Katja Pt. 16

Gesa smiled, he always told her that. It made her feel good, "So do you Geoff. Could you give me the red crayon?"

Geoff smiled and picked it up and handed it to her. She took it and then put her hand on his keeping it there. They both smiled as they colored together happily.

The ladies came out of the living room laughing as they all sat down. Erin sat down next to Celia, then asked, "Can we talk for minute Celia?"

She smiled at her student, "Sure, here okay, or do you want some privacy?"

Erin looked around, "Ah, private if you don't mind."

Celia nodded, then they went into the house. They sat down and Celia asked, "How are you dear? Did the others settle your mind?"

Erin smiled and nodded, "Yes, they're so nice. It feels good having a family again."

Celia nodded and patted her on the knee. "Yes, it is, you couldn't have asked for a better group of people either. You can trust and believe anything they said." She smiled once more, "So, what do you want to talk about?"

Erin thought for a moment, "It's about my training." Then she said, quickly, "Nemo asked if I wanted to live with him and the others said it was a good idea and normal. But I said I had to talk to you first, I've got the training and all."

Celia smiled and lightly touched a finger to her lips. "Hush, sweetheart. I think it's a wonderful idea. Afterall, he's your mate now. As for your training, we can do some of that anywhere, maybe you and Nemo can come up to the shop on weekends and I can give you some lessons to work on. Then once we move, we can do more on a full-time basis as you'll be working in the shop there. After all it's only two or three months away and you'll be in training for years."

Erin grinned ear to ear, then hugged her, "I love you Celia, I can't thank you enough."

Celia stroked her face, "I love you also dear one. Now, lets go back outside, Anthony and Nemo should just be about done and I love his chicken."

The got up and walked outside and sat back down. The huge grin on her face didn't go unnoticed, so Ariel grinned and said, "I guess the answer was yes."

Erin grinned and nodded enthusiastically. The others laughed and Helen said, "Uncle Geoff, I'll be moving Nemo and his mate here to larger quarters on your approval."

Geoff smiled and nodded, "Granted, just sign my name to it Helen."

Erin grinned, "Thank you so much."

Geoff smiled, "Quite all right dear, his old quarters are small for one person, let alone two."

Then guys looked up at the patio, all the ladies were back out and laughing. Erik said, "It looks like everything got settled. That food done Tony?"

Tony pulled the thermometer out of the piece of chicken, and nodded. "All ready here, Nemo hold the tray while I load all this up. It certainly smells good, so I guess you did it right."

Nemo blushed, "Thanks Tony, ah do you suppose you could teach me other things? I really liked doing it."

Tony grinned, "Sure not a problem. But Erik here is the one to ask, he does more than I do, including some of the things Kat and your sister taught us."

Nemo looked at Erik and he smiled at him, "Sure, if you want to learn."

Nemo grinned, "Thanks Erik, this is the first time I did anything like that. It was fun."

Erik nodded, "Actually, I've always thought the best part was seeing the look on others faces as they eat. It always gave me a feeling of accomplishment."

Tony put the last piece on the tray and closed the lid to the grill. "Okay, lets go and see how you did."

They walked up and set the tray on the table. Then Tony said, "Dinner's ready."

As they all walked up to get some, Erin came over to Nemo, grinned and took hold of his arm, "Come with me for a minute."

She pulled him over to the side, and Nemo asked, "What's the matter?"

Ein shook her head, "Nothing, just the opposite, we can move in together." She grinned at the look on his face and he picked her up and kissed her. "That's wonderful Erin, what did she say?"

Erin grinned, "Well, she said she saw no problem with it. I can do some of my lessons at the ship for now and maybe take a ride up to the shop to see her on the weekends to get more lessons. She pointed out that we were moving and starting up the new shop in a couple of months, and since I'll be in training for years, two months aren't that important right now."

Nemo smiled, "That's wonderful. I can't wait."

Erin grinned also, "I know, neither can I. Helen said she'd could get us bigger quarters."

They both grinned and they walked back so they could get something to eat also. As they walked up, no one was talking, they were all busy eating. As Nemo watched them, he understood what Erik had been talking about.

They filled their plates, and Nemo told her what some of the food was, and she did the same for him as they had a combination of both Human and Lyonness foods laid out. They sat down and he waited till Erin ate some of the chicken, she grinned, "Wow, this is really good Nemo. You'll have to make this for us."

Nemo grinned and as he looked up, he saw Erik grinning back, and he gave him a wink.

Then Nemo said, "I'm glad you like it. This is the first time I've ever done anything like this. But Erik and Tony said they'd teach me more."

Uncle Geoff grinned as he took a bite, "Well Anthony, I think the student has passed the master."

