Celeste:
Novi danced in, a garment bag hung off his arm. Stepping back, my eyes fell on our twins. My heart melted at their adorable wolf pajamas, their golden eyes glittering with pure love. Staring at the calendar, a couple of weeks had passed. Rubbing the back of my head, Novi had suggested that he had a surprise for me today. Avalanche spun into the room with a wide grin, his usual t-shirt and jean outfit not surprising me at all.
"I am here to watch the newest little ones." He sang gleefully, the twins reaching for him. "Are you happy to play with your favorite cousin?" Scooping them up, he was a natural. Glancing up at me, his grin grew wider at the sight of me.
"They look like their mother. Go on your precious date night. I am more than capable." He assured me pleasantly, shoving me into the bathroom. "Get ready." Unsure of what to feel, Novi passed me the garment bag. Hanging it on the door, my jaw dropped to the floor. A silky golden dress hung off a simple hanger, my finger tracing the smooth silk. Peeling off my sweatshirt dress, my trembling fingers tugged the dress over my head. Tears welled up in my eyes, the memory of Hell haunting me. Sliding down the wall, my breath shortened in seconds. Clutching my aching chest, clammy sweat drenched my skin. My heartbeat echoed in my ears, every beat picking up speed. Novi poked his head in, crouching down to my level. Yanking me into his loving embrace, his warmth bathing me.
"Think about my smile." He whispered gently, kissing the top of my head. Picturing his genuine smile in a golden ray of sunlight, my breathing slowed down back to normal. Lifting up my chin with his finger, his lips pressed against mine sweetly. A tender blush painted my cheeks, my heart fluttering at his handsome face. His hair hung just right, his golden eye catching my attention.
"You look beautiful." He chimed with his real smile, lowering his hands to my hips. "The golden silk brings out your eyes. One more thing, I have something else for you." Clipping a necklace around my neck, his lips brushed against the nape of my neck. Dripping the golden chain in my fingers, a diamond wolf with a sapphire wolf caught my eyes. Tears welled up in my eyes, the piece had to be custom. Wait a second, I didn't deserve this.
"I had it made so people always know that you belong to me." He continued sweetly, spinning me around to face him. Wiping away my tears, his hand cupped my face. Snuggling into his palm, a weak smile dawned on my lips. Kissing his hand, my lips brushed against his wedding band. Scarlet painted his cheeks, a slight stubble capturing my attention. Playing with the short spiky hairs dotting his chin, a nervous grin twitched on his lips.
"I like the stubble, perhaps you could grow a beard." I purred sensually, regretting my words. "I am sorry. I am giving the signal that I want to do things and I'm not ready." Resting my forehead on his chest, my fingers traced his navy Italian suit.
"I know. I wolf you." He proclaimed with a twinkle in his eyes, dancing with me around the bathroom. Swinging me underneath him, his lips locked with mine passionately. Time stopped, my heart skipped a beat. His kisses worked like magic, the stress melting away. How did I get along before him? Swinging me back up, a tender moment hung between us. The love in his eyes melted my heart, fresh tears pouring from my eyes. The door burst open, Tammy held her makeup bag. My heart sank at her puffy swollen face, surprise rounded my eyes at her sudden embrace. Every emotion soaked my shoulders, the fact that she couldn't have children tearing her apart. Cupping her face, all the breath left her. A numb look haunted me, my mind racing through what to say.
"I don't know what to say to comfort you." I admitted honestly, my lips pressing into a thin line. "All I can do is hold you when you need it. I won't ever know what it's like to not be able to have children. You have Amy who loves you with every ounce of her body." Flashing a bright smile, her hands cupped mine. Tears stained her cheeks, my best friend looked seconds from crumbling.
"I don't understand you at all." She joked tenderly, her tears slowing to a stop. "You said the right things. It feels like I am talking to an elderly lady sometimes." Sitting me down on the toilet, my eyes narrowed in her direction. Focusing on her soft wool pink sweater, the distraction did little to quell my inner thoughts. What gave her the right to compare me to an elderly lady! However, seeing her smile took the sting away. Smoothing out her white pencil skirt, her humming echoed in my ear.
