Logan Chapter 55

-Logan-

Finally, we’re back on more stable ground. I can take care of food. I look around the fridge and pantry for the types of foods Emory likes. I’m not an accomplished cook or anything, but I have four or five easy dishes that I can do well. I know if it were up to her, Emory would be ordering in, but we’re a bit out of the way for the take-out restaurants. Besides, the pack members watching the gates get jealous if they have to bring food in and there isn’t any for them. Looking around, I see that I can make a half-decent stir fry in a reasonable amount of time, with some snacky fruits and cheese for an appetizer. I set out some grapes, strawberries, and cheese for Emory while I start chopping.

“Here we go. Can’t have my mate going hungry, can I?” Maybe if I keep saying it, she’ll start to get used to the idea.

“Ooh, what are you making?” She starts in on the lazy man’s charcuterie with a happy little wiggle. Success. Plus, she didn’t even flinch at my mention of mates this time.

“Stir fry. I figured you could use something comforting and familiar.” I get an appreciative smile at that. I’m mentally awarding myself points as we speak. That month was a good opportunity to get to know her, at least.

“Chicken stir fry? You just wanted a chance to show off your forearms with all that chopping.” I look down at where I rolled up my sleeves. Forearms? I’ll take it.

She blushes a bit at my wink. “If you’ve got it, flaunt it, baby.” Ugh, I sound like Landon. “Anyway, this should be done in about 30 minutes, so don’t fill up on snacks. I just set that out so you don’t get hangry before you’ve properly appreciated my cooking skills.”

It’s so nice to get to play with her, just the two of us. I pull out the leftover rice in the fridge, and toss the chicken and veggies in with it gradually to get everything cooked. Emory leans against the breakfast bar and takes a bite every now and then as she watches me move around the kitchen. No interruptions, no frustration with our lack of communication. We’re quiet, but it’s a comfortable silence. I’m working, Emory is hopefully coming to terms with the rest of our lives.

Once I get everything cooked, I grab a bottle of soy sauce and both our bowls, and set all of it on the table. We have a massive dining room that will hold twenty or so people for larger events, but just off the kitchen is a smaller, six person table flanked by bay windows. That’s where we usually eat when it’s just family. With just Landon and I, even that table has gotten a little lonely. With Emory having her first night here, I’m glad I set Landon on Cora duty, even if I feel a little bad about sending him on an overnight stake-out. If he wants a vacation so bad, he’s going to earn it. The Cora situation is mostly his fault, anyway.

“So Emory, what should I be prepared for when I meet your family?” She startles a little, like she forgot we were hosting them in just a couple of days.

“Oh, I hope it doesn’t go as badly as I’m thinking it will. Probably Bryan and Hunter will be the worst, followed by Mom in her own way. Mom is very excited to meet you and will ask you all kinds of invasive questions. Dad will grunt and try to remind her every now and then to be civilized but will mostly enjoy the show. Elliana will add to the fire if she can think of anything, but will mostly just be excited to be in the big city. You can buy her cooperation pretty easily by taking her shopping.

I’m not going to lie, though. My brothers are going to be pretty pissed. That article was kind of… invasive for both of us. I’m sure none of them ever wanted to know we’ve had sex, and now they do. On top of that, they would have tried to do the overprotective brother thing, anyway. They think they’re more badass than they are. They’ll cross their arms and ask how you let all this happen and I’ll mostly just be embarrassed. I’m not sure how you’re going to get out of it with them. Momma will come around first and guilt everyone else into line, probably.”

Emory eventually runs out of steam, but it all sounds about like I thought it would be. I can handle a couple of overprotective brothers- Landon and I have run into our fair share of those, after all. I’ll just have to be on my best behavior and emphasize how Cora misrepresented all of us with her article. I can handle invasive questions, too. I only have one big thing to hide, after all. I’ll have to bring up my future in-laws with the elder council tomorrow and see what they say about letting one more group of humans in on the secret. Hopefully it won’t be a huge deal for them. I have a bit to think through some of my arguments.

All of my pondering comes to a pause when I spot Emory yawning. We’ve had a massive day, the both of us, and we’re both running on fumes at this point. I set all the dishes in the dishwasher and pull her back into my arms where she belongs. “Looks like it’s time for bed, little rose.” She starts to bite at her lip, nervous about sharing a bed with me. Damn.

“Can we… I just want to sleep tonight, Logan. There’s been too much today, already.” My pride stings a bit, both at her insinuation that I might not take no for an answer, and that she doesn’t want anything more with me yet. I’m starting to realize I’m a bit of a complicated creature, from a human perspective.

I hold her face in my hands so she has to meet my eyes. “Emory. Of course we will only go as far as you want. I’ll give you a shirt of mine to sleep in for tonight, and we’ll unpack tomorrow, okay? Now let’s get to bed.” I swing her up into my arms again to carry her back to my room. Our room. This time, instead of squirming or making a fuss, she just rests her head on my shoulder. My chest goes all soft and warm at the gesture, and I think it might be one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced.