Bad Choices (Hypernaturals 8)

Family Conference, Dear

Angel was limp when I finished with her. I carried her up the stairs against only the quietest protest that she 'knows how to walk' (mumbled face to my chest). I gently tucked her in, so as not to ruin my work. Angel is a human and feels the house temperature far more than I do, so I pulled up a sheet under her chin. People sleep better under covers anyway.

"Goodnight." I bid her, with a light kiss where the tension used to be.

"Goodnight." Angel said and snuggled herself down into her bed. She may have been asleep before I left the room. Naturally, I checked all the kids while I was up here. All sleeping angels, even the serious-faced littlest one.

I paused at the top of the stairs because I sort of did not want to go to bed angry at Morgan. I decided there was no help for it, and headed to the master bedroom. If she had her way, I'd have slid between the covers with Angel just now.

I lay by myself in our bed. Jessica was over with Helen, as often happens when Rachel is not here. Sometimes it is the three of us, but that leaves Morgan out so not too often.

Morgan and I are back to back. Normally, when Jessica and Helen are love-bugging, Morgan and I are. Not after that shower.

I heard Jessica and Helen stop. Sheets rustled.

"Adrian?" Helen asked.

"Yes?" I responded, not expecting to be having a conversation when they were off making love a few moments before.

"Family conference, dear." Helen told me.

I stood up, and came around, and slid in between Morgan and them. Morgan sat up, and spun to face them.

I waited. I had not called this conference.

"Morgan?" Jessica asked. One word. 

When your heart asks you that, in that way, you have the reaction Morgan did. She looked down at the bed. Sighed. "I just want my friend to be happy. As happy as I am. Normally."

"You have met the stubborn gentleman next to you before this evening?" Jessica asked gently.

"I know. It is that I am worried about Angel. We fixed that one thing, but she is still alone. She is after Vera, and Vera is...Vera. A Siren. Not even counting she has a ready-made lover. I am not sure if she and Leslie just share Johnny, or if Vera loves on Leslie too: In any case, Angel wants Vera, and she is focused on that, and she can do better. No. That is the wrong way to put that. I love Vera, but she IS a Siren. I do not want her to hurt Angel. I KNOW Adrian would never hurt Angel, and Adrian is Nakoma's Dad now! It just makes logical sense."

Morgan shook her head, looking down at the bed covers. "The harder I try to make it happen, the less likely it will. Angel may not be happy without Vera no matter what and Vera is not on his card, but Angel promised Vera... These cards are a mess. Supposed to be a joke. What a dumb idea." Morgan said.

"What did we do when Adrian tried a similar thing with Helen and Holly?" Jessica asked, staying on topic.

My thoughts exactly!

"We royally screwed up." Morgan admitted.

"Correct: We left him out in the rain all night when he was having a PTSD moment no less. This is not that for Angel, but it is the same kind of thing. You are trying to force a relationship."

"I know." Morgan said, very downcast.

Jessica looked at me. Raised an eyebrow. It was a 'begin speaking now' prompt. A 'don't leave Morgan in the rain' moment.

"I am in love with three women. That feels like more than any single man should ever have or deserve. I already feel like I neglect Helen sometimes, and forget to let her know how I feel. I just am not ready to complicate this even more. " I started. "Here's how that relationship is going to work. I am going to use some of the same phrasing Morgan did when we married her. I will predict the future."