The Consequences of Messing With A Whitlock
by: Wizardtho

Chapter 9:


    I continued to direct everyone while I ate on how I wanted things set up. After an hour of arranging and putting together, I let out a breath as I smiled. I looked around, taking everything in, then grinned at Alice, "It needs some accents and personal touches, but we did good with picking things out." She wrapped her arm around my waist, laying her head on my shoulder, then said with her own smile, "You did good. You did an excellent job, Baby Girl. I just helped in guiding you with sizes that would fit best in the room. Everything else was all you." Captain kissed my neck, "It's perfect, Isabella. Your nestin' instincts are kickin' in, and it's truly beautiful to witness."

    Once they explained to me that nesting instincts were when a new mate felt the need to take care of their nest (or their house) while taking care of their mate, I smiled, kissing over Captain's heart, "Well, you were nesting by building us this amazing house, so it's my turn to made it a home filled with life and laughter." I saw Major beaming at me from the other side of the room, but when I raised an eyebrow at him, he shook his head slightly and mouthed, 'Later, Sugar Plum.' He walked up to us then, saying, "Alright. All of the downstairs level is done until we get to the bedroom sets. We have two more floors to do. Would ya like a break, Isabella, or are ya good to continue?" I smiled widely, "Lead the way, Major."

    We were able to get all of the furniture we bought for the main floor in place before I needed to take a break, to eat again and get my shots. The old family room furniture got put in the keeping room for now. We still needed to get bar stools for the kitchen and bar, but all in all, we did damn good. Stefan stopped early with Captain's approval, making me an awesome dinner of Chicken smothered in portabella mushrooms with a wine sauce. He also made the best sugar snap peas, rice pilaf and crusty bread I've ever tasted. "Jesus Christ, Stefan. You can't cook for me anymore, or I swear I'll end up hiring you as my personal chef."

    Right as he beamed, "It was my pleasure, Bella," Captain cooed into my neck, "That can definitely be arranged, My Sweet Li'l Mate. Ya should always be this pleased with the food ya eat." I felt like I was being spoiled, so I noted, "With everyone spoiling me so much, I'll end up rotten in no time. I don't want to turn into one of those snotty bitches who throw a tantrum because the world doesn't automatically get handed to them."

    Everyone laughed heartily at that, making me raise an eyebrow in question. Jade answered seriously, "Bella, I don't care how much we all spoil you to the point where you're rotten to the core, you could never be one of those snotty bitches. I mean sure, you can give orders with the best of them when there's a need... that's essential to keeping this crew in line... but you just don't have a nasty bone in your body, Sweetie." Everyone agreed with her. Captain nipped my neck teasingly as he whispered, "You're my perfect match, Isabella. Never doubt that."

    He turned me in his arms, then pulled me into a steamy kiss. I didn't even register that Major had given me my shots until the kiss ended. Major grinned at me while holding the empty needles, "Easiest shots I've given ya, Sugar Plum. We'll give it a few minutes, then Nate can work on your wrist. Hopefully we can have ya off the drugs after another set or two."

    It wasn't long until Nate was examining both of my wrists, with Major explaining to him my pain level with different movements. My bruise looked really bad. I hissed as I traced the clear imprint of Edward's fingers on my flesh, the hurt clear in my tone while I said, "I expected him to be upset... I mean for Christ's sake, I wasn't being the perfect virginal victorian lady... but I never expected he would resort to yanking my arm. He never touched me in violence, the whole time we were seeing each other. He never even raised his voice to me. Just goes to show the true person he is."

    I looked up to Major and Captain, imploring, "He needs to pay for this. Put my pain aside for a second; he knew I wasn't his. Even though this isn't a bite mark, it's still a physical mark that is unique to him. Neither of your fingers would match this. He marked me in violence, when I wasn't his to mark in any way, shape, or form. I swear, if I was a vampire, I'd be begging to help in his torture. As it is, I still want to see it being done."

    Captain came to me, kissed my wrist, then said, "As long as it won't put ya in any danger, I'll allow ya to watch. You're still fragile, though, My Little Dove. I can't allow ya to take part in his torture, nor will I turn ya until the threat's over and you're ready to be with me for eternity." He pulled me into his arms as I shuddered a breath against his chest, clutching at his shirt, "I know. Turning me before would be a risk... not only to myself, but to everyone else as well. I just don't like the feeling that I can't be rid of him. The reminder is in every bit of my pain, in the bruising on my skin. He's even there in my dreams, always taunting me... telling me I'll always be his, that he'll never let me go. I don't like the meds making me sleepy, because the dreams are worse if I fall asleep soon after getting the shots."

    Major came up to hug me from behind, then instantly, all of the stress and tension left my body. He kissed the back of my head, saying, "We're tryin' to getcha off the meds and functionin' without pain, Isabella. I promise we are. We didn't know ya were still dreamin', though. I haven't felt a shift in your emotions. Ya haven't even been stirrin' with Captain holdin' ya." I shook my head as tears filled my eyes, choking out as I tried to hold back my crying instinct, "He's still there, Major. I want him gone. Please, make him go away." They both held me tightly to them, then Captain began purring to me as Major filled me with peace.

