Moonlight in California
Moonlight: Dreams & Demons pt4
Caitlin sat waiting on the bench near the water fountain, it was their regular spot for meeting when they met at the park, considering it was where they had first met after all. She was dressed in some nice tight jeans and a T-shirt. She had a light jacket on since it was getting only slightly colder and she wasn't sure if what she was wearing was appropriate or not for this kind of thing. How did one date while a two year old was involved? Why did one date if there was no intention of a serious relationship. There never could be, She was after all a beast and a creature of the hunt. She was a top contender on the food chain... few ranked higher then her. But she was a twenty something young woman too. And she still dreamt of having a family... a home.
"CAILIN!!!!!" Molly's yell broke those thoughts as the little girl launched herself at her. She was dressed in jeans as well and a pink shirt with a dark jacket. James was a few steps behind in khakis and a grey hoodie, he smiled at them as Molly wrapped her arms around Caitlin. "Good afternoon, how was work today?" he asked taking a seat beside her. The park had quite a few people in it, but the day was pretty mild for a november day in California.
"Not to bad... even considering it was a dr. Appointment day. The owner's wife... He takes her and I'm often left in charge when these days happen. Jenny had her parents bring in her son and he apparently has a crush on me. Or something along those lines. I just know he's a sweet kid. Like Molly is." Caitlin smiled up at James holding Molly tightly in a hug. She had a bath she could still smell the soap... on them both and Molly's hair was a little damp. James smelled of deoderant and... perfume. Or cologne it was called. Caitlin smiled she liked playing with Molly. She was young enough and full enough of energy to keep up and enjoy the rough tumbling Caitlin liked. Of course James was good for a tumble or two as well.
"We swing?" Molly asked still not letting Caitlin out of the hug. She liked Caitlin, she liked to play and she made daddy happy too. Many of the others that daddy ever saw weren't so interested in her, and daddy didn't see them much afterward. "Cailin eat d'nner wit us?" she asked hoping that she would. James wasn't surprised, Molly talked all day about seeing Caitlin, even during her bath.
"No we aren't going to swing. And use proper words Molly. We're going someplace really special today, it's a surprise for you." Caitlin smiled brightly at Molly and then over to James. Caitlin was a strict person about vocabularity. Even though Molly was young if she was speaking she needed to do it right. "Do we have a shadow today?" Caitlin asked James not liking the idea of someone being so underhanded and watching them from afar. Caitlin didn't like anyone watching her. It reminded her of the pack and it made her a bit grouchy.
"Not that I am aware of, but she is kind of like a roach, popping up at the wrong time." James smiled back and was ready for almost anything, Molly right now was all about spending time with her. Molly thought about what Caitlin told her and decided she would try to do better. "I like surprizes, Cailin." she said getting very comfortable in Caitlin's arms. Wondering if the lady from Jobs and Family would put in an unwelcome appearance today.
"Well then James we'd better get in the car and head out to that special place." Caitlin smiled standing up still holding Molly so she didn't feel like Caitlin was done with her closeness. This close to the full moon Caitlin was feeling extra protective and the woman from the agency was a threat. At least as far as Caitlin was concerned the woman was a threat... to the happiness and well being of Molly and to the mind of James. Caitlin would protect those that had befriended her, who were close to her.
James led the way and Molly put her head against Caitlin's neck, "I like you." The comment was simple and genuine, the only kind a child could make. James opened the car door and smiled when he turned around, his baby was more than happy in Caitlin's arms. "My question is are you riding up front or in the back like last time?" he asked taking Molly and putting her into her seat. He found it very endearing that Caitlin rode to and from the beach in the back seat with Molly.
"Up front this time." Caitlin smiled and kissed Molly's forehead gently once placing her in the seat. Caitlin did grin at James for his quip though. Caitlin had just wanted to make sure Molly was settled in the back that night that was all. After all it was Caitlin who had worn out Molly and she wanted to be sure that the girl was alright. Now however was a journey that would take a little time and she wanted to sped the time beside James so she could propose the thanksgiving dinner to him.
He shut the door and opened the passenger side for her, "Miss." he quipped again. Then went around the other side and got inside, Molly laughed and giggled in the back at daddies antics. He pointed the car in the right direction and pulled out into traffic. From the backseat came Molly singing a song she learned from Uncle Mike. "So, how long will we have the pleasure of your company?" he looked over and smiled at her again, it was easy to do lately.
"All day... well most of all day. Hank's finally got the club back from the authority's so he wants to open tonight. But I'm not going in until this stuff settles down with the charges and everything. So I've got four more days or so... Gonna go visit my aunt Robin too." Caitlin said with a smile. She didn't want to stay out too late with them but she wanted to spend as much time as possible with them for sure. "Speaking of my aunt... Would you... like to bring Molly to our thanksgiving celebration... Aunt Robin is doing it and Joe is coming and He wants to meet all my friends. Joe and I don't really celebrate holidays much." Caitlin said looking out the window. It was always awekward talking about these things to people or at least it was for Caitlin.
