After exiting the flower room, where Number One had completed his creation and given Number Ten some ideas, Wulfe expressed a desire to examine the mineral specimens. This meant I had to present them for his inspection without getting too close, nor should Mariella. Wulfe wanted to ensure their safety, though he didn't specify precisely why.
Damon also appeared tense. However, as I had previously mentioned my fur scraps to Mariella, this news had thoroughly excited Damon, Number Ten, and Wulfe. When Damon had cataloged my fabrics and materials in my craft room, he recognized their potential and already envisioned jackets, fur-lined mittens, and numerous other items.
Mariella, too, was enthusiastic about learning to sew, but Damon cautioned about the dangers associated with using sewing machines, perhaps exhibiting a degree of overprotectiveness or a desire to handle such tasks himself.
Since I owned large, programmable sewing machines, Damon preferred them over traditional ones, which he viewed as posing risks due to oils, metals, needles, and other potential contaminants that could detach from the machine through friction or evaporation.
However, our immediate priority was the mineral samples. Wulfe needed to examine them and perform a few spells to confirm that no additional security measures would be required when he began handling them more extensively.
I understood that these arrangements would occupy a significant portion of my tomorrow. Despite still being on maternity leave, I needed to work from home, as financial necessities demanded it. With everyone else home on weekends, there were adults to supervise the children, and I suspected that with the growing number of babies and toddlers, my working from home wouldn't even be noticed. I had already completed substantial preparation for tomorrow, so things seemed well in hand. Having reviewed the details, my mind was actively formulating plans.
Of course, Charles and Adam might present a slight hindrance, as they would likely urge me to take it easy, even though my weight was ideal, I had no stress markers, and I was getting adequate rest. Nevertheless, their concern stemmed purely from love.
My thoughts then drifted to a small project for Charles, related to personal taxes, or perhaps more accurately, taxes for children. I had recently researched a new program designed for children in need. While its coverage was quite broad, for humans it meant disabilities, but for supers, it referred to powers requiring extra effort.
I wondered if my rage, or Sadie's rage, might qualify as such a thing, potentially granting us tax exemptions or similar benefits. I hadn't delved into the specifics, as earning limits often applied, and with our large pack, we usually exceeded them. As usual, my mind flitted from one topic to another, not following a linear path, but that was simply how my rather unique mind operated.
I walked briskly to a specific room and opened it. It was one of those twenty rooms, filled with who-knows-what, but the crates were open.
Wulfe stopped me at the doorway and said, "This will take some time. Mariella, stay close by; let's see what we're dealing with."
I stepped back, allowing him to enter.
Number One commented, "I see chaos reigns here still."
I replied, "Well, we have time. Come on, let's get cracking."
I led him to another room and began, "Now, let's start. I'll show you how this is done, and then you can continue as long as you like. Here at the door, as you can see, the lots are marked, but there are no names, only those I've identified. I've usually written here, as you can see, 'garden stuff' and 'yard ornaments.' Now, watch."
I opened the door and flicked on the lights. These rooms were huge, filled with unopened boxes stacked in piles. I retrieved a tablet from a nearby shelf and powered it on.
Walking up to one stack of what I had identified as garden items, I explained, "Now, our goal is to open, identify, and log. We're not moving anything yet or sorting; we just need an idea of what is where, and this is how it's done."
Damon said to me as he watched, "Surely, my wife, but please show me, and I can then snip off all the useless stuff, as you women make things overly complicated. Why not move? I have sorted some storage."
After taking a breath, I explained, "We're not moving anything just yet, as we might not need it and I don't want to overfill our storage rooms."
I then gestured to a list. "This number here tells you exactly how many boxes are in this lot. For example, this five indicates there are five boxes. This little color or mark tells you how they're labeled. Now, as you can see, we have five boxes with bright red tape. Let's check this manifest." I paused, then continued, "Ah, here it is, red tape, and oh, six boxes! Let's see... here's the last one."
I then took my utility knife and slit open the first box. "Clothes," I announced, "kids' clothes." I examined the sizes and the range of colors. "Fine."
I proceeded to open the next box, checking the clothes inside.
