Page 16 of It Varies
“The person currently in possession of Xiroth’s baby.Possession is nine-tenths of the law, right?”
There was a set of dancing dots over and over and then the summation.“Holy shit.”
She handed the phone back to Xiroth, who caught up with the conversation.“Ah, yeah, I was distracted when I spoke to him.Must have missed the baby.”
She looked down at the bump.“How do you miss this?I have had to buy this dude special pants.”
He grinned.“I was lost in your eyes.”
“Wow.That’s good.”
Xiroth sighed.“So you know what I want.”
She drummed her fingers on her belly.“You got what you needed, so what else are you after?”
He carefully reached out to touch the bump, and the baby got all excited.Xiroth grinned.
“I only have eighteen days left with him on the inside.Vine is never wrong when she makes a statement like that.It is going to be a hectic two weeks.”She sighed.
“May I offer my home as a secondary refuge?I will ask Emhara to paint the baby’s room.”
She smiled.“That would be nice.If Vine needs to, can she babysit him there?It can be a bit busy around here.”
“You are returning to work immediately?”
“No.I am taking two months off to recover from someone exiting my body headfirst.Vine also mentioned that he is going to gain two pounds in two weeks, so that is going to take it out of me.”
She stroked her belly and touched his fingers.
“I will do whatever you allow me to.I have been making lists and plans.”
She chuckled.“So you really want to be around for him?”
“For both of you.I tracked you to the cliff that day, and I caught the energy of Sable and what I now know is Vine.”
“And both given luck by Ivy, so I made it home.”
“And I am going to get them auntie presents when the baby arrives.With the help of your village, you made it here.”
“Yeah.”She smiled.“And Sable can stop hiding in the rafters now.Pervert.”
There was a flutter from the ceiling, and Sable stood in the living room with her feline face.“Not pervert.Just cautious.”
Xiroth blinked.“You are losing control of your shift?”
“Yes.Vine’s charms help.”
“I have the other pixies coming, and one of them may suit you.There is one who manifests as stone, and he has energy that would be compatible with yours.”
Sable cocked her feline head.“Cool.I hope he can take a hit.Sometimes my limbs just appear out of nowhere.”
Xiroth smiled.“Good.He needs sense knocked into him.”
“Well, that would happen sooner rather than later.When does this mystery man arrive?”
“Tomorrow or, rather, today.”
Sable smirked.“Aw, too bad.We are going to be at the artist-versus-artist competition.It starts at noon, but we want good seats.”
