Thirty-Eight. Soon

*Lore Sokolov*

I waited, showered, changed.

I felt worried. But I trusted all is fine.

Kind of.

The back door opened and he was holding her, bridal style. She was peacefully asleep against his body.

His eyes were red and puffy.

"Grab a paper towel, get the sand off her feet, I'll grab clothes to change her into." He said, bringing her into the closet, not letting her go as he grabbed one of his shirts.

I came back and cleaned off her feet as he requested.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

He nodded.

He set her down onto the bed and got her out of her dress.

"Damn pasties over piercings." I mentally cringed.

He frowned.

I sat beside her, so so incredibly gently I got them off.

She was out.

He pulled the shirt over her head and got her into bed.

He seemed... eerily possessive over her currently so I moved to sit at the rocking chair in the corner of the room as he removed her makeup with a cotton pad and the water stuff.

He showered and I remained in my seat.

He changed and got into bed, pulling her body flush against his.

"You'll be alright?" I double checked.

"Yeah. Everything will be perfect." He combed back her hair with his fingers and I smiled, shutting off the light.

"Thank you." Hale murmured in the dark.

"Was that for me?" I asked.

"Mmhm."

"What for?"

"Reassuring me. I overlooked it. But I needed that."

"Of course." I frowned.

"She is perfect for us. Somehow we got so lucky." He said so softly.

"I agree." I grabbed one of her hands in my own and was satisfied with that touch.

-

I got up, looking out toward the water.

She was standing with her feet in the water.

Still in her nightgown.

I got up, careful not to wake Hale.

I brushed my teeth and walked outside, the warm sand making my steps a bit unsteady as I squinted against the sun.

The waves were loud, crashing against her pale feet.

I was behind her, my hands on her shoulders, squeezing gently.

"Morning." I savored her hair being up as I kissed the space of her neck available to me.

"Is it greedy if I say I want the dates soon?" She murmured.

"No."

"Okay."

"How soon?"

"Like... really soon." She whispered.

"I'll talk to Hale but I doubt it'll be an issue, sweetheart."

She nodded.

"What's wrong?" I mumbled, inhaling the smell of her bodywash and perfume against her shoulder.

"Nothing. I just feel... quiet."

"Okay. Do you need anything?" I asked, kissing the back of her head, my hands on her arms, stroking the sun warmed skin.

"No. Thank you." She murmured softly.

"I love you. I'll be inside." I kissed her shoulder one more time before walking inside.

"Is she okay?" Hale squinted outside, freshly woken up.

"She's feeling quiet. So I wanted to let her be. She wants to have the dates really soon though. I told her I'd talk to you." I said.

"I don't see a problem. I do think it should be you, then a day to rest herself, then me, another day to rest." He got out of bed and brushed his teeth before he washed his face.

"I agree. She said like super soon, I just can't determine what that means." I chewed my cheek.

"She means tomorrow." Hale said, drying his face, looking at me.

"Yeah?"

"Mmhm. She wants to get over the little fear she has. She's nervous. But she knows she's safe with us." He yawned and I nodded.

"You're positive she means tomorrow?"

"She told me she's scared to make you feel rushed." He smiled softly.

I nodded.

I turned and looked out the back doors to where she was floating on her back in the ocean.

"She's okay after your talk though?" I asked.

"Yeah. She cried a bit so we stopped on the beach and that's when she fell asleep on me. But everything worked out." He looked out at her too.

"Is it weird?" He asked.

"Hm?"

"Us with her."

"No. I think she always had a choice. But she knew she didn't have to pick, I think it's fine." I answered.

"Why? Do you have feelings about it?" I asked, looking at him.

"No. It's just unusual." He smirked.

"I agree. We've always had the same taste we'd both either end up single or with women who look too much alike anyway." I shrugged.

He snorted.

"I'm gonna make her breakfast, you want anything?" He asked.

"No."

"Alright."