sniffle You guys are all so great. Sa-ry for taking so long to update, Writer’s Block has come to live with me it seems…urg…
Family
A little later Haigar looked down at the human he held in his arms. She lay beside him in the hammock, her eyes closed, her head on his shoulder, her breath ruffling the fur of his neck, one of her hands laid over his heart. She looked so peaceful… Haigar gently brushed a loose strand of hair from her face and stroked her cheek gently with one finger.
“I love you…” he murmured softly, knowing she wouldn’t hear him. He watched her breathing for a moment longer, then gently placed a hand over hers, the other resting lightly on the small of her back, holding her gently to him. He leant his head back with a contended sigh and a soft smile and closed his own eyes.
He felt her stir a little later and opened his eyes again to find her looking up at him fondly.
“Hey sleepyhead,” she smiled and kissed his neck gently, Haigar arched his neck and half moaned, half purred as she kissed all up the column of his throat and nuzzled at his jawline, his eyes closing sleepily. He felt her gently ease herself up so she was leaning over him as she kissed his throat again.
Haigar opened his eyes and smiled at her. Bailey smiled back at him, leaning her cheek on her arm across his chest as he laid a hand on her hip, his thumb stroking gently. He watched her for an instant, before he leaned forward and kissed her again, drawing away after a moment. Bailey smiled warmly and stroked his fur.
For a while there was just silence, the young Steef and human just gazing at each other. Eventually Bailey let out a happy sigh and a smile. She moved off Haigar, laying at his side once again and moved herself up so she was closer to him. Haigar turned his head so he was looking at her again as he kissed her, Bailey smiled and laid a hand on his neck as she kissed him back.
It was impossible not to see that the young couple were in love.
It was only when they heard Stranger clearing his throat did they stop kissing. Bailey squinted up at him and grinned, only saying; ‘Heya dad.’ Before she kissed Haigar again.
Stranger chuckled.
“’Ere you liddle varmint,” he said fondly, “All yeh’ve been doin’ all mornin’ is lazin’ around an’ cuddlin’ yeh lover boy there, s’time ter stop lazin’, c’mon!” Bailey moaned, she didn’t have the energy to move, the day was just too warm and she was too comfortable. Haigar however, seemed to agree with his uncle,
“Traitor…” Bailey mumbled as he picked her up and slid out of the hammock. Haigar smiled down at her and kissed her again. Bailey melted and kissed him back gently before leaning her head on his shoulder. She closed her eyes as Haigar walked after Stranger, she listened to his heartbeat and felt an overwhelming feeling of love wash over her. Bailey sighed happily and snuggled into him, burying her nose in his warm fur.
Haigar smiled down at her. He felt his mind wander irresistibly to the thoughts he’d recently been having. Bailey was fourteen now, Loki had told him. He remembered once when they were younger and Bailey had asked about Steef aging rates, she’d asked when Steef became mature and he’d told her about two seasons for a male, one for a female. He remembered next asking when humans became adults. And when he remembered her answer, he felt a thrill in his blood and his stomach jumped. Bailey had said that humans were classed as adults at both sixteen years and eighteen years for different things…she’d added – only in passing at the time – that sixteen was the legal age when humans could mate and get married without parental permission… Haigar clenched his muscles to stop shuddering.
He wanted Bailey to be his mate, he wanted her to be his partner in this life and the one to come. But because he loved her so deeply, he wouldn’t ask…not yet…although she’d explained that humans could marry before sixteen but with parental permission, Haigar didn’t think she’d be ready. So he would wait. He would love, and wait.
Soon the trio reached the little area of grass that was situated in front of Bailey’s family’s huts. Hers and Strangers, Damien, Alika and Haigar’s, Ixion’s and Chiron and Loki’s. In this little grassy place sat four Steef; Damien, Alika, Loki and Chiron, all of them waiting…for something… Haigar gently set Bailey on the grass and both they and Stranger wandered over.
