Chapter 13

Sterling - Chapter 13

Marty had just set down a pretty vase that they'd gotten from the house. She stepped back and then doubled over in...not pain, it wasn't painful, but it did take her breath away. And then heat filled her, from the tip of her toes to her hair. She even reached up to touch it, just to make sure that she wasn't in flames. Marty sat down just as Noelle came toward her.

"You all right?" Marty told her that she thought so. "You sort of blinked out there for a moment. I mean, not disappeared, but you were just red hot. Are you sure you're all right?"

"Yes, I think so, and I was hot, but.... It wasn't like I was on fire, but it was hot. I don't know what happened." She suggested that she talk to Sterl to make sure that he was all right. She tried. "It's like I'm touching a wall. Is that bad?"

"Can you feel him?" She said that she could, but there was a wall. "Not that I'm trying to freak you out, but that's telling you that he's not dead, just unconscious. Keep trying and I'll close up and take you home. You might find that he's resting still."

He'd been asleep when she'd gotten home last night, and then again this morning. She was sure that he was exhausted after everything that had been going on, but she missed sleeping with him. He was her rock and someone that she needed badly, no matter if it was to simply cuddle up next to him.

She hated that Noelle was going to close the shop to take her home, but she didn't have a car and Marty was sort of nervous about what she'd find when she got there. By the time she got in touch with Sterling, she was nearly frantic with all the crap that she had in her head.

I got a package from Chris Bentley. I think she tried to cook me. She told him that she'd felt it as well. Are you all right? I'll murder her if you're hurt.

No, I'm fine.

Great. What was in it? You don't think she'd try to harm us, do you? He told her that he didn't think so. I'm almost home. Noelle is bringing me.

A car. Damn it, I forgot. I got you one yesterday, and they're undercoating it for you. Ohio weather is rough on the underbelly of cars, but you probably already knew that. She asked him what he'd gotten for her. An SUV like mine. Loaded. I can't have my future wife running around with a cheap vehicle. Besides, they cut me a deal for getting two of them. I'm sorry. I should have told you.

It's all right. I've never had a new car before. In fact, I don't think I've had a new anything. This is so wonderful of you. He told her that he loved her. And I love you. We're pulling in the drive now.

Telling Noelle that she'd talked to him, Marty could tell that she was just as relieved as she was. Getting out, she wasn't at all surprised to see Trent and his dad stepping out of their own cars. They told her that they'd felt Sterling pass out as well.

They were greeted in the house by Sterling and Alta, who had a pad of paper and a pen. After hugging Sterling and seeing to the rest of them, she asked Alta what she needed.

"The household would like to decorate something for themselves for the holidays." The household? Honestly, she thought that Alta was the only staff they had and said as much. "No, you have a great many faeries and brownies working here. A few younger witches. They love what you've done to the house, but they'd like to know if they can decorate a tree for themselves, or will you be doing that?"

"I don't know. I mean, I've never had the means to decorate before, but that part is all done. I do think a house this large could take a lot more decorations, don't you think?" Alta nodded and smiled. "I don't have a problem with them doing it. Did you ask Sterling?"

"He said that he wanted to go all out, but that I should ask you. Mr. Sterling said that whatever you decided, it was going to be good. He did request that their tree be put up in the living room. I asked and he said that if we want to put a small one in every room, it was fine by him."

"Well, then I think you should all go for it. I'd like to go all out as well. You start whenever you wish. I guess we're going to his parents' for Thanksgiving dinner." She said they were going to start when they left for the dinner. "All right. Oh...I don't know how to cook. I mean, I've worked in a restaurant for years, but I never got the hang of cooking. I'm supposed to bring something to dinner. I told them I had no idea, but Christine said that I could whip something up with you."

"I'd be honored to help you, miss." Marty started away then turned back when Alta said her name. "The little boy's room is finished as well. He's coming today, I've heard."

"Yes. They had to make sure that the paperwork was all correct before we could take him. And he's had his physical too. I think they're afraid Sterling and I will break him or something." Alta was still laughing when she went to the kitchen. The pad of paper that she had was gone, and Marty thought that odd, but then so was the house, to say the least.