Tony grinned and nodded, "I know, this turned out great." The he turned to Nemo, "You know, maybe you ought to rethink becoming a mechanic. You might be better off studying to be a chef if the other things you make come out as good."

Erik nodded, "He's right you know, especially since you enjoyed it so much. A good chef can earn a better living than a mechanic."

They finished up eating and were talking. Then Helen smiled at the two of them, "Well? Do I arrange for a bigger set of quarters?"

Nemo smiled shyly as Erin took hold of his arm and he said, "Yes Helen, I guess you better."

Helen and the others grinned and she said, "Wonderful, I'll set it up first thing when I get in on Monday. They talked about it some more, then Erik asked, "Erin, I figure you'll be going back tonight with Celia, then come back here on Tuesday. Helen should have everything set up by then. Do you have a car and a lot of stuff? I can give you a hand if you need it."

Erin smiled, "Thanks for the offer Erik, but I have a car, and no I don't have a lot I'll be bringing with me. Most of my things are in storage right now, and there's no sense in moving them until we move."

Then she looked at Nemo and then back at Erik, "I do have a question." She giggled, "A few questions really since we're on the subject. But, when we move there, originally, I was going to stay with Celia. But since it will be me and Nemo, where can we live?"

Helen replied, "Well, we can set you both up with one of the housing units for now, then after a while, you can stay there once the town is finished or buy your own if you can afford it or want to."

Erin smiled sadly, "Well, I guess we'll have to talk about it. But I can afford a place of our own now. After my parents died, I inherited our house, plus a sizable life insurance payout. That's how I got the car, it was my dad's. I sold the house when I moved into my aunts, the money is all in the bank at the moment. I guess I'll need to get advice about that also."

Erik knew she was slightly sad talking about it. But at least she seemed very conservative about it unlike others he'd seen once they came into a large amount of money. So, he said to her, "Well, if you want to get your own place, I can give you the number or Celia can also, of the lady we used to buy our places. But if you want my advice, use the housing for now and then look around for a place, that way you're not rushing. The prices are fairly reasonable right now, but that can change soon as we finish up the town, say maybe two years from now."

She looked at Nemo and then said, "That does sound good, we'll talk about it next week since this concerns both of us."

Erik nodded grinning, "And since I'm in the advice mode, I'll hook you up with my friend who takes care of our money and investments. He's very good."

Tony nodded, "He's right, after I moved in here with Ariel, he set us up with him and I have no complaints."

Erin nodded, "Okay, I'll do that. I'm not very smart on it at all."

Erik laughed, "Neither are we, but the secret is knowing and admitting you don't know. Then getting help."

They continued talking, mostly about the move. Tony and Ariel, would be moving two weeks before Erik and the family. They both needed to get there a few weeks earlier to get acquainted to what was going on. They still had a few things to do around the new house, but that could be done while they were there. Tony and Ariel were going out earlier since they still needed to finish up with furniture and a few other things. Since they were basically starting from scratch with everything, they had gotten a few things at a time so they didn't have to spend a lot of money all at one time.

The same thing would happen with their families. Thankfully, the economic community had finally got the exchange rate settled, and soon, the people would be able to exchange their currency for earth currency.

Things were wrapping up, and Helen said to Erin and Nemo, "When I get in on Monday, I get your quarters assigned, and a temp pass for you Erin. Once your there, we can get your permeant one later on in the day."

Erin nodded, "Okay, let me give you my cell number just in case. Nemo, do you have a cell phone yet?"

Nemo shook his head no, "I was going to wait till we got to New Lyonn."

Erin thought for a moment, "When I get there, lets do this, we can go for dinner, then stop by the place I have mine through and pick you up one, I can just add you to my account. Plus, we can see if we need anything else to hold us until we move."

Nemo nodded, "Okay, that sound's good to me. Uh, are we going to the... mall, I think you call it?"

Erin smiled, "We can if you want, my provider has a store there and we can eat there also."

Nemo grinned, "That sounds like fun. I've heard some of the others talking about it. They said it was very popular."

Erik grinned, "I remember the first time I took Katja there. She almost twisted her neck looking around. Ariel was the same way."

Katja laughed remembering, "That was the first time you brought me an ice cream cone too."

Erik smiled as he put his arm around her. "Yes, I remember how you reacted to it." Then he grinned, "And the little girl asking if you were really part kitty."

Katha grinned herself, "She was so cute."

Nemo looked at Erin, "What's an "Ice cream cone?"

Erin smiled, "I'll buy you one, you'll love it. It's a treat humans..."

Then Ariel, grinned saying, "And Lyonness."

"Like a lot." Erin continued grinning at her.

The party started to break up and everyone was saying their goodbyes. Lucy pulled Jonny over to the side and hugged him, then kissed him on the cheek. He smiled, then said quietly so only she could hear him. "The kiss you gave me earlier was nicer."

