True Fate (15 page)

"That looks comfy.” Aaron said as they
passed it.

"Oh, it is and it's mine. I love to read and
I come out here on cool days and most nights. It really is relaxing.” she said.

He looked at her and smiled a lopsided smile. "That's
awesome.”

They pulled into the garage and Aaron got out
quickly. Before Nia was done gathering their to-go cups and her bag, Aaron was
opening her door.

"Thanks." Nia said blushing.

She went in and the door beeped, she really hated
that sound of the alarm system. "You ready for this?” she asked looking at
Aaron like she was worried about his safety.

"Of course." He said tugging down the
sleeves of his hoodie and she did the same. There's no way she could explain
two healed tattoos around her wrists. She blew out a breath as they walked
through the laundry room and into the kitchen.

Aaron admired the beautiful kitchen, it was
always his favorite room in a house. Maybe he could cook for Nia sometime in this
kitchen, he mused.

'That would be great. I'll definitely take you up
on that.’
she was all smiles.

Her mom came into the kitchen and almost
screamed, "Oh, Nia I didn't know y'all were here already.” she leaned on
the counter for support shoving whatever she had in her hand into the mess
drawer.

'That looked sneaky',
Nia
thought.

"Sorry. Aaron Pierce this is my mom, Marguerite
De La Garza.", she said sticking out her tongue at her mom.
 

'Nice and mature? I like it!’
he chuckled out
t
hankfully only heard by the two of them.

"It's nice to meet you in person Mrs.
D.", with that Margie's face lit up.

"Hey I like that. It's nice to meet you too,
it has been a long time since Nia's had a boyfriend over.” Margie said with a
smile linking her arm through Aaron's.

"Mom!", now it was Margie's turn to
stick her tongue out at Nia and Aaron couldn't help but laugh.

"Come with me you two, your father's in the
dining room already." she said taking a turn into the dining room.

Vince was seated at the head of an ornately hand
carved table and looking down at his iPad. He looked up and saw he had and
company and pushed it aside quickly. He got up and went straight to Nia,
wrapping her in a warm embrace.

"Hi dad.” she said squeezing him tight. It
felt like forever since she'd seen him, especially with all that had happened.
Her and her dad were closer than most. They were like best friends, kind of.
Well they used to be.

"So, who's this young man on your mother's
arm? Should I be jealous?” he asked Nia with a broad smile.

"This is Aaron Pierce, and this is my dad
the great Vincent De La Garza.", she said proudly.

Aaron moved to shake his hand sure to have a
strong grip. It would really suck if her dad thought he couldn't protect her.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. De La Garza thanks for inviting me into your
home.” Aaron said with a respectful tone.

"Nice to meet you too my boy.” Vince replied
clasping Aaron's shoulder, "I haven't heard anything about you Aaron. Why
don't you have a seat so we can chat?"

Nia giggled, her dad was harmless really her
happiness was his only concern besides safety, of course, and she was safe with
Aaron. Oh if he only knew. She felt her wrist heat up as they sat down to talk
and Margie started bringing dishes out of the kitchen as Nia nearly doubled
over as she felt a sharp wave of pain.
'What the?’

"I'm going to go help mom, be right back.”
she said winking at Aaron. He nodded looking a bit scared. '
Thanks',
he
thought with a sarcastic tone.
'Oh don't worry you big baby. You're safe, I swear.’
she sent mockingly.

Rounding the corner she stepped under the
staircase. There was a bench and bookshelf there. It was quickly becoming one
of her favorite hiding places. She lifted her sleeve and the blue stone was
pulsing a dull light, but the buzzing was going through her whole body.

Quickly placing placed her hand on the stone and
whispered, "Eric, Are you okay.” she got no immediate response and began
to worry.
'Crap.',
she tried again.

'Eric!’
she
knew she would come across desperate but desperation was what she was feeling
for sure. Until a voice echoed through her mind.

