Chapter 137

Charles woke me early, making sure that we used another of his new condoms before work. However this time, we focused on quick pleasure to connect, at least briefly, before we parted ways.

I went out and did another interview with Theo tagging along. If he knew what had altered my mood, he didn’t bring it up, but he didn’t mention how happy he was to see me smiling again.

My exuberance lasted all day, turning into pure joy when I came home and heard childlike voices through the door. Charles’s family had arrived.

I hurried inside to find them all sitting around the living room with Charles, talking. Soren and Emily jumped up and ran to greet me, each giving me a quick hug.

My heart fairly melted. This was what having a family was like. This is what I had missed out on my whole life. And when things were safe and my career was settled, this was what I wanted for Charles and me.

I was so glad to have a partner who understood my need to wait. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if his mother pressed the engagement this weekend. Perhaps he had been worried about nothing.

An engagement would certainly show any enemies that we weren’t bothered by them and their threats. Besides, with everybody fawning all over us here in Packhaven, maybe we could milk such an occasion for a little extra.

Soren took my hand while I was still in the kitchen with Theo close behind me. He looked up at me with honesty in his eyes.

“Miss Elena, you’re going to be our aunt, right?”

I blushed and ducked my head. “Charles hasn’t asked me,” I murmured. “But I wouldn’t mind.”

He cocked his head, looking at me curiously. “Then, is it okay if I ask why you don’t have a scent?”

His mother hurried into the kitchen and snatched him away, shushing him and whispering furiously in his ear.

He twisted and glanced between me and Theo before throwing out one last question. “Uncle Charles says he can smell her, and so does Grandma. Do you?”

Theo blushed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not involved in family matters,” he stammered.

He hurried off, shutting the door between apartments. While he retreated, Jennifer rushed Soren off into the spare bedroom and shut the door.

This left me standing alone in the kitchen, feeling very awkward. Not because Theo clearly didn’t smell my scent but because he avoided the topic. In fact, now that I thought about it, no one here in Packhaven mentioned anything about my scent, or the lack thereof. Odd. In Lustrum, it was always a topic, and in Lupinton, it had been a source of hostility between Governor Kruck and me.

As if the situation here needed anything else weird. Now I was wondering why nobody had so much as even mentioned my scent.

Before I could fully ponder this, Gwen came into the kitchen and hooked her arm around my waist, leaning to whisper, “He’s just a child. He doesn’t mean anything by it. I think you smell lovely, dear. I can see why my Charles is so enamored with you.”

This sent a new blush across my face. “Thank you. I like your scent, too. You may make me think of something clean and warm and homey.”

She laughed. “Yes, I’ve been told my clean cotton smell has that effect on people. It puts them in a relaxed state of mind. But nothing compared to yours, my dear.”

She drew a deep breath of me and then let it out with a sigh. “I swear you could relax me enough to feel like I was at a spa. All I need are cucumbers over my eyes.”

She gave me a one-armed hug and then let go. “Whatever it is, my grandson is surely missing out by not being able to smell it, and to hell with anybody else who can’t.”

She let me over and stood me beside Charles. “As matriarch, I suppose, I get to dictate the order of ceremonies for this family holiday? I think the best way to start would be a visit to the moon goddess’s temple.”

“I just went to a really nice one,” I said. “I’ll have David take us back to that one.”

Gwen made the smallest pout at the mention of having to take a bodyguard but said nothing. She was too much the practiced socialite.

“Excellent, and then afterward, I think we should have a proper family dinner.” She looked me in the eye and then focused her unnerving gaze on Charles. “Then, at dinner, I think there are things that we need to discuss.”

Charles blushed and looked away. “I don’t think that’s necessary, Mother.”

“It is.” Her tone indicated that was the end of the discussion.

“If you wish, Mother,” Charles said with a sigh. “Shall we all change and get ready for the temple?”

“Good idea,” Gwen said, shutting down any further argument.

The trip to the moon goddess’s temple was nothing like my trip. First off, the temple was full of other people, all paying their respects to the moon goddess. A festival atmosphere ruled as they all got ready for the holiday.

This was amplified by the fact that we went as a group with the children. Like most kids, Soren and Emily were super excited about the holiday. I don’t think they ever stopped talking.

By the time we got back to our apartment, I was exhausted, just trying to listen to all of their chatter. This also created doubts that I would be able to handle having children of my own. How on earth did Jennifer do it?

Gwen must have placed an order with local caterers because just after we got back, the doorbell rang, and she hurried to answer it. She led in a young lady and a young man with their arms full of delicious-smelling packages. The aroma of savory chicken, starchy rice, sweet moon cakes, and succulent vegetables filled the apartment.

The kids clamored to get at the food, but Gwen swatted them away. “Just because we didn’t cook the meal here doesn’t mean that we are not going to sit down and have a civilized dinner,” she admonished.

“Yes, Grandma,” they said and retreated to the living room, flipping on the TV.

“Jennifer, you and Elena set the table,” Gwen directed. “Andy, you and Charles, remove this food from the delivery packaging and make sure that it’s all the proper temperature. Then put it in serving dishes and set it out on the table.”

“Yes, Mother,” Charles said, giving his mom a kiss on the cheek.

She started removing the packages and setting them in front of the men while I opened up the cupboards to show Jennifer where the dishes were.

The door between the apartments opened, and Theo poked his head out. “Elena? A word?” he called.

I set the dishes I was holding on the table. I’d spread them out in a moment.

Theo cast his gaze around the busy room. “You guys aren’t going anywhere tonight, right?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Then would you mind if I left and had my holiday dinner with Violet and her family? David can keep an eye on both you and Charles.”

“Doesn’t he have family to spend this with?”

“It’s okay. David and I already discussed who would get to leave for the holiday. It’s part of a job like this. There’s a lunar eclipse later this year. He’s going to join his family for that while I stay.”

I said, “I’ll double-check with Charles, but I don’t think that’s a problem.” I motioned for him to follow.

I caught Charles in the kitchen setting chicken out on a serving dish. “We’re not going anywhere tonight, are we? Theo wants to know if he can leave and go have the celebration dinner at Violet’s.”

“I think that sounds more than reasonable,” Charles said. “I’m not planning on going anywhere.”

“All right, then,” Theo said with a smile. “I’m going to go grab my jacket, and I will be back until…” he grinned at Charles, “if I’m lucky enough, in the morning.”

Theo’s departure drove guilt through my guts. I found Gwen in the kitchen.

“Gwen, I feel really bad for David. He’s missing the holiday with his family so that he can keep Charles and me safe. I hate to ask since you bought it, but do you think there’s enough food here for me to make him a plate of the holiday food?”

She smiled at me. “I love that you’re such a caring person, how you think of others. Of course, we can spare enough for a plate for him.”

She immediately went to the cupboard and drew out a plate, taking a healthy portion of each type of food and loading the plate up. She handed it back to me.

“Tell him if he wants more, all he has to do is ask. I made sure that there would be plenty for everyone.”