Page 42 of Under A New Moon

Thirty-Four

Darla

They both got in their seats in the back, and no one was around them. Galen sighed, sinking into his seat. "I'm exhausted." Darla nodded in agreement, shifting into her seat. She felt she wouldn't be able to move unless she at least caught a catnap.

The driver explained the route they were taking and the distance they were going. He also went over the safety precautions and the rules. Darla was growing tired, and as the bus moved, she found herself falling into a nap.

She would jerk awake when they hit a bump, and after the fourth time, she finally couldn't fall back asleep. Galen had fallen asleep, and she looked at him, wondering how she had gotten here. She snuggled close to him, wondering to herself.

Just a few days ago, her entire world was different. She worked hard to earn intel for her superiors and handed off the information she got to help the world. Or at least, she thought it was helping the world. She had thought her work was important, but she was wrong.

She thought she was earning her way up the ladder, working to become a more significant part of the PEACE organization, but she wondered if that was ever possible. What would have happened if she had?

As much as everything had changed, she enjoyed it. She had a future and one that she was really looking forward to having. She had a mate, and Galen cared for her deeply. He was doing all of this to ensure that she was safe and nothing happened to her.

She looked forward to whatever was handed to her, and she would accept it. She hated how everything happened. She had been sent to kill him, and she had fallen for him instead. Maybe it was ok that it went that way. Otherwise, she may have never met him.

To be honest, if she hadn't worked for PEACE, she probably never would have known who he was. She wouldn't be here with someone that cared about her as much as she had. She hated them but thanked them for giving her Galen.

She looked at him, "Galen?" She poked his arm, and he mumbled softly, "Yeah?"

"Thank you." Darla snuggled closer to him, resting her head against his chest. "For everything. I know it's a lot."

He nodded his head, falling back into sleep. She chuckled, looking outside the window, watching the scenery roll by. The soft motion of the bus and the gentle hum of the motor was calming.

She didn't know when she fell asleep, but she had. She dreamed of a future with Galen. They were all sitting in the living room, playing a board game. They had three kids, all still young. Galen was moving a piece, and Darla just walked back into the room. She felt safe and happy to see them all huddled together playing on the floor.

"Mom." One of the kids looked up, "Come back and join us."

Galen nodded with a smile on his face. "I'm beating them all at this."

"Dad's cheating."

"I am not!" Darla smiled while taking in the argument.

"You're only thinking I cheated because yor’re losing." Galen moved another piece.

The dream shifted into a late evening. The kids were all asleep, and Galen was cleaning the dishes. The kitchen was a large kitchen with an island in the middle. The fridge was decorated with projects the kids made at school, including a picture that was all of them drawn together.

Darla walked in, coming up behind him, "Hello, hubby." She wrapped her arms around him, taking in his warmth.

Galen smirked, turning around. He grabbed her with wet hands, and pulled her closer against him. "Why hello, Wifey."

Darla laughed, and he pulled her close for a kiss. He kissed down her neck, and she giggled, "Galen. The kids just went to bed."

He chuckled, biting her ear. "That just means we need to be quiet."

She liked the idea, but she didn't want to wake the children. "Galen. The kids have school tomorrow."

Galen leaned back slightly, pulling a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "You know, I've been thinking."

"About?" Darla reached around him, reaching for the dishes. He leaned into her ear once more, "Let's have another."

"Another kid? Are you crazy? We have three already."

"Yeah, and we love all of them. You can't say you wouldn't love the idea." Darla blushed, unable to deny it. She had liked the idea of a big family with kids running around. She and Galen would be so happy to have each of them.

"Darla." She jerked awake, blinking, taking in Galen. He wiped her hair back, "You ok? You were talking in your sleep. I was starting to get a little worried."

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