Chasing Aurora

We woke up late the next morning after a night of unbelievable passion. It felt like a dream, waking up with her in my bed. It felt right. This is where she was meant to be. I don’t think I can ever let her leave. Especially after last night. God, I didn’t know sex could be like that. We were two people in perfect harmony. We just worked.

I slipped out of bed and quickly went to the washroom. Aurora was still asleep, so I figured I’d make us some breakfast. I put on a tank and some shorts before heading to the kitchen. I was thinking it would be slip pickings given that I was gone for a month, but someone must have gone shopping before we got home. I started on some coffee and made some pancakes.

I was almost finished when Aurora came out of the bedroom wearing one of my oversized t-shirts. She looked so beautiful, with her messy curls and sleepy eyes. She walked right up to me and gave me a hug from behind. “Good morning.” She said.

“Good morning. Coffee is ready, cream is in the fridge and sugar is right over there.” I said, directing her around my kitchen. Her arms slipped away as she prepared herself her coffee. I was surprised when she slid a coffee mug towards me before she went to sit at the breakfast bar. I took a sip only to find that it was just how I like it. She really did know me better than anyone else.

I finished up the pancakes and put them in front of her with all the fixings. I sat beside her, grabbing my own stack and quietly dug in. She took a bite and moaned, “You really know how to spoil a girl Piper.”

“Are you talking about the pancakes or the multiple orgasms?”

She gave me a slap on the arm as she laughed, “I was talking about the pancakes. However, I will never complain about multiple orgasms.” I smiled, tucking a curl behind her ear. Even in the morning, when her hair is a mess, she was still the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. I could wake up to this sight every morning and never be bored. In fact, I wanted to wake up to the sight every morning.

“So, I was thinking we should talk about what we’re going to do now,” I said.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, now that we’re together we should figure out what that means to us. Obviously, I want you as my girlfriend, but I would like more than that in the future. I don’t want to rush you, ever, but whenever you’re ready, I would love for you to move in with me. We could redecorate so that you can put your touch on everything, or we could look for another place if you don’t like this one. I just want to be with you all the time.” I laid it all out for her. There was no need for playing games or hiding my intentions. I want it all out on the table.

“I guess I need to do some packing then.” She smiled before taking a sip of her coffee.

“So you want to move in?”

“Yes, I want to move in.” She started looking around the main room, “We are going to need more plants in here.”

“As long as you look after them. I have whatever the opposite of a green thumb is. I’ve even killed cactuses.”

“You got it.” She leaned in and pressed a maple syrup flavoured kiss to my lips, “What do you say to picking up Samson from your parents, grab some of the essentials from my place, then come back here for more mind-blowing sex and worry about the rest of my stuff another day?”

“I think you just read my mind.”

-----

The rest of the week passed in a haze. We got Aurora moved in as soon as we possibly could and were adjusting to life together. Samson loved having Aurora there to play with him. I can’t remember ever being this happy. Life was exactly where I wanted it.

It was the Saturday after I had gotten home, and my parents were throwing a large party in a hotel to celebrate my safe return. I was a little bit nervous. Although my scar was starting to heal and wasn’t so bright red, it was still going to be the talk of the party. We had released a press release about my kidnapping and escape. We obviously had to leave out all the magic and fae, but it was a believable story.

So there I was getting ready. I wore my favourite suit, it was black with high-waisted pants and wide legs, and it had beautiful silver detailing throughout. I wore a white lace shirt underneath with a deep V. I had my hair styled just how I like it and now all that was left to do was wait for Aurora.

I was sitting in the living room when she came out of the bedroom. I swear my breath was stolen from my lungs. She wore a gorgeous soft pink dress that almost seemed to flow around her. Her makeup was soft and her golden curls flowed down her back. Her electric green eyes met mine and I nearly died right then and there. “So is this okay? I’ve never been to a fancy party like this before.”

“It’s perfect. You look beautiful.” I walked over to her and pressed a kiss to her lips. I wanted to take her right then and there, but I promised I would show to the party. I didn’t like going back on my word, “Come on, I need to show off my stunning girlfriend.”

She laughed as we made our way downstairs to the town car waiting for us. We slipped in the back and the car took us to the hotel my parents reserved. There were reporters waiting outside like the leeches they are. Ever since I’d come back, I was being harassed for interviews and paparazzi were following me around. Everyone wanted to get a picture of the missing Jennings heir. It was a pain.

“It’s going to be okay,” Aurora whispered. “I’m going to be right here beside you the entire time.” I smiled over at her. I don’t know how I would have gotten through all of this without her. I’m sure I would have punched at least one paparazzi by now, but Aurora always managed to defuse the situation before it got to that part.

“Okay, let’s go.” The door opened and the camera flashes went. I ignored all of them as I helped Aurora from the car. She took my arm and I lead her into the building, ignoring the circus. The lobby was relatively empty except for my parents who were waiting for us.

“Piper! Aurora! I was worried you weren’t going to make it.” He said coming over to give us each a hug, “We’ve been trying to get the leaches outside to go away, but they don’t seem to be listening.”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” I said.

“Maybe if we had a relaxed party at our house like I suggested we wouldn’t have to deal with them.” Mom said as she gave us each a hug.

“There’s nothing we can do about that now.” Dad sighed before turning back to me, “Everyone is waiting for you inside.”

“Okay then. Let’s go party.” I took Aurora’s hand and followed my parents to the ballroom of the hotel. Right before they opened the door, I could feel my heart start to beat a little faster. So much had changed since the last time I saw most of these people. I wondered how they were going to react to the new me.

