Bookstore princess

Chapter 33

Nadia

Armed with a doctor's form for physio as well as massage therapy I was discharged the following day. Maria had picked me up a long yellow sundress to wear, as well as some undergarments and sandals so I could just go pick up my bag from Jenny at the store, and pick up Miss Melody. James insisted on driving, however mom took her own car to pick up the three dogs from Jacob's place. Rieta is working from home today since the kids are sick again. This time it's chicken pox, and her work gave her an exception since they can't find a babysitter because of the chicken pox. Jacob is still working on the store from my understanding, making a few changes and of course doing the stocking. From what I understand we are almost all set. They added a few tables to put books on, and some merchandise like bookmarks, and different things for people to annotate their books.
They sent me pictures of the changes, and I love the way it looks. I'm honestly a little sad that I can't open it again right away. I realize healing takes time, it's just a little frustrating. One thing that I have to look forward to is I get to spend another week with James before he goes back to his regular duties as Alpha and CEO of various companies. It's probably been hard on Steve to be doing so much of it on his own with James on the sidelines once in a while.
"Penny for your thoughts?" James asked me as he was driving. I'm happily a passenger princess beside him. I don't know when he got a car, but I'm guessing it was driven over from his old pack lands. It's a sleek black sports car that seems to suit him.
"Just, thinking Steve is probably excited for you to be back to work" I give him a sly smile. He reaches over and holds my hand since he only needs the one currently to drive on the highway.
"Steve has been getting plenty of help, and the pack is a good pack. They are all looking forward to meeting you. Once we are married there will be a Luna ceremony too, where you'll see how big the pack truly is" he grins.
"Married?" I repeat in shock.
"Yes, I intend to marry you as soon as I can. I just need to win over your mother and get her permission" he shrugs, taking my hand up to his lips and kissing it. I'm shell shocked that he spoke of marriage so easily. Most people really have to work up to it, but I suppose with mates, it's considered normal to get married so soon into a relationship.
"Can you have more than one mate?" I ask him.
"No, there is only one goddess given mate. No other woman interests me besides you. You are my obsession, and have my undying devotion" he says, sparing me a glance.
"No one else interests me either. Not for a long time" I admit. My track record for relationships is bad. No one's ever treated me the way he does, and I like it. He treats me sometimes like frail, but then again, I guess in comparison to him, I am.
"Is mom's place on your pack lands?" I ask, changing the subject.
"No, they are on Alpha Nick's lands. I already have his permission to enter," James says, while changing lanes. He's already put music on for me to listen to, so I go back to silence for a bit. Once we get closer to town I perk up a bit excitedly. I can't wait to see the store for myself. James gets off the highway and starts taking the main roads to get back to town. It's starting to be the end of summer, and I'm sad because we haven't done any of our rituals this summer, like going to the zoo or tubing down the river.
We arrive in front of the store and I can already see the changes from the outside. It's graffiti free, which is a relief, and the storefront looks so clean. I quickly jump out and Jacob opens the door for me as I get close. James is scrambling to catch up, and gives me a look as though I should have waited for him to open the door or something. I just want to see.
"You look better," Jacob smirks. "Not as good as me, but you look good" he adds teasingly.
"Ha ha, very funny" I give him a playful smack on the arm.
"Hey buddy!!!" Jenny greets me excitedly. She comes around with my favorite cherry blossom mug, and I can already smell the caramel coffee goodness inside. She gives me a rare hug and I feel like tearing up. "Glad you're finally out of there" she adds before pulling away.
"Anything to worry about?" I ask.
"Nah, the guys from across the street are gone. The staff is locked out and looking for new jobs, and the building was raided. Apparently they had been planning on using our building for an outpost of some illegal activities. We don't know what exactly, since even Rieta can't tell us, but it's bad. I hope they get caught so bad" Jenny says with passion.
"You should be safe, is what she's saying" Jacob steps in. "What do you think?" he points to the new tables with more books and goodies.
"It looks fantastic" I start walking around really taking the room in. Jenny hands James his coffee and I hear him say thank you and he already started drinking it.
"We have a few good candidates for hiring" Jenny says as I look at the table with the bookmarks etc.
"James recommended them all" Jacob adds with a smirk on his face.
"If he recommends them, then they have my approval" I give a smile and turn to face the three of them.
"Just like that?" Jenny laughs.
"Yes" I say as though it's that easy. I already know they are likely part of his pack, and if I'm going to be honest with myself, I'm looking forward to helping him as well.
"We will call them then" Jacob sighs. "When do you think you'll be okay to come back?" he asks softly.
"I should be good for next week. I have physio and massage therapy. I have to get that set up so I'll have to leave for those" I reply.
"Good, and since you'll be at your mom's place we are coming down for a day. The kids are done with summer school anyways, and we will bring them if they are doing better. Rieta said she's willing to stay with the kids for a day since we've been going non-stop for the last while," Jacob says. "Up to you, do you want to go to the zoo, or do you want to go tubing?"
"Tubing" I say without hesitation. I can get James to go with me to the zoo, and he probably won't complain about the abundance of pictures I tend to take.
"Tubing sounds fun, I've never done that" James finally speaks. We all looked at him in surprise. "What?" he asks.
"You'll have to bring Steve, Maria and Sam" I decide. "I want to meet Sam, but bring your swimming trunks. It's going down a river for about five hours."
"We usually make it last eight hours," Jenny chuckles.
"Do you know how to swim?" I ask him, honestly curious.
"Yes, everyone in my... family does" James says, but doesn't elaborate.
"Good, then you'll love this" Jacob grins.