James looked across at her, "Sure, but I warn you Molly can pack away some turkey. Usually we go to Mike's, but this year they are talking about visiting his son at college, so it works out." Molly in the back started giggling about turkey lurkey. "What time and somehow I doubt you do much watching of football?" he asked with a smile. Even with all the talking about keeping them at arms length, it seemed like something kept bringing them together.
"That's fine... Knowing Robin there will be plenty there. I don't mean to make things difficult between us James but... you are a good friend and I really do like Molly. There may be a little more confusion then that between us but for right now... would you be okay with us being friends? I haven't had a lot of experience in the way of friend making in my life... so I'm not sure how it all is supposed to work but Gina says guys who can be your friend... are guys you should keep around." Caitlin says looking over at James then the road again, she didn't want him to know how nervous she was about all of this.
He blinked for a second, what had changed since the last time they had been in her bed? "I already thought we were, just unsure about the rest of it." he said. As long as she could be there to help with Molly, and someone he could trust in. He'd have to take it, otherwise they would be alone again, and then Jobs & Family would take his girl away. They pulled over at the destination and he shut off the car and smiled at Molly in the back seat.
"Good... because Gina thinks you and I are something more then friends and She will be there and Robin knows about us and I don't know how much Joe knows or will know but I just want things to be clear between us. REady to go see the fishies at the aquariam Molly?" Caitlin said brightly kissing James on the cheek and rubbing her cheek briefly against his before turning to look at Molly. Wondering what the little girl would think of the Aqauriem, sure the girl would love it once inside. At least that's what she had been told when she called.
Molly took one of her daddy's hands and reached out for Caitlin's as well. James was currently confused, she wanted to be friends, but even the friendly kiss seemed like there was more underneath. It was days like this that made him miss the huys from his unit. He payed the lady at the ticket booth for them and they began to look back and forth from all the undersea life. Shortly after they began Molly wanted Caitlin to pick her up so she could better see the eels.
Caitlin was just as excited as Molly was to see the fish only Caitlin kept pointing out the hard to see ones and she put her face so close to the glass sometimes it would fog fro her breath. She picked up Molly and carried her around on her back, it was the easiest way. "They look good!" Caitlin said with a smile to James. Who had been standing back a little. Caitlin had never been to a place like this before and it was very exciting. The small fish and the large ones the sharks and odd looking ones. Even the horse-sea things were really cool. "Wow! IT's a huge fish!" Caitlin said as they went into the glass tunnel of the largest tank that had a center veiwing room.
Molly was happy as well, pointing to pretty fish and at one of the ones they sat down while James went to get them something to drink. She turned to Caitlin and smiled, hugging her friend, "Cailin, can we play at your house? I wanna sleepover with you." She saw James waiting to get the drinks and talking to someone on his cell phone. "Yeah, I know I have no problem coming to the luncheon, but remember I have my little girl." He finished the conversation and paid for the drinks, and headed back to them.
"If your Daddy agrees I'd love to have you over Molly! We can even go play in the park until he's ready to pick you up tomorrow if he agree's." Caitlin said once he was in range of hearing her reply to Molly's question. IT might help and the cycle wasn't until tomorrow night. She still had one night left. She had plenty of control not to slip up. But she didn't have anything for kids at her house... no dolls or toys or tv. Movies Either... Caitlin wondered if Jenny could help her or maybe Gina if she wasn't to busy if this went through.
He smiled and handed Caitlin a drink and putting the straw in Molly's juice box. "You really want to keep her overnight we can go back to my house and pack an overnight bag." Molly sat on the edge of the bench and was swinging her legs and smiling, even waving when the fish got close. James watched the two of them interact and wished that there might be something more between them. "Molly do you want to stay with Caitlin tonight?" she answered quickly, "Yes."
"If that's alright. I mean do you have plans or anything?" Caitlin asked softly, wondering what the phone call was about. While her hearing was sharp unless she really wanted to know she tried not to snoop. "I want to finish looking at everything here before we leave there's some really cool stuff supposedly ahead. I wanna see it besides after you paid all this money don't you want to see everything that's here?" Cait asked of James smiling as she sipped her drink. Jellyfish and Penguins were next and Caitlin really wanted to see those for real because she never had before.
"No, no plans and Molly loves the penguins, so after we are done we'll get some clothes and stuff and I'll drop you ladies off." He smiled at them before taking a sip of his drink and seeing that Molly was listening to them, but payting more attention to her juice box. James smiled, it was a good thing that Caitlin liked Molly, he would be more than willing to let Caitlin see Molly since Mike's wife had her so often. "We see pengwens now?" Molly asked looking up at her dad and Caitlin. She had problems saying that, but was trying her best.
"Yes we can see them now, and after we are done here you get to come to my house for the night since I don't work tonight or tomorrow morning." Caitlin smiled brightly closing the lid on her drink and putting it in her small bag she had brought. Caitlin stood and offered her hand to Molly, she was excited about getting to see the animals. Everything she had seen so far was completely amazing to Caitlin. Things she had never seen before. She was almost as excited as Molly was about everything... especially when they had seen the rescued seals.