The grand doors opened and my parents walked in first with Aurora and I following right behind. As soon as we walked in, the room was filled with applause. I could see all the familiar faces smiling at me. There was a levity to the room that was intoxicating. My spirits were lifted as I stepped out of the shoes of being a Guardian, and back into the shoes of Piper Jennings. They were comfortable, particularly since I was coming with Aurora at my side where she belonged.

I spent a good hour being greeted with hugs, handshakes and well wishes from my friends and family members before I could start to enjoy myself. The band was playing a slow song and I pulled Aurora out to dance with me. She looked up at me with those electric eyes and I was home. “I like seeing you like this.” She said as we danced.

“What do you mean?”

“I like seeing you happy, surrounded by all the people you love. It makes me happy.”

I smiled at the perfect girl in my arms, “Most of my happiness comes from the fact that you are here with me. I finally get to show everyone the girl that I’ve loved my entire life.”

“Keep sweet-talking like that and I might have to keep you around.”

“Is that a promise?”

We danced for a few songs before going over to the bar for some drinks. The bartender was just handing them to us when a familiar face popped up. “Piper, it’s good to see you home in one piece.”

“Ella! I’m so glad you could make it.” I gave her a hug before turning to the woman standing beside her. She was taller than Ella, but I think most people would be, with brown hair and pale green eyes. I could see tattoos peaking out from under her suit jacket, “You must be Andy. Thank you both so much for everything you’ve done.”

“Don’t mention it. We were more than happy to help.” Andy said.

“Aurora, this is Ella and Andy. They are the, uh, women who helped us locate you.” I avoided calling them witches. I feel like I shouldn’t exactly be broadcasting that.

“Oh my god! Oh wow, okay, thank you so much. I can’t even begin to explain how much your help meant to us. I know how much Piper needed people in her corner, so thank you for being those people.” Aurora said.

“It really was no problem.” Ella smiled, “We had our own troubles with curses back in the day. Now we like to help people out. Pay it forward as you will. Although in the end, Piper didn’t really need us.”

“Well, if you ever need my help with anything feel free to ask.” I offered. I know I said that I wouldn’t go gallivanting off on adventures anytime soon, but I liked helping people. Plus, my MMA days were done. I tried a training session with Robby earlier this week and I almost seriously hurt him. Whatever happened when my fae side was awoken, had increased my reflexes and strength to the point where I couldn’t compete in good conscience. Maybe helping Ella and Andy could be a new physical outlet for me.

“We’ll take you up on that,” Andy said. I took a sip of my drink and looked over at Aurora. She was looking up at me with so much love in her eyes, it made my heart sing. I pulled her in a bit closer and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. It still felt surreal holding her in my arms. I don’t think I would ever get used to the girl who brightened every moment I spent with her.

“Hey, sorry to cut in. Just had to welcome back Pip.” I jerked out of my thoughts to see one of my best childhood friends standing in front of me. We hardly ever get to see each other, with me working and her being a rock star, but I was so happy to see her.

“Eri-Ezra! Oh my god, I’ve missed you!” I stepped away from Aurora to hug her.

“You can call me Erika. I really don’t care,” She laughed as she hugged me, “I’ve missed you too. I tried calling you to tell you I was engaged and found out you fucking got kidnapped. Real dick move.”

“I’ll try to schedule my next kidnapping around your schedule next time.” I laughed, “Did you bring her? I still need to meet her.”

“Yeah, she just went- oh there she is! Babe, over here!” She called. I looked over to see a stunning redhead who looked like she a catwalk model strode right over to her. “Ariel, this is my friend Piper, and I haven’t met anyone else yet.”

“Oh, this is my girlfriend Aurora and my friends Ella and Andy. Guys, this is my friend Erika, better known as Ezra Ross.” I said, introducing everyone. Aurora looked absolutely star-struck at the new guests.

“Oh my god, Ariel!” Ella said, her eyes lighting up, “What a small world. How have you been? Your friend Sebastian has been a godsend, we are getting so much better at sign. Casey loved seeing you in swan lake too.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m so glad she enjoyed it.” Ariel said, which was apparently a big deal because Ella and Andy’s eyes bugged out of their heads.

“Wait, you can talk?” Andy asked.

“Yeah, my doctors can’t really figure out why, but I’m just taking the win and going with it.” Ariel shrugged and turned to me, “We are really happy to hear that you are home safe though Piper. Erika was so worried about you.”

“Thank you.” I shrugged tucking Aurora under my arm.

“So, you going to tell everyone what happened to your face? Cause I do not believe that was caused by a knife.” Erika asked.

“Would you believe a fifty-foot fire-breathing dragon caught me with a giant claw?” I asked.

Erika looked down at Ariel with a raised eyebrow. They shared a silent conversation before Erika looked back at me, “Honestly, wouldn’t have been the weirdest thing I’ve heard.”

That struck me as odd. I expected her to laugh, but she brushed off my comment. I looked over at Ariel in intrigue. As the rest of the group spoke, I let my vision relax so I could see the auras around me. For a moment they were overwhelming, but then I could focus on Ariel. A swirl of blues and greens, with a silvery hue to them. It was a relaxing presence, but then I noticed something strange. There was gold, stitching together Ariel’s aura. The same gold that surrounded Ella and had attached itself to me. I wondered if my old friend was caught up in the strange world we were.