“How many do you wear?”
“Thirteen now.”
He kissed her shoulder.“Thank you for welcoming me.”
“Not yet, but I am working on it.Shower first, Doc.”
He smiled.“Of course.”
Diena looked at him and felt the calm feeling she experienced when she trusted people.It was coming fast, but it was the same feeling she had when she helped Keska get to the hospital.This person was part of her pattern, part of the thing that kept her soul calm so she could leave the rest of herself ready for action.She mentally groaned.And he was shiny and covered with gold vines that she wanted to trace with her fingers.Well, at least her libido was waking up.
Progress was progress.
She got the griddle heating, and the bacon was in the oven.She was wearing a sweatshirt and jeans, and Jenaki was dressed in office gear, black slacks and a white shirt.She smiled and started to pour the batter.
“You look remarkably at ease with the expansion of your family.”
“Alody and I have met a few times before.I was not a secret.She was not a secret.Ithal was a surprise, but he is my brother, and I am so happy to have him in my life.”
She suddenly heard little feet, and small arms were around her waist.“I love you, too, Diena.”
She stroked his head and ran her thumb along his fin.“A beautiful surprise back then and a wonderful start to a growing family.You will be an uncle, maybe a brother, a friend, and so much more.”
Ithal smiled up at her.“I know.Brother to the empress, hammer of Khaskik.”
“And hopefully straight A student?”
He giggled.“Yes, sissy.”
Alody came out.“That is what I like to hear.”
Diena held her brother as the pancakes started flipping.
Jenaki grinned.“I will get the coffee.”
Alody smiled.“I will chop some fruit.”
Diena made the pancakes without touching them, and Ithal watched with wide eyes.
Diena asked, “Where did Eskin end up?”
Alody chuckled.“I sent him to find a hotel.This place is for family, and he isn’t family yet.”
Diena smiled.“Well said.Yet.”
“Right.He’s picking me up later to go to our intake at the academy.”
Jenaki snorted.“You think they are going to hire you?”
“Well, they offered me the position last night.In case it escaped your attention, I am Katta of two thousand missions.I never lost a defender, team member, or civilian under my care.They would be idiots not to listen to my instructions.I am quite the draw.”Alody grinned as she chopped a fruit salad.
When the pancakes were ready, they sat around and had breakfast together.Diena smiled at her mother.This was what they had been moving toward.Moments of peace and harmony in a life of chaos.This was worth fighting for.
They discussed the plan for the day: Diena would get her appointment and return home so that she could take Ithal to the playpark.Ithal asked if he could invite Vaken and Kessie, and of course, Diena said yes.
Alody smiled.“We have the dishes.You two get going.”
Jenaki nodded.“I will be back after work.”
