"So what are you doing for work again?" Stix picked at a piece of fried chicken on his paper plate.

"I'm a... a... receptionist at a dentist office."

Her hesitation made Stix look at her. She waved at Andre.

Andre climbed up the ladder to a baby slide and stood at the top smiling.

"Good job, Buddy," he called.

Stix felt Andrea's gaze on him, but he didn't turn. He wasn't sure how much more awkward things could be between them. He'd been trying hard to understand her position and why she'd done what she'd done, but he still couldn't come to terms with it.

"So, the restaurant looks like it's doing well. Are the other doing well too?"

"They're good."

"And your parents? How are they?"

He glanced at her and then back to Andre. "Good."

"Stix." She placed her hand on his. "I don't want this to be weird between us. I want us to be able to raise Andre together."

Stix gazed at her hand and slid his out from under hers. "I would have liked that from the beginning."

"Stix-"

"Look, Andrea. I'm not sure what you want from me or why you came back. It's fine if you want to keep that to yourself but I want you to know I intend on mating Satia. We would have been mated already but you and Andre showed up, and I've had to put it off. So she is going to be in Andre's life too."

"I want you in his life... and if that means Satia as well, then... I'll have to learn to live with that."

Stix stared at her for a moment and found nothing but truth in her eyes. He nodded.

"For what it's worth she seems like a nice person."

"She is."

Stix got to his feet and jogged over to where Andre was getting ready to go down the slide. He held his arms out at the bottom. Andre slid down, and Stix caught him at the bottom. They laughed, and Stix swung him around in a circle.

Andre smiled at Stix and then he laid his head on Stix's shoulder and squeezed him tight. Stix's ursa chuffed with happiness.

The next week passed quickly for Stix and Satia. They fell into a routine with Stix and Satia heading to the gym first thing in the morning and then Andre coming over while Andrea went to work. Her picking him up before Stix left for the restaurant. Satia continued to work on the house. She'd gotten the bedrooms upstairs repainted and redecorated. He appreciated her thrifty ways and how she wasn't one to spend money on unnecessary items.

Over the week he came home to find new things here and there to brighten up the rooms or change outdated items but never too much.

As Saturday rolled around, he decided he couldn't wait any longer. Again he asked Deacon to take over the restaurant and collect the receipts at the other locations so he could take Satia out. Deacon agreed, and Stix told Satia to dress nice.

As they walked toward the small Italian restaurant, which had become his favorite Stix fiddled with the little black box in his pocket. He'd never been that nervous before. He opened the door for her, and she smiled up at him. Again he was struck with the feeling of completeness.

Elonzo, the Maître D, welcomed them and showed them to a booth.

Satia sat. "This place smells amazing. "

"The food is incredible."

She searched his face. "Are you okay?"

He smiled trying not to let his fear show. "Of course."

The waiter appeared, and Stix ordered a bottle of wine and two plates of pasta.

"I love what you've done with the house," he said.

"Thank you. It's a place with lots of warmth to it."

The waiter brought the wine and poured them each a glass before leaving the bottle. Stix grabbed his and gulped it down and then filled it again. Satia eyed him with concern as she sipped her drink and replaced it on the table.

"I was wondering if you'd mind if I brought up some of the photographs in the basement," she said.

"Sure. Whatever you want."

Her gaze dropped to the table, and she moved her glass in a circle. "I thought it might be nice to bring up a few photos of you and Deacon and Opal."

Stix's gut clenched. "I'd... like that."

"Why don't you or your parents talk about her? Where is she?"

Sorrow burrowed inside him. "She's in a mental hospital. She's been there for about a year."

"Do you see her?"

Shame burned his cheeks, and he shook his head. "I haven't for over six months. Seeing her in there... it's just hard."

Satia reached across the table and gripped his hand. "I'd like to meet her with you. In the past weeks being in the basement and searching the boxes I feel like I've gotten to know her somewhat."

Stix stared at her unable to believe his good fortune in having found her. In a rush, words tumbled from his mouth. "You are the best thing that's ever happened to me. I can't even imagine what I did to be so lucky to have been blessed to have you come into my life. Satia I want you for myself now and forever. Will you marry me? Become my mate?"

He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out the black box. He dropped it to the ground and picked it up again. By the time he got it on the table he was so nervous, he wanted to run.

Her fingers trembled as she reached for the box and opened it. Tears welled in her eyes.

"It's too expensive," she whispered.

Stix pulled the three-carat princess cut diamond out of the box and took her hand in his. "There aren't enough diamonds on Earth to equal your value."

A tear spilled down her cheek, and she nodded. "Yes. Yes."

Stix slipped the ring on her finger and she leaped from the booth and kissed him. He picked her up and hugged her tight, his ursa roaring with happiness.

Around them claps and cheers sounded. Stix and Satia laughed as he set her back on her feet. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him again.

They sat back in the booth and the waiter brought out a complimentary bottle of champagne. Stix found he couldn't stop beaming as the waiter poured the bubbly and handed them each a glass.

