Page 176 of Nocere

"I understand that, but tell me where my chatty little fairy has gone. I miss hearing her voice."

"I keep thinking of all the ways my mother can keep interfering with my life. If she lied about Juni, she'll keep doing things like that to get at me. It's been two days and I just want to know."

"Rebecca will bring the results tonight if they're ready, honey. Juni will meet us here so we can find out together. That's the plan, right?"

"Yes." I nodded and placed my palms at the center of her chest. She stroked my arms, and just being with her soothed me. "I've missed a lot of work lately."

"I know, baby. Rebecca told me to tell you to take your medicine. Have you been?"

I nodded. "It's why I'm quiet."

"Is it?"

"It makes me sleepy and a little tranq'ed out," I admitted and her brows lifted.

"Now it makes sense. A benzodiazepine?"

"Yes." I drew in a slow breath. "Will you cuddle me?"

"Yes, my sweet." A broad smile broke her seriousness and she pulled me into a hug. I tucked my knees under her arms and snuggled into the warmth of her. Her lips brushed against my ear, and I let out a soft sigh. "I would love to turn your rear a rosy shade of pink to make you feel better," she whispered and it sent a shiver down my spine.

"I want you too," I said, kissing her neck after. "Tonight, when everything is over?"

"Yes, baby. Tonight." She breathed softly against my ear and I felt her smile. "You smell delicious."

"Not as good as you." My mood lifted with her playfulness and distracting chatter.

"Rebecca told me your birthday is next week. Want to know a secret?"

"Yes." I leaned back to meet her gaze and she wagged her brows at me.

"So is mine."

"Is it really or are you teasing?"

"It is." She poked my nose. "You're the twenty-fifth and I'm the twenty-seventh."

I laughed and grabbed her hand to hug it. "Let's have a party together."

"Consider it done." She grinned and scrunched her nose. "Because I'm pretty sure Rebecca already planned it."

"She always does. She makes my birthday special every year to make up for the ones I missed. Once, she took me and Jason to Disneyland. It was so fun."

"Even with all those people?"

"I just liked the rides and ignored the people." I smiled while nipping her bottom lip. "I was seventeen and wasn't as anxious then about crowds."

"Brave baby Rose?" She wagged her brows at me and I snickered.

"She had less to fear it seems."

"It does," she said, tucking my hair behind my ears. "I got you to talk."

"You always do…"

"It's my superpower."

"What's mine?" I asked, stroking her arms from wrist to elbow.

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