'I’m okay. We ran into some more um, hunters and
I was wounded. But I'm fine now. Healing as we speak and resting too.'

Nia let out the breath she was holding and
whispered,
'Oh, Thank God. I felt the panic of the situation and I was
terrified for you. Then the pain hit me and I freaked. I'm so glad you're safe,
please stay safe. I have to go I'm with family and hiding my wrist so... I will
see you tomorrow.'

She heard Eric's laughter,
'You don't have to
touch it once you've established the link Nia.’
he laughed some more.
'Oh,
well I guess I have lots to learn then. I am a bit busy though.’
she
sighed.

'Talk soon?’
he
sort of asked.

Her response was simple,
"Okay. Eric? Do
I even wanna know what a hunter is?” she could hear his sigh,

"No, Not yet.” he answered firmly, adding
"See you soon." as she felt his mind slip from hers leaving behind a
low pulse.

Nia rounded the corner and ran into Aaron.

He grunted from the impact and steadied her by
the shoulders. "Funny how I keep running into you. Huh?” he said with a
broad smile.

Nia decided to make the most of this moment. She
grabbed his hand and led him back around the corner to her hiding spot. He
looked at her questioningly. When he started to speak she put a finger to his
lips with a whispered, "Shh.", she wrapped her arms around his neck
and he leaned closer to her face
. 'Kiss me Aaron.’
she sent through the
bond.

Her request was simple but it made his night. He
pressed his hands onto the small of her back and slowly kissed her. It was
delicate and sweet, and it was amazing. They separated after one kiss, out of
breath.

"I don't think I could ever get tired of
that." Aaron said smiling with dimples blazing. Nia could definitely get
lost in those eyes, they were breathtaking.

"We better get back." Nia said with a
smile taking a step back.

"Yeah, Oh where's the restroom? That's where
I was headed.” Aaron asked. She showed him and hurried into the kitchen,
grabbed a bowl of vegetables sitting on the counter and went into the dining
room. Amarie and Lena were there with her parents.

"Oh my God, is it true that Aaron's here?”
Lena asked excitedly.

"Yes Mags, please don't get drool on him.”
Nia responded with a snicker and everyone laughed at that.

"So how's it going so far?” Amarie asked
fiddling with her napkin. Nia nodded and winked at her sister when her dad
chimed in.

"Hey, hey. I'm not sure if I like that look.
How long have you known him anyway?" All three girls got quiet.

Nia swallowed the new lump in her throat. "I
met him yesterday. I kind of bumped into him and that's more literal than you
would think. I practically mowed him down while I was texting Rhea.” she said
taking a large drink of her iced tea.

Vince took a deep breath reminding himself that
his daughter was a grown woman but he couldn't shake the feeling that they were
hiding something. And he would find out, just not now. "Well, that's fortuitous
isn't it?" He then smiled relaxing all of them at once.

Aaron returned, they said grace and everyone dug
in. Nia and Aaron only ate the bare minimum letting Margie know they had eaten
a few hours ago.

The rest of dinner was relaxed and Aaron and
Vince were talking about solar panels and shipping them worldwide. She knew the
two business heads would get along wonderfully. Her mom winked at her, clearly
satisfied with her dad's interaction with Aaron. Nia knew that was a great
start.

"Well, no late dinner is complete without
everyone finding a way to work it off.”, Vince said smiling and standing.
"I will be in the gym if anyone needs me.", he went around the table
and kissed all his girls on the tops of their heads except Margie he got her
hand and told her, "You're coming with me, beautiful.” Margie giggled and
all the girls laughed.

 
"Aaron it was nice meeting you, I expect
we'll be seeing more of you.” he said clapping him on the shoulder.

"I hope so sir. Dinner was great Mrs. D, It
was good to meet you both.” He said with a smile.

Margie grazed his shoulder on the way out, along
with a beautiful smile. Leaving him knowing where Nia got her looks.
"Guess we're on clean up Mags." Amarie said ruffling Lena's hair.

