Finally Home (11 page)

***

When Marshall opened his eyes, his beautiful mate was staring at him with a smile on her face. “That was cool.”

“
Not for us, we didn’t get to hear anything,” Cat said and stomped her foot. “I totally want to have a long distance girls' night out.”

“
Yeah, fifteen women drunk off their asses communicating in all our heads, ohhh, can’t wait,” Tripp drawled and rolled his eyes.

“
We need to make sure Mia is safe and on her way,” Bane said, standing up and frowning. “She is going to need all of us to help her through that. Damn, those memories were wicked.”

Fredi agreed and looked at Orfeo, “My gift will help us coordinate better, especially if there is a battle.”

“
We need to have the ceremony, until then we are all vulnerable” Orfeo reminded her and turned to Jax. “Have you seen any more?”

“
Not yet, but I have a feeling if Kira and I can link through Fredi, we are in a whole new ballgame.” Jax grinned and said, “Self-defense class, ladies.”

Fredi and Cat groaned but got up.

Chapter Ten

Orfeo ended the call he was on and turned to look at Tripp. "Mia is safe and seems to be recovering well. Striker met her plane in London and took her to his clan in Cornwall to recover. It seems she has been through an ordeal with Roarke. Striker says they will arrive at the end of the month, she has much to tell us."

"Good, I'm glad we could find her somewhere safe to recover. After the attack on us, I was concerned Roarke would send someone after her,” Dante said.

Orfeo, Tripp, Dante, Brin, Bane, and Marshall were all in the conference room where Orfeo had called them while the women were in the room adjacent having coffee. The men were keeping a close watch; Cami and the other girls had been talking to Fredi. Although she had discovered she could block conversations from others, they could still feel the magic as she used it. It was something Fredi was grumbling about when she was called on it.

Orfeo had been in the process of letting the men in on the plans for Cat's surprise birthday party this upcoming weekend, when he had gotten the call from Striker regarding Mia.

Mia knew where Roarke’s compound was, she was just blocking it. “I hope that being away from the crazy asshole, she would begin to remember more specific. Although according to Jordan and the other women, when she remembered she would be a mess. The poor human had been through a lot, and witnessed even more. When she escaped with nowhere to turn, she remembered the mention of Milliken, that is where she chose to run, thank the gods,” said Orfeo.

Cami would never turn away someone in need and decided she was safest with the Senate for now, her men could only agree. So, she put Mia on a plane with a couple of guards and sent her to them with a layover in London, which was where Orfeo had decided to send Striker to meet her.

Orfeo was wary of this human who had obviously been a part of Roarke's compound for a time. He needed to know that it was safe to have her within the Senate's compound. The only way to do that was to send Striker. Striker was an old friend of Dante's from way back. Striker was good at what he did and Orfeo knew he would be able to determine if it was safe to bring Mia here.

Now add in the fact she was going to be part of the Senate, they needed to make sure Roarke and Diavolo had no idea where she was. Staying on the back roads with Striker seemed the only course of action since they knew Diavolo was close to them.

"She is frightened and wary, we can only hope Striker will be able to bring her to us safely. He assures me she is safe and recovering well. However, I think maybe we should send more men out or have one of our trusted friends, like a Fae, go. That way it will not seem like the Clan is preparing for her arrival,” Orfeo said as he took a sip of his after dinner brandy.

"Striker is good, he will ensure her safety and the safety of his clan. Roarke doesn't stand a chance against him if he tries something. That's why I didn't hesitate to urge you to send Mia there. But I can see where they would need more protection. Let me make some calls and see what we can do,” Dante stated as he poured himself another shot of brandy.

Just then, the door to the room blew open as Jax breezed through and shut it quickly. "Hurry up! Fredi has her in the kitchen going over a recipe that she wants to try. We have five minutes at the most."

“
What? Your distraction is having Fredi show Cat how to cook, are you fucking nuts?” Tripp yelled.

“
Shh, I had to do something, so quit bitching,” Jax ground out. “Your mate is difficult, you know since you have allowed her to talk to Cami and the others daily, she has become quite bold. I am liking the new bitch Cat.”

