Jade

Chapter 48

The living room was utter chaos.  Presents wrapped and unwrapped everywhere.  Wrapping paper everywhere, just strewn about.  I was not expecting such a mess.  “Do you need any help?” I asked Lia.  “Oh, no,” she answered, “I do this every year.” She took a gulp of wine and giggled when it dribbled onto her shirt.  I looked at Ripley.  “I am helping her,” he explained.  “Give me a minute and I will come back to help,” I told him, setting my things down.  He looked at me gratefully.

I walked back to the bedroom and quietly opened the door.  Aris was in the corner, at his desk, looking over paperwork.  Desi was fast asleep on her cot.  I went to his desk.  “You are going to help, aren't you?” he whispered.  I nodded my head yes.  “I figured you would, just have a cigarette with me first,” he requested.  We changed and went out on the balcony.  “Is Lia drunk?” he asked.  “She's well on her way,” I answered.  “I figured as much,” he commented, “just don't stay up too late.  Desi's an early riser and she can not leave you alone to sleep.”  “Are you going to bed?” I asked.  “I will in a little while.  I am almost done.”  “I will try not to wake you.”  “It is okay if you do.”

We finished our cigarettes and went in.  Him back to his desk, me back to the living room.  When I arrived, the room was empty, but the chaos was still present.  I just sat down on the floor and started wrapping my gifts.  A few minutes later, Ripley arrived, “Sorry, I just helped Lia to bed.”  “That's fine, she needed it,” I answered.  “It is hard to tell by the mess, but Lia actually had just about every gift wrapped,” he told me, “that is why I came and asked for yours.”  “Okay, then the mess needs cleaned up?”  “Yes, after we are done,” he answered.  It didn't take very long.  Mine were mostly gift cards.  I finished before him and started cleaning up.  I moved the wrapped gifts to the trees and picked up scraps of wrapping paper.

“Jade, if you are tired, you can go to bed,” Ripley spoke up, “I can finish up in here.”  He was putting all of the supplies on the coffee table.  There wasn't much left.  “I think that I will,” I told him.  His face fell a little.  “Would you like to have a cigarette first?” I asked.  He brightened up, “That would be great.”  We went to the back door.  I waited for him to put on his boots and coat, then we went out.  He lit one for me, then one for himself.

“Are you okay?” I asked him.  “Yes.  Why do you ask?” he answered.  “You just seem a bit down,” I answered.  There was a moment of silence, then, “I think I am already missing Desi.  I am sorry to bring it up.  I just can not seem to get rid of this bad feeling.”  “It's okay.  I know what you mean,” I agreed, “what made me feel a little better was Aris talking about all of the other children that need our help.  I think that I am going to help with that.”  “I guess that I could help more with that,” he suggested, “I am just afraid of getting too attached with them because they come and go.  Desi was supposed to be more permanent.”  “I know.  I’m so sorry,” a tear slid down my cheek.  I looked up at his face.  A single tear slid down his cheek.  “It is not your fault,” he cleared his throat, “I am sorry for bringing it up.  For making you sad.”  “It's okay to talk about it,” I told him.

We finished our cigarettes and went in.  I waited for him to take his coat and boots off.  We made our way back to the living room.  Aris was sitting on the couch, holding Desi.  “She woke up so we decided to check on you, “ Aris explained.  “We just went out to smoke,” I explained, “We are almost done.”  “You could sit down with Desi and I will help,” Aris offered.  I sat down and he passed her to me.  He left the room and came back with a broom and dust pan and started sweeping.  I was a little surprised.  I didn't think he cleaned.  I looked up and saw the hint of a smile on his face.  He's listening to my thoughts. 

Ripley straightened up the gifts under and around the trees, then picked up the pieces of trash that were too big for the dust pan.  Before long the room was clean.  “Thank you for the help,” Ripley told us both, his gaze lingering on me a few seconds longer.  “You're welcome,” I answered.

Aris took Desi from me and I stood up.  He interlaced his fingers of his free hand with mine and we made our way to our room.  He took a sleeping Desi to her cot and tucked her in.  “Tired?” he whispered.  “A little,” I answered.  “Cigarette?”  I nodded my head yes.  We went out to the balcony.  He lit one and handed it to me, then one for himself.  “Jade, is everything okay?” he asked.  That is such a loaded question.  “What do you mean?”  “With Ripley?”  “I worry about him,” I answered, “he cried when he talked about Desi leaving.”  “Did he?”  “Yes.”

“That is understandable, but that is not what I meant,” he told me.  “Then what did you mean?” I asked.  “Do you have romantic feelings for Ripley?  If so, I can step aside….”  Where did that come from?  I don't even know what to say.  He must've sensed my confusion and looked at me.  I looked up at him, “The only romantic feelings that I have had were for you.”  “Oh.  Okay.”  “Why? Are you wanting someone else?” I asked.  He smiled at me, “no way.”  I had a deep feeling of relief.  Now I am exhausted.

“You are allowed to, you know?  It is our way,” he told me.  “Allowed to what?” I asked.  “Have more than one,” he answered.  “More than one what?” I asked.  “More than one lover,” he answered.  I know my jaw dropped.  “What?” I asked.  “I am not, but you are,” he answered.  I just stared at him, “And you're okay with that?”  “I have to be.  It is our way,” he answered.  “What if I don't want to?” I asked.  He smiled sadly, “After some time, you will be expected to.”  I just stared at him.  “It is okay for Ripley to court you at the same time as me,” he told me, “of all of them, I would prefer that you choose him as your second.  I trust him with you.”