James

My little mate looks beautiful in the yellow sundress, but she's still a bit pale. The gauze on her shoulder makes the fabric bunch up a bit, but otherwise she looks serene and happy. I'm interested in this tubing they seem so excited about. I'm glad to finally have one of Jenny's coffees again, and I'm drinking it quickly to make an excuse to have another one before we leave. Jenny took the opportunity to run upstairs to get Melody, and Nadia's bag, and Jacob was showing her around at the changes he made. I saw her eyeing some of the books and he chuckled and wrote down the names before she grabbed a few. I know she's good for it. She's been quickly going through the audio books I bought for her, and she's already finished the book I brought to the hospital for her. I take a seat at my usual spot, and once Nadia's done looking and has a few reads under her arm, she comes to join me while Jacob goes to write down the book names and advises he will just get her to pay for it the day the store opens again.
"You look exhausted" I say softly as she sits down. It's true, she's pale, and leaning in more than usual.
"It's just a lot more than I've been doing the last three weeks" she says with a frown. "Doesn't the store look great?!" she asks with a brilliant smile.
"It really does" I smile at her. "Almost as great as you do today" I add smoothly.
"You're so sweet" she giggles.
"So what are we reading?" I ask, looking pointedly at the books in front of her.
"They are dark paranormal romances" she wiggles her eyebrows at me. "I've been in the mood for a dark romance, and it's still about werewolves," she giggles. That sound is like music to my ears. I'm not sure what a dark romance constitutes as, but I'm willing to read it with her. I'm hoping she will read to me again, I liked that. She changes her voice depending on the character she's imitating.
"Sounds good, you should drink your coffee" I point out.
"You just want seconds" she giggles again, and starts drinking her coffee again. She hums happily, and I suddenly wish I was the straw.
"You know it" I wink at her and watch as Jenny comes into the room with Melody under one arm, and two overnight bags on her other arm.
"Isn't that a bit much?" I ask, not thinking and Jenny rolls her eyes at the same time as Nadia. In the background, Jacob is gesturing for me to stop.
"It would be for me, but Nadia also usually packs more than this" Jenny hands me the bags while Nadia takes her treasured long haired calico cat. "Over an overnight stay as kids was at least two or three bags" she explains.
"A lady needs to be ready for anything" my little mate says with sass. She starts peppering her little cat with kisses.
"She's got everything she needs for two weeks, but I expect you back by next Sunday morning" Jenny orders and I nod in understanding.
"Enjoy your drinks, we are not letting you two kids get away that quickly. We made enough for another round each" Jacob says, coming over.
"I do miss the coffee here. The hospital's coffee was awful" Nadia says, scrunching her nose in the that really cute way I've come to adore
"Can't argue with that" I agree, enjoying a moment of relaxation.