Belly Literary Universe (part 2)

Cozca's Devil's part 21: Aftermath

Myre bobbed her head to one of Veera's songs on the radio - one she'd never heard before. So with pockets full of cash, and a mission completed she was on her way to pick up Evan from his cloister at Kelri's and Connor's townhouse. Even the city traffic couldn't ruin her mood.

After parking, she got out and knocked on the front door. Not even a moment passed. Evan threw open the door, and rushed to Myre and gave her a bear-like hug.

"Well hello!" She grinned and returned his hug.

"Thank god you're alright!" Evan said, kissing her cheek. "Did everything go alright? We haven't heard anything."

Myre shrugged and laughed as Connor walked up behind Evan. "No, yeah. Everything went really good. Kelri said she managed to get in and out. But I haven't heard more than that."

Evan sighed with relief.

"Let me get you home then. We can cuddle and watch something relaxing," Myre said, interlocking her fingers with Evan's "Thanks for letting him hang out during this whole thing Connor."

"Hey it's no problem at all," Connor said waving. "Have a safe drive"

***

"Ouch!" Veera yelped.

"Sorry..." Camilla said, pulling a bit of wire holding tape off of Veera's back. Being in the back of a van didn't help. "If you had let us mount the power supply on your back it wouldn't have happened."

"Just warn me next time you pull the tape."

"About to pull darling," Camilla said.

Veera yelped again.

"I warned you. Plus it worked didn't it? The tape kept everything in place."

"It did," Veera said smiling over her shoulder. "Actually everything you did worked."

"I make things that are meant to last," Camilla chuckled. "Unfortunately most people want cheap things."

"Well I'll hire you."

Camilla scoffed as if it was a joke.

"No! I'm serious! I'm going to be packing on some serious pounds soon. Like, some really heaviness, alright? And I need someone I can trust to make my stage outfits work. And last."

Camilla smiled sympathetically. "Veera dear, I don't have the energy to tour or anything like that."

"You wouldn't have to. I'm sure I can get someone to repair stuff or alter stuff on the road. But the base designs? I need someone I can count on. You can stay right where you want."

Camilla took a long breath as she unfastened straps along Veera's back. "To tell you the truth I'm only interested in this fat stuff for personal gain. Not that kind," She corrected as Veera smirked. "You sure you don't need someone more... Invested?"

"I want talent."

Camilla sighed. "I mean I guess we could do business."

"Good! I have so many ideas! I wasn't joking before. Listen..."

***

Jackie and Valerie held hands as they walked out into the parking lot. Valerie bumped her soft hip against Jackie teasingly.

Jackie gave a conflicted half smirk.

Valerie turned her around so they were face to face - belly to belly. Hands on her hips, she seductively rubbed her round stomach against Jackie's much smaller stomach. "I don't want you having resentment over this. Whatever happens I will help you. I will be there for you." Were dating. Your concerns are mine too."

Jackie chuckled under her breath and looked down at the bellies between them. For a moment a genuine smile crossed her face due to how weird they must look. "I uhh - appreciate it."

"We can talk more about it later. It's been a tough day. We should rest." Valerie pressed her forehead against Jackie's.

"When you say rest what exactly are you suggesting?"

"Whatever you find relaxing." Valerie kissed Jackie on the cheek.

***

Maia walked back into the building after helping Myre load her ice cream cart into her truck. With as wound up as she was, she needed a release. Something caught her eye before and she was going to snatch it. It wasn't her typical catch but she was in a strange mood.

She went back through the first security gate, and approached the second, walking towards a familiar face. "Hey. I'm sorry about before," She said to the hefty security guard who blocked their way around an hour prior.

"Oh that? It was nothing," he smiled. He was handsome but large, with the build people might normally associate with the unkind term 'rent-a-cop'. Something about his rotundity interested her in a way it normally didn't.

"Well I know we kind of pressured you and I wanted to make sure we didn't cause too much trouble for you," She said turning seductively to the side as she moved a little closer.

The guard smiled and leaned on an X-Ray luggage scanner. "Oh no no no. I bet I'd get chewed out if anyone found out... But I've chewed out before. I'll survive. Plus it was ice cream, what's the worst that could have happened?"

Maia chuckled. She smirked and put her hand on his. "Still you helped us out and you might get yelled at. I feel bad about it," she put on a fake pouty face.

"No ma'am it's no trouble really."

"I'd really like to make it up to you somehow..." She said smiling again, gliding her other hand softly across his soft stomach."

The guard took a deep breath. "Well... My shift ends in about a half hour. Maybe we can, you know, get something to eat then."

Maia grinned. "A perfect suggestion."

***

Kelri stared at her steering wheel, still trying to process what she just learned about the Secret Advisor's identity. He could be watching through my phone camera right now. Listening. Tracking me with GPS... She thought to herself. But then again, I guess I do owe him. If he's not lying, then he's on my side to some extent. And he's right. It could be worse. It could be a kill bot. She took a deep sigh and instructed her car to drive her home.

Back at her townhouse, she unlocked her door, walked in, and collapsed onto the couch without another word.

Connor watched her stare blankly at the wall. "What? Are you okay?"

"Yeah. It's just that you're not going to believe this..."

***