True Fate (23 page)

"I don't know dad. All I know is Nia needs
me and you already know I'd drop the world for her. I'll call you later, I
promise.” she said hoping that would be enough.

It took a minute, "Okay, I trust you
sweetheart. You be safe.” he said finally.

"Thanks dad, I love you.” she added.

"Love you too Rhea.” he said then ended the
call.

She anxiously followed behind a speeding Aaron.

Aaron grabbed Nia's hand and sent as much comfort
as he could to her. She was numb, but she was starting to feel a warmth filtering
through him. Her sobbing slowed but the tears still poured down effortlessly.
Reaching into the center console he handed her some tissues.

Giving him a weak smile Nia blew her nose not
really caring how gross it was. Her breathing was hitched like when she was a
little girl and had just gotten through crying hard.

"Nia. I'm here. Whatever you need.” he said
squeezing her hand again, more of his comforting vibes seeping through.

They got to Aaron's and Rhea parked Nia's car
beside his and got out going to open the passenger door. She knelt by Nia
kissing her forehead, "I'm right here sweets, it's going to be okay.” she
said soothingly, wiping Nia's tears with her shirt sleeve. Aaron came around
and Rhea moved so he could lift her out.

Once they were in his apartment Rhea's phone rang
again, "It's Vince.” Rhea whispered.

Nia began to sob again so Aaron set Nia down onto
the couch and clenched his jaw snatching Rhea's phone hitting accept.
 

"What do you want Mr. D?” he asked trying
hard to keep a respectful tone.

"How is my daughter and where have you taken
her?” he asked a bit too commanding for Aaron's taste, all things considered.

"She's not okay or are you blind?” he asked
with Nia's sobs in the background. It was hard to keep the venom from seeping
into his tone.

Vince took a deep breath, "Is she safe?
That's my only concern.” he said slowly reining in his anger.

"With me she's safer than anywhere else on
this planet.” Aaron said through gritted teeth.

"Fine. I'm holding you personally responsible
if any harm comes to my little girl.” Vince responded.

 
Aaron
scoffed, "I understand and I'm holding you responsible for this.” he said
while holding the phone towards Nia's cries then hitting end.

Rhea stared dumbfounded holding Nia in a hug. They
had definitely never seen, or heard for that matter, anyone speak to Vince that
way. Aaron came towards her and scooped Nia up again heading to his room.

Nia felt like she wanted to just pass out but she
knew Rhea was there and didn't want to just conk out on her without any explanation.
Aaron helped Nia sit up fluffing the pillows behind her. She tried to stop but
the near silent crying still went on and on.

'Aaron I need you to know something. Rhea knows
everything I know, except your personal stuff of course. She's seen things,
things I have done since I was little. She was the only one there the night I
spoke the prophecy and had glowing eyes. She knows a lot and she knows about
us. After my father’s lies, I... I can't keep anything from you.’
she sent with tears streaming down her face.

"It's okay Nia, I don't care. I'm with you
no matter what.” he said softly stroking her hair, his own tears glistening.

Rhea gulped down the sob in throat knowing she
would help nothing if she cried too, she had to pull it together.

"Rhea, Nia wants to talk to you in your head
and if you think it we'll hear it. It will be like a crazy conference call.” he
said grinning, both of the girls laughed at that.

"Okay. She did it earlier. I'm cool with it.
Do we need a bubble thingy?” she asked. Nia pushed out the bubble.... it
couldn't hurt.

'Good idea Rae.’
she sent
.
Her mental voice sounded drained.

'So what happened? What did he know?’
Aaron asked.

'He knew about me being different, I guess. He
said he felt something, but then he touched my wrist and smudged my makeup and
saw the bond mark. He asked me who my Guardian was but I didn't answer right
away.’
Nia explained then
cringed at the crushing reality.

'Did you tell him?’
he asked.

'Yeah I told him! Then he flooded me with questions
and refused or rather ignored my own questions!’
Nia said with her voice rising
. 'How could he
know and not tell me anything, at all?’
she asked turning to Rhea
.

'Oh, honey, I'm so sorry.’
Rhea said kneeling by the bed placing her arm
above where Aaron's hand was clasped to Nia's. She felt weak and drained and
found herself slumping back into the pillows. Her mind was drifting in and out
of a hazy dream like in between.

"I don't wanna be rude, but I need to sleep
a little while. If that's okay?’
Nia said apologetically.

'Oh no sweets don't
worry. I'll give Aaron my number and he can call me when you wake up. Okay?’
Rhea said hugging Nia to her.

'I love you Rae.’
Nia said sobs coming through to her mental state.

Rhea's response was
automatic.
'I love you too. I can take your car, or I can call Adam to come
get Me.',
she told Nia.

'Take my car I'm not leaving Aaron's side and get
packed too, we leave tomorrow.’
Nia
said.

Rhea nodded and went
to the living room and Aaron followed.

'Be
right back.’
he
sent to Nia.

"You let anything and I mean anything happen
to my girl and you will be begging for death when I'm done with you, you got
it?” Rhea said sternly waggling her finger in his direction.

"Whoa! Got it, call me whenever okay. I
think she'll be out most of the day, but I'll call you if she wakes.” Aaron
said taking a deep breath. They exchanged numbers and he locked the door.

