Freedom, Books, Flowers, and the Moon

Chapter 13

"Don't even get me started on it," Bash groaned, throwing his head back.

"That bad?" Aurie winced.

"Aurie, it took two days." Her brother said seriously.

"Well, yeah, I remember; it wasn't that long ago." The girl reminded him.

"Right. But there was so much traffic, especially towards the end, and I just wanted to get to the apartment."

"Well, you are in New York now; traffic comes with the territory." Beau told the boy as he placed five plates on the island and leaned down to rest his hands beside them.

"I knew there would be, don't get me wrong, but, Lord, was it more than I ever imagined." Bash clarified, not wanting the room of clearly educated men to think he was dumb.

Beau chuckled and shook his head. "I think I can speak for all of us when I say it was the same way when we moved here. Well, not King; he was born here."

"I didn't know that," Aurie commented, turning to look at the oldest.

King stood silently, arms crossed over his chest, and didn't say anything; he just slightly nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"Dinner is served." Cielo set a huge, steaming bowl of pasta on the island between the three people hovering there.

"Thanks Ciel. I can carry plates and silverware if you wanna carry that?" Beau asked the Italian.

Cielo nodded his head in agreement and swiftly made his way out of the room.

"I can get cups." Aurie said, standing.

"No, Aurelia, I will get them. Show Sebastian the way to the dining room." King finally spoke up and moved away from his corner.

"Yes sir. Come on, Bash." Aurie pulled her brother out of the room, looking to the floor to try and hide her slight blush.

King groaned as soon as the two were far enough away from the kitchen. "She has to stop doing that." He told Beau.

The country man laughed at King's discomfort. "You and I both know she's way too innocent to know what she's doing."

"I feel like a teenager." King confessed as he grabbed cups from the cabinet.

"You're not the only one."

"This is going to be a long night." The oldest sighed.

—--

Dinner had passed in mostly silence; whether that was due to the tension felt only by the men or simply Cielo's good cooking was unknown. When Aurelia's plate was empty and she was determined that if she ate anymore, she would explode, she turned to her brother.

"So, when exactly is your interview?"

"Monday." He responded simply.

"That's soon! Why are you only getting here now?"

Bash shrugged. "I really only needed a little time to unpack and see you. It's not like I have a lot going on; two days is plenty."

"Where's your interview?" Beau asked, still trying his hardest to be the polite and welcoming one since Cielo and King were clearly not trying.

"NYPD." Bash grinned.

Cielo perked up at those few simple letters and looked over Bash once more. "Do you know who'll be dealing with you?"

"No idea." Bash said and turned to Aurie, "Do you know?"

"How would I know?" Aurelia looked at him, confused.