Orfeo rolled his eyes and looked at Tripp, “Do we have Tums at least?”

“
Well hell yeah, stocked up on them the last time she made us a romantic dinner,” Tripp said.

“
Quit being a baby, we have important things to discuss,” Jax smarted off and then tried walking to Tripp shaking her finger.

Brin, who had jumped at her entry, grabbed her hand and turned her to him, and said, "Darling, don't worry, everything is under control."

"Well, I want to make sure. This is her first birthday here in the new compound and I want it to be special,” Jax said as she stuck out her lip to Brin, knowing he would come to her if she did. She looked over her shoulder at Tripp and stuck out her tongue. “Asshole over there didn’t seem to care too much about her party.

“
Hey, I care, I went and bought our present already, and she is going to love it. I just hate having parties where we have to dress up and shit. Makes me feel like we are on parade.”

Orfeo laughed, "Do not worry, all has been done to our specifications. She does not suspect a thing. We are a go for Friday night. Tripp, we will talk later about what you will be wearing."

"Good, spank his ass, Orfeo. By the way, we have already talked about going shopping and have asked Fredi to go as well. I can keep her away most of the day and then I thought we would have an early dinner in town. That should throw her off the scent, pardon the pun,” Jax said with a giggle.

"That sounds great, we will meet you in town for dinner then,” Tripp said with a glare. “Just like we have planned over and over again for the last few months, it’s not like it’s anything new.”

"Brin, kick his ass,” Jax laughed. “This is going to be so much fun!” Jax said as Dante hugged her to him as Brin stepped in behind.

***

Cat sat down and looked across the kitchen table at Fredi. “Thank you so much, I've been looking forward to having some more of your fondue. This will be the extra special treat to serve my men tonight."

"You're welcome, I'm glad I could help,” Fredi said as she took another sip of her tea. She didn’t want to be rude, but if she had allowed Cat to do this herself, her precious recipe would have turned out to be disgusting. Fredi cleared her throat and said, "I'm usually a coffee drinker but this tea is delicious, what kind is it?"

"It's a special blend that the Fae made for me,” Cat said with a small secret smile on her face. Fredi was learning quickly that when she had that smile, something was up.

They both turned toward the doorway to the kitchen as Jax breezed in. "Anymore tea left?” She walked over to where Cat pointed, poured herself a cup, and joined them at the table. “What did I miss?"

Cat laughed. "We were just talking about the tea. Where have you been?"

"What? I had to go to the bathroom, is that a crime?” Jax rolled her eyes.

"Anything you want to share?” Cat said, leaning toward her with her eyebrows raised.

Fredi cleared her throat. "I feel like the odd man out here. What am I missing?"

"Nothing on my end, yet,” she said and took a sip of her tea. It was Jax's turn to raise her eyebrows and smile smugly. "Why, Cat, this tea is delicious, but you don't drink tea, only coffee. Is there anything YOU would like to share?"

Cat looked very serious as she glanced around the room, making sure they were alone. Then she turned back and leaned forward, as if she was telling a secret, and smiled widely. "Well, I might have something to say, but if I did I would tell my mates first,
then
tell you. So I will say that this tea is wonderful and it was so kind of the Fae to make it special for me."

Just as she finished speaking, Jax squealed loudly and jumped up to hug Cat. Fredi looked back and forth between the two women and her confusion must've shown as Jax began to laugh and said, "Cat is pregnant!"

"Shh! I don't want anyone else to hear,” Cat said with a huge grin on her face as she admonished Jax while accepting a congratulatory hug from Fredi.

"Congratulations,” Fredi told her as they all sat back down.

"Thanks. I am so excited. I just found out for sure yesterday and planned a special evening tonight to tell Orfeo and Tripp," Cat said, going back to cutting the meats and veggies for the fondue she prepared. The bread was already done for the appetizer; it would be dipped in the rich four-cheese fondue. Then she had various meats, diced up to dip in the broth she was making, but next would be the dessert fondue, and Fredi agreed to just make that one, because it was a bit more difficult working with chocolate.
Who knew you could burn it so fast
, she thought, and shrugged.