"Okay, But after that. Laps in the pool!”
she said excitedly.

"Good idea.” Amarie said with a wink.
"Nice seeing you again Aaron.”

"Yea it was good to see you Aaron.” Lena
said as she started gathering dishes.

"Now what?" he asked as Nia smiled at
him clearly thinking about something.

"Wanna take a walk with me?” he went to her
side quickly.

"Lead the way madam.” was his answer.
'I'd
follow you anywhere you know.’
He added as Nia took his hand examining
their entwined fingers. He thought she was leading him outside but they turned
into the foyer and went up the stairs instead.

Last door on the right had a black door and he
knew immediately it was her bedroom. "I want you to see my room, I’m
pretty proud of it, but if you aren't comfortable going in I understand."

Aaron gave a soft laugh, "I think I can see
your room safely.” he gave her a wink. She laughed too feeling silly for
suggesting otherwise.

She opened the door and he whistled as he looked
around at her haven.

"It's all me. It's like my mom climbed in my
brain to design it. We looked for months to find the wallpaper. The bookshelves
were a surprise and they're my favorite part!” she said leading him to her
dressing room slash closet then through to the bathroom or mini spa as Rhea
liked to call it.

"Wow. This is definitely a great space. Now
I know why you don’t mind living at home," was his response.

She took him back out to her room and he looked
closer at the bookshelves. "Wanna do something else tonight before I take
you home? If you're tired we can call it a day.” Nia asked.

"I thought maybe we could check out your
hammock.” he said slowly.

"Come on.” she said grabbing his hand.
Clearly neither of them was ready for this day to end.

Chapter 7

Nia was flipping some switches by the back door on
their way out, the curtains were closed so there was no preview for Aaron.

Opening the French doors she caused the deep red
curtain to sway in the wind. Aaron followed closely and stopped short when he
saw the massive deck the size of a dance floor. There was a railing around it
separating it from the tables and chairs to accommodate at least a hundred
guests comfortably.

Nia walked over to the part of the deck with a
roof and opened a cabinet. There was a stereo inside. It was then he noticed
the stealthily placed speakers. Nia pulled her MP3 player out and connected it.
She stood there for a moment and turned knobs on what looked like a small sound
board. She set her player on the shelf and closed the door. A song he didn't
recognize played low through the speakers.

Nia smiled, "We will hear it better as we
walk.”

"Now that's cool,” he replied.

She reached out her hand and he came and took it
more than happy to have the contact. Nia wove her arm through his.

"This is the garden," she said, and
right in perfect time dim lights lit a narrow path into a garden you could get
lost in. The smells were amazing. Aaron looked behind him noticing that the
lights behind them were dimming and some going out altogether.

"They're motion sensors.” Nia explained.

As they reached the edge of the garden you could
hear what sounded like a small waterfall. The lights by the pool and building
beside it were on.

"Thanks for the music Nia!” Amarie hollered,
waving from the pool.

"It's outdoor, indoor but since it's
occupied we'll save that for another time.” she said smiling.

They rounded the corner and her trees came into
view. She smiled a wide grin, Aaron loved how she stared at her favorite spot
with adoration. He could hear the music better the closer they got. There was a
small table and two chairs and the hammock all nestled under the trees.

Nia walked up to the tree and pointed at a spot
for him to stand and he did so without question.
 
She tugged on a gold rope and mosquito net
fell around them. They were now in a netted room. Twinkling lights shone on her
favorite spot and an unlit lantern was hanging from both trees. The music was
the loudest here but still not so loud you'd have to shout.

She patted her hammock, "Wanna try it?” she
asked excitedly.

"Yes, I do.", he answered scooting
unnecessarily close to her in passing. Nia got goose bumps on every centimeter
of her that he touched. She reached in a small chest under the hammock and
pulled out a blanket.

