Bradly stuck his head in the door. "Um, Lydia?"
On the couch, Grogek sat in the middle, Susan leaned against him from one side, Elunara leaned against him from the other. Lydia leaned over the back of the couch, her arms around Grogek's neck. "Yes, Bradly?" she straightened up, her hands on Grogek's shoulders.
He stepped in and cleared his throat. "Would you... like to go on a picnic?"
"Oh, but I can't." She looked down.
Elunara whacked Lydia's hand. "Yes you can. You're a boost, but not THAT much of a boost. Go, get off your feet and take your mind off of things."
Grogek pat Lydia's hands. "I agree. I appreciate your efforts, but don't change your life for me."
"You can always come back after." Susan smiled up.
"Oh, alright." Lydia sighed.
"You don't have to if you don't want to." Bradly frowned and tugged at his collar. "I was just trying..."
"I'm going, I'm going." Lydia sighed. "Before one of them just picks me up and throws me out the door." She snorted.
After the door closed, Grogek licked his teeth. "Now which one of you am I getting in my lap first?" He winked.
Outside, Bradly hefted the basket. "I got Tippy to make us up a lunch."
"Oo! You should have started with that. Did she include her chocolate cake?"
"No idea, let's find out." He took her hand.
She sighed. "Poor Grogek. I've never seen him injured like this."
"None of us have." Bradly shrugged. "We're all surprised he's letting Darguni lead so early."
"I'm not. I watch you two. If something happened to Jordan, you would take over for him, I know it." She sighed. "Darguni is uncomfortable with the situation, but I think the longer he works at it, the better he will feel about himself. You're both ready, you just don't know it yet." She shrugged.
He squeezed her hand. "Thank you."
Shrugging again, she brushed her hair out of her face. "Just stating fact."
He led the way up to portal lake. Laying out the blanket, he sat the basket down, and helped her to sit, before unloading the basket. "So... twins..."
"Ugh, don't remind me." She rubbed her hands on her belly. "At least I don't suffer alone, and at least Susan is as freaked out as I am."
"I'm sorry." He rubbed his hand on her belly and sighed.
"Don't let my bad attitude ruin the picnic." She cuddled up close to him. "I'm sure that, like Elunara... I'll come to terms with it and enjoy the rest of it."
"Yeah. I hope so." He said quietly.
"What's wrong?" She brushed his hair out of his face.
"I'd always hoped that we... well, I guess I'm jealous of my brother at this moment. I wanted you to be having OUR child."
"Oh." She poked at her food. "I'm... not certain what to say."
"Me either." He shrugged. Taking her hand into his, he kissed the back of it. "But at least I still have a chance with your heart."
"Oh, Bradly..." She brushed her lips against his.
His fingers crushed into her hair, as he pulled her into his embrace. He explored the tastes and textures of her mouth, inhaling her wonderful female scent, as his fingers threaded through her hair. "It's you I want. It's you I'm desperate for."
"Bradly..."
"I've screwed up so badly. But, I'll fix it. I'll show you." He whispered.
Laying her head on his shoulder, she giggled softly. "And how do you plan on doing that?"
"I have no idea. But damn it, I'm going to try." He tugged her into his lap. "I'll be there for you. Anything you need at all."
"Just so long as you don't alter your life for it, or become obsessed." She poked his nose. "I KNOW you. Don't do it, or you're back to square one."
He rubbed his hands over her belly. "I know, I know. I'll do my best." He kissed her neck.
"Well it's obvious who raised YOU!"
They both blinked over at the woman glaring at them.
"Oh, hello Ember." Lydia sighed.
"You marry that orc brat, and here you are, cheating on him with his brother."
"As if you care about Darguni's feelings." Lydia rolled her eyes. "As someone who has a closet full of Tulani designs, you're awful judgmental of her family." Lydia got comfy in Bradly's lap. "Would be a shame for her to find out about it."
Ember glared. "You wouldn't dare."
"Like there's a thing you can do to me." Lydia rolled her eyes. "WHY are you out here anyway?"
"I just left Gingy's house, and she's looking for you. Light only knows why she likes YOU so damned much. But I "promise promised" I'd find your ass. Someone pointed me this way. I've delivered my message, so fuck you very much." She flipped Lydia off as she walked away.
Lydia groaned. "Save me."
"Ember's just a dumb socialite..."
"Not HER. Gingy. She probably wants me to spend the next six hours trying on dresses. AGAIN."
"Barf on her."
"I just might." She snorted.
With some regret, Lydia knocked on the door.
