You Are Not Fine

[Nox]

Nox didn't want to deal with his feelings or Hayden's and he was hungry. Not starving craving hungry of the horde, just a long night and great sex hungry. And the kids would all be awake soon and they'd want food. And he liked cooking. It wasn't a feeling of happy, it was the sense of accomplishment -- of finishing something. And tending to those he cared about. At least that's why he did it.

Hayden started the music before Nox could remind him there were people asleep on the couch. But it was already too late, the girls were stirring. And Elyse gave them a small smile, though Nox just nodded not really returning the smile as he prepped eggs and bacon for the family. Hayden was quickly beside him. And though he didn't act much different he placed himself directly next to Nox and hip checked him before he took over separating the bacon strips to lay out on the pan, so Nox could focus on the rest of the prep of chopping up veggies to throw in the frittata. Easier to make in bulk with less work. And one of his favorite meals.

Nox was glad to see Rachel up and about but he worried Emily would freak out. "Sky, send Emily a text and tell her Rachel is upstairs with us."

Sky didn't respond, there wasn't much need and the AI tried to remain hidden from scaring the locals who didn't like it -- something Hayden had suggested when Elyse first moved in, though she was more reliant on Sky now and trusted her more than when she first got here. Probably had to do something with befriending their hacker friend a little bit better.

When Nox moved around Hayden to get to the sink he ran his fingers along the small of his back, letting him know he was there, but it was more than that. It was a reminder that whatever they had fought about, and whatever happened going forward, they were okay. Nothing had changed. Though Nox was aware that Hayden was behaving himself, unlike when they'd been alone in London, he only got a little in the way and was more helpful. Could be Elyse, could be he wasn't sure what signals he was sending.

Liam heard the music and was peaking around the corner checking things out. Nox nodded to him and Liam smiled. He brought Lily to Nox and helped him tie the babe to his chest so they could dance around the kitchen like every other morning since she'd been with them. Nox was keenly aware of the pare of green eyes watching him, but Nox didn't make to flirt too much, he didn't want Hayden to run away after what he'd said. Nothing had changed, yet everything had.

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily was awakened by a beep from her wallet. She grabbed it with a slight grumble and sat up to read it. Before she had a chance, she realized the space in the bed next to her was empty.

Oh shit! she thought, preparing to send Jared a text and start looking for her.

Then she saw the text said that Rachel was upstairs with them and she calmed down. Crisis averted, but it made Emily want to think about how she could keep an eye on Rachel. They said there was a possibility for her to run away trying to find Lucio. That had scary consequences.

Emily stood up and stretched, glad she convinced Jared to bring them a set of clothes last night. Rachel still wore her clothes from yesterday seeing as her bag had not been emptied. Emily was in shorts and a Tshirt. She headed upstairs and started to hear music playing. She raised her eyebrow, but kept ascending. When she got to the floor she saw Elyse and Rachel engaged in dancing as well as Nox who was cooking and dancing with the baby Lily, but what she noticed most was Rachel's smile because it had been the first genuine smile she had seen in a week. Emily stepped aside and leaned against the wall and just watched with a smile on her face.

[Anna]

Anna's alarm went off and she was tempted to snooze it, but she looked at the time. Nox was back and probably was cooking and she definitely wanted to partake. He could cook for sure. She stretched and headed out. The scent of cooking bacon wafted up the stairs. It was heavenly. But as she approached the stairs, the sound of music accompanied the luxuriant smell of cooking bacon and she was intrigued.

She walked down the stairs to find Nox, Hayden, Liam, Emily, Elyse and Rachel. Nox had the baby and was growing while cooking. Hayden assisted. Liam's eyes were on Nox, but that wasn't really new. Emily was chilling against the wall with a bright smile on her face. Elyse and Rachel were dancing, both of them smiling. It seemed as if an impromptu dance party had started.

Anna grinned and went straight to Emily who looked up at her approach. Anna didn't ask, she just grabbed Emily's hand and pulled her out to the floor. Emily gave a small scream - just one of surprise but joined in dancing with her. Anna felt like a kid hanging out with her friends again. Sometimes, it was nice to feel like that.

[Hayden]

Hayden helped with the prep work. He was usually less helpful and more a nusance, but Nox easily coaxed him into a more helpful assistant. And Nox's physical touches reminded him that even if he'd pushed the bounds of their established relationship Nox was still okay with him. He felt like Liam at the moment stealing glances and just smiling cause Nox was paying attention to him.

But as the crowd grew it became apparent he'd started a dance party and all because Nox liked peppy dance music and it was his go to thing. It wasn't one of his usual play lists as Hayden had just asked for something. Nox would stop sometimes and listen to the song before he'd let the knife go back to chopping or whatever he was doing.

It didn't take long before all the kids were up and joining in while Nox finished up breakfast. Well at least it was just time to wait for it all to finish. Nox leaned against the counter and watched everyone else dance. Ara and Gen and Sophia whirled Sera around. The boys looked sheepish as they sat on the couch pretending not to want to join in. Hayden leaned against the counter with Nox, shoulder to shoulder and Nox's right pinky brushed up against his hand. It wasn't overt but Hayden knew that Liam was watching and smirking. He went to the otherside of Nox and overtly leaned his head on Nox's shoulder in a side hug. "You two made up."

The timer went off and Nox pulled away from the counter, but Hayden and Liam reached for plates and silverware and started handing out plants to everyone else -- everyone knew it was time to eat.

[Elyse]

Elyse danced with Rachel and they had a blast. Rachel was smiling and even though her scent was still messed up, it was still more normal than it had been. The dance party had been good for her. Emily, Anna, and all the kids had joined in. Well the girls had. The boy sulked on the couch and pretended they were too manly to dance. It was sort of like middle school. What mattered is that they had a good time.

Their dance ended and Elyse was left with Rachel facing her. Elyse’s hands were on her waist and Rachel put hers in Elyse’s shoulders. They were close - very close and looking at each other. Rachel was so pretty, and she could see in Rachel’s eyes that she felt the same. Elyse wanted to kiss her, and she knew it would be returned. But Rachel’s scent brought Elyse back, because her emotions were still confused. Elyse couldn’t do it. Not when she didn’t know if it was real, and not if Rachel’s emotions were not her own.

Elyse looked at her,m and gave a slight shake of the head. Elyse could see the sadness in Rachel’s eyes that morphed into understanding. Rachel gave a slight nod. She understood the decision and accepted it, and then gave Elyse a smile and a hug before going to talk to her sister and get a plate. Elyse’s eyes followed her and she gave Emily a hug. Emily looked at Elyse over her sister’s shoulder and Elyse could see that Emily had seen the exchange. There was no look of anger or disapproval in her eyes or scent - only gratitude and it was reinforced when Emily mouthed the words “Thank You.” Elyse gave her a smile in return.

Oh, shit. She thought. Her last two crushes hadn’t gone well.