Any characters you recognize belong to Laurell K. Hamilton or the members of this group. She does not authorize this work and I am not making any money from it. It is purely for personal entertainment. I should also mention I have Elijah’s permission to include his character in my series. J Sorry it’s taken so long to get out but I had to get his input on the story.

This is rated PG-13 for now.

 

If you need to read the first parts or back story on Lija/Maggie’s relationship it can be found in on the Fiction page of my website. http://www.geocities.com/margaret_mary69/fic

 

Hugs,
Maggie

 

The Long Overdue Surprise: Part 3/?

 

After Lija listened to Maggie’s heartbeat for what seemed like hours, he finally was convinced that his goddess was really there, really lying beside him. Overwhelmed by the man’s response to her surprise, it was all Maggie could do to breathe at first. Lying in bed with his head on her chest, she enjoyed the feel of being safe in his arms. She felt their connection strengthening, weaving them tighter together just from the shared contact.

 

He raised himself up on one arm and smiled down at her, before capturing her mouth with his. He relished the taste as if it was the first time he had ever possessed those lips, soft and yielding. The young woman could feel herself melting in his arms.

 

Their tongues danced a bit before he pulled back and gazed into those familiar eyes. “God I've missed you.” She ran a finger over his lips as he continued. “I can't believe you're here. How did you get here?”  She started to speak but he silenced her with another kiss. “You look good enough to eat Doc.” She giggled as he added.  “Maybe I'll do just that.”

 

Standing he pulled her up with him and wrapped his arms around her waist. He nibbled her earlobes and ran his tongue down the side of her neck and across her collarbone. Overwhelmed by the contact it was all she could do to stop herself from grabbing onto him tight to devour him one delicious bite at a time. It was a wonder she hadn’t broken an ankle trying to jump out of her high heels and into his arms.

 

The Tore’s beast was just below the surface and wanted to be unleashed. He stood back and slid the robe from her shoulders. She was suddenly glad she had taken the time to find her new outfit. She shivered in anticipation as he slid the robe off. Standing back, he took in the beauty before him. God how he had missed this. He grinned mischievously and ran his hand down the front of the blue teddy.

 

She shivered and a growl slipped from his lips as he told her. “This is very nice Doc. I always did like you in blue. Was it expensive?”

 

The candles burning in the background flickered off around him, making his golden hair shine and those beautiful blue eyes of his sparkle. She found herself running a finger over his lips and sighed before replying. "Yes very expensive. Good thing I have a rich mate.  I am very fond of this outfit so you can just enjoy seeing me in it for a while longer." The young doctor winked at his surprised look and told him, "We are connected my love."

 

Taking a deep breath the druid ran his hands up and down hers arms as I let the air out slowly. “I'm sorry Doc. I forgot myself for a moment.” Grinning he added. “So where's the rest of the entourage? You can't tell me that JC let you out of St. Louis alone.”

 

He leaned in to kiss her neck. Maggie purred at the feel of his lips. She pulled her head back just a bit to get him to look up at her and gently kissed his lips then giggled. “I can't believe I'm really here with you, so I don’t blame you if you thought we were dreaming again. As for Jean Claude who said he knows about it?” She wiggled her eyebrows then added. “Well he probably does by now. Asher was going to smooth things over for me. I called Liam to get help getting here yesterday morning and left town before the…” Her voiced changed as she imitated her lover’s voice. “French Fop…” giggling again, she went back to her normal voice, “could tell me no. Hopefully I packed everything we'll need.”

 

Grinning at her impression, Lija pulled the doctor close and wrapped his arms around her. She was comforted by the embrace as he spoke low in her ear. “Poor Asher. As for needing anything, you are all I need. And remind me to thank the little elf for aiding your escape.” Standing back he looked down at his lady love. “I can feel your beast is stronger. More protective.”  Smiling as she blushed, he mused, “I suppose we'll have to see who has the greater will. For now, I am enjoying just having you near. But how long that will last... well I'm not sure I can keep my hands idle for long.”

 

The young woman explained. “Well I told you about Luna's spell gone haywire to enhance my were like capabilities. Hmm… that reminds me. I haven't told her where I am yet.” Grinning she looked up at him. “Well I can't call her now. Maybe we'll let her know in a few hours or she could find out from Asher. He and Liam both have my thanks for helping me turn a spur of the moment surprise idea into a reality... along with a few people here that helped with the set up.”

 

She winked at the handsome druid and sighed. “All I need is you too Lija.  I felt like a part of me was missing with us separated.” Running a finger over his lips she added. “We have a lot of lost time to make up for... My will may be in keeping your hands idle long enough for a hello but I don’t think my heart is in it.”

 

Running her hands over his chest she reached up and kissed him deeply, her beast recognizing his scent as home. Lost in the moment, she didn't hear the barking for a minute. She nipped the Tore’s lip then looked down to see Scottie barking at his feet while swatting at his leg. She giggled. “Guess this is my entourage you were waiting to see. Butterscotch this is Elijah. He's the one that gave you to me so be nice.”