Aaron went to the kitchen and grabbed a soda and
returned to his room. Staring off into nothing Nia sat silent with the tears
still flowing. He set the soda on the nightstand and went to the dresser,
grabbing some pajama pants. He also grabbed some boxers and a t-shirt for Nia.

Moving to the side of the bed he gently grabbed
her legs turning her to hang them off the bed. Then took off her shoes and
socks as she looked at him questioning but not really too concerned. He
unzipped her hoodie and wiped her cheeks then kissed her forehead gently
slipping the hoodie down her arms and set it on the bed.

Taking her arm Aaron moved it into her shirt
sleeve gently then the other while she giggled and sniffled but said nothing.
He took his favorite t-shirt and put the neck of it over her head and pulled it
down around her. Nia knew exactly what he was doing, helping her change with a
semblance of privacy, which got a small smile from her. He reached just inside
the neck of the shirt he had put on her and grabbed her shirt pulling it gently
over her head.

She pushed her arms through the sleeves of the
big t-shirt and Aaron took her by the hand and helped her stand. Nia's cheeks
were pink and her glistening eyes were beautiful, her tears only slowed and she
sniffled uncontrollably.

‘How
could I get so lucky?’
she thought as Aaron
unfastened the button of her jeans without looking and eased her pants down
over her hips.

 
Nia was
thankful the t-shirt was long and concealing, she trembled as his hands brushed
her heated skin just barely. Kneeling in front of her his hair fell into his
face and Nia wiped her tears and looked at her warrior who gently freed her
feet from her pant legs. He took his boxers and lifted her foot to put it in
one leg and then the other. Looking up at her he adorned her with a lopsided
smile that made her heart soar, she grinned. Yeah, there was no one sweeter
than her blue eyed guardian taking care of her so gently and carefully. He
slowly pulled the boxers up to her thighs and she pulled them up the rest of
the way.

Reaching behind him he tugged his shirt up over
his head and tossed it to the floor. Warmth raced to Nia's cheeks deepening the
hue and her tears settled a bit more. Her heart thumped violently inside of her
chest and her breath hitched. She carefully placed her palm to his heart and
felt the rapid beat of it, smiling, happy she wasn’t the only one reacting to
the contact.

Taking a step forward Nia rested her head on his
chest and he sighed contentedly, wrapping his arms around her tightly. Nia
melted into his strength and warmth as Aaron lifted her up and placed her on
the bed then kissed the top of her head.
 
He grabbed his pants and went to the other room to change them.

Nia laid there, what was she going to do? Does
mom know what we... or, I am? Or are they whatever the heck I am too? Feeling
herself slipping into that chaotic hurricane of thoughts she quickly decided
not to go there just now and shifted back to thoughts of Aaron. Of his warmth
and strength, her guardian and so much more, he would do anything to protect
her always she just knew it. She wanted this forever with him more than ever
before.

Aaron walked back into the room, shirtless in
pajama pants and popped open a soda. He took two ibuprofen and handed them to
Nia and she put them in her mouth as he gave her the soda. She took the pills
grateful for his thoughtfulness, she was definitely getting a headache. She
took a long swig of the soda and handed it back to him then he set it on the
nightstand and climbed into bed.

Nia curled up to his chest and sighed placing her
arm across him as if she always had belonged there, the rhythmic beat of his
heart was so comforting. Placing a hand on her back and one behind his head
Aaron was certain he would lay here holding her as long as it took and he
didn't really care how long that might be. She was his world now, his priority,
the rest of his life could wait as far as he was concerned. As long as he knew
she was safe, it would all be okay.

Not knowing really what to do Nia just knew she
wasn't ready to handle this situation with her dad. She would leave tomorrow on
her road trip and hope she was ready to confront this mess when she returned.
No doubt she’d have to deal with her dad when she was ready. Her family would
want to know she was leaving though and she'd have to get her stuff from the
house, but that could wait until tomorrow too. Aaron didn't need an explanation
and he didn't need answers to any questions, he was just there for her and for
that she was grateful.

Nia came closer to his face with hers and he
shifted rolling to his side propping onto an elbow and she rolled pressing her
back into the bed. He looked at her with questions in his blazing blue eyes and
saw the fire as much as he felt it in her amber ones, the need that was there
for both of them.

'Kiss me.',
Nia
sent through the bond catching him only slightly off guard.

Looking deep in her eyes he caressed her cheek sliding
his hand down to her neck. Nia's blood ignited feeling electric in her veins
and Aaron's heart raced as his breathing grew ragged. He leaned in slow and
steady until the anticipation was nearly too much for Nia to bear but when he covered
her lips with his own his adoration and loyalty ran through her being in warm
waves hitching her breath. She clutched a hand around his back to pull herself
closer. He deepened the kiss sending chills all over the place for Nia.

They were breathing heavily and he’d tangled his
hand in her hair when he eased the kiss nice and slow. Pulling back slowly he
laughed as she tugged on his bottom lip playfully. Aaron looked in Nia's eyes,
he was certain he would never get tired of that look, nope, not ever. She may
not be ready but his soul told him that it was love gazing back at him reaching
deeper than they could ever have imagined.

She snuggled in and whispered, "Thank
you.", as Aaron continued to kiss her pain away.