"I am not an elderly lady." I huffed impatiently, Novi hiding his smile underneath his hand. "Life experience is what creates that type of aura. Enough bad things have happened to me to get me here." Chuckling softly to herself, she painted a shimmering scarlet on my eyelids. A quick flick of her wrists colored my lips a deep crimson.
"I know you aren't an elderly lady but you really are a polite queen." She assured me with her real smile, her dainty fingers twisting my hair into an intricate side bun. Sliding on a pair of golden heels, she pulled me to my feet. Guiding me to the mirror, my jaw dropped. The top part draped perfectly over my ample breasts, the skirt floating off my hips. My usual black bags were hidden, my hand tracing my slightly too thin body. Putting her finger up in the air, she tucked a ruby rose into my bun. Clutching her close to my chest, tears of joy threatened to ruin my makeup. Please don't undo what she has already done.
"Thanks for making me pretty." I stammered awkwardly, her grip tightening. "Thanks for being my first friend. I don't know what I would do without you. I want you to do one thing for me." Her wet eyes met mine, my hands cupping her face. A silent what poured from her lips, my real smile easing her nerves.
"I need to enjoy what you have instead of what you can't have. I have been deprived of food, and the basic necessities ever since I was ten. When you go through all of that shit, you have to cherish what you have." I explained serenely, her sweet smile growing bigger. "Amy is your world now. Treat her like that. Can you do that for me?" Nodding her head, her heels clicked away. Calling for Amy, Novi hooked his elbow into mine.
"Shall we go, Celly?" He beamed with pride, grabbing my purse on the way out. "We have a place to be." Placing me on his back, his dress shoes crunched through the snow. Smokestack and Onyxio sat in the back in simple gray suits with earpieces quivering in the breeze, my lips parting to speak. Smokestack shifted uncomfortably next to Onyxio, his throat clearing.
"We offered to become the security team tonight." He explained cautiously, praying that I didn't lose my temper. Smiling warmly in their direction, their fraying nerves relaxed. The car door opened, Meridia shoved her way in. Smoothing out her matching suit, her dainty fingers shoved an earpiece into place. Smirking in their direction, wicked laughter rumbled in her throat.
"You guys didn't think that I was going to let you have all of the fun." She teased with a wild grin, her curls swaying the moment she shut her door. "Are you going to get your lady in the car before she freezes?" Novi snapped awake, setting me down in the passenger's seat. Clicking my seat belt into place, his lips brushed against the top of my head. Closing the door gingerly, these damn heels were starting to hurt like hell. Pushing through the pain, my attention turned to my security team.
"Thank you for protecting me tonight. I really appreciate it. A girl couldn't ask for better friends." I thanked them with my genuine smile. All of the air escaped Smokestack, his ears not quite used to the words. Flashing me a thumbs up, no one protested as I pulled out a book from the glove box. Getting lost in the world of the book, the brakes squealing alarmed me. Glancing up, Novi's gallery glowed in the night. My security team got out of the car, Meridia opened my door for me. Helping me out, jealousy flashed in Novi's eyes. A chef was arguing with Stella, her navy dress sparkling in the light coming from the gallery. Cursing up a storm, the chef marched off. Running up to her, she massaged her head as stress wore on her face.
"I will do the cooking." I offered sincerely, my eyes falling on the crepes station. "I used to make crepes all the time for my clan's party." Letting myself in, I kicked off the damn heels. Preparing the batter, my eyes fell on my framed party. It all made sense now, Novi visibly panicking at the first hiccup. Rushing to my side, the words couldn't seem to come out.
"You are supposed to enjoy the evening." He groaned bitterly, running his hands through his hair. "Maybe w-" Raising my hand in the air, the more important thing was keeping his gallery's reputation solid. Yanking him down by his tie, my lips kissed him hungrily. The stress left his body, his muscles relaxing. His stunned look said it all, my loving gaze met his.