 

Lija reached down and scooped up the puppy. Maggie smiled as she watched her newfound friend and her love get acquainted. The ball of fur was small in his hands. "He's doing what he's supposed to do. Protect you. " He let the puppy wriggle for a bit before setting him back on the floor.

 

Maggie reached down to scratch behind the pup’s ears. She nearly lost her balance in the process forgetting that she was still wearing the high-heeled shoes. Luckily Lija caught her. She leaned against him, rubbing her cheek on his chest just for the comfort of contact.

 

She looked up as her lover asked. “What'd you name him anyway?”

 

She smiled. "I named him Butterscotch, Scottie for short. I know you intended him to protect me but not from you. Think he was just being protective or do you think he's scared of being in a strange place? Hungry maybe? Speaking of which, have you had dinner my love? This is your surprise after all. We have to make sure you're well taken care of." She winked at him waiting for his reply.

 

“I think it's more of a dominance thing.” He started to tell her, then catching the hint added. “What do you suggest for dinner? Or maybe you had dessert in mind? You know maybe I'll just have you for the main course.”

 

Maggie blushed then gave him her best dazzling smile. "You know I'm yours for the taking any time you want my druid.  How about we make sure Scottie is not going to interrupt us again first? I haven't eaten and I bet you haven't either. We have a well-stocked kitchen. Between Mary and I, we made sure of that. She's very sweet by the way. I can see why you are all so fond of her. We have the fixings for sandwiches and I think some chocolate covered strawberries if the mutt there hasn't found them." She giggled and looked down at her shoes. "I think we better get me out of these heels before we open any wine though or you'll be carrying me anywhere I go while I’m here."

 

Grinning the Tore leaned in for a quick kiss. “I would carry you anywhere Doc. But you're right we should take care of Butterscotch first. Yes Mary is very sweet. She's like a mom to all of us and just as protective.”

 

Maggie grinned. "I like the idea of you carrying me. Guarantees you'll be close but you never know when we might wanna play chase..." She wiggled her eyebrows, "Tore and kitten to see who's stronger?"

 

Giggling she sat down on the bed and removed her high heels. "I could tell that about Mary. She certainly made me feel welcome and helped ease my nervousness."

 

She picked up Butterscotch who began to lick her face. She giggled and moved him further from her. "Hey you are NOT the male in the room I want kisses from, pushy." She stood up and took Lija's hand in her free one to lead him from the bedroom. "Well you're further to reach up to now but since you'll willing to carry me, that shouldn't pose a problem."

 

“No problem at all.  Nice touch with the candles by the way. Maybe I'll keep a couple handy for when you leave. If I let you leave.” Maggie stopped abruptly and looked up at the druid. He quickly added. “I know. You have patients and friends back in St. Louis. It was just a thought. Let's get the puppy fed so I can do some nibbling of my own.”

 

Maggie smiled. "Thanks. I thought if we couldn’t have lilacs here, we could at least have the scent. They are most definitely staying here." She sighed and leaned into Lija, letting go of his hand to hug him from the side and look up. "Yes I have friends and responsibilities in St Louis. But I can't begin to tell you how much I've missed you, your kisses, company, being held in your arms and feeling complete."

 

She giggled as she walked with him into the kitchen and sat Scottie down. "Hell I've even missed you complaining when I put the country station on at home."  Putting food and water down for the pup, she moved back over to hug her druid, burying her face in his shirt to hide a stray tear. "I hate being apart but we'll figure something out. I love you too much not too."

 

Wrapping his arms around her, Lija rested his chin on top of the doctor’s head. “You're here now; that's what matters. I'll take all the time I can get with you. We'll make the best of it. I promise you.” Stepping back and lifting her chin, he wiped the tears off her cheek. “And I also promise to try my damnedest to not make you cry again.”

 

Leaning into the man’s touch, she smiled up at him. “You didn’t make me cry my love. My frustration at the thought of us being separated again did that. Maybe Killian can help us figure out some compromise while we’re here that will keep both him and the St Louis contingent happy.” Reaching up she kissed Lija then nipped his lower lip. “In the mean time didn’t you say something about nibbling of your own to do?”

 

He grinned at her. “You know I believe I did. Do you think we can sneak off while your 'body guard' eats? It has been awhile since I started at you lips and ended at your toes.” Pulling her close he ran his tongue along her pulse before telling her. “Of course it's been so long...I may just have to relearn all the parts of your wonderful body.”

 

Leaning into his embrace even more she put her body flush with his.  She purred at his touch on her skin then smiled lazily up at him running a finger along the Tore’s jaw line. “You'll find I'm a wonderful tutor at least when it comes to dealing with a handsome druid I love.”

 

The doctor nipped at the pulse point of the druid’s neck then look over at her puppy and sighed. Laying her head on her lover’s shoulder she added. “He will probably want out when he finishes eating. Maybe we should grab some food too. I have a feeling we're going to need the added energy before the night is through.” Grinning sexily at the man she lead him over to the fridge. She pulled out a meat and cheese tray along with some of the chocolate covered strawberries. She grabbed the loaf of French bread off the counter and motion for Lija to grab a bottle of wine as she headed toward the living room.

