Once Upon A Time (9 page)

I turned to my
Mate, "Aaleahya, may I ask you and Angharad to entertain Owain's
guest, please? And I have told her that she may stay the night, if
it gets late."

Watching the
younglings line up and greet the man, I frowned a bit, confused
with their way of acting but try to not make it obvious. "Oh nice
to meet you Miss. How lovely the twins are? They are so cute. " I
smiled looking at them, not least because I have a soft spot for
kids.

I look at
Owain since I can't contain my curiosity and ask, "Why did they
line up?" I tried to whisper to Owain, while glancing at them.

Smiling at
Merida and then at my mate Gavril Negrescu, I commented, “The twins
wouldn't go to bed they are just excited as the rest of the house.”
They cooed and waved their hands as they knew I was talking about
them.

“
Merida would you take Liszka for me please. I need to give my
arm a break.” I handed over Liszka and watched as Merida smiled at
her. Liszka grabbed her finger and tried to put it in her mouth I
giggled softly as I tried to stop her from putting Merida's finger
in her mouth knowing she is teething and pups have sharp teeth even
in human form.

Matyas wanted
attention and began to fuss. Jostling him to calm him I went in
search of a seat. Angharad approached in with a bottle, and I could
not but smile at her, telling her she was godsend and thanked
her.

"There, now
everyone is taken care of, almost. I'm going to get some mulled
wine. The smell has been making my mouth water for hours. Would
either of you like some?" Merida shook her head no and held up her
glass. "I'm fine, thank you Angharad." You can tell she was unsure
of the pronunciation so I smiled. "You're saying it correctly and
some just call me Garad. I answer to about anything. Aaleahya? May
I bring you anything? A bottle for Liszka too, even though she
doesn't pack away the bottles like Matyas does."

I can't help
but smile and blush as Owain kissed my hand, it was such a romantic
gesture. "Oh its ok, don't worry, I wouldn't want to keep you. I
will be fine."

When he left,
I took one of the twins and cooed at her; she was so cute trying to
put my finger in her mouth as to I tickled her to take her mind off
it.

"How old are
they? "I asked the mother while poking her nose. Watching the baby
giggle and coo I smiled, as I took a sip from the glass of water.
It was refreshing. "So what do you girls do around here?" I asked
trying to start a conversation.

Smiling I
answered Merida’s question on the age of the twins. I cannot tell
her that they were only five days old. Given that they are Cŵn
Annwn they developed at a fast rate. “Merida they are three months
old and are now teething. I do have to say I am blessed that they
are not cranky as most babies are when this occurs. Let’s go to the
sitting room shall we and I will show you what I do when I am not
busy with the children.”

The pack
younglings rushed by stopping in their tracks to see the babies as
we have kept them away until today. “Angharad my friend, why don't
you come in and join us.” I suggested. I sent the younglings to the
TV room where I have Christmas movies playing on the large screen.
We entered the sitting room where the library is lined with books.
Waving my hand around, I commented, “I like to relax by reading. I
read anything and everything. If you want to borrow any of the
books we have, please feel free Merida.”

I settled into
one of the leather chairs and sipped my mulled wine. I would have
to remember to find out who made it and compliment them on the
mixture. "I should tell you that I'm the, ah I'm an herbalist and
practice holistic medicine. So if you ever need any advice or help
with anything, please let me know. Odds are I can help you
out."

I smiled and
raise my glass to her. "I think lately my herbal teas have been the
most requested. Lots of stress this time of year as you can
imagine." I hear a thud and then some yelling from the TV room, so
I stood up and waved Aaleahya down. "I've got it. Besides, I think
they're afraid of me. I'll be right back."

I couldn’t get
enough of the baby I was holding, she was just too cute and soft.
It was amazing, and oddly good how calm I felt around these people.
Around people I have never met before. As Garad and Aaleahya spoke,
I smiled, while my mind was everywhere, thinking about them all.
Living together like a big family.

