Book IV: Avi Dragon

Between

"Okay," she sighed heavily. "Why don't you hold the physical stuff, and I'll grab you guys?"
   He laughed. "I don't think you can carry me, but I get your meaning." He held onto the knowledge that she'd done this before with every fiber of his being. It was the only way he stayed so calm.
   "First, I need to see where I'm going, don't I? Or do I aim for your mom? Is she home?"
   He texted his parents, and they were, indeed, at home.
   If this works, we'll be there shortly, he sent.
   It will work. She needs to focus on the destination, and relax.
   That sounds counter-intuitive, you know.
   Don't worry, sweetheart.
   He blew out a breath. See you soon.
   "Focus on the destination, but also relax? You're right, that sounds... Well, maybe I get what she means? Grab the bags, I'm gonna give it a whirl."
   Her words weren't exactly reassuring, but he knew she could do it. She'd done it on multiple occasions before.
   Angel thought of Shelly, and relaxed. She wove a picture from memory, but the woman in her mind's eye was wearing clothes she'd never seen.
   :That's her,: he assured her. It was strange, Seeing what she Saw. :I've seen that shirt before, even if you haven't.:
   She threaded energy around her mother-in-law, in the shape of a Gate. It didn't feel quite right for teleportation, though. Do we walk toward the Gate? she wondered. Do I Pull the Gate toward us? Hmm... No, this doesn't feel right. The rigid form of the Gate dissolved into an oval. She... Pushed her little family toward the woman in the image, as though they were in a cart going through a tunnel. Yes, a tunnel. That makes more sense.
   :Yep, that's the grey fuzz, only I can See better now.:
   She let the words roll over her, concentrating instead on Pulling them toward their destination. They gave her some measure of confidence, but she couldn't be distracted by them. She had the general idea of how it worked, from the Pern books, though she didn't try to count how many breaths they could've taken. It seemed to take forever, but he would later tell her that it only took three or four good breaths, just like in the books.
   Details shimmered into focus, the closer they got. Shelly stood outside the house, cane in hand, dog at her side. Angel had seen photos of the dog, so he didn't distract her. He was further proof that it was working.
   The dry air struck her lungs with the force of a sneeze. Her eyes snapped open to make sure they'd arrived, before drinking deep draughts of air. She didn't know what would happen if you tried to breathe the air "between", as the Pernese dragons called it, but she didn't aim to find out any time soon. She wasn't even sure it was air.
   "That was both easier, and harder, than it sounded," she wheezed. "You said I did that all the time?" Her head craned to look at Avi, also bent forward, gulping air. He'd released the suitcase handle and dropped the diaper bag, but Angel had retained her hold on their daughter, with the hand that wasn't clutching her knee.
   "Yep," he croaked. "Made it look like a stroll in the park, too."
   She creaked upright. "Well, it's not. Ufda! I don't wanna do that again for a while!" The way she said the word, it sounded more like "woofda," with the emphasis she gave the first syllable.
   A laugh whistled through his lips as he wobbled vertical. "'Ufda'? That's a new one."
   Angel snorted. "I haven't needed to whip out the extreme Minnesotan lingo before now, thank you very much! Far's I can tell, it means the same thing as 'wow', in all its connotations." The longer she stood in clean, fresh air, the better she felt.
   "I'll try to remember that. Say, Mom, is there anything to eat?"
   Angel looked at him with a quirked brow. "We just ate at the going away party. Are you sure you're not feeling her hunger?"
   He stopped and thought. "You're right, I don't think it's me." He signed "hungry" at the baby, with his eyebrows raised. Angel had finally mentioned that little trick, when Menolly didn't understand something this morning.
   The baby shook her head.
   The adults looked to Angel. "What? I feel... oh... No, it's me. Must be teleportation. It uses energy, so I guess it's gotta be replenished..?" She shrugged. "Ya learn something new every day. That's gonna get confusing, trying to figure out who actually needs something."
   He laughed, as did his mother. "I'm sure you'll get the hang of it, you just need time." Shelly hadn't known the nature of the Bond prior to the consummation of their marriage, so she didn't think to question their confusion.
   "There's some banana bread in the kitchen. That should have enough calories to tide you over 'til dinner."
   Angel smiled gratefully. "I haven't had banana bread in ages!"
   Shelly beamed. "It's homemade."
   Angel lunged for the house. "Sold!" she cheered.
   Avi and his mother laughed as she trotted inside. "It's nice to have someone else who appreciates my cooking."
   He kissed her forehead. "I might have a slice, after all. Your banana bread is the best."
   They sat around the table, eating banana bread with varying degrees of enthusiasm, sipping some nice hot tea to wash it down. Mike cast a few looks at Angel, until his wife murmured something into his ear. Understanding lightened his expression. He even slid the honey her way for a few more calories. She smiled her thanks and saluted him with a bit of honeyed bread.
   Though she wasn't human, she was still recovering. When she'd finished the tasty treat, she fell asleep on the sofa when they were supposed to be wedding planning. Her head slid slowly down her husband's torso, until it dropped in his lap.
   Shelly lifted her feet, divested of its shoes, onto the cushions, and draped an afghan over her. She took the opportunity to play with the baby, show her the toys she'd bought while her mother was in hospital.
   Avi took some photos, both of his mother and daughter, and his sleeping wife. He felt at peace with his life, in that moment.