Chapter Six

My alarm went off way earlier than I ever preferred it to, but we had a lot to get ready for today. I had batteries charged and backup batteries in case those batteries failed, and then backup batteries for those because I was paranoid that something would go wrong. I packed more memory cards than I could ever fill up in one day, but again, I needed to be super prepared. I even had a backup tripod and a tool kit in case I needed it.

We’d spent some time shopping at Montgomery’s, the store owned by Rafe Montgomery. We’d found a lot of fun Valentine’s Day themed props for the couples to choose from. That store was magical in that it always seemed to have exactly what you needed. I’d also been able to give Rafe and his two mates, and his daughter Grace, a disc with their photos from the shot at the lake that I’d done for them. They all gushed over them.

Tony had coffee ready by the time I walked out of the bedroom. He had fallen asleep on the couch and not come to the bedroom last night.

“Good morning,” I said.

He smiled at me. “Good morning. You ready to get this day started?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I think I am.”

“It's going to be great,” he said.

“I know. It'll be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see all the couples.”

“Yeah,” he said. “Vale Valley seems to be bursting at the seams with love and happiness.”

“Thank you for helping me put this together. I never would have dreamed of doing something like this. It was really a great idea.”

“No problem,” he said. “I'm happy to help in any way that I can.”

“Hopefully you can say that afterward, when we're both exhausted and can hardly stand anymore. It's going to be a long day.”

“Yeah. And then it’ll be a long week because we've got a lot of photos to edit and deliver before Valentine’s Day.”

“Yeah,” I said. “I know.”

Tony handed me a cup of coffee. “Here, made this for you, I used the peppermint creamer you like.”

“Thanks.” I lifted the cup to my lips and the scent hit me like a ton of bricks

My stomach rolled. I recoiled and pushed it away from me toward him. He barely had in the cup in his hands before I took off and bolted to the bathroom.

Tony was right behind me, rubbing my back as I emptied my stomach and then dry-heaved for a few minutes.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Not sure,” I said. “The smell of that coffee…” I shuddered and laid my hand over my stomach. “I think I'm just nervous for today.”

“The coffee?” he said, and he helped me up. “You sure you’re, all right? You look very pale. We can cancel today if you’re sick.”

“No, we can't cancel. I'm fine. I’m just nervous. No coffee today.”

He raised his brows at that. “No coffee?”

“Yeah, no coffee. I’ll be fine.” Maybe if I said it enough it would be true. I didn’t think it would be good for my business if I threw up all over the people I was photographing.

***

We arrived at the gazebo ahead of schedule, which I hoped would bode well for the day. My stomach still protested at the smallest scent. Damn nerves had never gotten to me like this before.

I helped Tony unload my car. We got the tripod set up and the props set aside so the couples could pick out what they wanted. We had hearts, picture frames, chalkboards, and a few silly things like heart-shaped sunglasses and feather boas.

Tony handled all the paperwork we'd need to get us started. Everyone had to sign an agreement that they would pay for their images they received and whatnot. It was Tony’s job to make sure that got signed and that we had the correct arrival time for each couple, so I could match up their pictures later.

Fifteen minutes after we arrived, my dads showed up with a box of donuts from the bakery and a large container of coffee, enough for an entire army. I didn't dare look at it, because the mere thought of coffee still had me wanting to run.

“This looks great,” my alpha dad said.

“Yeah, it's turning out nice. First client should be here in a few minutes.”

“Well, we just thought we'd stop by with coffee and donuts. This afternoon we'll come back and replenish your supplies and we'll bring the two of you lunch.”

My heart warmed, thankful that I had the support I needed from my family.

“That's awesome,” Tony said. “Thank you. Can I have one?”

“Sure,” my omega dad said, and he opened the box.

Tony picked out a donut and took a bite. He moaned in pleasure, which, despite my nausea still had an effect on me. “Wow, these are good. Where did they come from?”

“Slade’s bakery.”

Tony looked to me. “Oh man, we’ve got to go there sometime. We missed that place on the tour.”

I shrugged. “There's a lot of amazing businesses in Vale Valley. We can't get to all of them in one week.”

“Well, I'll just have to put it on my list of what to check out while I'm here.”

We hadn't talked about last night or the conversation we'd had at dinner, but I couldn't help but feel that tension about the future returning.

Tony finished off his donut and my dads went on their way.

Tony clapped his hands together and grinned at me. “You ready for this? You're going to be awesome. Anything you need from me, just let me know, all right? This is my first gig as a photographer's assistant.”

I laughed. “Well, when I snap my fingers you better be ready with whatever I need.”

He stood up straight and gave a mock salute. “I'll do my best. I'm really excited for this,” he said, “For you, for us.” He said that last bit quietly.

I nodded and stepped closer to him. I needed his strength. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a quick embrace.

“All right,” he said. “Let's get started.”

I made sure my camera was ready and waited for our first clients to arrive. It was a thruple Brian, Houston, and Dante. They’d just recently gotten back together at Christmas time and we're expecting twins, which I couldn't even imagine. As a cat shifter, large litters were common, but that didn't make the task of taking care of multiple babies any easier. I supposed being that I wanted to have children someday, I’d better get used to the idea of having multiples.