"I will make a speech later. I am going to keep your gallery reputation intact." I promised sweetly, Novi taking off his jacket. Rolling up his sleeves, he winked at me. My heart fluttered, his arms wrapping around the small of my back. Pressing his lips against mine tenderly, every cell in my body wanted this moment to last.
"Then I will cook next to you." He chimed jovially, dropping an apron over my head. "Let's stun them together." Letting him tie my apron, his nimble fingers tied his apron around his waist. Helping me prepare everything, my love for him grew exponentially. Instead of yelling at me, he chose to go along with my crazy plan. The party was ten minutes away, my hands began to tremble. Scooping me up, he sat me on the counter. Cupping my hands, his crooked grin did little to ease my nerves.
"What if they hate them?" I queried shakily, my heart rate picking up. "What if I t-" Kissing the top of my hands, a tender blush rose to my cheeks. How was I so blessed to have him in my life?
"I have faith that they will love it." He assured me lovingly, letting go of my hands. "Fuck them if they hate it. Somebody will always love your work. Look at that, the people are here." Helping me down, a single tear fell down my cheeks. An overwhelming sensation crashed over me, Novi's words were fading in and out. Pull yourself together. Horror widened my eyes, clammy sweat drenching my skin.
"I died because of you." A busted up Saint taunted cruelly, his form standing in the center of the crowd. "You let me die. You let his mother die as well." A hand touching my shoulder snapped me back to reality, his old man shaking my shoulders. Taking the apron from over my head, he passed me my heels.
"Tammy called me and you said that you didn't have a chef. The night is supposed to be about you two." He chatted pleasantly, noticing the fear in my eyes. "Are you seeing things again?" Shaking my head, the stool groaned as I sat down to tug on my heels, Novi finishing up with the last button. Find an excuse, you freaking idiot.
"I am simply nervous about my show." I choked out anxiously, neither one buying my explanation. "Let's mingle." Novi guided me from the crepe station, introducing me to the important people in the art world. A bloody hand grabbed mine, his mother's face inches from mine. Her sweet smile twisted into a malicious one, my eyes noticing the blood matting her hair. Hiding my horror through a bright smile, her next words sent chills up my spine.
"Some kind of daughter you are. You couldn't even get rid of my cancer." She spat viciously, grabbing me by my neck. "You should be dead, not me." Gritting her teeth, blood began to rain from the ceiling. My chest tightened, Novi glancing over at me. The outside noises stopped, the sound of the blood raining was all I heard.
"I need to go to the bathroom." I stuttered awkwardly, sprinting into the bathroom. His mother's footsteps followed me, a coat of ruby soaking my outfit. Tears flooded from my eyes, every breath growing shorter. I was supposed to be getting better, not worse. Sliding down the wall, a knife glistened in her palm. My claws extended slowly, the white tiles cracking underneath my grip. Raising the blade into the air, a scream burst from my lips. The door smashed open, Novi yanked me into his arms. Holding my quaking form, the hallucinations fading away. Sobbing into his shoulder, my fingers gripped his jacket. Clutching me closer to his chest, my sobs grew more violent. What the hell was that! Sneaking down the hall, he stole me away to his office. Locking the door behind him, he hid underneath the desk with me. Yanking me in between his legs, his head rested on my chin.
"This is the smallest space we have. We can stay here until you calm down." He promised serenely, my breathing slowing down. "Here." Dropping an empty pad into my trembling hands, he pulled a pencil from his ears. Accepting it cautiously, the tip danced across the paper. Not knowing how much time had passed, a strained oh left Novi's lips. His mother's bloody face haunted the paper, my hand throwing the pad away. Popping to my feet, the party was still raging. Placing my hands on my hips, a false smile dimmed my features. Control, I needed control.