Trent was seated at the desk with his brother behind him. TJ was sitting on the couch talking about some piece of property that he'd found that he wanted to buy. She sat next to him as he explained what they were doing.

"There's the little place, used to be a cobbler, I think. Anyway, I was thinking that I need it." She asked him what he needed it for. "I don't know. I just need it. Like women and shoes."

"I don't collect shoes, bags, or dresses. I had three pairs of pants, four shirts, and a pair of shoes when I came here. Of course, now I have more, but I didn't buy them." He laughed. "Now what is so funny?"

"You're adorable. But I was thinking that I could purchase the building because it's for sale. I know that sounds silly, but there is a bigger grocery store coming to town, and that building is on the other side of the store. Which, by the way, I own as well." She said that she'd heard that. "I can't make it work. It's open and all, but I'm just not the grocery store type. I talk too much."

"Really? You? Talking too much? Nah. You never shut up, but you don't talk too much." He frowned and asked her the difference. "None. I was pulling your leg. But you usually get around to whatever it is you're heading toward. I enjoy being with you because of that."

"I'm not sure you gave me a compliment." She kissed him on the cheek. "All right then, that will make up for it. By the by, did you feel whatever hit our Sterl?"

"I did. We've not discussed what it might have been yet. He did tell me it was from the witch, but nothing more." He told her it was magic. "Magic? I don't think we need any more, do you?"

"Don't know. I would like to say that you don't, but you never know. That Chris, the witch, she can see things we can't. Not that she can tell us about them, but she knows them. Perhaps this was her way of keeping you safe for whatever is coming." She told TJ that she thought they'd had enough. "Me too, but the more you think like that, the more things just come out of nowhere. Be prepared, is what I say. You might go a long time ready and nothing happens, but you put down your guard and bam, it hits you right between the eyes."

Good advice.

The building that TJ had come here to look at was purchased. She thought a buck was a good price, but TJ had wanted them to give it to him. Both Trent and Sterling had told him he got a good deal. The man had all the money in the world and bitched about a buck. He winked at her as he was complaining again about the high prices.

They ended up staying for dinner, as did the rest of the family. It was a few days until Thanksgiving, and they were to marry in the morning. Things were going fast, she thought, but loved every moment of it. It wasn't until later that they talked about the gift from Chris.

~*~

The box had a single flower in it. It was a beautiful rose and looked like it had only just been picked. When Sterl took it out of the box, he laid it on the table and went to find a vase to put it in. He was sure there was one here, but finding it might be a problem.

"Did you see this?" He turned to see an envelope that Marty was holding. "It's addressed to us both. I wonder what it is."

He had her open it while he searched in vain for the vase. Finally, after ten minutes of looking, he put it in a glass with water and went back to the table. Picking Marty up, he sat her on his lap and took the note when she handed it to him.

"It says that we're going to need the magic enclosed. What do you suppose that means?" He said he had no idea, but it had knocked him on his ass when he got it. "Yeah, me too. It was.... Well strange is a tame word to use around this family. But it also says that I'm wolf and I'm not. Joe told me how that would work, and I think I'd remember you doing those things to me."

"So would I. I'm not sure, but we can figure that one out. Want to go out back and test it?" The snow had been falling for several hours now, and was piled up good around the house. But he also knew that tomorrow and the next day it was going to be in the mid-fifties, and most of that would melt away. Ohio weather wasn't the finest if you wanted consistency. "I promise you, if it doesn't work, I'll come back in here and warm you up."

"I just bet you would." She stood up and went to get her coat, and he told her she'd not need it if she was a wolf. "But what if I'm not? I mean, it's what, like twenty-five out there?"

"There is another way that I can tell. Not nearly as much fun, but if you just let me sniff you, I can tell without you going outside." She asked him why he'd not said that in the first place. "I don't know. I just wanted to see you naked."

"Naked? In the snow?" He nodded and she laughed. "You're very strange. You know that? Strange indeed. All right, sniff me, and if I'm a wolf, we'll go out. Otherwise, we're staying in here where it's warm."