”We haven't even gone on a date yet,” I told him.  “Yes we did,” he interrupted me, “shopping and out to dinner.  All three of us.”  “I didn't realize that that's what that was,” I told him.  “It's less awkward if you don't label it,” he told me.  “I’m going to feel awkward now,” I said.  “Just don't think about it.  Let things progress naturally,” he explained, “It is okay if it takes time.  No one wants you to feel rushed.”

“We should go to bed now.  We need our sleep,” he told me.  “I don't know if I can sleep,” I felt exasperated.  “Come,” he held out his hand, “I will help you.”  I took his hand and we went inside.  We changed into pajamas and got into bed.  I slid over right next to him.  I felt a tear slide down my cheek.  “Why are you crying?” he whispered.  “I don't know,” I answered, “That's not how I was raised.  I have waited for Mr. Right, and I found him.  I found you.  Now I find out that there has to be a second Mr. Right.  I just need time to process it.”  He hugged me close, “Like I said, you will have time.  Do not worry about it right now.”  “How do I face him without feeling so awkward now?” I asked.  “Just continue as if you are good friends,” he answered, “it does not have to be more than that now.  We have not even mated yet.”

“Now look into my eyes,” he ordered.  I did so and watched the colors swirl and change until I couldn't anymore.  I must've fallen asleep.

I woke the next morning to eskimo kisses from Desi.  Aris was still in bed but awake.  Desi was laying in between us facing me.  “Good morning Jade,” she greeted.  I smiled, “Well, good morning to you.”  “I’m hungry,” she announced, “are you?”  “A little bit,” I answered.  “Can you get up so that I can help cook?” she asked.  I tickled her side.  She giggled.  I sat up, “Can you wait for me to take a quick shower?”  She nodded her head yes.

I got up and headed straight for the bathroom.  Aris caught my hand and pulled me back.  He reached up and kissed me on the lips, “Good morning.”  “Good morning to you,” I greeted.  Then he released me.  I got in the shower.  I hadn't had a shower for a while.  It felt invigorating.  I got out, put on a robe and twisted my hair up in a towel.  I walked out of the bathroom.  Aris was dressed and helping Desi get dressed.  I dressed in a gray sweat suit and bunny slippers.  I brushed my hair and had the skin put it in a French braid.  Desi sat down on the floor and put on her bunny slippers.

All dressed, we made our way to the kitchen.  Ripley was cooking.  “There is my assistant,” he declared looking at Desi.  He picked her up and sat her on the island.  “Can you handle her while we go smoke?” Aris asked him.  “That is fine,” Ripley answered.  Desi cleared her throat and held out her hand to Aris.  He took her hand and gave her the customary apron and hat.  We left and headed for the back porch.

I was relieved that no one was on the back porch, not feeling very sociable.  Aris handed me a lit cigarette, then lit one for himself.  “Jade, if it makes you that uncomfortable, we do not have to discuss it again until it becomes a problem,” he broke the silence.  “I feel like we need to discuss it,” I told him, “I just don't know if I am ready to when we haven't even mated yet.”  “Okay.  That is fine.”  “Does he know that we are discussing this?” I asked.  “Yes,” Aris answered, “he knows that we will table it for later.”  “Okay.”

The back door opened and out came Lia and Max.  “Jade, I am so sorry about last night,” Lia apologized.  “It's okay.  We finished up.  You have nothing to worry about,” I told her.  “Thank you so much.  I owe you one,” she told me.  “Actually, at some point today, I need the kitchen to myself,” I told her, “I am going to make a dessert for Christmas Eve dinner.”  “Do you need us to watch short stuff for you?” Max asked.  “Only if she doesn't want to help,” I answered.  “Oh.  She will want to help,” Lia told me, “cooking is not going to get done unless she is involved.”  “I know,” I agreed.  “I want to help,” Aris told me.  “It's a surprise,” I told him, “If you like it, I will teach you how to make it later.  You could help by showing me where everything is, though.”  “Deal,” he agreed.

Aris and I finished our cigarettes and went back inside.  We made our way back to the kitchen where Desi seemed to be giving orders.  I smiled, “is there anything I can do to help?” I asked.  “You could help me set the table,” Desi said.  I helped her down from her perch on the island.  I helped her get silverware, then got plates out of the cabinet.  We carried them into the dining room and placed them.  Aris was right behind us with cups.  We went back and got juice and milk, then put them on the table.  We went back in the kitchen.  Ripley was putting everything on platters.  Omelets, breakfast burritos, pancakes, sausage and bacon. 
“This looks so good,” I told him, my mouth watering.  “He talked me into blueberry pancakes this time,” Desi told me, “he says they are just as good.  We will find out.”  “I like them,” I told her.  “You do?” she asked.  “Yes,” I smiled at her.  “Okay,” she seemed unsure.

I picked up the sausage and bacon and carried the platter out to the dining room.  Aris followed with the pancakes and Ripley brought the omelets and breakfast burritos.  Aris went back into the kitchen and brought out hot sauce for the burritos.