 

Grabbing the bottle of wine, the druid found two glasses in the cupboard and followed his lover, telling her. “I remember we had a lot of fun with fruit at the hotel… and bubble bath. I can't wait to relive those nights Doc. The scenery isn't the same, but the company is just right.”

 

Setting the glasses and the wine on the coffee table, he walked over to get a fire going in the fireplace. It was something he had promised if the pair ever ventured there. Killian always kept the cottage well stocked. The druid laid the wood and used some kindling and paper to get the fire going. He belatedly opened the damper before the entire room filled with smoke. Embarrassed he turned and shrugged.

 

Busy pouring the wine into the glasses and setting the food out in easy reach, Maggie didn’t notice the smoke at first. She looked up as it started to dissipate, giggling at the man’s shrug. She held out a hand for him to come sit next to her.

 

The woman snuggled into the Tore’s embrace as he wrapped an arm around her. Feeding him a strawberry, she contentedly sighed. “Well you're most definitely the company I was craving Lija and I can't wait either. As for the scenery, hmm.... yeah the bed is a bit different and we don’t have room service but I'm not complaining. Any chance you are going to show me your favorite spots around here once I get settled.” Grinning mischievously she added. “Maybe even let me meet more of your friends in the main house?”

 

Savoring his lover’s warmth and softness, Lija sighed. “I would love to show you some of my favorite places. As for meeting the others... yes. You'll like Jillian. You've met Ma… Judah… And of course you know Killian but I'd like for you to know some of the others. I want you to feel safe here. I think I've pretty much drove most of them crazy talking about missing you and with my mood swings.”

 

Sitting up briefly Maggie put some cheese and meat on couple of slices of French bread and handed one to her partner. “Eat before my fuzzy little guard comes out here wanting to share.” She winked then consumed her own in couple quick bites. Washing it down with the wine, she made another one for Lija and curled back up next to him. Turning so she could talk to him face to face, “Yeah Ma definitely made her presence known as soon as I landed.” Giggling she added. “She's a really wonderful lady. I like her a lot.  Let's hope Judah has gotten over whatever I did that freaked him out when they were healing you at Dead Druids… He seemed a tad cautious of me there.”

 

Motioning for the man to continuing eating she told him. “I'd like to get to know Killian better.  Learning to work with Asher of late has made me aware that maybe I was a bit harsh in my initial reaction to Killian because of my experience with Jean Claude.” Blushing she quickly added. “Anyway you trust him and I trust you so maybe we can work on it from there. I am here after all.”

 

Grinning she asked. “You've been missing me too? Luna's ahem... kids... were threatening to shoot me if I didn’t quit talking about you so much... granted it was water guns but still... Kittens don't like getting squirted with water.” She winked playfully then asked. “Mood swings that bad?”

 

The Druid sat down his wine glass on the table before answering. “Yeah. Mood swings. Just little things seemed to set me off. I would take it out on the younger ones but then Judah would kick my ass when it got too bad. So it evened out. Killian is a good man Maggie. He didn't deserve what happened to him. None of us did.” Holding her close he asked. “Are you sure you can put up with the mess I have become?”

 

The young woman scooted over to straddle his lap as his arms came around her. She wrapped hers around his neck and looked deep into his eyes. “I believe you that Killian is a good man but even more I KNOW you are my love.  I am sure that I love you and want to be with you, messes and all. Besides you don't know how bad I've been with you gone... helping with potentially violent activities that I would never had done before… Granted it was in self-defense but it's not like ME to react in violence.  We might have to help each other sort out a few things before we're through. Maybe it's because of the strain... that being connected we weren’t supposed to be so far apart for so long... or maybe something else is involved. I love you with my whole heart and know we stand a much better chance of getting though it together than we do apart.”

 

Lija nodded. “Well then if that's the case, I'll do what I can to make sure that when you go back you are a bit more skilled and a lot less vulnerable. I don't want anything to happen to you Doc. My heart is yours. My soul is yours. My love is yours for an eternity. If I could keep you here with me I would. But I know Luna would fall apart without you.” Sighing he added, “What's say we take finish our food, take munchkin out to do his business and I'll show you just how much I've missed you.”

 

Leaning in Maggie kissed him deeply then scooted over on the couch so they could get to the food. She ran a finger down his cheek as she told him. “I love you heart and soul as well. Whether whatever the ancients did in that binding ceremony…” the tattoo on her shoulder tingled a bit at the mention but she didn’t say anything, continuing on instead, “was meant to eternally join us or not, I already knew you were the missing piece... You complete me my Druid... Tore... Protector… Love… I couldn’t bear for anything to happen to you either. If you want to play tutor for some physical activities, “Wiggling her eyebrows she confessed, “I won’t complain. I don’t even want to THINK about having to go back right now, though I know I will miss my sister as much as she misses me while I'm gone.”

 

Gasping suddenly she added, “Oops I still didn’t call Luna to tell her where I am. We better do that later too.” She shook the worry away. Luna would sense she was safe if she reached out via their link after all. Maggie gave Lija a sexy grin, telling him, “Your plans for the evening sounds heavenly and I fully intend to remind you just what you've been missing.”