“What’s everyone doin’?” Bailey asked, her head tilting fractionally to one side. Loki looked up at her and broke into a huge grin.
“We’ve been waiting for you!” she gushed happily, springing to her feet. She clattered over to Bailey and pulled her by the hand to come and sit with the others. Haigar and Stranger looked at each other, hiding smirks and eased themselves on either side of the bemused human.
“Waitin’ fer me? Whadda yeh waitin’ fer?” Daimen gave Stranger a look that clearly said ‘she’s sounding more like you everyday’. Stranger rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment but detracted the attention from himself by smiling fondly down at Bailey.
“Well, s’yeh birthday ain’t it?” he asked, Bailey nodded slowly, looking up at him, amused but slightly confused. Stranger smiled; “So we’re celebratin’ it…” he said gently, he ruffled her mess of hair. “’Appy Birthday kid.” He said softly. Bailey bit her lip and swallowed, praying she wouldn’t tear up.
“This is fer me? Jist coz it’s ma birthday?” she whispered. Stranger caught her up in his arms and nuzzled her head.
“Course it is.” He murmured. Loki beamed,
“Why wouldn’t we?” she asked happily. Bailey hugged Stranger back then looked at her gathered Steef family and smiled faintly,
“Thanks guys…” she whispered.
“Hey,” said Chiron, “What are families for?”
Alika and Loki then stood and went into the hut behind them – Haigar and his parent’s – and returned bearing two baked clay platters, and on them, the two biggest sticky toffee cakes Bailey had ever seen. There were loaf-shaped and as wide as her handspan and twice as high. The cakes looked light and spongy and were absolutely
dripping with thick golden syrup. Bailey’s mouth hung open.
“Oh, wow…” she breathed. Loki beamed as she and her mother set the platters on the low level wooden table that sat in the middle of the little circle.
“Me and mam made them.” she stated proudly. Chiron sniffed the nearest one and a dreamy look stole into his eyes.
“That smells gorgeous.” He said, Haigar grinned,
“Yeah, my mouth’s watering.” Stranger nodded vigorously in agreement. Daimen laughed at the identical looks on Stranger, Haigar and Chiron’s face. They all looked like eager Steeflings.
“Careful mother,” he said laughing, “If you don’t dish out that cake, I dunno what those three might do.” Alika laughed and began slicing the first cake and putting the pieces on little wooden plates and began handing them out. The softest middle piece going to Bailey.
“There you are dear,” she smiled, “Happy Birthday.” Haigar, Chiron and Stranger cheered, ‘Happy Birthday!’ then proceeded to dig into their portions of cake. Bailey did likewise, spearing as a chunk of cake with her fork. It too was made of wood and had three prongs instead of four like a salad fork. She stuck a mouthful of the sticky toffee cake it her mouth and melted. It was still warm from the oven and was exactly how it looked, light and spongy. The syrup was thick and sweet but not overly so. Bailey swallowed and immediately bit into her next mouthful. Loki watched them apprehensively, her own slice untouched.
“Is it good?” she asked worriedly. All those that were stuffing their faces, which was to say everyone but herself and Alika nodded vigorously with enthusiastic ‘um-hm!’s coming from each of them. Loki smiled in relief and began eating.
After the cake there were chocolate brownies which were perfectly soft and warm, then muffins with sweet red-purple berries in them and spongy rolls with cream and honey. It was all freshly made and tasted divine. Soon however the Steef males in particular began hankering for something not so sweet and light. They were by nature carnivores and as Daimen put it; needed some good heavy meat and cordial to have what was considered a ‘proper’ meal.
Obligingly Alika next brought out a glistening roast. Bailey didn’t know what animal the meat came from and neither did she care. It smelt and looked gorgeous, and though but a few minutes before she’d been feeling full, she felt hungry again. The meat looked like a cross with beef and pork, it had crackling like pork but the meat looked more like beef. Alika began dishing it out along with some deep purple drink.
