together? And with Col looking at them like they were wild boars?
Maybe this was a bad idea. Like, a colossally bad idea. She opened her mouth, about to ask for a raincheck, when all of a sudden, Col added to the 9 layer cake of shock she’d been served.
He crouched down, all six feet million inches of him, so that he was at the same level of the kids. And in that grave way of his, he asked, “what is your favorite food for dinner, children?”
Brady and Clover yelled “Pizza!” at the same time, and pointed to a restaurant a few doors down, which had cleverly placed a chalkboard sign outside on the sidewalk, with a picture of a pizza slice. To make it even more enticing for kids, there were helium balloons festooning the entrance. It was clearly a family restaurant. It was perfect.
Col nodded to them, again in that serious manner that he used for adults, and rose up to his full height.
“Sounds like we’re having pizza for dinner,” Lily said.
“Yippee!” One or both of the twins screamed, and to her utter astonishment, they wrapped themselves around each of Col’s massive legs.
And wonder of wonders, if Col didn’t throw his head back and laugh, a full-bodied sound that filled Lily with joy.
“Will you carry me?” Clover pleaded.
Brady chimed in, “Me too, me too!”
Col smiled again at the two kids, a sight that just zinged right through Lily, ringing her ovaries with a loud wake-up call. In a smooth motion, he leaned over and scooped the children up, a twin in each arm as if they weighed nothing. They squealed with laughter, especially as Col let them direct him to the restaurant that served pizza.
Lily followed in their wake, marveling at the sight of the two kids and Col, completely carefree and genuinely enjoying each other’s company. She had never in her life, felt like nothing would make her happier, than to bear this man’s children.
And be bonded with him forever.
* * *
Col couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so carefree. When he was the boy’s size, he was already learning to feint and thrust with a wooden sword. The boys were kept away from girls until they were much older. And yet these little cubs charmed him, coaxed laughter out of him, even as they climbed over his body, treating it as a tree.
Even so, he was ever mindful of the loveliness that was Katie Cooper. She was pleased with the flowers, and his heart sang with the delight it had brought her. In the harsh light of the restaurant, she looked radiantly beautiful. She looked…like a woman — mayhap the only woman — he wanted to bear his young, with that glow in her smile as the two children pulled at him, drawing out more laughter.
Everything she did was mesmerizing. He watched, riveted, as she patted her mouth with a napkin after eating her third slice of pizza. Those fingers, that had caressed him. Those soft, sweet lips, that had kissed him.
She smiled at him mischievously. “Penny for your thoughts.”
He replied with a baffled look. “One small copper coin that is valued at one-hundredth of an American dollar bill, is that correct?” And then he returned her smile. “But I am thinking of something that has value far beyond mere coin.” His smile turned feral, and she blushed hotly. It was very clear what he was thinking about.
“I’m almost glad Aylwyn couldn’t make it tonight. Please tell him I hope he feels better.”
Yes, he had spoken untruths to Katie Cooper as well. And if it meant that she would not be spending time with the eternally japing whelp, then he had no regrets.
Too soon, their time had come to an end. Katie Cooper’s voice was filled with regret, but he understood. The young needed their sleep. He had offered to bring them back, but Katie had shaken her head sadly. The car that Simon had lent to her was already outfitted with the required seats for the children.
And it would be improper for him to visit her in the young’s domicile. He was beginning to understand the nuances of propriety; in this way, Simon’s hope for this evening was realized, albeit for Col and not with Aylwyn. In the same way, he knew that she would be disquieted to hear in front of the children that he had visited her in her room last night. He had learned with great relief that she had been with the little boy and little girl, and not with Aylwyn, or Barric, or any male that he would have to kill.
He kept that relief he felt to himself, just as he sensed that there were things that she remained silent on, due to the presence of the younglings.
There would be time enough to talk. For now, it was enough to simply be with her, sharing this moment of happiness and laughter together.