Standing at the wall to watch the penguins, Caitlin had to pick up Molly who laughed and pointed at them. James moved to the side and snapped a quick picture of them together, then was forced to stand behind Caitlin. "If you like this so much I can't wait to see what you think of the observatory." he whispered in her ear. "Cailin, look at tha one, he's funny." Molly watched one penguing slide on his belly into the water and start swimming. Her father reached up and tickled her neck, making Molly laugh more and lean her head towards his fingers.
James moved down to see if there was an open bench that they could sit and watch the penguins for a little bit. "Excuse me miss, I have to say your daughter is the most precious little girl I've ever seen." remarked a older woman with a group of 'tweenagers'. Molly still giggling looked at Caitlin before playing bashful and hiding her face in Caitlin's neck. The boys pulled their aunt away before Caitlin could say anything in response. James walked back up, "There is one bench available or we can go get supplies for your sleepover tonight."
Caitlin was blushing and nodded. "The bench sounds good." She said softly still holding Molly close. Caitlin didn't want to leave the penguins yet... they were so interesting to watch she was having a really good time. Embaressed and pleased that people thought Molly was her daughter though. Caitlin wanted to enjoy their time together anyways. She didn't want to hurry the fact that they would seperate, though she knew she was still going to see him a little there was a demon still on the loose and once she got the money she would start her business and be really busy.
James led them to the bench and they sat, Molly on Caitlin's lap holding her father's hand. "Dadda, we get Wulf?" she asked loking concerned, it made him laugh and shake his head. "Yes baby, I will get Wulf so you can have him over at Caitlin's house." he told her with a smile. Then he looked at Caitlin and felt the need to explain. "She loves watching animal planet and told me she wanted a wolf, so I got her a plush one from the nature store and she takes him everywhere."
"I see... are wolves your favorite animal Molly?" Caitlin asks softly, smiling softly but not widely. After all Caitlin didn't have a choice in becoming a wolf, in fact if it wasn't for Joe she might have done something really bad. Caitlin didn't care for real wolves... or dogs. They smelled the difference of her and either growled or ran away. It was rather ironic though that Molly's favorite animal was a wolf. Even as Caitlin was working on her control every full moon. She wondered if one day she'd be able to control it completely. "I think we should all get dinner together before we get your things. That way Daddy isn't so bored without you playing with him... what do you think molly?" Caitlin asked with a smile.
Molly shook her head and smiled at Caitlin, "Can I have grill'd cheese?" James regarded Caitlin's idea with a smile, it was a nice idea and made him feel normal again. Sandra used to hate when he missed dinner or doctor's appointment because of a case, he promised her that he would always be there for Molly. "How about we head to our house and I can make the sandwhichs and soup, then after dinner pack her up?" he offered, hoping Caitlin might want to see their house. Molly looked at Caitlin with big eyes, "I can show you my rooom."
"that sounds lovely." Caitlin smiled softly still. She had to be careful about their house. She couldn't not leave her scent around... but mostly she didn't want to get too close without the type of control she hoped she could one day have. Control over herself as good to rival perhaps Marcus. Though Caitlin didn't know how long that would take and if it would take decades of practice and moonlit transformation
s. That and when she spied on them... she got a very general sense of the building and she couldn't seem knowledgable about it. "I've never tasted american food other then at the resturants before." Caitlin said still smiling and hugging Molly gently.
James drove them back to the house after they finished the trip to the aquarium, feeling very happy with the situation. Molly was laughing and giggling with Caitlin and even as they pulled in was busy telling her where her room was. Leading the way he unlocked and opened the door for them, "Ok ladies, Molly you show Caitlin the house and I'll start dinner." He smiled at Caitlin before setting his keys on the table by the door. "Tomato soup ok with grilled american cheese?" Molly nodded her head quickly, leaving no question that is what she wanted.
Caitlyn smiled and followed Molly around the house. Getting a better idea of the layout and getting the truth in the scents all around the house she could pick up. She was really liking this... the stories Molly was telling her and the history Cait could see for herself in the house. How lived in it was and the ever present warmth of love everywhere. Something Cait hadn't had in a really long time. But she didn't dwell on her past and she smiled and listened to Molly. Waiting for James to call them to dinner.
Ending back in the living room Molly proudly pointed to a couple pictures. One had James, Sandra and a very tiny Molly shortly after they had brought the baby home. Still another one had James in his military dress uniform and Sandra in a white dress, probably at or after their wedding. Laying in front of the picture was a silver cake slicer in a small box, "Thats me and mommy and daddy when I was little." She placed her hands behind her back and smiled up at Caitlin.
"You were adorable when you were a baby too." Caitlin says with a smile on her lips. She knew James had been married but it stung a little to see pictures of them together and looking so happy. Especially with Molly in their arms. Caitlin could only look at the pictures and face the fact that she would never have a normal life like that... she might not even be able to have children. She had never heard of someone being a wolf and giving birth to human children. Marcus told her horror stories sometimes but Caitlin didn't know if they were true or not.
Moonlight: Dreams & Demons pt6
Stumble!