Page 143 of He Who Sleeps

"He's on his way," Easton said when Emerson shrugged. "He texted to say he was leaving about five minutes ago. It's in the family chat."

Well, that explained it. She had no idea where her phone was. “Ah. Well Niobe has hidden my phone once again, so maybe you could get her to show me where it is?”

Damon laughed, shaking his head. “Mischievous little thing.”

“You ready for Fiona?”

“Born ready,” he growled. “Though we do have you to thank for that vixen. Expect a fruit basket.”

“Better than the sex toys Xander and Hollis sent me for introducing them to Carlee.”

"You'd think they'd have twigged that sex toys are kind of obsolete when you have seven partners," Easton said, shaking his head with disbelief. "It's not like we ever leave you wanting for orgasms."

“They are both deviants, I’m sure it was the first thing that came to mind,” Damon said. “I mean Xander owns a swingers club for fuck’s sake.”

And that was one of the reasons Carlee was right up their alley. She liked both Hollis and Xander and what was better was they were not against adding to their burgeoning group to lock Carlee down. “True. So you staying for dinner? Carter promised pizza and beers.”

“Would that I could. I have a date with Fiona tonight.” He grinned. “But you guys have fun. I’ll be back next week, give you guys time to break this beast in.”

She laughed. “Well then go.” They said goodbye to Damon as Jack walked in carrying her phone. “Vic is on the line.”

Where did you find it?” she asked with a grin.

“In my room,” he said and kissed her, handing the phone off.

“Hey, Vic...” she said.

"Hey! I just wanted to check in and see how the grand move in is going?" She sounded cheerful and upbeat.

“Just about done,” she said brightly. “You are coming to the devotional dedication for Fiona, right?”

"Wouldn't miss it for the world!" Victoria sighed happily. "I wish she'd tell us what the God said to her. She's really changed." Easton had refused to tell Petra, too, although in his case she thought it was maybe because he didn't know. All he'd said was that it was between Fiona and He Who Sleeps, and it was no one else's business what had passed between them.

“She might...one day,” she said with a wistful smile. “And you? Make any decisions yet?” she asked as she walked away from the guys and out onto the back courtyard area. “I know Brad...”

"Brad is a very good boy," Victoria said affectionately and Petra heard something in the background that might have been 'thank you, Mistress' but she wasn't sure.

“I bet.” She sighed. “You got a bet on Carls? I know Xander and Hollis are all up in her mac and cheese but there’s also Leland, Reece and Ulmer...” She was expecting Carlee would keep them all, considering there was no rule stating she couldn’t. It really was her dream come true.

"I think she'll just keep adding men until someone tells her to stop," Vic laughed.

"And if they're all cool with it, I don't suppose it matters."

"Yeah. My thesis got approved so I officially have my Master’s now. I'm trying to decide if I should stop there or go for a doctorate," Vic replied. "You know how much I love studying, but I also kinda want to feel useful to the family somehow."

The family. God, she loved hearing that. “I mean, you could do both? Why not? Leo has been suggesting I get my art history doctorate...though it would just be for me, unless I wanted to focus on mythology.” Which she actually could do, but...she sighed and looked down at her stomach. Putting her hand on it, she sighed again. She wanted to tell her guys, but they hadn’t been all together since she found out. With Finn coming home, she could finally do it, and that would change all their lives once again. In the wake of that, would going back to school be worth it?

"Well that's the thing, isn't it?" Viv said thoughtfully. "Finding a doctorate in a field of study that would be related and useful. I'll think about it. Anyway, I have to go. I really just wanted to make sure you were okay and not stressing out too much."

“I’m okay. Finn should be home soon...” she said with a small smile. Vic, Fi and Carlee all knew, as they had been with her when she found out, but like the good sisters they were, they pretended like they didn’t.

"Well give the guys my love and I'll speak to you soon," she said. They exchanged goodbyes and hung up, just in time for her to see Finn parking his car and walking across the driveway toward them.

“Speak of my Devil,” she said as she rose and went to him. “How was it?”

"Wonderful. She's coming over for dinner next week to meet you guys. She wanted to come today, but we weren't sure the house and everything would be ready in time." He stretched, easing out the driving kinks in his muscles. "How is everything going here?"

“Good, I think everything is handled here, though I don’t know if Carter is back from the sanctuary yet. I hope he is...it’s been a while since we were all together. I have something to tell you guys.”

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