Page 84 of The Baby Dragon Bakery
Everything was perfect.
It was exactly how Lavinia had always dreamed it would be. She had her person, and she knew that this was it.
She felt stable, like all those years of struggling and wondering and waiting had been leading up to this, and it was worth it; it was worth anything to finally be with him. This must have been what Beena had felt like when she was Lavinia’s age, when she met Garrett.
It excited Lavinia, the prospect of all that was to come, of spending the rest of her life with Theo. Of eventually getting engaged and married and having kids of their own, and a million more moments and memories, each of them splendid and wonderful and perfect. She was getting ahead of herself, but she didn’t care. Everything would be easy.
Everythingwaseasy.
She and Theo were at the Starshine Valley fall festival now, which ran for two weekends every November. It was set up in a field in the middle of Starshine Valley, easily accessible for the different areas of the valley: Bayview, where thechimeras resided; the Pines, where the griffins were; the Heights, for the phoenixes; and of course, the Hills, for the dragons.
It was Sunday afternoon, and they had been together for two weeks now, yet it still felt as exciting as that very first day; at the same time, it felt as if they’d been together forever, for as long as they’d known each other.
Theo put his arm around Lavinia’s shoulder, and she twined her hand in his. They walked past chimeras roasting corn with their fire, while dragons flew high overhead. A live band played music in the background as children laughed and screamed, running around. There were tents set up with different stations: a best pie competition, judging for the prettiest phoenix, pumpkin carving, s’mores making, apple-bobbing, and fresh apple cider. There were some carnival rides, as well as games like cornhole or a potato-sack race, and then also rides on the mythical creatures.
“Should we go for a griffin ride?” Lavinia asked, pointing to the stall. Griffins had the bodies of lions but the heads and wings of eagles, as well as two eagle claws and two lion paws. She had interacted with a few baby griffins at the Animal Hospital, and they were much gentler than baby dragons and less skittish than baby chimeras.
Adult griffins were sharp, yet gentle, which made them ideal for a recreational ride at a festival such as this. Though griffins were fewer in number than dragons or chimeras, they were not as prized.
“Sure,” Theo said, letting her lead the way.
They waited in line, then sat on a griffin when it was their turn. Griffins were smaller than full-sized dragons, but theycould still carry two adults. Theo settled in behind Lavinia, his arms around her, and then the griffin kicked off.
Lavinia squealed with delight as wind blew against her face. The griffin made a slow turn over the festival grounds, soaring calmly in the air. The view was gorgeous, the autumn colors glittering like jewels in the sunlight. Theo leaned his chin on Lavinia’s shoulder, and she turned her cheek to kiss him.
When the ride was done, they dismounted, then went over to the games. They played ring-toss, doing best out of five, the both of them tied until the last round, when Lavinia won.
“Yes!” she said, jumping up and twirling. “I win!”
Theo looked at her fondly. “I think really it’s me who’s won,” he said, kissing her cheek.
“That was so cheesy.” She laughed.
“Just a little.” He winked. “Come on,” he said, taking her hands. They were cold, and he rubbed them together in his, warming them. He kissed her fingers. “Let’s go home.”
It was a fun day, and at the end of it, they ended up back at his place with take-out. They mostly hung out at his apartment for privacy’s sake and because she wanted him all to herself. She was insatiable for him; she had been all this time, and now he was finally hers. She could have him whenever she wanted.
Unfortunately, they were both busy with work and her with school, so they didn’t get as much time together as she wanted, but every chance she got, she stayed the night. She was getting less sleep than ever, but she didn’t mind, not one bit.
In his apartment after dinner, they were making out in the kitchen, the dirty dishes forgotten as Theo hoisted her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck, and he walked them out of the kitchen. She pulled back, looking around.
“The view is pretty nice from up here,” Lavinia joked.
“Sure is,” he said, but he was looking at her.
She laughed, running her hands through his hair. She loved his hair. She wrapped his curls around her fingers, tugging, and he nipped at her jaw, kissing her throat as he walked her up against the wall, body flush against hers.
Heat poured through her as he pressed against her, and she brought his mouth back to hers, slipping her tongue inside. Desire hummed through her body, and she made a desperate sound deep in her throat.
He dropped her back to her feet, going to his knees. He kissed her stomach, then pulled down her clothes. Her blood pounded as he lifted one of her legs, hooking her knee over his shoulder. She gasped, holding onto his hair, devastating pleasure pouring through her.
Almost every day was like that: full of fun and heat and tenderness; so achingly sweet.
She liked doing things to bother him like sticking her cold hands against his neck or stealing his favorite flannel tops. She loved annoying him. She loved being her most obnoxious, insufferable self around him without having to worry if he would still like her or not.
It was liberating. She didn’t need to pretend anything: to be mature or serious or toned down. She could be silly because that was how she had always been around him; he knew her.He knew her completely. There was nothing to worry about. She felt utterly loved.
Everything was lovely for a few weeks.
