“Protection?”
I continue to stand near Asta as we allow Fiona to provide what she does best. She has a soothing touch, a calm that covers you like a blanket and provides a safe haven during times when it is needed most.
This is a lot of information, a lot to take in, but hearing it from Fiona is the best solution.
“There are a lot of people out there that can’t be trusted, but the worst part is we don’t always know who those people are. We must be cautious, diligent with our actions. We must all stand as one, we must be a force, a binding connection to one another always.” Taryn nods, as if entrapped in the words of Fiona.
“This holds power behind your dreams, but you must always wear it.”
“Always,” I watch as the woman I adore lifts the jewel and holds in her fist as if it is the most precious item she has ever held.
“Yes, you are blessed,” Taryn looks up and locks her gaze on Fiona. They share a smile, “I told you this would link us, and your happiness can be felt. We are all one.”
She has been accepted, claimed as part of our pack. I need her to know what this all truly means. To feel all the things we feel, to accept that deep connection. When she looks back at me and gives me a nod approval I know right then she has it.
She feels what I feel.
“We’ve never talked any more about names,” she whispers in the darkness as she places her hand over mine. Together we lay them upon her belly, almost protecting what lies beneath.
“That’s because we planned on it all being a surprise.” Kissing her temple I smile. I don’t mean to make her feel guilty, in all honesty I’m happy to know.
“I always knew we were having a girl.” I remember the mention of her dreams. “Always a little girl, running, laughing.”
“A little girl that looks just like her mother.”
“Or like her daddy.” She offers my hand beneath her a gentle squeeze.
“Naomi,” I threw it out there to see her response. It is the first name I can think of. Instantly her nose wrinkles and I laugh. “Okay then,” I pause trying to think of a few names. “Elyse, Hazel, Rose, Opal, Tulip,” she pokes me in the ribs and I move away to hide the ticklish space.
“Now you’re rambling.”
“It may be one of those moments that when we see her, we’ll know.”
“Olivia,” Taryn says into the darkness and hearing my mother's name out loud again makes me feel raw. “I think no matter who she looks like, she should carry the name of her grandmother.” My chest feels like it is on fire, my throat clogged with emotions. “No matter what we choose for her middle name, I believe her first should be Olivia.”
Unable to speak I simply curl my body into Taryn, wrapping her in my arms and burying my face in her neck. The knowledge that even if only a small fraction of my mother lives on in me and now in my child gives me the peace I need.
Taryn
I wake up with Merick’s naked form wrapped around me like he’s afraid to let me go. After Fiona and Asta left we ate a light dinner and then he carried me upstairs to our bed, where he made love to me all night long.
After round three I finally had to threaten bodily harm if he didn’t stop. All I know was after last night, receiving the necklace from Fiona I’d felt like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I’d also seen a huge turnaround in Merick. He was back to being touchy feely again, the man I fell in love with.
I ease out from under his arm and climb out of bed. The red chambray shirt he wore yesterday is on the floor. I pick it up and throw it on, buttoning it up. Even with my expanding belly it is still huge on me. After brushing out my hair I put it up in a knot on top of my head and brush my teeth.
Downstairs I pull bacon, eggs, and hash browns out of the refrigerator. While the food is cooking, I make some coffee for Merick and some tea for me. I’m flipping the bacon when Merick wraps his arms around me, kissing my neck. His hands slide down my body and then slide back up under my shirt. He bites his mark and I feel myself get wet immediately.
He rubs between my legs. “Are you going to come baby?” Merick reaches up with one hand, pinching my nipple.
“Is that what you want?” I nod unable to speak due to the torturous way he continues to rub me exactly the way I need him to. “Mm,” the hum of his voice mingles with the motions of his hands and I can feel my orgasm building. Growing closer and closer to my release and as if he can sense just how close I am he applies the right amount of pressure and my head grows foggy.
A tingling sensation starts low in my stomach and I swear I hear him chuckle, only I can’t concentrate on anything more than how he is making my body feel. And then I am done.
I come embarrassingly fast and he holds me up when my knees buckle. “Um...thank you.” I giggle because I honestly feel like my brain is malfunctioning.
“I didn’t like waking up without you,” he whispers against the side of my neck.
I turn my head and smile up at him. “I was trying to surprise you with breakfast in bed.” He helps me finish making breakfast and then we sit side by side eating. The necklace hanging from my neck warms against