    It didn't take long with both of them holding me until I was able to say calmly, "When I do need to sleep, would you mind keeping your mojo going... please, Major?" He kissed the back of my head again, then turned me in their arms to look into my eyes, "I'll do everythin' I can to keep the dreams away, Sugar Plum. We'll start weanin' ya off the meds as soon as Nate says it's okay." I heard someone clear their throat, so I looked to find who made the sound. It was Nate, causing Major to say, "Go ahead, Nate."

    He stepped forward a few steps before offering, "With the pain level in her shoulder decreasing as rapidly as it is, we can cut the pain injection down by half a dose now. That should eliminate the sleepiness she feels, but still take the edge off of the pain in her wrist. She will feel some pain, but she'll be able to work through it without your help. If you do help, she won't feel it, of course. I still want to keep the dosage the same on the muscle relaxant, because it has an anti-inflammatory in it to keep swelling down. I can work on her wrist as soon as she's ready. We can readjust her meds again when we see how she fares with the next dose being reduced."

    I turned my head looking up to Captain hopefully, "Please, Captain? Can we do it?" He nodded, kissing my shoulder tenderly before saying, "Of course, Isabella. I want Major monitorin' your feelin's, though... if I ask ya how you're doin', I need the truth. Don't hold anythin' back, agreed?" I nodded in agreement, "I promise, no holding back."

    Nate worked on my wrist for a good hour, then Alice came up to hug me, "You're doing so well, Baby Girl. I made you one of those seven fruit blends you like. I figured you might like to sip on it while you directed us on the upstairs." I nodded, "Yeah, thanks, Ali. I really want the upstairs done before any more of the crew show up. We're cutting it close already."

    I called attention to the room, "I know some of you will be going on patrol, but if the rest of you wouldn't mind, I'd like to get the bedrooms set up before Char, Aaron, and Ang get here. I know you'd all like to get your stuff into your rooms sometime tonight, too. I assume with the nature of your pasts, that each of you carry at least a week's worth of emergency clothing and necessities in your vehicles?"

    With a nod from everyone, I looked at Captain. In response, he nodded. I raised an eyebrow. When he nodded again, I said, "Since we don't know how long the threat will take to eliminate, Captain and I will be supplementing anything else you should need while you are here. You may be taking orders, but you are still our guests. I know clothes get ripped for several different reasons, so please don't hesitate to come to either of us if you should need anything while here. With that said, if any of you not going on patrol would like to help us get the upstairs settled, I'd really appreciate it. I know most of you will prefer the stairs to the elevator, so Captain and I will be in the loft just off the stairs to direct you. Thank you again for all the help."

    Captain beamed at me as he wrapped me around him, carrying me up the stairs while whispering into my neck, "I'm so damn proud of ya right now that I don't know what to do with myself. You, My Sweet Mate, are utterly amazin'. When ya raised your eyebrow like that, I just knew what ya wanted. I'm glad ya thought about it. I could see the respect in all of them when ya were the one to mention us takin care of their necessities... don't worry about the money, because we have more than Bill Gates and Donald Trump combined." I smiled whispering, "So I did good? You aren't upset that I said all that without talking to you about it?"

    He shook his head, then kissed my lips softly, "Ya asked me with your look, Angel. That gave me the opportunity to answer either way. Would ya have offered that to them if I'd have shaken my head no?" I shook my head, "No. I would have let it go with just asking for their help with the furniture, then talked to you about it when we had a chance alone." He grinned, "That would have been the perfect thing to do, too, Isabella. We'll become more in tune as time goes on. Most of the time in those situations, ya won't even need to speak for me to know whatcha want. Ya did the right thing just now, and I'm so proud of ya for it."

    He pulled me into a gentle loving kiss, then broke it with a chuckle when we heard Alice giggling as she came dashing up the stairs. She was balancing the headboard, footboard, and rails to a very beautiful four poster leather and wood bedroom set. I squealed in excitement, "Oh, Ali! It's perfect for you and Major! God, that's beautiful." She rushed over to kiss my cheek, then dashed toward her room, practically singing, "Knew you'd love it!" Major whizzed up to their room with a long dresser, laughing, then kissed my cheek, "It's perfect, Sugar Plum. I can't wait to see what ya pick for the fireplace area."

    Just as he flashed back down the stairs, Derrick came up balancing the pieces to the vine scroll and wood bedroom. "Derrick, they go in the balcony room. I thought that would be nice with being able to look out over the back yard from that room." He smiled, "That sounds about right," then dashed off to said room. Micha and Adrianna both came up with the bed and dresser to the wrought iron and wood bedroom set, so I pointed, "The couple's suit next to Ali and Major, guys." Damon and Stefan were next, both carrying the plain wood sleigh style beds, so I said with a smile, "Last room, boys. Set them up on the far wall, with a nightstand to the left of each bed when you look in the room."

