Harlee POV
"What the Hell was that about?" I asked, cradling Cael, who was still pouting, after the Angel had disappeared.
"She had some.. theories.. about you. I guess she was trying to confirm them." Sam responded with a sigh, sinking into a chair across from me.
"Yeah, but-some of those questions! Have I ever had a DNA test done? Like what the Hell was that all about?" I squeaked.
"Have you?" Sands asked with interest.
"No! That's not something normal people usually do!" I almost shouted. Cael looked at me in alarm. I took a deep breath. "Sorry baby, momma's just a little freaked out right now. I shifted him in my arms. He was really getting much too big to be cradled like this, but I was loathe to let him grow up so quickly. Zeev wrapped his arms around us, and I let my muscles relax into his strong embrace. Cael closed his eyes with a sigh. I picked up a scattered bit of information from Zeev's memories. "Oh." I murmured. ���Sam actually said that once." Sands' eyes brightened.
"Which part Harlee?" Sands asked.
"That he thought I'd been put in his path.." I mumbled. "Though it sounded like more of a condemnation coming from him." Zeev and Sands' eyes snapped to his quickly, then back to mine. Sam closed his eyes and rested his index, middle finger and thumb on the side of his face in an expression that reeked of exasperation.
"I mean, I don't mind that much." I hurried to explain. "I'm actually kinda grateful I met you all." I said. Zeev twitched.
"You mean you're not concerned about being manipulated?" He asked harshly. "Or all of the pain you've been put through?" His voice was getting louder. "How many times have you almost died? Have we almost killed you ourselves?" Zeev roared. "And you're grateful!?" Cael began to cry. I pulled from Zeev's grasp and turned to glare at him, Cael clutched against my shoulder.
"Yes Zeev. I'm grateful. This in my arms is one reason I'm grateful. It's the most precious thing anyone's ever given me." I rubbed Cael's back and his sobs began to fade to desperate gasps. "Our son Zeev. Our love Zeev. These are priceless. I love all of you, and if that means I had to endure a little to get here, can you really tell me Cael at the very least wasn't worth it? That the peace and love we've found wasn't enough?" I was getting emotional and not sure why. "I.. I think I need a moment.." I mumbled, angry tears springing to my eyes.
"Damn. A person goes to work and misses all the drama." Ash said quietly from the doorway before striding to my side to hug me to them.
Zeev POV
I could hear and feel Harlee's soft whimpers from the bedroom. I had expected her to be as enraged as I was, but instead, she was somehow upset at me and I was very confused. I sat on the sofa, tired of pacing, letting my shoulders slump as I rested my elbows on my knees. Sands sat next to me quietly.
"I don't understand Sands." I sighed. Sands gave a light laugh.
"Harlee and I had a conversation about something similar recently. But in this case, I think I need to remind you that Harlee just went through something incredibly traumatic, that she appeared to be taking well-perhaps too well?" Sands asked me, causing me to look at him. He nodded, seeing I had noticed the reaction as well. "It is entirely possible her reaction has very little to do with you Zeev and very much to do with what she has gone through." Sands told me gently. I ran a hand through my hair.
"This is too much Sands. Even I am struggling under the burden. She is only human. When will she break?" I murmured sadly.
"She won't. Because she has us." Ash stated with assurance, coming into the room, Cael held in their arms.
Harlee POV
Surprisingly, it was Sam who popped into the bedroom after Ash left with Cael. He sat silently on the edge of the bed, almost looking like he was scowling. Finally tired of the silence, I turned to him.
"Sam?" I asked with a tinge of irritation. He jumped slightly and looked at me like he'd forgotten I was there.
"I wish you'd stop calling me that." He ran his hand down his face. "Now everyone else is doing it." He sighed. The absurdity of the moment made me laugh, and then start crying all over again. Sam looked bewildered, but in the next instant had smashed me against his chest. Should death smell so sweet? I turned my face into Sam's chest and gripped his shirt, allowing myself to cry. He cradled me more gently against him, pulling my body almost into his lap, and his brown sugar scent seemed to help calm me down.
