Jackson stopped playing and focused his senses in an effort to discern what had caused the hair on the nape of his neck to prickle. His fingers hovered above the piano keys while he sniffed the air. Upon identifying the faint scent and hearing the distant "Hello?" from the foyer, he sprang up knocking over the piano bench, and used vampire speed to reach Elisabeth.
He pulled her into his arms and lifted her from the floor. "Please tell me I'm not dreaming."
"Want me to pinch you?"
He released her and held her face. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming home early?"
"I wanted to surprise you."
"Mission accomplished." He picked Elisabeth up again and twirled around with her in his arms, his face buried in her hair. "I've missed you so."
His frisson rippled through her travel-weary bones like a refreshing tonic. "I've missed you too."
He set her down and pulled back to gaze into her eyes. "Ah, there's the magic." He kissed her gently, then asked, "Is your early return good news or bad news?"
"Hmm, I guess it's neutral news. The pack has accepted our relationship and is giving me more time to decide about procreating."
"How much time?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean?"
Elisabeth held his hands and kissed one palm. "The details aren't important. My status is the same, I'm not sure for how long, but it doesn't matter." She slid her arms around his waist. "I've made some important decisions the past few days. I am through allowing the pack to disrupt my life." The concern in Jackson's eyes fed her resolve. "My family supports us and it has become clear that the pack will never stop hounding me to have children. I refuse to be bullied into a decision, and honestly, I almost wish they would get it over with and ostracize me. I'm ready to put that part of my life behind me."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely." She glanced around the room. "Where are Sarah and Connor?"
"Out to dinner."
Jackson chuckled at the relief on Elisabeth's face. She would be spared Sarah's interrogation for now. He hugged her tightly. "I am starving for you in every way."
She touched his ear with her lips, whispering, "Well, would you like me to put that fire out or quench your thirst first?"
A low rumble of desire accompanied his response, "Decisions, decisions."
*****
Sarah burst into the bedroom screeching, "I did smell a super-wolf! I knew it!" She jumped on the bed and hugged Elisabeth who scrambled to cover herself with the sheet. "We missed you so much. Jackson was positively unbearable."