Satia chuckled.

"What?"

She shook her head. "You seemed so nervous I had no idea what was going on. I thought for sure you were going to ask me to leave or something."

He picked up her hand and kissed it. "Never."

* * *

Satia couldn't keep the smile off her face. Everything had moved so fast between them and yet it felt like they'd always been meant to be. She devoured her pasta and they both talked about the future and what they wanted. He'd looked into the design college for her and found out that enrollment opened soon. He'd printed out the applications for her to read. They spoke about the changes to the restaurant and different ideas for the bar. They talked about Andre and about a community education class Stix had found online for them to take so they could learn sign language better. For the first time in her life, Satia found herself dreaming of the future without fear of the past.

After dinner, they walked arm in arm around the city. Stix showed her his favorite spots and pointed out various places he'd visited or had memories of as a child. After being on Earth for two weeks, she found that she was adjusting better to the sights, sounds and smells of so many people. Even so, she could still only take so much of it before a twinge of panic crept into her chest.

They got on the train and headed back to the house. The excitement had them barely able to keep their hands off each other. Stix's mouth was on hers as he tried to put the key in the lock of the front door. He pinned her against the door with his weight and kissed her hard. A shudder traversed her body, and her saber roared with delight.

She slid her hand down the front of his pants and felt him harden against her palm.

Stix growled. "We better hurry inside."

She nodded in agreement.

He slid the key in the lock and pushed the door open making her almost fall to the ground. She backed up into the hallway and stripped off her coat. Stix slammed the door closed and locked it before turning to her. Their mouths and hands on each other's skin they stripped off every stitch of clothing before they hit the floor in the living room. Stix covered her body with his and kissed down her chest. Satia's saber lurched to life wanting to be in charge. She wrapped her legs around Stix and flipped him on his back.

His eyes brightened as she poised over him and raised his arms above his head. She swirled her tongue around his hard nipples. He moaned and whispered her name.

She licked her way across his chest and then up his throat. She slid her tongue over the taut muscles of his neck and her fangs elongated. He gripped her hips, and she circled him. Her body and saber craved the feeling of being joined to him. She allowed him to guide her hips to his and she slid down on top of him. He growled deep in his chest, and Satia's fangs grazed his shoulder.

His fingers dug into her skin and she nipped at his neck.

"I want you," he panted. "Now and forever."

She rocked her hips against his. "You are mine." She bit down on his shoulder her fangs piercing his skin. Stix let out a roar and pulled her to him biting her in return. She moved her hips frantically the need to feel him inside her almost consuming. He pulled on her hard and fast. Within a minute her body pulled tight around his, and her spine snapped taut as her head fell backward. Her saber roared as she called his name and climaxed. Her name fell from his lips like a silent prayer, and together they rode the waves of pleasure until they were spent. Satia collapsed onto his chest her heart thumping and her saber content.

She kissed his dark soft curls and allowed the aftershocks to wash through her.

Minutes passed with them tangled in each other's arms. "I love you, Satia."

Her chest squeezed tight. "I love you as well."

He kissed her softly once more and then his phone buzzed in the pocket of his pants.

She rolled off him so he could answer it and he pulled her back to him. "Where are you going?"

"Your phone is ringing."

He chuckled. "We just finished the mating bond. I think my phone can wait a few minutes."

She smiled and snuggled back into him. They lay together staring up at the ceiling. Neither of them spoke, no words were needed. The peace that fell between being together was like none other. Satia closed her eyes, wishing they could stay like that for the rest of their lives.

Again their peace was interrupted by the buzzing of Stix's phone. A chill swept over Satia.

"I think you should answer that. They've called twice now."

Stix looked over at the phone. "It can wait."

"What if it's important?"

"Nothing is as important as this." He pulled her closer and kissed her again.

The phone stopped buzzing only to start again. Without asking Satia jumped to her feet.

"Satia."

She dug the phone out of his pants pocket. "It's Andrea."

Stix sighed and got to his feet. Satia handed him the phone and then began gathering up their shed clothing.

"Hello? Andrea... wait... wait slow down. What?"

Satia froze her eyes going to Stix. His concern turned to panic in an instant.

"Where are you? I'll be right there. Stay there!"

Stix rushed to Satia and grabbed his clothes from her throwing them on.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"It's Andre. He's shifting."

Satia nodded. "I'm coming with you."

He shook his head. "No. I want you to stay here."

"Satia, I want you safe."

Her gaze steadied on him. "I'm safe when I'm with you. And besides, I am pretty sure you shouldn't be going in there alone."

He wanted to protest but before he could say anything Satia threw on the clothes she'd been wearing and grabbed her sneakers from by the front door. Stix grabbed his keys and together they ran for the motorcycle.

"Where are they?" she asked, as he rolled the bike out of the garage.

"At her family's compound."

Satia swallowed hard. "Give me your phone."