“Stranger,” Bailey whispered, he looked down at her, “What’s that?” Daimen heard the question and answered when Stranger shrugged,
“It’s cordial,” he smiled, “You know those red berries in the muffins?” Bailey nodded, “Well there’s a purple kind, bigger, we pick them and either preserve them in jars to make jam, or press them to make this. This is fresh, so don’t worry about it, it’s the mature stuff you have to be careful with. You drink too much of that, or drink it too fast,” he smiled and tapped his temple, “Makes yer head go all funny, not a lot of us drink that…normally s’only the males when they’re really partyin’…makes ‘em a bit rowdy though…” Alika handed a wooden cup to Bailey and she took a sip. It was like fresh berry juice, right out of the fridge, and tasted good and familiar. Bailey smiled and took another sip as Daimen carved the meat joint and Alika passed it out.
¤§¤
It was getting on evening. Bailey lounged against Stranger, full of good food and dozing. Her birthday celebration had worn her out and now she slept peacefully. Stranger glanced down at her, smiling fondly and absently stroking her rough, wild hair before he turned back to his older brother with whom he’d been conversing with.
The other Steef sat around at their ease, nibbling on snack foods and talking lazily as it grew pleasantly cool though the night remained warm and Zappflies began dancing on the still night air. The stars were starting to appear and the Steef village began lighting the lanterns outside their doors when the talk began to wind down. Eventually Daimen stood and cleared his throat;
“I think all of us,” he glanced at Bailey and grinned, “Even those of us who’ve has as much excitement as they can take in one day, will agree with me that that dinner was delicious and my beautiful mate and daughter did a fantastic job.” Alika beamed and Loki blushed when the rest of the group laughed gently and nodded in agreement. “So while they relax out here, me and Stranger will clear up, right bro?” Stranger grinned and nodded,
“Haigar.” Haigar smiled and scooped Bailey into his arms, bringing her close to his chest and purring deeply to sooth her as she stirred, as Stranger eased himself up and he and Daimen gathered up the plates.
“Ho-oh no,” Alika said, standing, “Last time you washed up Daimen, our plates rotted.” Daimen blushed, thankful for his dark fur to mask the worst of it, he made an embarrassed sound and rubbed the back of his neck. Alika smiled, “So I
will be clearing up, but you boys helping out would be nice.” Daimen smiled and nodded sheepishly. Loki scrambled up too,
“I’ll help!” she said cheerfully. She gathered more plates and the four Steef entered the hut, leaving Haigar with a sleeping Bailey and Chiron. Chiron watched as his friend tenderly brushed some stray hair from Bailey’s face.
“You really love ‘er, don’t you.” he said, it was a statement more then a question, but Haigar nodded anyway, his eyes still on her face.
“More then anything…” he murmured. Chiron smiled faintly,
“Same as I feel for your sister…Haigar…” the dark Steef looked up at his pale friend, “Don’t let the fact that you’re different from each other, let you make the biggest mistake of your life…” Haigar looked up at him, frowning slightly,
“What d’you mean by that?” Chiron leaned forward slightly and spoke in an earnest voice,
“You love ‘er, it’s obvious, and she loves you too…don’t let go of that…don’t let her go…d’you hear me?” Haigar raised his eyebrows, Chiron’s expression was intent and serious. “There’s going to come a time when someone else sees Bailey for the person she is, and they’ll want her, she’s a pretty young thing with a good mind and beautiful personality. And you’ll have to keep her…Haigar, you may even have to fight to keep her… Just don’t let her go…” then Haigar understood, he looked into his friend’s eyes and nodded.
“I won’t let anyone take her from me…even if I have to fight to keep her…” he paused, and then explained about human courting habits. “When she’s sixteen…I’m going to ask her to be my mate…” he finished quietly. Chiron nodded, smiling.
“That’s good Haigar…she’s good for you…she’s your soulmate…” Haigar smiled and looked down at Bailey again, still sleeping in his arms.
“Yes,” he whispered, watching her tenderly, “I know…”