Sure, Kriss said. You dont want to be at the club when the baby is born, right? Finding a house and filling it with furniture and baby stuff would be perfect for getting your mind off things.
But where am I going to get the money for a new house? Envy asked. I make good money working at Moon Dance but not that much.
Kriss smiled reassuringly and gently took her hand, Honey thats the last thing you have to worry about. Ill help you get the house of your dreams if thats what you want and dont you dare give me a hard time about it. Thats my godchild in there.
To Envys amusement, he again pointed down at her lower tummy. She gave in to the smile but shook her head, I cant do that to you Kriss and you dont have that much money do you? I mean Im a bartender and youre a part time stripper.
The only reason I bother stripping is because its fun. Ive got a savings account, stocks, bonds, and a few other things Im not sure of the names, Kriss said sounding almost ditzy. I dont really know anymore but the man at the bank keeps referring to me as his favorite billionaire.
You are such a moron, Envy said with a giggle and threw a pillow at him.
Ow, Kriss deadpanned when the pillow hit him in the face.
Dean hid his smirk knowing this was exactly what Kriss needed someone to take care of, even if it was only for a short while. They were both bad for picking up charity cases it seemed.
He blocked out the playful bickering of his roommates and gazed down at the unforgiving city from the huge penthouse window. It was obvious Kriss was going to be busy for a while with Envy and in the end Envy would have the security her and the baby needed. This was the perfect opportunity for him to once again stalk the Fallen hybrid that had been trapped with Misery.
Dean had found him completely by accident and since then had silently kept a discrete eye on him from a distance. After a few days of watching, Dean began leaving him small items such as fresh clothing, blankets, and an occasional edible from the nearby deli. The food wasnt always eaten but then human food was not a necessity. They could live with or without it. The clothing and blankets were taken each time though.
So far, the hybrid hadnt exhibited any evil tendencies and avoided the other demons like the plague. It was a good sign of the hybrids mental state but things had a tendency to change if such creatures were left alone for too long.
From what Dean had observed, the hybrid was more Fallen than demon and hed bet his own billions of dollars that he could get the hybrid to trust him if given some more time. If that happened, then maybe he could save him from the strangeness of this world hed suddenly been released into.
He closed his eyes remembering the mans tears as hed burst from the cave wall and fled into the night. That had been the clincher demons do not cry.
Im going out for a while, Dean said suddenly and headed for the door.
Get some chocolate syrup while youre out, Kriss called out before Dean made it to the door.
Dean paused and glanced back at him, Chocolate syrup, why in the world do you want that?
Chocolate milk, Kriss and Envy said simultaneously.
Dean shook his head and left the penthouse, closing the door on amused giggling.
After the door closed Envy looked up at Kriss, I didnt bring any clothes with me and Im starting to get sleepy. Its been a long day and night. Do you have anything I can change into?
Kriss nodded, In the second bedroom. He pointed at a closed door then winked at Envy, thats where I sleep when Im pissed off at Dean. The dresser in there has some of my larger shirts and a few pairs of boxers help yourself.
Do you guys fight often? Envy said worriedly, not wanting to take Kriss refuge away from him.
Only when hes being a dick, Kriss smirked then jerked his thumb toward another closed door. Thats his spare room if I run him off.
Envy couldnt help but laugh, Youre a nut you know that?
My lifes ambition, Kriss sighed playfully then started for the kitchen. He needed to make a new grocery list before his and Envys cravings started kicking in. He stopped in mid stride and turned toward the front door. Scratch the list he wanted pickles right now. Im going to clean out the grocery store dont wait up.
Envy waited until he was gone before slowly getting off the sofa to go check out her room. Closing the door behind her, she opened the dresser and giggled at some of the shirts he had in there. Some were cute with little baby animals on them, some had funny phrases, and others were just solid colors. Choosing a plain black shirt and a pair of Sponge Bob boxers, she placed them on the bed and lifted her shirt over her head.
Her reflection in the mirror caught her eye and she caressed the soft, smooth skin of her tummy. She cocked her head to the side trying to picture her belly full with the child and turned to the side to examine the concave slope of her belly.
I wonder who youre going to be like, she said softly to the growing baby. Are you going to be like me, wild and hardheaded or will you be like him, smart and hardheaded? I hope I make a good mother for you and I know Trevor will be a good daddy.
Envy smiled at her reflection, envisioning the small soul nestled there. Youre already blessed do you know that? Youre gonna have so many uncles and godparents protecting you that I can bet you wont even get a paper cut.
She saw movement behind her in the mirrors reflection and swung around to see what it was. Moving closer to the balcony window, she pushed the curtain aside and gasped at the beautiful white owl sitting on the railing watching her with deep dark eyes.
The owl cocked its head to the side as though trying to determine what she was before turning its head in the opposite direction. Envy had never seen one so close before and was afraid that if she looked away it would vanish.
The owl turned its head once more toward her before turning its back and leaping from the railing. Its wings spread out catching the draft and it flew off over the city toward Angeles National Forest.
Envy remembered reading somewhere that owls were a sign of wisdom and she hoped it was a sign that she was doing the right thing.
*****
Aurora held tighter onto her small sword and looked back up the side of the building searching for any sign of Samuel. She couldnt believe shed been careless enough to let him sneak up on her like that. It had been an incredible stroke of luck that shed gotten away from the roof of the skyscraper in one piece.
As she fell, shed resigned herself to the fact that this was really going to hurt but an unusual savior had helped her out. On that particular skyscraper were statues of hawks that luckily protruded out from the sides. Shed been able to grab hold of one in mid-fall and swing herself beneath it so she was hidden from Samuels sight when he looked down the edge of the building.
It felt like she had been holding on for eternity when the sense of his aura finally started to fade. After she was sure Samuel had gone, she pulled herself up and was able to crawl on top of the hawks head.
Tired and out of breath, Aurora leaned back against the wall of the building to rest for a moment. It took her a few minutes to catch her breath but any breather from Samuel's obsession with her was more than welcome. In her mind, she knew why he kept coming after her lust, plain and simple.