I needed to
use the restroom after drinking water, so I asked for directions
and, once I had them pointed out, I handed the baby to one of the
girls and walked away. Once there I looked at my reflection, I had
a relaxed expression on my face. It was strange because that is
because that’s how I felt, and I wasn’t tired of thinking about
it.

When I walked
back, I saw Owain leaning against a door frame, and I smiled.
Walking to him I poked his side gently. “Hey there handsome.” I
said with a shy smile. That would be my nickname for him from now
on, of course when no one was around because I didn’t want to make
him uncomfortable. I watched him smile and that was even more
amazing. We spoke for some time before he suggested that we went to
eat. It seemed that they had a big dining room, and yet the noise
of so many people didn’t seem so bad, not with Owain next to me.
The night was falling slowly, giving us time to enjoy it. After
some food, we both had tea. It was a good tea, nothing that I had
ever tasted but it was good. I found myself liking it.

At the time I
looked at the clock, it was past nine, and I was starting to yawn.
“I think I will accept the offer of staying the night.” Owain
nodded, and smiling at me, offered me a hand to help me up from the
table bench, saying that he would show me to a room. I was nervous.
I mean I was in a house full of strangers, and the guy I like was
walking me to the room I would be using. Would he want to stay in
the same room? That thought made me rub the back of my neck as he
pointed out that we were close to the room. But to my surprise, he
just showed me where everything was, he kissed my forehead, a
gesture that melted my heart, and with yet another smile of his,
taking away my breath he walked to the door, wished me a good night
and left. I wished him the same and prepared myself to sleep.

Last night I
fell asleep pretty fast, but was woke up abruptly by that recurring
nightmare. Thankfully I didn’t scream, or else they all would be
rushing in the room by now. My heart just pounded as usual. Looking
at my phone, it was 5am. I moved around the room, I hadn’t brought
any clothing, but almost like if reading my mind, a girl walked in
with a bunch of clothing for me to try on. I thanked her and
started to try them on after a warm shower. We spoke some I asked
about the activities they usually had. She didn’t speak too much
claiming she had some other things to do and she would chat more
later. I smiled and thanked her once more. Once I was ready I made
my way downstairs since the girl told me about breakfast with them.
Walking downstairs it was almost seven.

Walking around
I heard Owain speak, so I walked to where he was and smiled.
“Morning … Um, thank you for the clothing … How was your night?”
Sitting by his side I looked around and smiled to the others. “How
was everyone’s night?”

Even though I
had calmed down from the nightmare, I was still seeing images from
that day, but as soon as I moved closer to him I felt at ease. And
that made me let out a deep breath. “Can I help with breakfast?” I
wanted to help, they were so nice to me that I wanted to repay them
in any way possible.

Coming down to
the communal dining area, I noticed that Owain was seated with his
human, Merida, and hid the smile that threatened to appear on my
lips. My old friend had made a habit of flitting from female to
female, turning it into an art form in the way that he had never
settled on any one female. Studying the human species, he had
called it.

Yet, here, he
was paying attention to this human girl. Assiduous attention, and I
knew that he had not spent the night with her, having shown her to
a room, and then, just left her, returning to his own suite. In the
morning, he had asked one of the teenage females if she had some
clothing that could be loaded to Merida, and would the female mind
taking those clothes to the human. This was not the Owain that most
of those past females would have recognised, and it was
fascinating.

If I didn't
know better, I would say his behaviour was akin to mating
behaviour, but a human?

I stretched my
back while walking into the kitchen area intent on some coffee. Tea
will come later as right now I want the bracing effects of a strong
cup of coffee. I heard everyone in the other room and smiled at the
sense of family that I missed when traveling. Don’t get me wrong, I
love my time alone but there is nothing like belonging. After
taking a sip of a perfect mixture of coffee and cream, I decided it
was time to face the crowd and entered the dining room.

