Angie came down the stairs a few minutes later. “Are you guys breaking for dinner?” she asked.
“Is it 5:30pm already?” asked Peter.
“Nearly 6pm,” said Angie.
“Hell! I’d better go. Lisa will be wondering where I am,” he said as he handed the hammer to George. He was up the stairs and out the door in less than a minute.
Angie watched him go and then turned to George. “What was all that about?” she asked.
“Lisa is more wolf than human. Human features, but the wolf is more in charge. It makes life difficult at times. She doesn’t cook well and if their daughter needs help with her homework, she has to wait for Peter,” he said.
“Oh, never thought of that. I know that Meg mentioned that some don’t survive shifting or never come back after the first time, but I never thought about someone being more wolf than human,” she said.
“It happens. Most of the ones I know have a really strong partner. Shifter too. Never known one that married a human. The ones that don’t, tend to fade back into the forest or the wilderness,” said George.
“Makes sense. Do you want to come up for dinner?” she asked.
“Yes! I’ve been smelling it and trying not to drool on the saw,” said George.
Angie laughed and they headed upstairs.
*
“Luc, I’m going to have to go shopping!” moaned Meg from the bathroom.
“Now? Today? Next week?” he asked as he poked his head in the door.
“I wanted to wait until Ginny got back, but I’m not sure I’m going to manage. I can’t zip any of my trousers or jeans. My bras don’t fit either,” she said as she took off a pair of blue jeans.
“Meg, I don’t care what you wear to work, as long as your comfortable,” said Luc.
Meg turned, and put her hands on her hips. “I appreciate that, but undies just isn’t going to cover it,” she said standing in nothing but bikini panties.
Luc laughed. “How about your black leggings, that teal blue tank top with the built in bra and one of my white linen shirts over the top?” he asked.
Meg thought about it for a moment and smiled. “Thank you!” she said as she went to find the clothes.
Luc smiled. Meg was getting big. Jeff kept reminding her that twins take up twice the room and need twice the nourishment, but it didn’t always sink in. Meg came around the corner wearing the outfit he’d suggested. She looked beautiful.
“Ready to head in?” he asked.
“Might as well. I have those two data bases to finish up, clients to bill and a phone to answer if today is anything like the rest of the week,” she said.
Luc nodded as they headed to the car. After a slow three weeks, business was ramping up. He couldn’t decide if it was linked to the weather or tax season or some totally random factor. When they got to the office, the phone was ringing and the answering machine showed five messages.
“I’ll deal with this until Kevin gets here,” said Meg who answered the call.
Luc nodded and headed for his office. His private line had eight messages. He started listening to those and writing down numbers and notes. Meg walked in five minutes later with her own list. He took it, read it and crossed three numbers off of his list.
“It is going to be busy today. Call Cal and Peter and have them come here first. They can head over to do the house work after lunch,” said Luc.
“Alright. Oh, and Angie said she’d be in today. I think she feels guilty for spending all the time with George,” said Meg.
“Women!” said Luc half joking as he rolled his eyes. He started making calls and shooed Meg out with his hand.
Meg went to her office. She got her packages ready to mail out and then settled in to work on the data bases. Working with Calc, she soon had data flying everywhere. She didn’t even notice Angie knock on the door.
“Hey! Did pregnancy make you deaf?” teased Angie as she walked into Meg’s office.
Meg looked up startled. “Oh! Angie! I didn’t hear you,” she said. She got up and hugged Angie, as she hadn’t seen her since George had fallen.
“Wow! That bump is pretty big for three months,” said Angie. “We going shopping soon?”
“Yes. As soon as Ginny gets home,” said Meg. “Then the three of us are leaving the guys to fend for themselves while we spend their money.”
“I like that idea,” said Angie.
“Figured you would. I can’t run around like this for six months,” said Meg referring to her outfit.
“It isn’t too bad. You look cute in Luc’s shirt,” said Angie.
“I may look cute, but I can’t wear this every day,” said Meg. “What’s in the bag?”
“Wondered when you were going to notice this,” said Angie. She held up a bag from the local bakery.
Meg took the bag and inside were three chocolate glazed doughnuts. “Angie, you are a saint,” she said.
“No, just smart. And before you ask, Kevin and Luc have theirs already,” she said holding up her own bag of pastries.
“Yummm!” said Meg pulling a doughnut out and biting into it. “Thish ish hebben.” Meg sat back down at her desk and Angie pulled up a chair. They both ate doughnuts until there was nothing left except sticky fingers.
“So, how are you enjoying George’s company?” Meg asked.
Angie just smiled.
“Oh no, you don’t get to just smile at me,” said Meg. “Spill the beans!”
“Okay. You told me enough about Luc when you two started dating. George is… um… very nice in bed,” she said with a smile.
“Not fair!” said Meg.
“George is sweet, gentle, considerate, attentive, and…” Angie paused. She looked to see if the door was closed, which it was. “While not hanging down to his knees, oh my god he’s got girth!” she said all in a rush.
Meg looked at Angie, who was gesturing with her hands. “And you can walk?” Meg asked.
“Amazingly, yes!” said Angie who broke into giggles. That got Meg laughing as well.