Chapter 27
Zachariah
On the way back home, I finally got to know a bit more of my bride to be. If I could have, I’d certainly take her and elope somewhere. Avidya wouldn’t have minded either. But if I did that, my entire family would have thrown fiery flames my way without a second thought. Mom was looking forward to seeing me finally married since my brother already had. Next, she’d be pushing children on us, which was not in my plans any time soon.
To get my mind off of my raging hormones, I asked her questions, and in turn, she opened a bit more. I knew she wasn’t entirely sure how to act in my presence since she sensed my dominate nature. My dominate side was coming out more with each passing day as I spent time with her. It was something I wasn’t trying to hide but I didn’t want to overwhelm her more than she was already with everything.
“What have you done for your birthdays?” I asked first.
“Nothing, really. Mom would make me a cake, and that was about it. No gifts since Cody always said we couldn’t afford it,” she answered.
It was a sad thought that Cody and Lynn both had enough money to give Avidya almost anything her heart wanted, yet they couldn’t spend money to buy her a simple birthday gift. It may have been my father’s idea to help out the Ray family, for whatever reason he did so for. But no more. Cody Ray didn’t deserve handouts now that his wife was missing, and Avidya was safe with me. He had been taking far too much from us without a return service.
“That will change,” I stated, already forming a plan to show her just how special she truly was.
“I don’t want anything,” she said, a light in her eyes as she shook her head. Just because she said the words didn’t mean she didn’t want things. Everyone always wanted something, no matter who they were. I’d certainly try to give her the world if she so desired it.
I simply threw a smile and a wink her way. I’d get her something she’d least expect.
“Why don’t you want kids?” Avidya asked out, taking me by surprise. Maybe she was more comfortable with me that I gave her credit for. I didn’t think she had picked up that little bit of information that I let slip.
“I don’t much care for them,” I answered with a shrug. “I have never seen myself having any, let alone getting married.”
“But you are going to be married,” she stated without question. “So maybe we will have a child or two in a few years.”
“I’d prefer not to,” I said, glancing over at her. Did she want children? If so, I’d make sure she could have them around, but I just wasn’t the type of person to cater to children. I didn’t want a child to grow up like I had, or worrying about its safety. It would be bad enough worrying about Avidya. “I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to babysit, or work in a daycare or something like that if you’d like,” I added.
I had seen her work with the children at the church on occasion, and she did wonderfully. Children adored her. I couldn’t quite call her a child magnet since I didn’t know how well she did with children on a daily basis.
I wasn’t a kid person, as children tended to make me uncomfortable more often than not. My brother and sister-in-law were trying without any success. I knew they were both looking into other options now as a last resort.
“Maybe,” she replied, turning her attention out to the window.
I felt bad that I made her upset.
“I’ve seen you work them – children, I mean,” I mused. “Surely you know I have seen you before that night.”
“I figured as much,” she huffed out. “You know me better than I know myself.”
“That’s not all that hard to figure you out, Avidya,” I said, my voice letting my desire seep through. “You’re so easy to read. Just like how I can read your expression on how you react to just my voice.”
She shrugged in reply, her face still turned from me. I still saw her small smile and blush that covered her cheeks.
“How was the wedding planning with my mother?” I asked out, turning a corner.
“Okay, I guess,” she replied. “I don’t see what the big deal is. I mean, I don’t want that big of a wedding, and always figured it would have all been planned out so I didn’t even have to do anything but stand there. I don’t want something big, let alone stand in front of total strangers, you know. I’m not a big people person, and I don’t think your mom will let me have a say over the guest list.” She rambled on, and I couldn’t help but laugh, amused that she at least felt comfortable enough to do so.
“I take it you aren’t happy with planning a wedding, then?” I summed up.
“What gave that away,” she said with an eye roll.
“I’ll let mom know that she can plan it however then,” I said. Mom wouldn’t really care one way or another. She was just happy I was getting married to a girl I chose, and not family chosen.
“Can’t get out of the dress part,” she grumbled with a pout.
“I’m sure you’ll find something you’ll like. Mom was determined to take you later this week to look at the bridal store,” I stated. “Of course, you will have a few of my guards tagging along, for safety reasons.”
I was pleasantly surprised that she didn’t argue. I didn’t want to risk her safety to let her go alone, even with my mother. I had enemies, and they wouldn’t stop at anything to get to her.
