Chapter 941 Chapter 941
Marie checked the room, and no one was there. Webb was busy checking on his orders and delivers, so she was trying to track down Louann or Mikiah, or both would be great. She heard Lisette crying and felt relief. Hurrying in that direction, she found them in the lobby area. Mikiah sat rocking Lisette, and Louann was sitting beside her, rolling the ball to Tanji.
Louann smiled at her. “We’re not used to so much space.”
Mikiah nodded. “All the rooms with furniture, and we’re sitting on the floor.”
Marie went over and took the baby out of her mother's arms and sat down. She cuddled her and rocked her. “We’ve sat in worse places.”
Louann grinned. “That’s very true.” Leaning over, she caught the ball and rolled it back to Tanji. The toddler squealed and tried to catch it.
“How are you doing?”
Marie looked at her and smiled. “I can’t believe he’s gone and it’s over.”
“Good riddance,” Mikiah said. She gave Marie a brilliant smile. “And congratulations. Webb is a fine man.”
Louann nodded. “He wrestled a jaguar for you.” She scoffed. “Bane loves me, but I don’t see him doing something like that.”
“No.” Mikiah agreed. “He’d carve one up for you, though.”
“That’s true.” Louann nodded and then looked back at Marie. “Does this mean you’re moving out?”
Marie rubbed her cheek against the top of Lisette’s soft hair. “We haven’t talked about it.” She glanced from one to the other. “He went out to heal his injury, and I got to see him completely shift.” She couldn’t think of the right words to describe it.” It’s pretty amazing what you guys can do.”
Louann caught the ball and looked at her. “I still hope one day you’ll shift.”
“Aren’t I too old now? Wouldn’t I have if I were going to?” She didn’t want to feel hope about that again.
“Everyone is different. Circumstance can affect it too. Look at Luna. Not being in water all the time slowed hers.” Mikiah’s eyes widened. “She was in the water half an hour ago, and her skin looked completely different.”
Marie had missed it. She was happy for Luna, though. “Really? Did her hands web?”
“Not yet, but Nolyn says it will take time.” She shrugged. “So maybe your bear just needed the right circumstance to come out.”
Marie didn’t want to hope for something like that, but now she couldn’t tamper down on the feelings of possibility.
Mikiah reached over and moved her hair away from her neck. “I’m surprised Webb hasn’t covered that with his own mark.”
Marie felt her face get hot. “Before, when he was waiting to see how much trouble he was in—” She was so happy that was over. “He said that he’s okay with waiting until we get to know each other.”
The two women exchanged a look. “Braun and gentle.” Louann said with a smile. “You got yourself a gentle giant.”
“I feel very lucky.” Marie handed the sleeping child to her mother, careful not to wake her.
“It’s a good match.” Mikiah whispered, “Not to mention the two of you are going to make such beautiful babies.”
Marie’s face heated again.
“What do you want to do, Rhogue? You’ve been smitten with him since you first saw him. Do you want to wait?”
Marie bit her lip. “I don’t know.” She looked at her hands so she wouldn’t blush again. “Even now, I’m wondering where he is and—” she patted her chest. “—something inside me just needs to see him.”
They exchanged another look. “That something is your animal, Hun. Give her space to come closer to the surface.”
For years, they’d been telling her that, but she could never figure out how that was possible. How did she let her inner animal come closer to the surface? Did she think it, and it happened?
“There you are.” Blaise came out of the cafeteria. She looked at Lissette and cringed. “Sorry.” She whispered. “I’m not used to little ones around.” She smiled as she looked at the sleeping baby. Her expression changed when she looked at Marie. “Your brother and mother are on the way here. I’m going to kick him in the ass for going dark and doing what I told him not to do.” She sighed. “We have the threat locked down now, so it’s all aces.” She nodded.
Marie had to force her body to breathe. “They are?”
“Yeah. They packed up and started driving as soon as I called him. It’s a long drive, but you’ll be meeting them probably by morning.” She smiled. “I have to go see if that jerk Pike is talking yet. I’ll see you later.” She walked away.
“I’m so happy for you,” Louann said. “Your mother and a bonus brother.”
Marie was still trying to remember how to breathe. She stood up. “I-uh-I’m going to tell Webb.”
“Go.” Louann grinned and looked at Mikiah.
Marie went down the hallway without really seeing anything. Her entire life, she’d wondered about her mother. Always hoping someday she’d find out more about her. She never imagined she’d get to meet her, and now she was going to. She had a brother. An important man from all the things others had told her. What if she wasn’t what they expected?”
She burst into the room with all the tables where Webb sorted things. He wasn’t here. Going across to the other door to the warehouse, she opened it. “Webb?”
“Yeah.” He stepped into sight at the far end. “What’s wrong?” He tossed his clipboard onto a shelf and walked quickly toward her. “Rhogue? What’s wrong?”
When he was close enough, she lunged and collided with him. Wrapping her arms around him, she blew out a breath. She didn’t know why, but she pushed her face against his chest and inhaled his scent. It made her feel better immediately.
“Hey.” He held her close and stroked a hand down over her hair. “What’s happened? Are you okay?”
Placing her ear against his chest, she listened to his words vibrate inside it. “My mother and brother will be here by morning.”
“Ah.” He hugged her. “Nervous?”
She leaned back and looked at him. “What if I’m not what they expect?”
His serious expression relaxed. “You’re perfect.” He touched her face. “They will love you.” He hugged her briefly. “If they don’t, that’s their malfunction, not yours.” He searched her face. “Okay?”
She nodded. “Okay. Can you be there with me?”
Leaning down, he kissed her mouth softly. “No one could stop me from being there with you.”
Relief flooded her body. “I’m sorry for interrupting you.”
He hugged her against him. “You never have to apologize to me.” He kissed the top of her head. “But you can come with me to get something to eat.”
She looked up at him. “How often do you eat?”
He grinned. “Often.” Releasing her, he put his arm around her and patted his stomach. “Takes a lot of food to fuel all of this.