Book IV: Avi Dragon

Hotel Minnesota

Avi would've carried her in, if he didn't also have the bags and baby to deal with. She woke up when he opened the door to get the baby, so he was spared the quandary. She took the bags over his objections, pointing out that the baby and car seat were probably heavier than the clothes and toiletries.
   He let her carry the clothing, but she lost the debate about the toiletries, because she'd bought the large pump shampoo and conditioner. He looped the bag over his arm, the baby over the other, and paid the driver.
   "Fine, then hand me the key. Let me be a little useful, would you?"
   Her words from so long ago came back to him, then. The reason she'd volunteered to be a vessel was so she'd feel useful. Here he was, treating her like an invalid. But she is, at least for now, he reminded himself.
   He set the baby down and handed her the key. It was an easy compromise to make. When she reached to take it, he pulled her close. Their hands gripped each end of the key, and it wasn't just her breath that quickened.
   "Pretty soon, you'll be strong enough to topple nations," he murmured. "Let me take care of you this once?" He let go of the key and bent to pick up their daughter.
   He couldn't be sure whether she growled, or groaned. He also couldn't see the color of her eyes, and not just because she'd purchased a pair of sunglasses. He was already turning toward the doors, so he missed the flash of pink/purple.
   It felt weird for her to follow him through the hotel, still in the baggy clothes. She felt like a fraud. She certainly did not feel like Mrs. Kaplan, no matter what the paperwork said.
   He didn't experience any strangeness, because she'd been with him for so long. It would've been more disorienting if Angel wasn't nearby. Even the first few moments in the hotel room didn't give him any qualms. They'd toured together twice, and she'd always made herself at home immediately.
   This time was different. She set the bags down, and just... stood there; not sure what to do, or where to look.
   He put the baby in the middle of the huge bed and caught a whiff of her diaper. He turned to ask Angel to hand him the diaper bag, saw her standing there staring out the window. She looked so vulnerable, so small, he wanted to hold her close and protect her. Since it was supposed to be the other way round, he asked her for the diaper bag, which was closer to her than him.
   She snapped to attention. "Yes! Right, here. I should probably--"
   "I've got this. Why don't you put something more comfortable on?"
   She smirked as she handed him the bag. "Are you saying you want me to slip into something more comfortable?" One brow was tilted saucily. "Sorry, I didn't buy any of that stuff."
   He blushed and looked away. "You know what I meant."
   Her chuckle was a trifle forced. "Yeah, but this stuff isn't uncomfortable. With the new, erm, undergarments, they feel fine. Why dirty something new if we're just going to be sitting around, right?"
   He glanced at her around giggling baby legs. "I thought we could take a walk on the beach; or just sit for a while, if you're tired."
   Her eyes returned to the window wistfully. "I haven't said hi to the ol' gal for a while..."
   "Who's that?" he asked, reluctant to break into her reverie.
   She perched at the very edge of the bed, not looking at him. "The Lake, of course. Sailors seem to make everything nautical female, so I call it the Great Lady." She darted a look over her shoulder. "Sort of like the Grey Lady, except she's a Great Lake."
   He didn't get to see this side of her very often. She was the fey creature of the wilds again. If he so much as sneezed, he got the impression she'd flit away to another realm.
   He was still marveling at this mercurial dragon he'd somehow captured, when she hopped off the bed and darted into the bathroom with one of the bags. The baby had to pat his arm to get his attention back. He hadn't finished fastening her clothes.
   He gathered the various sundries together while she changed. He'd purchased a beach towel at Target, though neither of them had swimming clothes. They'd also need an umbrella to shelter the baby, sunscreen, and...
   "You can't really wear a bra with this, but I liked how it flows, so..."
   Angel trailed off, not sure she was reading his face right. If she didn't know better, she might say he was stunned. Her face puckered anxiously; hands twisted in the loose, knee-length skirt of the simple sun dress she'd chosen for the beach.
   It was like Avi truly saw his wife for the first time. No longer encumbered by wires, tubes, or baggy clothing, she stood before him in a delicate creation of pale blue, with tiny white flowers. It hugged her curves, then floated around her thighs in silky waves. It was ruched across her bosom, with a strap around half an inch wide that tied behind her neck.
   The bare shoulders were surprisingly wide for her frame, with well-developed muscles between her neck and shoulders. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he thought it made sense for a flighted creature to have strength there. Most of his brain was taking in the willowy arms and toned legs. He didn't see what she meant about her feet, because they looked well proportioned, if a bit long. He didn't think them overly wide. The ample hips and bosom were only heightened by the lines of the dress.
   Her skin was so pale from being in a coma, her tattoos stood out in stark contrast. Without her angel robes, or blankets, he finally saw the extent of them. She had ink everywhere that was exposed! They weren't sleeves, or large pieces. They were a collection of small to medium tattoos, expressing various aspects of her personality. The overall effect was striking. He made a mental note to look at them in more detail when she was more comfortable around him.
   "I didn't think I'd need a swimsuit, y'know, 'til we got to California..." She spoke into the silence, acutely uncomfortable. She hadn't had a man look at her like that since high school. She'd long forgotten what to do.
   He visibly shook himself. "That's okay, the water is probably too cold anyway. I just thought you'd like some fresh air. It's not hiking, but I'm not sure you'll be up to that for a while."
   She nodded. "You're probably right. We should put the sunscreen on before we go out, 'cause I dunno about you, but I burn if the sun looks at me wrong."