Book IV: Avi Dragon

Senses and Sensibilities

Avi reached for her shampoo without thinking about it. His entire body was still tingling from her ministrations. She didn't shy away like she had before. Her hands were firm, yet soft. She knew where to apply pressure, where to take care.
   She didn't touch the bar to his face, choosing instead to soap her hands first, and smooth it over his skin. She seemed to be memorizing every line and angle, a soft smile on her lips. There was a faint rose tint to her eyes that he knew better than to question.
   He rinsed his hair and tended to his beard, a dazed grin hovering about his mouth. He didn't know what to make of this new side of Angel. One minute she was wrangling a wet, nursing baby with the skill of a long-time mother; the next, she was bringing every synapse he had to life with deft fingers.
   He felt a twinge of jealousy. He hadn't been there for any of her education. She'd had to learn on her own, with parenting. As for the rest... It really didn't do well to dwell on that. He didn't want to know how many men she'd bathed so thoroughly in the past.
   :Not so many as you'd think,: a drowsy voice mumbled. :Long-term relationships exist, you know.:
   He scrubbed his beard vigorously. :Sounds like you're falling asleep too.: He tried to suppress disappointment. She'd fought off a creature he couldn't even see, plus everything that she'd done afterward. Of course she'd be tired.
   A wordless rumble was his answer. He sighed, forehead dropped to the cool tiles. The water ran cold for a few moments, then stopped. He dried off with more force than necessary, more out of frustration than anger. There would be plenty of time for them to explore intimacy later.
   He didn't bother putting on clothing, though she had. He curled around her, one arm draped over her hip, near where she'd put the baby. He supposed a blanket on the floor wasn't as comfortable, but he hadn't wanted her to fall off the bed.
   What do I do now? he wondered. He couldn't turn on the television, for fear it would disturb his girls.
   My girls... His arm tightened over his wife, one finger touching their daughter's chubby calf. The arm under the pillow flexed with the urge to hold her as close as humanly possible. A feeling of peace and contentment settled on him, there in that hotel bed. He was a lucky man. He'd married a woman who was a wonderful mother, an adventurous lover, and a dragon to boot. He well remembered their past liaisons, and he could wait.
   They could spend the rest of the evening as a family, and have adult time when the baby was down for the night. The question was, what did he do until then?
   Without other options, he got up and retrieved his phone from his pants pocket. He could read an ebook, listen to a podcast with his earbuds in, or scan his social media. Or I could tell my parents that we're out, and arrange for her things to be moved. Being on such a tight timetable, he decided to be responsible, though he did so with a sigh.
   They asked how she was doing, of course. He told them she was sleeping, but he left out the reason she was so tired. No need to worry them.
   The wedding preparations are going well, his mother wrote. He'd forgotten that they were getting married again, but that's why he let her handle things.
   We just need a location. She mentioned the sage and stone. If I'm not mistaken, you seemed to like that idea.
   Yeah, it just feels right, y'know?
   So, what do you want us to do, rent some tents?
   He thought for a moment. I guess we could do that, yeah. Unless you want to have it at the house?
   There was a long pause. You know I would love that, his mom wrote, but is that going to be safe? Why don't you ask her what would work best, when she wakes up?
   He hated that it had to be a factor at all, but she had a point. They didn't want some creature destroying the family home. His dad agreed, so they moved on to the menu and guest list.
   When they'd exhausted things to talk about via text (to avoid waking anyone), they let him go. He had to arrange for a Pod, or professional movers, or even a couple of friends willing to drive a Uhaul cross-country. He didn't want to ask any of his friends to do it, so he looked into professionals. The cost for moving just her belongings was a shock; especially with a wedding to pay for. Pods were much more cost effective, but they'd have to load it themselves.
   When he consulted Esther, she thought of something he hadn't. She can have her friends help, and then you can throw a goodbye party. They'll already be in one place, and it's a reward for all their hard work.
   That's a good point. I'll have her spread the word when she wakes up.
   He said goodbye and set his phone on the nightstand. He tucked his body around his little family again with a sigh that was both happy and relieved. Angel stirred with a vague, questioning grumble.
   "Just trying to be productive. It's okay, you can go back to sleep."
   A longer rumble accompanied a slow, shivery stretch. "Ngh, I'm up. Just gimme a minute."
   He chuckled. "Sure thing."
   He thought she'd drift off again, but he was wrong. She woke up by degrees; flexing fingers and toes, curling and stretching her spine in maddening ways.
   He had to sit up to keep his composure. The baby was waking up too, so they had to keep it G-rated, for now.
   When she finally rolled upright, she asked what she could to to help. The words were a bit slurred, but he understood the question.
   "You sure you're awake enough for this?"
   "Nope. But, if it needs doing, I'll help."
   He leaned over and kissed her temple. Her brow wrinkled a little, but she didn't comment on it. She picked up the baby and plopped her in her lap, leaned against the headboard.
   He filled her in on the plan, sure he'd have to repeat it later, but he'd humor her stubbornness for the moment. He was only a little surprised when she leaned toward the nightstand to look for her phone. She didn't remember that it was in the beach bag.
   "Here, let me get it." He scooted around the bed, forgetting that he was still naked. He handed her the phone, though her eyes were closed. She must've been using her Dragonsense, because she found it with ease.
   "You kinda need to look at the phone to text," he teased.
   "I'll open my eyes when you've got pants on," she growled.