Always Luna

compromise

verb ~ settle a dispute by mutual concession

Phoenix didn't come home until late that night.

The girls had stayed until dinner time and I had thanked them again for a lovely day celebrating. Once alone with nothing but my thoughts, I found myself going over everything I received today and taking the majority of it to the baby nursery. It wasn't heavy, so Phoenix should not get agitated at me doing manual labour. Even if it was just a few bags of toys or clothes.

Staring at the blank canvas of a nursery, I found myself resting my hand on my stomach. The bump was a slight, five-course meal bloat but I could feel them moving inside. Small flutters sent my heart to my throat with joy.

With aching feet, I slowly trudged into my new bathroom and ran a bath. I left the mirror fog-free, climbing into the water so I could have a view of the sunset. I caught it mid-cycle and sighed with contentment as I turned the jets on to massage my muscles. Kate had said no hot tubs, but my bath wasn't hot enough to be a danger to my blood pressure, so I was going to enjoy it whilst I could.

By the time the moon's brightness was the only thing to fill the sky, I climbed out of the bath carefully. The last thing I wanted to do was slip onto my butt whilst I was home alone. Chuckling to myself, I moisturised and brushed my teeth, tying my thankfully still dry hair into a French braid. Pulling my towel tighter, I entered my dressing room and pulled on some warm winter pyjamas. With Phoenix not here to be my personal heater, I would have to cosy down with some soft jammies.

Wriggling into bed, my body collapsed with exhaustion. I was super tired today, my body giving up before the day truly ended, so it wasn't a surprise that once my head hit the pillow, sleep came soon enough.

***

I woke with a hunger.

Having not eaten any dinner last night, it was hunger that disturbed my sleep.

Rolling over in bed, I glanced at my watch to find it was only eight in the morning. I was warm and toasty, and the smell of Phoenix invaded my senses. I glanced over at him, finding his eyes softly shut. His mouth was slightly parted, gentle snores leaving with every breath. His hair was tousled and his chest was bare, the duvet wrapped around his waist.

I chewed down the desire that pooled in my belly, leaving the poor guy to sleep. Since taking all that time off over Christmas, he had a random excess of work to catch up on. I knew sleepy Phoenix was my best bet of speaking about going to the mountains, and a breakfast sure would sweeten the deal.

Grinning, I pecked his temple lightly before scurrying from the room. Making my way upstairs, I rummaged through the cupboards until I found what I was looking for. I still couldn't stomach meat smells very well, especially in the morning, so omelettes would do. Chopping onion, mushroom, bacon and peppers, I got to making Phoenix two omelettes for his breakfast. The kettle boiling for our morning coffee signalled me to grab two mugs. I allowed myself one cup a day, limiting my caffeine intake.

The clatter of the frying pan in the sink must've been the tipping point of waking him because only a few seconds later did my handsomely dishevelled mate come walking into the kitchen. His hand scratched at his hair, pushing it away from his face. His beard was stubbly, tan skin glinting in the morning sun that blessed us today.

Thank you, Goddess, for giving my mate such a damn hot body.

"Good morning." I chirped, setting his plate by a stool.

He growled softly, approaching me from behind to wrap his arms around my torso. I leaned into him, arching my neck as he gently sunk his teeth into my mark. I moaned, shuddering against him as his canines broke the skin, sinking a centimetre into my neck before pulling out and licking it clean. He had a thing lately for that, constantly re-claiming my mark whenever his wolf demanded it so.