When he sniffed at her skin he knew. Licking her, tasting the wolf there on her, was like sipping a fine wine, smelling roses in their first bloom, and feeling a good paintbrush in his hand all at once. Lifting her chin up so that she could look at him, he smiled.

"I'm a wolf." He nodded. Her voice was low, almost a whisper. "What do I do now? I mean, how do I change?"

"Think of her. Just close your eyes and think about the wolf. Can you see her?" She nodded. "Good, now ask her to take you."

He fell back when she changed. The wolf only stared at him for several seconds before she sat down and cocked her head at him. Carefully, so as not to startle her, he touched his fingers to the top of her head, then ruffled her fur between his fingers.

"You're beautiful. Silver, you're a silver wolf. I've never seen one before." He touched his head to hers, feeling how thick her coat was. "You're beautiful. If you'll stand still for just a moment, I'll take your picture."

He got up and he thought of something. Turning, he looked at Marty when she simply laid down. He reached out to her, letting her see that she could talk to him the way that he had before, and she laughed.

I had no idea how that worked. Thank you. I've seen your wolf, I thought you were all gray. He told her that it depended on the region they were from and how many other wolf packs they'd blended with. Oh, that makes sense. Are we going outside?

"Yes but let me take a few shots of you so that I can show you when we come back in." She posed for him. It was comical, really, seeing her try to walk on four feet rather than two. Then when she was ready, more than ready, he opened the door for her and she took off like a shot. Before he could shift and go with her, the faerie queen stepped out of the shadows.

"She'll be hidden when necessary in this weather, and not easy to detect in the warmer weather as well. She will be good at hiding." He asked if someone was coming that she needed to be hiding from. "Yes."

When nothing else was forthcoming, he decided to let it go. Sterl knew that he should ask, but right now he just wanted to play with his mate. He did ask if it was urgent that she hide now, and she told him there was enough time. Nodding once, he let his own wolf take him.

The ground was thick with the snow. There was more than six inches of it, and he could see just where Marty had gone. He laughed when he realized that she was leaping around, and made his way to her by following the obvious foot path she was taking. When Sterl found her, she was watching the deer that came to graze on their property in the summer.

We let them roam here where it's safe for them. In the warmer months, we put out salt and other things for them to eat so that they'll stay. And Randal grows oat for them too. She asked why they weren't running. They know us. I mean, they know who I am. They'll need to get used to your scent. But they're waiting, I guess, for you to make a move.

They're beautiful, aren't they? He said they were. I saw other animals here as well. A bear too.

He's a bear, not a shifter. So are the deer. There are some wolves about, most of them are in Trent's pack, but there are some wild ones as well, so learn to tell the difference. She laid down and he moved up to stand over her. There are all kinds of shifters on the property all the time. Some are here to protect, others just need a place to run. They might live in the city or close to it and don't have what we have.

They didn't move, either of them. A hawk came to see them, another shifter who was someone he'd known for a long time. A cat, a tiger specifically, visited them, but said very little other than to congratulate him on his mate and new baby. As the forest around them cleared out, people going to their homes, no doubt, he and Marty were alone for the most part.

Benson comes today. He told her that he thought he was on his way. I know nothing about children. I mean, he's adorable and all, but I don't know how to take care of him.

He's almost a year old so he won't be too bad, I don't think. And Grandma and Grandda said they'd come by and make sure that we don't hurt him. I don't think we will, but you know Grandda. Marty laughed with him. As much as I'd like to make love to you right now, I think we should be headed back. Like you said, Benson will be here soon, and I'd like to not be frozen when I hold him.

They made their way back to the house and stood on the porch for a few minutes after they were both themselves again. He held her to him, smelling the fresh scent of her wolf and the child that she carried. When Alta came out to tell them someone was coming up the drive, they went inside. He was going to be a father in a few minutes, and he was as excited as he'd ever been before.