The morning went by quickly. My nausea subsided, and I was able to nibble on a croissant and drink a bit of water. As couples came in and got their photos done the excitement about editing them hit me. This was going to be amazing and fun, and I couldn't wait to see what the day resulted in.

Each couple was happy and in love and having fun. They expressed their excitement at getting their pictures, many mentioned scheduling full shoots for their families. I had couples of every sort: gay, lesbian, shifter, human, witches. Everything that Vale Valley had to offer. I even had a trio of bobcat shifters expecting their first child together. The three of them were so happy with one another, though I knew they had only been together since Christmas. Based on rumors I’d heard about the omega in their group, they deserved all the happiness in the world.

Around eleven we had a witch and human couple. Tony had recognized the human right away.

“Didn't that guy used to be on TV?” he said as he nudged me.

“Yeah,” I said. “He had that paranormal show where he debunked paranormal sightings around the world. Now he's in Vale Valley.”

Tony’s voice went low. “Aren't you worried about exposure?”

I shook my head. “No, there's no way he would do that to this town. Remind me to tell you the story of how he and his mate met and the chaos that nearly caused the town.”

“Wow,” Tony said. “Kind of funny that J.C. Hart spent his life trying to disprove the paranormal and then he literally settled in paranormal central.”

I laughed. “Yeah, no kidding. Mark’s great for him. They are pretty cute together.”

My dads came by that afternoon with lunch, my favorite tuna salad sandwich for me and a cheeseburger and fries for Tony. My omega dad clicked through the images on my camera.

“These are so amazing,” he said. “I didn't know Chance and Grayson signed up. They didn't mention that. That's awesome.”

“Yeah, we've had a great turnout. Everybody's been on time. It's been a lot of fun. I'm getting tired, though.”

Tony rubbed my back. “Do you need anything else? Water? Tea?”

I leaned into him. “I think I'm okay. Once we get moving again after our lunch break, I'll get my second wind.”

He kissed my cheek. “Just let me know if you need anything, all right?”

“I will,” I said and smiled at him. I caught my alpha dad’s eye as I turned back to my lunch. He had an odd look on his face. “What?”

He shook his head and gave me a small smile. “Nothing, it's just good to see you so happy.”

It hit me like cupid’s arrow. I was happy. Completely, utterly happy, doing what I loved with the people that I loved. I wasn’t thinking about the fact that I was alone, because I wasn’t. I had Tony. As long as I didn't think about Tony leaving for his trip, I could sit back and enjoy myself. Damn.

“So, who's on the list for this afternoon?” my omega dad asked.

“Sebastian and Will are coming,” I said.

“Oh, how exciting,” my omega dad said. “That'll be fun. I spoke with Rosemary the other day. She’s going to try to stop by toward the end of the day to see you. Something about a project for the town.”

“Cool,” I said. “It'll be good to see her again. “

“Where did you guys find these props?" my alpha dad asked.

“Montgomery's”

He nodded. “They've got whatever you need.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, they really do.”

Our first client after lunch arrived and my dads cleaned up our food and took off, letting us know that if we needed anything we could call.

Tony and I got right back to work. Once we get moving again, my fatigue subsided but anytime I sat still for too long I felt as if I could close my eyes and just drift off. Once this week was over and we got everything edited and delivered, I might take a few days off just to relax.

Tony was an absolute godsend the entire day, helping me, supporting me in any way that he could. He spoke with everyone who came out. He could make friends with just about anyone and it was amazing to watch him interact with the people of the town that I'd known my whole life. He definitely fit in here, more so than I ever thought possible. If only he could just stay here.

The afternoon sessions went by even quicker than the morning. By the time the last person left, we were only thirty minutes past schedule. Which was absolutely perfect, because that meant I would still get home in time to get eight hours of sleep before I had to wake up in the morning and edit until I couldn't edit anymore.

I had taken over fifteen hundred pictures, which was quite a lot. Somehow, I had to cut that down to just ten images per couple, maybe more since I knew I had gotten so many good ones. I wanted them to have all the images to choose from as their own personal keepsakes. Of course, Tony and I would pick from the best ones to print and put in the frames that came along with this session. I hoped we'd be making everybody's Valentine's Day special. And once we were done delivering everything, I might take a nap for several days.

My dads showed up again as we were picking up the last of the equipment and packing it away in the car. Tony closed the trunk and we leaned against it.

“Everything went well?” my alpha dad asked.

“Yeah,” I said. “It was wonderful. I think I’ll do this again, but maybe not promise that quick of a turnaround.”

Tony smiled. “No kidding. I wish I could help you edit, but unfortunately, I'd be lost in front of a computer.”

“That's all right,” I said. “You're going to be my gopher. Go for this, go for that.”

“Whatever you need. I'm here.”

I smiled. “Thanks.” I pushed off the car to go around to the driver's side so I could get in. I lifted my hand to wave at my dads, but the world shifted, and my vision blurred. My words didn't come out the way that I intended. I meant to say goodbye, but it came out as a garbled mess. Seeing the pavement get closer and closer was the last thing I remembered.