Needing is One Thing

Chapter 29. It's in the way you look, it's in the way you love.

The family enjoyed a sunny Sunday afternoon, summer shining brightly around them. Mika would be starting classes soon, her double major in marketing and design accepted at Northwestern. Naomi had made it in as well; though pre-med would likely have her just as busy as Mika, at least when it came to school.

"You're doing very well, princess." Erik smiled at Mika as she sat cross-legged in the middle of her ward, facing him as he sat at the edge. She flushed with pride and gently maneuvered the small ball of demon energy she balanced in the air before her. Mika playfully twisted the small breeze to spin the ball and it blew Erik's bangs back from his face as he chuckled.

She still underestimated her power. Healing, wards, and elemental control; it was almost like Harold was sitting across from him. Mika was a natural at mimicking what she saw. The theory was a little harder, but he was sure she would move into it the more comfortable and experienced she became. Teaching Mika was a pleasure and Erik looked forward to it every day.

Damien sat with Matthew on the patio overlooking the yard. These quiet afternoons were his favorite, what he had hoped and dreamed for. He slowly flipped through the ibook on his tablet, his ear buds in to hear the narration as he followed along. He was rapidly becoming a fan of reading. He would never be as proficient as James, but he enjoyed learning, enjoyed the stories, and poetry was a fascination for him. The limited number of lines, the brevity, and amount of emotion packed into the phrases drew him. Damien had even been tempted to try writing his own verse, though he wasn't ready to share it with the family quite yet. Still, his time would come.

Matthew finished searching on his own tablet and put the question to them all. "Madeleines or caneles?" The vote from the family was unanimous for madeleines. Matthew's ability with cake was unparalleled among them and they wouldn't turn down the mini tea cakes. He left for the kitchen with a chuckle, already planning finger sandwiches and snacks to go with them. Every Sunday he tried a new baking recipe, serving it for a late afternoon tea that they would all enjoy together, schedules permitting.

Today, however, was a bit of a celebration for him. Matthew had been accepted into the Anderson toy company's R&D as a developmental engineer and tomorrow was his first day. The prototypes he'd brought to the interview secured his position before he even said hello to the hiring manager. He had been nervous when James first recommended he interview. He wanted the job from his own merits, not for being a brother to the interim CEO, but that wasn't a question at all anymore. Now he teased James to watch out; it was a short step from CTO to CEO.

Sam laid back in the grass near Mika and Erik, enjoying the sun shining down on him. His recovery from Andrew's magic was complete, though he'd still wake occasionally in a cold sweat, his eyes throbbing along with his head. He always shrugged it off as a migraine. Mika's new-found healing magic was quick to take care of it; and if the incidents caused him nightmares or stress, Damien would show up to sit by him and talk him through it. Sam realized he had never really appreciated Damien as much as he should have and the two of them were now much closer. Some of James' attention had shifted away from the youngest brother and Sam proudly filled the gap as James and Mika's relationship grew.

James rose from the flower bed he had been tidying. He wiped his hands off on a towel that he neatly folded and placed back into his tool caddy. The blooms were lush and brilliant colors spread out along the back of the house, thriving from his nurturing hands. They were almost as beautiful as the woman he turned to, training with his brother out on the lawn. Mika saw James approach, saw the pink gerbera in his hand, and smiled. With a nod from Erik, she dismissed the energy and ward and stood to meet him.

James slid the bloom into her hair as he looked down at her and wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing Mika to him.

"I know I shouldn't interrupt, but I can't help it," James confessed as he leaned down to brush his lips over hers. Mika blushed, glancing at his brothers. She flushed further as she heard their chuckles. She still couldn't get used to such public shows of affection, though they all knew what the two lovers did and often encouraged it.

James smiled against Mika's temple as he leaned his head against hers for a few moments, enjoyed the feeling of her in his arms. Mine. Every now and then he needed these reassurances; even though he knew her heart was his, that she had given it to him freely and gladly. He nudged her with his nose so she leaned back and caught her lips once more, more firmly as he held her against him.

"Get a room, James," Sam growled humorously as Mika flashed him a grateful look. He glanced over to Erik then met eyes with Damien, who smiled at him, unconcerned.

"Well, if you insist, then who am I to argue with such a sound recommendation?" James teased Sam back. He'd lightened up a little; Mika was a good influence on him that made the brothers appreciate her all the more.

With a warm smile, James brushed her hair back from her eyes before porting Mika and him into the house to stand in front of the balcony door of their bedroom, the sunlight filtering in around them.

"I love you," James murmured, just for her ears only, held her close as he heard her quiet reply.

"I love you, too." Mika smiled and leaned up to kiss James as her own arms circled around him.

As their bond flared between them, James felt his heart fly.