Stars Dancing [Dreams-To-Lovers Romance]

RORY

I finished my chamomile tea and closed my eyes. Time to go back inside, but I didn't really want to yet. It was cold out, but the sun was high in the sky warming my cheeks nicely. Most of the winter snow'd melted, and I could see a green patch down the street. The little park with swing sets.

My gaze lingered on it. I was, well . . . okay? Maybe? A few weeks post appendectomy and c-section delivery of Bitsy, I could get around better. But I tired much more quickly than I was used to, and I felt so dependent on other people. Like now. My mom was inside cleaning the guest bathroom since Bitsy was asleep, and I'd taken a minute to pop out on the balcony of our apartment for some fresh air.

Before I'd left the hospital, they'd had me up and walking which was a very slow affair at first. I do not recommend having your stomach cut open. Well, if you need to save your life or that of your daughter, then definitely have your belly cut in two, but otherwise, don't do it! It hurts, and you can't laugh or move right for a long time after. Then you get exhausted so fast and things turn topsy-turvy 'cuz you can't get around on your own, and it's hard to pick up your baby—

I cut off that line of thinking so I wouldn't start crying and worry my mom. Instead, I went inside and slipped on my coat.

"Mom, I'm gonna get a walk in while it's warm. Be back soon."

"'Kay, honey."

I made my way down to the park, not too slowly. I was doing better, and it felt good to be out and about. The sounds of the city and passing people on the street put a little more pep in my step since I'd been so cooped up. I found the swings empty, so picked one and started pumping my legs back and forth, up and down. Closing my eyes, I let the sun kiss my cheeks and remind me that simple things in life could help me remember who I really was inside.

I felt Slydar, of course, just at the edge of my awareness checkin' in, and I didn't say anything, just let him feel I was okay. Then kept swinging back and forth letting the burdens of recent weeks get blown away in the breeze. There was more on that wind that just sunlight and warmth; there was the scent of my favorite fruit from back home: costamelon.

I remembered another time, not too long ago when I'd felt her, my Auntie Ryst that I'd never met. That night at Rhianne's house when little Lena'd been running around naked after her bath. I smiled and shook my head at myself. It wasn't that far in the past, but I felt like a totally different person after two babies and a harrowing hospitalization. If I'd only known then . . .

The breeze was more than a breeze; it was a presence. A feeling of someone who knew what it was like to carry a burden and not want others to feel the weight of it. So, I leaned into Ryst Nova and let my feelings come up to the surface. All the stuff I didn't want my mom to see, and everything I wanted to keep away from Slydar. I didn't even know what any of it was!

It was just sadness and overwhelm, and emotion I couldn't explain. I wanted to fix it, to do something about it, but it was just raw, useless, powerful feelings that needed to spill onto my cheeks so someone else could see and know. And Ryst was there surrounding me in the love I needed. I knew I wasn't a burden to her, and she had no compunction to fix anything that was wrong. It was just me being me in her presence, and I let it all out.

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I couldn't help the song that welled up as the emotion did. My grandpa Ren'd written a song for Ryst, and I'd been singing it my whole life. "I heard you on the breeze, just like always. I feel how near you are. You are all love and all things." Softly, I sang that love song to the Auntie I'd never known, but had always felt with me, watching over me in love and kindness.

Rubbing my cheeks with my coat sleeve, I realized I'd let the swing come to a stop. I looked up at the blue, blue sky and whispered, "Thanks, Ryst. I needed you today. Even though we've never met, I feel like I know you since my Dad talked about you so much. He loved you, and that's good enough for me. Thanks for watching over me. Will you look after my kids too? I don't know how to do all of this, and I have lots of help, but, well, it's just nice to know that you're here too."

Then I took a deep breath and sighed, smiling. Whatever had just happened to me had unwound something inside that had been tying me in knots, and as I thought about going back to the apartment, I realized that IT was part of my problem!

Yes, Sly and I'd loved that apartment; it was where we'd built our life together in Nineton, and it held so many memories. But with two kids sharing a bedroom, and one of them running around on two legs, and family coming and going nonstop, yeesh! It was crowded. Anytime we needed to go outside, it was: get bundled up in coats, and boots and scarves, then ride the lift down. Oh wait! Forgot the mittens—back upstairs, and on and on and on. We needed a home with a yard for the kids to play in and more space!

I headed back to the apartment where I found my mom had Bitsy up with a clean nappy. She was hungry, of course, and a little fussy, but that wasn't an issue. Letting her suckle, I told mom, "I dunno how, mom, but we've gotta find a house with a yard. This timing is terrible after the surgery and with two tiny ones, but I don't think the apartment is working anymore—"

"Honey, I don't know how either, but I'll help you. Can you give me twenty four hours?"

I looked at her, confounded. "Twenty four hours?"

"To figure out how, Rory! You know this is the sort of thing I love—"

"Mom, you're helping with the kids, and I know you're not working right now—"

"Aurora Grace! Don't you dare rob me of the chance to help my own daughter and grandkids find the house of their dreams. All I need is a little time to research, and things will come together. Don't worry, I won't pick it for you, I'll just see what options there are so you don't have to do all that leg work. I mean you could find an agent, but why would you do that when you have me? What do you want in a home, Rory? Close your eyes, and what do you see when you think of the perfect place for your family?"

I was tired and wanted to close my eyes and lie down on the couch, but I did as she asked, and was surprised that I had easy answers for her.

"Two story house with a yard. Four bedrooms, but small enough that it's easy to clean. Big kitchen and family room and a basement for the kids to play in. Close to where we are now so you and the skate park are nearby. Really, it's not that much—"

"Perfect, honey. Now, you don't have to worry. I can filter through and see what's available, and of course, I'll check around because you never know when someone's thinking about listing their house. You look tired. It's Bitsy done? Go lie down, honey, everything is going to work out."

I did as she asked, and as soon as my cheek hit the pillow, I felt my husband's molasses self wrap around me. Switch was with Slydar's dad Slick, as he often was. My seventeen-month-old son probably thought his grandpa was his mom, but oh well, everyone seemed happy, so I wasn't gonna worry about it too much.

I drifted off to sleep, Slydar curled around me mind and soul. I didn't even get a chance to tell him I'd decided we were moving.