BK 2 - Chapter 35 - Surprising Results
Cat and Trey returned from their weekend in Lake Tahoe feeling refreshed. They had spent most of their time either on the beach of the lake or in bed. Trey never wanted to leave, but Cat reminded him they had a lot of work to do at the group home and guest house. When they arrived at the pool house, Kitty and Aiden were waiting for them with a large Welcome Back sign.
"We were only gone a few days. You didn't have to do anything for us." Cat said as she ran over to hug them.
"We missed you," Kitty said excitedly, wanting to fill them in on everything that happened over the weekend.
After the newlyweds finished putting their things away and had freshened up, Kitty and Aiden had them sit down. Kitty told them about Zola's arrival, and Aiden told them what they did with the twins.
"You know Ricky will most likely send someone else. He won't give up easily." Trey said while looking at the younger couple. He was impressed with how they handled the two men without injuring them. Nevertheless, he didn't want anyone to let their guard down because the next men Ricky sent may be worse.
"We know. Kitty didn't want to kill them if we didn't have to. Harley scared them enough, and Kitty took their guns." Aiden looked down at Kitty with pride. He had loved seeing how assertive she was with those men.
"What do you think of Zola?" Cat asked, knowing how awkward it was for her to have Saira at first.
"It was unnerving in the beginning, but I'm getting used to it now. I have a feeling Zola and Harley will get along great because they have similar personalities." Kitty laughed when she felt Zola purring her approval.
"I can't wait to meet her. Once you can shift, we'll take you into the mountains so you can run with her. I was a little apprehensive the first time I ran as Saira, but it's exhilarating once you set yourself free." Cat seemed to be glowing as she spoke, and everyone stared at her. The younger couple brushed it off as changes caused by being pregnant. Trey thought something else was at play and was anxious to get her test results back.
Roger and Valerie invited them to the main house for dinner, so Cat volunteered to make dessert. Kitty wanted to help, and they decided to make a peach cobbler. Aiden took Trey aside to give him the twin's guns because he was unsure what to do with them. Trey put them in his small gun safe for the time being.
"How has the transition been? I'm sorry we haven't had a chance to discuss it more with everything going on." Cat smiled as they sliced peaches.
"It's been okay. I sometimes feel my emotions all over the place, but I've been controlling them. Now that Zola is here, I can't wait to shift." Kitty was trying to slide past the part about her emotions. However, Cat wasn't going to let her off that easy. She was still concerned that she would end up having a breakdown.
"I was excited about Saira as well. Regarding your emotions, have you talked with Aiden about everything in your past? Please don't feel like I'm pressuring you. I just don't want you to continue holding everything in when there are people around you willing to listen and help." Kitty was looking down as though she was concentrating on cutting the peaches.
"No, we haven't talked about it anymore. I appreciate your advice, but I'm not ready yet. Now that Aiden's asked me to marry him, I want to talk to him before we have a wedding. I don't know when, though." Cat could tell she was getting uncomfortable, so she changed the subject and started talking about their weekend in Tahoe.
Once the cobbler was ready, the group walked up to the main house. Cat rang the doorbell, and as they waited, Trey received a phone call. He walked away from the door as Valerie greeted the others. Trey went in after he had hung up, but he was feeling a little numb. He received the results of Cat's bloodwork.
He watched Cat as she easily chatted with everyone and moved around the kitchen, helping Valerie. He knew she was special, but this was even more than he had ever imagined. Trey decided to wait and talk to her about it later. He hadn't made up his mind if he wanted to tell her in private or with everyone.
Roger and Valerie knew about them being werelions, but Cat was something unique that even Trey had never seen before. He stayed back from everyone as he observed the room. Cat and Kitty were assisting Valerie while Roger and Aiden were trying to sneak bites of food. Trey smiled as he watched them. This was always how he pictured how it would be when he had a family.
"Alright, you scoundrels, set the table, and then you can eat." Valerie handed plates to Aiden and Roger, who gladly complied.
"What are you doing over here by yourself?" Cat walked over to Trey and put her arms around him. He immediately bent down and kissed her forehead.
"I was enjoying seeing everyone together like one big happy family. This is what I always wanted but never had. Our parents were distant and non-loving, but we never went without anything. I would have given up everything to have a big happy family that got along. I feel selfish saying that when you and Kitty had such horrible backgrounds." He held Cat closer, and she rubbed his back.
"Never apologize for wanting a family. Yes, Kitty and I didn't have the typical childhoods, but I think the one thing we all wanted was family. I learned when I met you that family doesn't have to be blood-related; it can be those who care for and love you. We are extremely lucky that we have such a wonderful family." Cat leaned up and kissed his cheek. They stood and watched their family laughing with each other for a few minutes.
"I got your test results back. Do you want me to tell you what I found out when we're alone or with everyone?" Trey decided to let it be her choice.
"Let's talk about it while we're eating dessert. Then you can tell everyone how normal I am while we eat a sweet treat." Cat took his hand and led him to the table. She wasn't expecting the results to show anything other than human and werelion.
Everyone laughed and talked while they ate Valerie's roasted chicken, sauteed broccoli, and mashed potatoes with gravy. After Cat and Kitty served the peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream, Trey stood up, and everyone looked at him.
"I know everyone here knows that we had Cat's blood tested to see if she was anything besides human and werelion. I now have the results, which explains why we all feel something when Cat touches us."
Trey looked at Cat and pulled her up, so she was standing by his side. She looked at him in silence, still expecting him to tell everyone that she wasn't anything special.
"You're part caladrius." Everyone looked at Cat in confusion except one person who had been keeping a secret for a long time.
"Is that something that you made up? It doesn't even sound like a real word." She looked at him in disbelief.
"It's a real thing. A caladrius is typically a bird that can heal others by taking away their illness or pain. You are obviously not a bird, but you have some of this unique blood in your system. This is why when you hug others, they feel calm; you are taking on their emotions yourself. It also explains why so many people are comfortable around you. You radiate calmness and healing that touches everyone around you." She was staring at him in shock.
"How is that possible? My mom didn't have that; at least, I don't think so." Cat tried to think back to her childhood, but she wasn't sure. Her mother had a mother's love for her, but she didn't know how she affected others.
"Cat, who were your grandparents?" Valerie asked quietly. No one noticed how she was trembling.
"Trey found out not long ago that my grandparents were Craig and Paula Cox." Cat was stunned when she saw tears running down Valerie's face.
"What's wrong?" She walked over to where she was sitting and took her hand.
"We're related. You're my niece."