"It's not like I don't notice all of this crap is unfair. I'm tired of hurting. I'm tired of being hurt. I'm tired of people hurting us. I just want to live my life and raise my babies with Ash and Zeev and Sands and you. I want to enjoy what's left of my human life in peace!" I cried. "I'm so tired Sam." I sighed He rubbed my back gently.
"Harlee... I... Mistress.. I'm sorry." Sam said softly. I pulled away from Sam to look at him.
"Why?" I asked, confused.
"For attacking you. For hurting you, and torturing you, and causing you more pain. For everything!" Sam looked and sounded distraught. I smiled softly.
"I wasn't saying any of this to make you feel guilty Sam. I was saying it because I needed your comfort. I told you because I feel I can trust you, because I love you Sam." I gave him a gentle smile, and he looked momentarily confused, and then suddenly very proud. I snuggled back into his chest and felt him cradling my head and back again.
"I still wish you'd stop calling me Sam-." His voice rumbled through his chest and I snickered.
Zeev POV
I stared at the Prince, still bound to a chair in the bathtub. I could feel the expression on my face become darker as he looked at me with a raised brow as if in challenge.
"Between the four of us, is there enough power to obliterate him?" I muttered to Sands. The Prince jerked slightly as if never considering we might make that choice.
"Perhaps-but the ramifications.." Sands replied.
"Screw 'em. We're outcasts anyway. What do we care what happens to Heaven or Hell?" I muttered darkly. Sands looked at me with shock and I rubbed my neck. "Sorry my friend, I am very tired of all of this and we still have no idea how to handle this fool." Sands put a comforting hand on my shoulder.
"Why don't you take Harlee and Cael and just get away for the day while Ash is at work?" Sands suggested. I mulled it over. It actually wasn't a bad idea, and I mentally ran through a list of potential places.
"Thank you for the suggestion, Brother. I think I'll check with Harlee and-"
"Yes!" She practically screeched, she was carrying Cael who honestly should be at the very least crawling at this point, if any one of us would let him out of their arms long enough. I suspected he was actually capable of that and much more, but just bore with it for Harlee's sake. Hell, maybe he even enjoyed the pampering. "And I don't care where we go-I just want out. But I do want to stop by and say hi to Ash and I think it's time to buy Cael a few more clothes, but mostly.." She leaned up and kissed me. "..I can't wait to spend some time alone with you." I felt like I should be blushing, and she giggled and pranced off to get ready. Sands laughed beside me and I rubbed my face.
"Just what the Hell did you get me into?" I asked.
Harlee POV
"Oh my GOD!" Squealed Kayla. "He's gotten so big!" She pulled Cael up out of his stroller with a grunt. "Are you walking yet little man? When are you gonna talk to me? You're always so quiet. No smiles for your Aunty Kayla?" She continued to babble to Cael as I pulled Ash aside, who pouted.
"I wish I could come." Ash nuzzled their face into my neck. I laughed.
"Then how about your next day off, we go and do the same, just you and me?" I asked. Ash immediately brightened.
"Well it won't be exactly the same." Ash purred. "But yes please! You've been needing some new clothes, so save that for me, we'll figure out the rest later." Another nuzzle accompanied by a slight grazing of teeth along my neck. I shivered.
"Mmm. Ok." I hummed. Zeev wrapped his arms around me, and then tugged Ash into the embrace.
"Look at our son." He murmured. We all looked at Kayla, who was holding both of Cael's hands as he took hesitant baby steps forward on the customer service counter, to her cheering and compliments. I covered my mouth, tears springing to my eyes.
"Baby..." I whispered softly. I felt Zeev's gentle squeeze of comfort. My heart was filled with a mix of joy and sorrow.