    I smiled when Ali came back out, noticing that Nate, Kota, and Jade were missing, "Are Nate, Kota, and Jade on gate duty?" She shook her head, "Nate and Kota are, but Jade's on her way up with the set that goes in the other single room. With all of us being right here with you, Major said they could go by themselves to do a quick zigzag through the property, then a once-around the perimeter before going on gate duty. They've got the Ziploc containing your shirt, so they're set when Ang, Char and Aaron show. We're almost done with our room, so which set would you like in the downstairs room behind the theater?"

    I hugged around her waist while gasping in mock shock, "You mean you don't know, yet? Why Mary Alice, are you telling me you're slipping?" I heard chuckles all around from the different rooms, but Alice huffed, "Pssh... never. I know which one you'll choose, but I'd still like you to tell me. I feel like we aren't talking a lot." I hugged her tightly, "Oh, Ali. You'll always be my bestest girl and my closest sister. It's just been crazy busy, Hun. We still need to shop for the two lofts and leisure area up here, plus the main level keeping area and bar. I promise we'll take that time soon, okay?"

    She brightened considerably, kissing my cheek before saying, "As long as we can shop for a few nicknacks, too." I nodded, thinking, "Plus I know Major likes his books, and there's only that one set of shelves next to the fireplace.  That's not nearly enough, Ali. We'll have to find a nice bookcase to fit along the partition wall in your room. As for the downstairs, put the set with the plain wood panels on either side with the slats in the middle in that room. The set with the window pane looking panels on either side is going in the terrace suite. With the line of windows facing out back in there, I think the higher back to the headboard will suit it more. I'm just worried about there only being a tub with a detachable sprayer in the terrace suite. Is that going to be an issue?" She shook her head, "Nope. Micha and Adrianna will probably prefer that room. It's got that cozy feel to it. They tend to prefer soaking together anyway, so no problems there." I nodded as Captain hugged me to him.

    Just then, Major came out of their bedroom, "All three are here. Nate says they all passed, so he’s askin’ for clearance to bring them in." Captain nodded, then Major said into his phone, "Bring them up, Nate. We'll meet ya at the bar area on the main level." Captain picked me up with a kiss, then carried me down to the lone bar stool I first sat on. I shook my head, "We really need to finish shopping. That's going to bug me if we don't get it fixed soon. Plus, I seriously need to hurry up and get a set picked out for the guest room near ours. I think your meter's rubbing off on me, because I have a feeling we'll need it."

    He looked at me seriously, "You think we'll be takin’ someone else in?" I nodded, "I don't know why, but something's nagging at me to get it done, because we'll need it soon." He nodded to me seriously, "Alright, Kitten. As soon as we get the meet and greet done, ya can sit down at the bar downstairs with Ali to do your shoppin'. Once Coop gets here, we’ll hafta go over house rules with them, then Major will want to go over patrol schedules." I agreed, saying, "Yeah, there are a few things I'd like to keep to certain areas of the house."

    Just then, the door opened, so I pulled Captain closer to me, since he was standing between my legs. He hugged me close, gently rubbing my back, telling me sweet nothings as the three newcomers lined up in the middle of the keeping room. Captain nodded to them, then said, "It's alright, Kitten. It's just Char, Aaron, and Ang. Take a look for me."

    I slowly peeked around Captain, then smiled after a minute, seeing the three soft smiles greeting me. I sat up a bit, so Captain pointed to each one as he introduced me. "Isabella, this is Char and her mate, Aaron... and this is Angelique, but she just goes by Ang." I smiled a bit and made a small wave, "Hi, guys. Sorry about the freak out, but with the dreams and everything, it's kind of made me jumpy and clingy. Char, Aaron... I really appreciate you two picking up and tweaking my babies for me. Did they meet your expectations on the way here?"

    Char let out an incredulous laugh, beaming at me as she said, "Oh, God, Honey. More than met them. We'll be able to do some more adjustments after your turn, but for now, they should definitely work well for you. There was a short in the start button wiring, by the way. Good call on that. The fray was so small that a human wouldn't have caught it. Everything that could be tuned up and changed out on both of them, has been. They run perfectly. Not a catch or slip to be found." I beamed at her, "Oh, wow, Char. Thank you. Just let us know how much, and we'll reimburse you."

    They both shook their heads, then Aaron said with a smile, "Nope. We wouldn't hear of it. That's our mating gift to you and Captain. It's about damn time a good woman settles him down some." I couldn't help but giggle, "I doubt there will be any settling down with this one's antics, but I'll see what I can do." Captain growled playfully as he nipped my neck, "There's my feisty Li'l Kitten."

    We gave the three of them a tour of the first floor, then the others came down from finishing up the bedrooms, so I said, "We're all heading downstairs for a bit if you want to join. Ali and I have to shop for some more house things, but I think we can officially open up the downstairs for anyone interested." I saw a bunch of grins and nodding, causing me to chuckle, "I figured that would be the case when the first several pieces of furniture off the trucks was all game room related. Come on, Captain. Let's get the downstairs opened up before they get any more antsy." He chuckled, then wrapped me around his waist to carry me down the stairs.

Chapter 8

Chapter 10