She clenched her teeth with a groan, trying her best not to fall on her knees. Falls always hurt ten times more when she was in a shift than if she was in one form or another. While it still hurt, the pain had lessened quite a bit since her first shift. It was like her body knew what was happening so it hurt less or at least that was what she thought. She had never really asked anyone about it.
The beast shook herself to loosen up her fur and let it fall against her body more comfortably once the shift was finished. She lifted her large mussel up into the air testing the scents. A low grumble of approval rumbled up from the deep of her throat. She remembered these scents, she was home. With another shake, the beast trotted lazily deep into the woods as she periodically took in the scents and hoping to find some nice fat prey for her meal.
It was nearly nightfall when the beast finally gave Lily control back. A violent shiver tore through her body when the shift was done and all her monsters were back in balance. “Damn it’s cold,” she said breathlessly and closing her eyes tilted the balance towards her vampire. Her heart beat slowed till it a near stop, she felt her fangs lengthen, and the cold dissipated. Relief was only momentary before the bloodlust hit her.
James put his tools on the back of Freddie’s truck, feeling famished and ready to eat. “Hey James,” he heard someone called. Damn it, he swore silently. Why did everyone bother him when he was about to eat. He turned to see Chris walking up to him. What was he doing there? How’d he even know where to find him?
“Hey Chris, what’s up?” He asked as he grabbed his food and took out the large sandwich he made that morning.
“Well I was wondering if I could talk to you about Lily,” Chris offered and James sighed with a shake of his head.
“What about her?” He said with an edge to his voice, but honestly he didn’t care. What more was there to talk about that woman?
“I know things are a bit messed up and you’re mad, but I wanted to ask if you would go easy on her,” Chris said and James scoffed as he took a bit of his sandwich. “Look, James, she’s been through a lot during the time she’s been gone,” he added, with a hint of anger in his voice which in turn only made James angry as well.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah! Lily is always going through a lot or been through a lot. That excuse is getting old man,” he snapped once he had swallowed his food.
“You have no idea James,” Chris started and James growled at him.
“You’re right Chris I don’t have a damn clue but not by choice,” James snapped at him. Chris growled back at him. He stood up and glared at Chris, ready for whatever he was going to throw at him. What did this guy want from him? Did he want James to make it official? That they were no longer mates, is that what he wanted?
Chris took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Let me put it to you this way James. The person you’re really angry with doesn’t exist anymore,” he said when he was visibly much calmer and James looked at him confused. “Something happened in Montana that changed her. All I’m asking is that you give her a second chance.”
James’s anger dissipated to a dull throb as he wondered what the hell Chris was talking about. “I’ve already agreed to a fresh start and try to be friends for the kid’s sake. That’s all she’s getting from me. Now if you’re done I’d like to eat,” James told him and as if to prove his point took another bite out of his sandwich.
“Yeah I’m done,” Chris said, looking disappointed before walking back to a beat up old car. He shook his head and continued eating, but it wasn’t ten minutes when he heard another person calling his name. With a quiet groan, he looked up and saw Ginger. Oh hell fuck no, he swore. Where the hell was Freddie when he needed him?
Thankfully for James, Ginger was only able to rob him about ten minutes of his lunch before Freddie chased her off. The rest of the day went by pretty quick and when it was quitting time instead of going home, he decided to drop by the Robert’s home. It was nearing the weekend and he was going to want to spend a lot of it getting to know his son. “Hey James, didn’t expect to see you here,” Sandy said when he knocked on the door, but the smile on her face said otherwise.
“I wanted to talk to Lily,” James told her as he walked into the house.
“She’s with A. J. in the living room. He really is a sweet little boy,” Sandy said with a proud grin. He thanked her and walked towards the living room. James stopped at the sight before him. Lily and A. J. were asleep on the couch. A. J. had his thumb was in his mouth and the other hand was clutching a fist full of her hair with a peaceful look on his face, a look that Lily mirrored as well.
Chris’s words about her not being the same person came back to him at that moment. James quietly sat down in a chair near them. She looked a lot more relaxed at that moment than he’d ever seen her. She did seem different when he was talking to her yesterday. He really did expect her to argue when he made his demands, but she didn’t, not even a little. Suddenly the little boy’s eyes shot up and he sat up with a large yawn. “I awake,” he demanded loudly.
“Yeah you are,” James said quickly and picked him up so he wouldn’t wake up his mother. Now holding A. J. James wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do or say.
“I play,” A. J. demanded and squirmed in James’s grasp.
“Um… you want down? Okay,” James said a little nervous setting A. J. on the floor. The boy wobbled over to the toy box and began expertly searching through them. He watched A. J. amused and curious.
“Car!” A. J. yelled and James winced, glancing over at Lily. She moaned a little and rolled over on her side. He allowed himself a small smile and sat down next to A. J. The little boy began talking to him and playing without a care in the world which in turn actually calmed James’ nerves, after a while he even forgot why he was nervous to begin with. “Mommy,” A. J. sudden cried out and James watched him run over to the couch to the now awake Lily.
Lily sat up with a stifled yawn. “Hey little bug,” she said as she sat up ruffling his hair. James didn’t miss the way her face brightened when she looked at A. J. So she was capable of love, he thought a little sourly. “Did you have fun playing?” She asked and A. J. nodded his head up and down so much that he would have fallen over if Lily wasn’t holding on to him.
“Car,” A. J. suddenly demanded and ran back over to the toy box, making car sounds. James got up from the floor and sat in the chair he was originally sitting in.
“Hey James,” Lily said with a nod and running a hand through her hair.