"Take off your jacket.” she told him. He
complied immediately.

She removed her jacket and he laid inside of the
hammock and it was like laying on a cloud.

"This is amazingly comfortable Nia.” he said
with wonder.

She couldn't help but laugh. She reached inside
the chest again and pulled out a small remote. She dimmed the lights
considerably and dropped another sheet of what looked like curtains around
them. She giggled a sweet mischievous giggle and joined Aaron on the hammock.

"Are you sure this is safe for two?” he
asked laughing.

"Rhea and I have laid out here all day
reading before. It's huge isn't it? I call it my cloud.” she smiled again
turning on her side to face him. He did the same
.

'Ooh',
she said mentally.
'I love this song ...a lot.... Maybe even more now.’
she sent only to
him, looking in his eyes as the words began to Stripped by Shiny Toy Guns.

"Come with me into the trees, we’ll lay on
the grass and let the hours pass.

Take my hand, Come back to the land. Let's get
away just for one day...

Let me see you stripped down to the bone."

Nia stared in Aaron's eyes no doubt about what
she'd find there. A longing to match her own was deep in his eyes. They each
knew what they'd said about taking it slow, but right now she wanted to be in
his arms more then she had anticipated. Aaron looked at her questioningly.

'Nia?’ he whispered through their bond.

She didn't answer him, she just took a deep
breath and pushed him onto his back placing her head and hand on his chest. His
heart sped up as she traced invisible lines that were making him shiver. He put
his hand on her wrist and she looked at his eyes again.

That may not be the best idea, but the feeling of
completeness she felt looking into those deep pools of blue was too piercing to
look away. They stared having another unspoken exchange as verse two boomed
through them both.

"Metropolis has nothing on this, you’re
breathing in fumes I taste when we kiss.

Take my hand come back to the land where
everything's ours for a few hours...."

Nia was done being so careful, at least for that
moment. She wanted him to kiss her. She was about to let him know through the
bond when he crushed his lips to hers. It was an urgent kiss, like that moment
could very well be their last. It seemed to drag on like the fire that was
trailing through her insides. Aaron had self-control to spare but who was he to
deny her what she clearly wanted. Maybe they were weak but this made him feel
stronger. Their bond was growing impenetrable with each tender kiss he was
certain.

Aaron pulled away breathless. "I think
incomparable is the word that defines that kiss," he whispered with his
breathing still labored with Nia rubbing her still moist mouth over his bottom
lip. Nia was in a daze, the force she felt inside of her when she kissed him
was awe inspiring. If she had any doubt of if they were supposed to be together
that was definitely put to rest.

She could get lost in Aaron for days on end and
that was enough to settle her uncertainty for the time being.

 
"Nia,
I think we should slow it down before all of my self-control dissolves.” Aaron
said huskily.

Nia just laughed, "Mm okay... I guess.” she
said huffing out a breath and ending with a pout.

He groaned, "Please don't pout, that is
really, really adorable."

She grinned "Okay, I'll behave.” Nia raised
her hand as if to swear.

She rested her head once again on his chest and
he kissed the top of her head stroking her hair and feeling her heartbeat close
to his.

They talked for a while like that about
everything possible other than the strange events and bonds. Though they
couldn't help but trace out each other’s bond marks. Movies, food, likes and
dislikes. Books, Authors and everything in between were the topic of their
conversation.

Nia was happy here in Aaron's arms, it was hard
to believe that they'd just met yesterday. This taking it slow was going to be
harder than Nia had anticipated. He really was beautiful, she thought.

She wanted to see all his tattoos but was too
embarrassed to ask. She remembered that he'd wanted to see hers too but she
wasn't going to remind him. They could leave all that for later. He grazed his
lips across her forehead, he wasn't going to get tired of being close to her
anytime soon.