"They are going to be so excited,” Jax said as she placed her hand on her abdomen. "I look forward to the day I can do the same."

Cat reached over and grabbed her other hand. "I have a feeling the way you three keep disappearing that that day will be very soon,” she said, looking Jax in the eye and then both burst out laughing. Then they both looked over at Fredi, who was laughing with them.

"And, Fredi, we know how these men operate. It won't be long before we are all sitting here discussing diapers and formula,” Jax told Fredi and laughed again as the look of shock came over her face.

"Yeah, girl, you're one of us now,” Cat said as she picked up her cup and took a sip.

"As much as I am honored to be included in your circle," Fredi said looking at both women. "I think I want to wait a while before beginning a family. I'm not even sure how all of this is going to work yet. Trust me when I say, a glass of wine at night to relax is helping a lot right now."

Jax tilted her head to the side and said, "Everything okay? Wanna talk about anything? I can get the bottle of wine out right now."

Fredi laughed and once again felt the bond forming with these women. For so long she had been alone, then was reunited with family for a short time, only to have to move again. She had dreamed of a time when she would have true friends and family gathered around her, now it seemed that during was coming true. Thanks, in part, to these two women sitting before her.

"I'm good. I just think I should work out this whole Senate and the joining ceremony to the Clan. Besides, don't I deserve at the very least a little honeymoon?” Fredi asked them.

Cat laughed aloud. "Of course you do! And you shall get it. As for the Senate, I, for one, know you will fit in quite well. You already do. Now, I have to get going. I have some shopping to do for tonight. See you both later.” She headed out of the kitchen with a wave of her hand.

As soon as she was out of sight, Jax leaned toward Fredi and filled her in on the birthday plans they have for Cat. They discussed the menu as well because Fredi knew she wanted to make her special fondue for Cat on her birthday.

Chapter Eleven

As she lit the last candle, Cat looked around the bedroom and smiled. Everything had come together nicely. She was so excited and knew the men would be as well. So much had happened to her over the last year, being chased, losing her best friend, finding her mates, and then becoming the alpha female of the Senate.

Now, they had settled down into a semi-comfortable routine in the new compound, although there was still so much to do. Both her men had been kept busy with meetings and supervising the construction for the new compound. She herself had been busy dealing with the different issues that came about with the arrival of the other magical creatures to the compound. Most days she didn't know if she was coming or going, but each night she had known exactly where she was, in the arms of her men. Even during the day, she would not be surprised to be pulled aside for a quickie with one or both of them. They always made sure she knew she was loved and well cared for.

She quickly checked to see that Fredi's fondue was properly set up with all the fixings and then checked her makeup in the mirror. They were due any moment and she wanted everything to be perfect. After all, it wasn't every day you told the men you loved that they were going to be daddies. She sat down on the edge of the bed and smiled at the thought of their reactions.

"Well well, what is all this? Did we forget a special occasion?” Tripp said as he and Orfeo entered their bedroom and closed the door.

"That is impossible. We would never forget a special occasion since our Caterina came into our life,” Orfeo stated as he slowly took in the room and then Cat herself.

Cat stood and slowly made her way toward the men, drawing their attention to her new silk teddy.

Cat smiled, held out a hand, and led them to the table to sit down. “First we eat,” Cat said and began to feed her men from the small plates she already prepared. Then their eyes widened in surprise.

“
Hey, this is good,” Tripp said and Orfeo kicked him under the table when Cat glared at the two of them.

“
I will have you know I slaved all afternoon preparing this, and you are gonna eat it and love it,” Cat said and held up another piece of bread for her mate to eat.

“
Of course, mate,” Tripp grinned and just enjoyed the food.

She fed them small pieces of veggies cooked in the fondue broths, they remarked over her skills and she basked in their praise,
it was a perfect night
, she thought as Tripp and Orfeo both insisted on feeding her as well. The small pieces seemed to melt in her mouth as they placed them on her lips and ran them around the seam before she opened and allowed them to place the pieces in on her tongue. While she chewed, they kissed her and licked the broth from her luscious lips.