I saw Merida
looking a bit tense and bless Owain’s heart, he was doing his best
to calm her. I found that I enjoyed seeing him like this, so
attentive to her. It was a shame she was human though, as lifespan
differences can break a heart. I knew that all too well. But today
we could forget all that and enjoy the here and now. I nodded at
the pack members and stepped to Merida with a smile. “Good morning
Merida. I hope you slept well. Would you like something to drink
before breakfast? There is some great coffee or some of my own tea
blends if you prefer.”

I found myself
leaning to his caress by instinct. It soothed my mind. And I just
shook my head. "Nothing to worry about, I am ok. Thank you for the
clothes." As I smiled to him more, I had taken his hand give him a
kiss on the palm of his hand. Hearing Garad’s voice, I looked to
her and smiled.

"Oh I slept
perfectly, thanks for asking. Everyone seems so, great in the
mornings, calmed without any tension. Is it like that always?" I
smiled more and then nodded at her question. "I actually would love
coffee. If you guys make coffee as you all cook, I think I might
have come to heaven .... and a plus on the side." I said and looked
at Owain. "How did you all sleep? Had a good night?"

[Open ML to
Owain] Your little human has a reoccurring nightmare. I can't tell
what it is about without probing, but I suspect it may relate to
her fear of loud noises. [end ML]

I smiled at
Merida. "I slept as well as might be expected, considering the
twins are teething. I let Aaleahya sleep in, considering that she
was up more than me last night."

"And the food?
Well, we are an active group." I shrugged. "What can I say, we like
our food." Nodding at Owain. "Why don't you sort out some food for
Merida. I want to put a tray together for Aaleahya."

“
I’ll put your coffee right here Merida.” I set the cup on the
table, I smiled, knowing it was next to where Owain usually sat.
Then I place mine at my spot with another smile. It’s uncanny how
people gravitate to the same chairs and parking spots time after
time.

As I put the
third slice of thick cut bacon on my plate I sneaked a peek at
Merida to see that she has a well-rounded plate of food. I had
known she didn’t sleep all that well or probably hadn’t in quite a
while. I’ll have to gather a few things for her to take home plus a
diet plan. It may not help the underlying cause of her discomfort
but it may help with the symptoms.

“
I have a few things to gather together and deliver today.
Gavril, what time did you plan the snowball fight? There is no way
I will miss that.” I grin at Merida and wink. “It’s my only chance
to payback a few people and I wouldn’t miss it for the
world.”

Looking into
Owain's eyes when he stroked my cheek again, it sent a gentle
shiver through my spine. "Oh those babies are so cute." I commented
as I stood, thanking for the coffee, the sight of food was ....
enough to water my mouth and enough to make me wonder, although
when Owain explained it made some sense. I grabbed a plate and to
be honest I am not too much into eating a lot of meat in the
mornings, so my plate was mostly fruit, and some slices of bacon,
and toast.

"I'm good with
coffee, I need that slight push in the mornings. Do you like coffee
or tea better?" I speak while watching him fill his plate. Letting
out a slight giggle, before I moved to the table with him. "I bet
the snow fight will be fun and I am looking forward to this
competition your brother is doing. But I will be just a watcher. I
should be able to take some amazing photographs. " As I started
eating the fruit first, I sipped from my cup of coffee from time to
time, enjoying the unusual but rich taste, I knew my voice
reflected my excitement at being able to take the harder action
shots from something like a biathlon.

Taking the
tray of food I had put together to Aaleahya, I stepped outside of
the kitchen before flashing myself back upstairs. So much easier,
and less chance of the hot food going cold that way.

My beautiful
Mate was still sleeping, her cheek nestled in her hand, her breath
soft. She had a smile on her face, and I wondered if the twins were
talking with her again, or perhaps even Kat was visiting her mother
in her dreams.

"Aaleahya, my
love. I have brought you some breakfast. And, I think you and I may
need to have a chat with Owain. There is some very interesting
interaction between him and his human date from last night, Merida.
I suspect that it would be a good idea for us to find out a little
bit more about her before long."