Nia decided to close her eyes for a second
enjoying the moment. She rolled onto her belly and he was on his side. Aaron
laid his head down and just looked at her, relaxed without a care in the world.
She was just slipping into a dream, she could see familiar light blue eyes
smiling at her, and she smiled back and heard a far off voice saying her name.
And just like that the beautiful eyes were no longer smiling but looking at her
longingly. They closed once and then faded and she was lying on her hammock
snuggled to Aaron's chest.

She was stretching when Aaron nudged her for what
she assumed wasn't the first time. Vince was standing there right inside the
curtain and she stuffed her wrists in her armpits to conceal the marks.

"Sorry to wake you. We are about to go to
bed and just wanted to see if you were going to be staying here tonight Nia,”
her dad inquired slowly.

 
Nia sat up
embarrassed clasping her hands behind her back, "I'm staying at Rhea's I
still have to take Aaron home."

Her father walked towards her and kissed the top
of her head, "Don't forget your phone and your charger. Keep me posted.”
he said sternly.

Nia smiled finding comfort in her father's usual
overprotective behavior. "Of course Daddy, love you.” she replied with a
smile.

"Goodnight Mr. De La Garza it was great
meeting you and your family. Please thank Mrs. D for the hospitality again.”
Aaron said moving to shake Vince's hand.

"Will do son, you're welcome here anytime.”
Vince replied with a wink.

That definitely made Nia's night. Her dad
approved and that meant everything to her. She was glad she brought him to her
house. She knew her parents were awesome but that just went up a million
points.

"You ready?” Nia asked Aaron.

"Yeah, whenever you are."

She put everything in her retreat back how she'd
had it before and lifted the mosquito netting back to how it had been then
turned to Aaron. That was awful quick of her dad to warm up to him like that.
He'd been cold as ice to her ex.

"Okay I just need to go pack a bag, come
on.” she said taking him by the hand.

Once in her room she went into her closet,
"So how do you like being my hostage?” she asked playfully and he couldn't
help but laugh.

"I think I'm developing Stockholm
Syndrome.", he responded.

"Ha, ha.” was her sarcastic response.

"Aaron?”

 
"Yea.", he replied.

"Could you come in here?” Aaron rounded the
corner.

"This really is a pretty great space,” he
said looking around Nia's closet slash dressing room. She was standing in front
of a large shelved built-in with bags, suitcases and purses on it. Seemingly
trying to decide what to take. She turned and noticed the look on Aaron's face,
biting her lip.

"Bags and shoes are pretty much my addiction
besides books and music of course.” she told him with a concentrated look on
her face.

"If you wanna check your Facebook or
something it's cool." Nia said motioning to a small desk next to her
chaise lounge or chaise-longue if you were being proper. "You know in case
you maybe wanted to send a friend request to some hot girl...” she added
smiling innocently.

Aaron laughed and pulled out the chair and sat.
He logged in and searched Nia De La Garza with her instruction and found her at
the top of the list. Admiring the cute pic on her profile. He sent her a
request and updated his status then Nia's phone beeped twice.

"Oh wow some weirdo just sent me a friend
request.” she laughed hitting accept.

She went around the closet and grabbed her stuff
and put it in the bag she'd finally chosen. She grabbed her messenger bag
removed a tablet and eReader then dumped the bag on the chaise swapping it out
for the black Vans bag with Gir on it.

She noticed Aaron looking at Gir and grinned,
"Sorry, but I love Invader Zim. Gir's awesome!” she threw her stuff back
in her bag and grabbed the small duffle, went to her dressing table and grabbed
a small black bag from there stuffing it in the duffle as well.

Lastly she threw in a pair of Vans and she asked
"Ready?” he nodded.

"I'll get that.” Aaron said taking her
duffle and messenger bag from her shoulder as she grabbed her phone and put it
back in her pocket, getting her charger and keys and she was good to go.

They made their way to the front door when Lena
came to meet them, "Bye, Nia. Bye Aaron.” she said handing them a small
hot pink thermal bag.