Damon, furrowing his brow, asked, "Why open them all if they're just kids' clothes? It seems like a done deal."
Patiently, I replied, "We need to get an idea of the sizes. Now, this box is roughly 106 to 130 centimeters. However, here are some smaller ones."
I took my marker and labeled them. "And now you can write it all down, like box number one, kids' clothes, sizes 98-115. Box two, etc. This way, it's sorted as best as possible. You can also note if it's a unisex selection, meaning for both boys and girls."
Damon grunted and took the knife, opening the next box. He examined the sizes and marked it down. I handed him the tape gun with strong packing tape so he could seal the boxes.
"Now," I instructed, "as your lot is done, you can pile it somewhere and move on to the next. This is what we're doing while those two sort the minerals. Later, as you can see, this records everything in our system, so if we need kids' clothes or garden stuff, we'll know where to find it. Once all the storage on the upper floors are sorted, then you or others can move things in if there's room. But as it stands, I have no idea what we have here. It's kind of a treasure hunt."
Damon just grunted, already immersed in the task. I walked to my own storage room and began the same process with its lots: identify, mark, and move on.
I had assumed that Number Ten would either go back upstairs or assist Number One in his room. However, to my surprise, as I was ensuring I had all 13 boxes on my lot, he came into the room where I was working.
He said to me, "Let me help you out a bit, Mimi baby. No need for you to overexert yourself," his tone crisp as ever.
I replied, "Thanks, but fine, if you want to, I can give you a lot to check out on your own. There's a shitload of stuff here, so plenty of work."
He didn't bother to reply but walked up to me, snatched my utility knife, and slashed the first box open. He then smirked dangerously, as this lot was for adults, meaning sex toys, edible underwear, and all kinds of things.
I sent this to Mariella, and she said to me via Hive, "Good going, Mimi. You are superb at seducing Salvatores. I can tell you just did it."
That was not my goal here. Number Ten lazily flicked through the box, lifting several items of underwear and looking at me heatedly.
His tone grew darker and much more seductive. "God damn it, baby. It's the damn weekend, but maybe you can show off this lot to me on Monday night. I might be so fucking hungry that I eat everything you're wearing."
He again placed sets of underwear in a different spot. I moved briskly to the next lot, leaving him to take care of those supplies. He had copied the manifest, so he wanted to do this with me, which was funny. It was normally Wulfe who clung to me like a burdock, always next to me, but now, one of the Damons wanted to work with me. Fine by me; I had gotten used to it, somewhat.
I chose the next lot, and I needed to find four boxes, but I could only locate two at first. Fine, let's see if the other two are nearby. If not, then we'll move these two to a different place and mark on our list that the lot is missing boxes, and they will surely be found eventually. I did manage to find the other two boxes, but the only problem was that they were at the bottom of the stack.
Fine, time to get cracking. I climbed up and grabbed the uppermost box, and it was heavy as shit. Fine, let's not do this lot yet, as it was not easy to get. Moving on. The next one was a large lot, 13 boxes, but all of them were nearby. I took my utility knife and slashed the first lot to start seeing what we had here.
Number Ten was behind me, pressing close. "Come on now, baby," he said, his voice low. "Haven't I told you, little girls and knives are not a wonderful combination? Now, move over and let me see what's there. It might be something nasty for you, and let's not take any risks, shall we?"
He opened the box, only to find a lot of men's clothing inside. They were brand new, items I had acquired from fairs and fashion houses, and I had never given them to anyone.
Number Ten lifted one shirt. "Oh, wow," he exclaimed. "It seems, baby, we just got an overhaul on our clothing. I've already informed the others, and you can be sure Charles will make this room-checking an actual chore. This will be logged, so no more of your little escapes."
I rolled my eyes.
He turned to me, looking sharply. "Something you want to share?" he asked. "Please, go on. No need to roll your eyes, just spit it out. Tell me right here and right now why this isn't a packed chore, why this should remain your little hobby."
"We are busy," I replied. "We do not need more chores, and sure, this can be a chore. But then again, it might take time away from the babies or the kids."
