When it's Not Right

Chapter 17

Cory glanced up at the monitor and checked that his flight was still running on time. The airport made him less nervous the second time through, in spite of having to go through a different route than when he'd arrived, but he was glad that Penny stayed so close. He glanced down as her tags jingled and confirmed it was only Jayler giving the dog some extra attention. Penny soaked up the praise and scratches, leaning into the hug Jay gave her and grumbling happily.

        "You two need to get through security soon," Jay reminded him, still cuddling with Penny. Jayler hadn't stopped smiling since he'd bought the tickets for his next flight at the counter, and that had been ten minutes ago. It made up for Louise pretending to be mad at him for buying her tickets at the same time without talking to her about it first. She'd volun-told Cory that she was his Doc-Vern-ordered and newly-designated Travel Buddy for all things concerning Jayler, though, so it wasn't like he was going to make her pay for tickets to help him like this.

        "That means I get another hug if you're kicking us out for real this time," Louise replied, throwing her arms wide and wiggling her fingers in invitation. Jay beamed up at her and gave Penny one more scrub, and then straightened and stepped into the embrace. "You call me when you need anything," Lou murmured into the mass of red curls that covered Jay's ear.

        "I will," Jay promised, surprising herself that she meant it. Lou squeezed tighter before she let go and stepped back, smiling big as she swiped tears out of her eyes.

        "I'll be seeing you again in a few months so I don't know what's going on that my waterworks are running," she chuckled as she picked up her luggage.

        "I'll get that, Lou, you don't –"

        "You have your own hug to get!" Lou swatted Cory back with her free hand and started walking toward the line for getting through security.

        "Okay but, Lou? Don't get too far ahead," he called after her, holding up his hands as if framing her ass for a photograph. She laughed like warm honey and slowed down to a saunter. Cory chuckled and then wrapped up Jay in the hug he'd been told to provide. She squeezed back tightly, leaning in, as if he was important enough to matter to her. Penny yipped and pushed against the sides of both their legs, wanting to join in on any further affection.

        "I really wish you weren't broken so I could keep you," Jay whispered. Cory chuckled.

        "If I'd lived through everything I've lived through without getting broken, I don't think I'd have been someone worth keeping to start with," he admitted. She laughed a bit and nodded along in agreement.

        "Yeah, well, I'm allowed to be a little selfish right now. I'm pregnant. Besides, Kev said that right now I can be as selfish as I want to be, which means it must be true," she argued.

        "Kev might not be your best source for pregnancy advice," he cautioned.

        "I like his advice, though. Being a queen and having everyone else do everything for me for another five months sounds really good," she giggled.

        "So... no change from normal for Miss Big-shot Corporate Manager?" he chided.

        "Exactly," she agreed. He laughed for real and kissed the top of her head.

        "You're here for a couple more days with your folks, and then back to work the day after you land in Miami?" he asked, confirming her plans.

        "I emailed you my flight schedule and my shift schedule while you were helping Lou with the coffee machine a couple minutes ago," she smiled against his chest as she felt some of the tension come out of his body. "I still can't believe you tried to argue with her about coming with you."