His family arrived first. His parents and grandparents had gifts for Benson and for Heather, who was staying with Trent and Joe for now. Then his brothers came in, each of them excited and ready to start being an uncle. The women had gifts too, some for Benson, but they didn't forget the newest member of the family. Heather got a doll and a case with clothing for it. Once they were all settled around the fireplace, he told them about Vegas and going out to do a show.

"You're really doing this. I'm so proud of you." Grandma hugged him several times while she stood with him. "I knew you could do this. Didn't I tell you?"

"You did. And once this show is set up, I was thinking that we'd make it a little honeymoon for the three of us while we're out there. Get used to being a family that travels." His mom volunteered to watch over Benson for them, so they could have more fun, and he told her that he'd think about it. "Also, there are some paintings that I've been asked to do. I'm going to be busy over the next few months. I never dreamed that I'd be saying this, but I'm loving being a painter. Thank you all for your support in this."

"We're just glad that you're back with us. We were worried there for a while." He told Elijah he'd been worried as well. "I'm glad that you're getting better too. I love having the old Sterl back with us."

The rest of them agreed, and he felt good. He had the best family in the world, and now he had a mate too. Sterl wasn't sure that life could get any better than this. Then the doorbell rang and he felt his heart skip a couple of beats. His son, their son, was here.

Benson had been crying. His face was tear stained, his eyes puffy with it. When he asked the woman and man with him about it, Sterling was told he was upset, but they didn't know why. Sterl had a feeling he was missing the two people that he'd spent his life with up until now. He pulled him out of his coat and held him close.

"Hey, fella. You having a rough day?" Benson stared at him but didn't cry again. "My name is Sterling. You are going to live with us."

Benson looked around and smiled at Marty. It was a toothy smile, all three of his teeth showing. When he reached for her, Marty took him like a pro and Benson laid his head on her shoulder. Everyone stayed back, he noticed, and was glad for this bonding time alone.

"We've brought you some things to start out with. There are some records from his physician that says he has a reaction to a certain brand of diapers." Sterl nodded and made note of the brand. "Also, for the next several months, we'll be coming by unannounced to make sure that he's doing well and that you're not having any troubles. I don't think you will, not with a supportive family like this one, but we still have to do it."

"I understand. And we have a few questions of our own, if you don't mind." They weren't all that difficult, but Tanner had told him it would go a long way in building trust with the system. "Do we need to take him to the same doctor? Is he on any medications that we should know about? And we plan to go to his home and wonder if we should bring back pictures of his parents for his room, or wait?"

"All very good questions. No, he can see your own doctor, but I'd tell them about his pediatrician. No medications, though I'm to understand that he's teething still and might need a little gel on his gums at times. As for the pictures, I don't know the answer to that one. I'd speak to his doctor and find out what he wants to do. To me, I would think it would be fine, since you don't plan to keep from him that he's adopted, but you should ask." Sterl nodded. "Also, congratulations on your showing. I understand that it was a great success."

"It was, and thank you."

After she left, he sat down with Marty, who was still holding Benson. His family looked ready to pounce, and he asked if anyone wanted to hold him. Sterl laughed for ten full minutes when every one of them stood up and raised their hands. Even little Heather wanted her chance.

Benson was passed around then. His mom told him stories about him, of course. Dad made promises of taking him to work with him. Showing him the ropes, he thought he said. Grandma asked him to please call her Grandma. Grandda held him without saying a word. Sterl asked him what was wrong.

"Nothing. I mean, not really. I have this beautiful little boy looking at me like you all did when you were about this age. Brings a man to tears to have someone look at him with so much trust and love in their eyes, don't you think?" Sterl nodded. "Him and me, we're going to get into so much trouble. I'll have him all primed up for the others when they come along. I just love this, more than I thought I would."

In a few months to a year, there would be four more great-grandchildren in the family. The twins that Noelle was carrying. His own child, as well as Heather. No one but Marty and he knew about the little girl, but they were going to be just as happy about her as they were the others. His family was the best there was.

When dinner was called, they sat around the table, all of them laughing and talking at once. Sterl held onto Marty's hand under the table, and was glad to have them all here. Benson was only the beginning, he knew, of a long and very happy year. Sterl could not wait for Christmas.