"Not a good enough reason, Mimi," number Ten retorted. "You're just selfish, trying to find something you can do to be alone, to isolate yourself."
"Yeah, I like to have time for myself sometimes," I admitted. "This is all wonderful, but as one who has been isolated and alone for as long as I..."
"Stop bullshitting me!" number Ten snapped. "I am older than you. If you think your so-called loneliness is something damn unique, you are sorely wrong. You can just take an educated guess about my life over millennia. Do you think I was always social, that I always had others around me? That I've never felt like a monster, the worst of them all?"
"I hear you, and I'm sorry if it feels like I'm not understanding. Sure, I'm much younger than you, and you've certainly been through some difficult times, but why this reaction? It's irritating, I get that, but what's with always trying to keep me safe?" I said, still annoyed.
"It's called love, you moron. I love you, I have you, and I don't want to lose you. I don't want anything bad to happen to you, which is why I'm protective. We all are," He gazed into my eyes, his love shining like a beacon.
I smiled, hugging him and pressing my head to his chest, listening to his heartbeat. He embraced me too, squeezing me closer as if he'd never let me go.
I couldn't help but wonder what would happen when this was all over. Would we still be in love, or would reality set in? Would they see the real me and find me lacking? Would our love have dimmed or settled? How much would we have changed, and what would they want to do? Moreover, could I handle it – the inevitable rejection, especially if Mariella insisted on going to the Azores?
"Shh, baby, don't overthink things. Listen to me. We're living this life now, day by day, not pondering the future or painting horror pictures of it. I've got you, and I can tell you, our love won't dim, never. As for what comes when this ends, I have a few ideas, but we'll see when we get there," he murmured in my ear, still holding me tight.
I wasn't sure what this reaction was all about. Was it something from his past, or was it Number One's return that triggered it? Was Number Ten afraid of losing me to him, or was he worried about Mariella trying to snatch him back and force him into being her "pussyslave"?
They'd briefly discussed how that felt, and it was nothing pleasant. Well, I would keep him safe and secure, and our lives would keep us all busy. This version of Damon Salvatore was strong and dominant, but he wasn't overwhelmed by Mariella, which made all the difference. And this Damon trusted me. My love for him allowed him to show vulnerability.
"Well, since Wulfe gave you the potion, you might have an idea of what Damien might have removed," I said to him. "I'm not sure if you knew who originally gave me my nickname, 'Little Flea.' It was Brutus. When he saw me and noticed I was married, he called me 'little flea' and told me to go back to my husband. I, well, kind of kicked him in the nuts and a few other spots to make him take me seriously, and that was the start of a beautifully fucked-up friendship."
He murmured, "No, I didn't know, but I have a gap, so you must have told me at some point, but Damien erased it. He was one hell of a guy, I must admit. I really hate Damien, as he ruined my perfect chance to be with you, but at least we have this time. We have now, we have each other, and even if the past is full of shit, let it be. Let's make our future beautiful. The only thing bugging me is that it's the damn weekend, and I can't have you."
His voice was tinged with jealousy. They had learned to express it, to let me see it, feel it, and it also helped them to let it out. It truly helped most of them to be able to express all kinds of feelings, not just act like lust-crazed sex machines.
Suddenly, a voice from the door interrupted our lovey-dovey stuff as Mariella walked in.
She chirped, "All the Salvatores are really excited, and Damon as well. Charles has already made the initial plan that this is done in pairs, so Damon, could you go with number one, and I can be with Mimi? Wulfe just informed me that he's not yet needing me, so we can do this for a while. But Mimi, there will be limits to how this is done, and there are a lot of eager ones watching this already, so don't even think that you can do this all the time."
I rolled my eyes tiredly. It seemed Damon's new hobby was once again trying to rein me in, and I just wasn't in the mood. Fine, let them sort these rooms out. It would leave me free to do other things too, like being with the kids and babies.
Number Ten kissed me once more and then left to go work with Number One. My guess was that Number One, one version of Damon, was trying to get on point with what we had done, and interrogating Number Ten was one of the things he was planning to do. Well, I could put Mariella to work too.