Page 10 of Destined for Eternity
Chapter 5
Cori
They settled into Bartol’s kitchen. It was smaller than hers with cheaper construction and laminate counters, but he kept it immaculately clean. Not even a speck of dust dared show itself in her mate’s home since he cleaned it constantly to keep his mind off his experiences in Purgatory. A small table stood in the middle where he usually ate by himself except when he came to her place for meals. His home was sparse with none of the touches that should have made it feel more like someone lived there. He had furniture, of course, but no design theme, photos, or memorabilia. It was barely a step above a prison cell.
Cori wished he’d let the cabin go and move into hers. Since her ex-husband had burned down the original last year and a new one was built in its place, she had plenty of room for Bartol and their growing family. He’d just resisted that step so far.
She drummed her fingers on the table as they waited for the archangel to arrive. He’d allowed them time to get to Bartol’s place while he and his people finished at the bank and removed people’s memories of the demon incident. Cori was going to have to go back later to finish her deposit.
“We could have had him meet at my place,” she said, glancing at Bartol.
He had a glass of water in front of him that he restlessly turned in his hand. “I don’t want him there.”
“It’s not like he wouldn’t have been able to find it. And anyway, I’ve got more food there.” She might not be able to eat much at a time these days, but she snacked as much as possible.
He gave her a concerned look. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m pretty much always hungry.”
Bartol got up and rummaged through one of his cabinets, pulling out a box of cereal. It was one of the plain brands that was healthy but lacked taste. “I have this.”
“How about cardboard instead?”
His shoulders sagged. “I have milk as well if you’d prefer that.”
The man hated going shopping so much that his kitchen rarely had much food in it unless she brought some groceries over. “Milk is fine. It will hold me over for now.”
He nodded, pleased he could offer her something and set about pouring a glass for her. She found him such a contradiction. Bartol wanted to be useful, but the man had no clue how to go about it with his limitations. Cori wished she could find the right way to help him along so they could attempt living a normal life together.
“Did you get a gift for the baby yet?” she asked as he handed her the milk.
“No.” He shook his head. “Not yet.”
It was a task she’d given him in the hopes it would help him feel more a part of the preparations for their child’s impending arrival. Her mother had already done up the nursery as soon as she’d found out Cori was pregnant, but Joy had left the clothes and toys for others to buy. She knew she’d crossed a line doing as much as she did, though it did make things easier for them, so they couldn’t complain too much.
“Try to do that soon.”
He settled into his chair again while she drank her milk. “I’ve no idea what to get the baby.”
“It helps if you actually go into a store or online to look.”
His lips formed a thin line. “You know I hate shopping, and the internet is still beyond me.”
They’d all given him lessons in how to operate a computer, and he knew the basics. He just still resisted using it. It was a small miracle when he started making phone calls without them forcing his hand. The poor man missed the one century where technology had developed the fastest, and he remained lost much of the time. It had only been a little over a year since his return, which wasn’t a lot of time to reintegrate for someone who lived like a hermit.
“Then your gift will mean that much more because of the effort you’ll have to go through to get it.” Cori smiled gently at him. “And I’ll be sure to tell our son or daughter all about it once they’re old enough.”
He stared at her. “You’re merciless.”
“I know.”
A flash of light appeared between the kitchen and living room. She and Bartol leaped to their feet and moved closer to each other. They’d been playing it cool while waiting, having raged already during the drive to his place, but both were angry now that the subject of their ire had arrived. How dare this guy use the lure of their child’s fate to make them hear out a deal?
“Before you say anything else, let’s start with your name,” Cori suggested.
He tipped his cowboy hat. “Jeriel.”
“Very well, Jeriel, what do you want and why does it involve my child?” Bartol asked, his tone deadly cold.