"I am not going to explain that until I process it myself. Let's get down there and mingle." I chirped cheerfully, attempting to hide my fear through a bright facade. "I kind of want to hear what people are saying." Crawling out from under the desk, choosing to embrace me from behind. Resting his chin on my head, a long sigh poured from his lips. He knew this battle couldn't be won.
"Are you sure you're okay?" He inquired with worry dripping in his voice. "I don't want to push you." Squirming out of his arms, I danced around. Leaning forward, my genuine smile relaxed his nerves.
"I will talk about it with Dr. Benston over the phone tomorrow if it makes you feel better." I promised sincerely, his expression softened. "Aren't you curious about the commentary? I know I am." Chuckling softly for himself, his hand rested on my hip. Dancing around with me, he swung me underneath him.
"I will dial the number myself." He growled huskily, my breath hitching. "Is that a deal?" Sealing the deal with a lustful kiss, his lips refused to let me go. A knock interrupted us, Stella letting herself in. Spinning around, she stole me from Novi. Cupping my face, the champagne was on her breath.
"We sold them all. We managed to raise ten billion dollars." She bragged gleefully, her pocket full of business cards. "They think you are lovely. I am so proud of you." The number broke me, my soul essentially leaving my body. Stepping back, my finger raised up in the air. Clearing my throat, my heels clicking towards the trash can. Emptying my stomach's contents, the shock led me to this point. Continuing to toss everything up, Novi rubbed my back. Finishing up, I wiped the corner of my mouth.
"Ddddidd you just say ten bbbbillion dollars?" I stuttered with bewilderment, the corner of my lip twitching. "You must be lying." Hyperventilating myself into another panic attack, Novi didn't know what reaction to fall into. Stella helped me to my feet, my paleness would alarm anyone. Getting me a bottle of water, she fussed over me like his mother used to. Tears welled up in my eyes, my fingers playing with the hem of my skirt.
"Do you think his mother would have liked my paintings?" I asked quietly, my bangs obscuring my eyes. "Do you think she would be proud of me? Do you think she hates me for not curing her cancer with my touch? You guys must hate me." Sinking deeper into the pool of depression and deep sorrow, Novi pushed her out of the way. Silent tears stained my cheeks, my makeup was surely ruined. Wiping my tears away, sorrow haunted his face. Tracing my cheek with his thumb, his genuine smile lightened my mood.
"I know she would have loved them. Hell, she would have bought them all." He commented with a watery voice, my head snuggling into his palm. "From what I understand, death already had his hold on her. You can't win against death." Knowing that he was right, my eyeliner colored his fingers. Wiping the makeup off my eyes, Stella passed him one of her new eyeliners. Painting a flawless look, so many questions rested on the tip of my tongue.
"How do you know how to put on makeup?" I inquired curiously, a glint twinkling in my eyes. Embarrassment burned his cheeks, Stella laughing maniacally as she passed me a photo of an emo Novi. Eyeliner lined his ash gray eyes, my eyes meeting his. Yet with all the emo rock band clothing, he was still him with the same haircut he had today.
"Tonight will be the night I will fall for you." I sang jovially, Novi's head shaking. "I definitely would have dated you in high school. You were my type." His cheeks faded back to normal, my heart fluttering at how innocent he looked. Moments like these should last or an eternity.
"Shut up." He groaned with an impressive eye roll. "Let's get you downstairs, Celly." Guiding me downstairs, the classical music did little to quell my fraying nerves. Presenting me proudly, he cleared his throat.
"May I present the artist Celeste Duvont! Can we give her a round of applause!" He announced with a million dollar smile. "Thank you for your purchases and enjoy the rest of the evening." Returning to the gallery, my anxious eyes watched the crowd. Dread bubbled in my gut, his arm around my waist stealing me away from the start of another panic attack. Why couldn't I be excited? Having always been this way, no answer could explain it. Smacking my cheeks, Novi needed me to be normal. Taking a deep breath, I put on my brightest smile as people approached me with eager smiles. You can do this, I told myself. Yeah, I can do this.