Hank shoots his shot as soon as his other partners are far enough away to afford my mom and him some privacy. “Brenda, can we talk? Please. I don't want to leave it like this, not again.”
Her demeanor changes as soon as the women are gone. “I'm here to spend time with my daughter. Which I know is something you can't understand, but it's important to me. I don't get to see her that often, and she's just gotten married. We have a lot to talk about. Take care.”
She spins, taking me with her. Being polite, I turn to wave back, only to see him nearly crumpled up, looking absolutely devastated.
My mom speed walks us away from them, not looking back at them once until we're able to turn a corner and they're out of sight. She leans against the nearest wall, breathing quickly.
“Are you okay Mom? You're like, hyperventilating. Breathe. Slow that down, don't pass out on me now.”
She grabs her face, her fingers spearing into her hair and I realize this is the facade she was keeping locked up in front of Hank. Now she's falling apart, but she had to have known there was a chance she'd run into him here. “That was intense. What happened between you two?”
She shakes her head, then slowly stands, straightening out her shirt. She puffs some warm air into her hands to warm them up, then looks around to take in the decorations that seem to have come out of nowhere. “I might have left some bits out earlier when I said that that lifestyle wasn't working out for me.”
“I actually gathered that all on my own, thanks.”
“I’m not ready to talk about it just yet. I had hoped I’d get away with not seeing him when I was here to visit you, but I can’t lie; I’ve been going crazy thinking about how he is ever since you told me you were staying here. For now, can we please just focus on you? This is your night. I want to celebrate you and that wonderful young man you met. This is not the time to bring in my drama. Let's go see what he has planned for you, and I'll let you know when I'm ready to talk.”
Chapter 6
Chip
Sitting down to rest for a minute at our mating celebration, I’m so content that I start reminiscing on things, tracing the path I chose to end up here, tonight.
For years, as I sat on that shelf in Lenore’s shop, watching the customers coming in day-to-day, yearning for one single human being to belong to. I never put much thought into what type of human being, as long as they were kind.
As I watch my new wife dance amidst all the townspeople, spinning her mother out and throwing her head back laughing, I can't help but to think that the human I got is pretty damn special. To be able to stand in front of this entire town and announce her as my mate, was hands down the best moment of my life so far; this list is utterly separate from my list of best private moments.
Everything Devon has learned about me and my culture, she's taken in stride. She's had very few breakdowns, because once she understood what belonging to each other actually meant, she seemed to be fully on board.
It might have been all the foreplay leading up to her actually taking me into her body, but whatever is responsible, I am grateful.
The whole night so far has been a huge success. I've fed her well, we've met new friends, received many dinner invitations, and now the night is winding down, and we’re almost to the culmination of the whole evening.
Really, the whole point of this event.
I'm very nervous. I'd like to say that's normal, but I don't think that anything is considered normal when you're a hot cocoa shifter. Standing in my human form this long is becoming excruciating, the buzz in the back of my head urging me to return to my mug near impossible to ignore.
The song currently playing comes to its natural conclusion, and I know that's my cue. Another one will not start until my wife and I have done our thing.
I'm kind of off to the side and have hidden behind a small coffee stand, but when Devon looks around for me, she finds me almost immediately. The smile that lights up her face has bubbles rising within me.
I extend a hand to her as I walk back towards the stage, the one fully decked out for this very moment. She has no idea what's happening, she probably thinks us announcing our relationship earlier was all I meant to do here tonight. I kind of feel bad about not warning her, but it's going to make her reactions so much purer.
As she walks toward the stage, the townspeople start cat calling us. They know what comes next.
Time to make the initial announcement. “Thank you all for such a lovely evening so far. It means the world to us that you'd take time out of your schedule to come and celebrate our union.
“At this part of the evening, I would invite anyone underage or anyone who does not wish to partake, including Devon's mother Brenda, to return home for the evening. I wish you all good sleep, and I look forward to seeing all of you another time.”
I turn off the mic and take Devon's hand in mine, kissing the top of it.
“What's happening? Why are you sending them all home?”
“Forgive me, my powdered sugar puff. I did not think you'd want your mother around for the next portion of our evening. I thought it might be uncomfortable for the both of you.”
“Do I get to know what it entails?”
I smile at her but I'm sure it speaks to the deviousness I feel rising within me, and not to the immense affection I hold for her. “You will find out soon enough. I'm about to lose my form though, so I will not be able to guide you. The only thing I can tell you is to listen to your instincts. If you do what feels right, you won't be able to mess this part up. Once you feel that the only people remaining are consenting adults, go ahead and begin.”