Lucy smiled, "I know, I like it better too, as did Briast. I'd do it again, but I don't think I could use that reason again. My parents think were too young to kiss like that. They don't understand how much older I am now."

Jonny nodded, "Well, your father might now, I sort of explained it to him as best I could."

Lucy smiled, "I still don't think it will matter. Maybe once we move and we can be together more often, Celia can explain it to them."

Jonny smiled, "I can't wait until we can see each other every day."

Lucy smiled also. "Me to." She looked quickly around to see if anybody was watching and kissed him quickly on the lips once more. "I love you Jonny."

Jonny smiled back, "I love you to Lucy." Then they walked over to were their parents were talking and saying goodbye. Then Allie said, "Gesa honey, it's time to go back.

Gesa pouted a little, "Okay mommy." Then she turned to Geoff, "Here, I drew this for you when we were coloring."

Geoff grinned as he took it. He looked at it and smiled, it was a picture of Gesa and him. It was very nice, even if they weren't those colors. He looked at it and saw that when she colored it in, she made her hair red. He looked at her and said, "Thank you Gesa, you draw really nice. But why is your hair red?"

Gesa looked up at Erin, then said to Geoff blushing, "You said that Erin's hair was a nice color. So, I thought you might like mine better if mine was the same."

"I just said it was nice. I like yours better, I told you that before when you asked me." He replied.

Gesa sort of shuffled her foot, "Well I was worried." Geoff came closer and took her hand. "I really, really, really like yours better, and you're prettier and nicer than her." He whispered to her, "And she doesn't have a tail."

Gesa giggled and hugged him, then said "I'll see you on the ship Geoff."

Geoff nodded grinning and held the picture she gave him tightly. "Okay, I'll see you there. Maybe we can color some more."

As she walked over to were her mom was, she walked past Nemo and Erin. Erin smiled and asked, "Going home Gesa?"

Gesa looked at her and nodded. Erin grinned, "Okay, I'll see you on the ship." Gesa looked at her nodded, and started to walk away with a tiny growl. Erin looked at Nemo with a questioning look on her face. He shrugged and shook his head, then they walked over to Celia.

She walked quickly over to Allie and watched as she and Katja hugged. Then Allie looked down at her, "All ready to go kitten?" Gesa looked at Geoff, and nodded. Allie and Katja grinned at each other, then Katja stooped down said to her, "Don't worry little one, we'll be on the ship Tuesday and you can play together again."

Gesa nodded, "I know, but I'm going to miss him, I just really like playing with him." She looked at Erin and Nemo talking with Celia. "But I hope he doesn't see any more people with red hair."

Katja looked confused and looked up at Allie giving her a questioning look. Allie grinned and shook her head, so she asked her daughter, "What do you mean kitten?"

Gesa looked at Erin again then back at Geoff who was talking to uncle Geoff. "Geoff said he liked the color of Erin's hair. So, I thought maybe he didn't like mine any more. He told me he said it was nice because he never saw anyone with that color, but he really, really liked mine better. She looked at her mom and Katja, "But what if see's someone else with red hair and wants to play with them?" She looked at Erin again and an inadvertent kittenish growl came out.

Allie and Katja looked at each other trying not to laugh as they saw where she was looking. Katja smiled and stroked her face, "I don't think you have to worry kitten," She leaned closer and said, "He's told me how much he likes you."

Gesa looked at her, "Are you sure?"

Katja nodded and put a finger to her lips, "This is just between us."

Gesa smiled and hugged her. "Thank you Katja."

Katja stood and smiled at her, then winked, "Your welcome kitten. Don't worry, I promise you everything will be alright."

Allie and Katja hugged once more and they headed out to the shuttle with the rest.

Katja walked over to where a few people were left. Uncle Geoff had his nephew on his lap and Geoff was showing him the picture Gesa had given him. Azlan, Helen were playing and joking with Brigette, and Jack, Maria and Lucy were talking with Celia, Erin and Nemo. Celia and Erin were going to drop Nemo off at the ship when they left so they could spend a little more time with each other.

Erik, Tony, and Ariel were discussing about when they were leaving as Katja walked up and kissed him. Erik smiled, "Hi love, everyone get off okay?"

Katja nodded and asked, "I'm getting something to drink, anyone want anything?"

Erik nodded yes, but Tony and Ariel declined. She headed over to the cooler and grabbed a couple bottles wiping them off so they weren't wet. She turned around and Erin said, "Uh Katja can I ask you a question?"

Katja smiled, "Sure, what the matter?"

Erin frowned a little, "I was wondering why little Gesa growled at me? Did I say something wrong to her? I'm not very familiar with you people yet."

Katja grinned, "Come with me and let me give Erik his drink. Then I'll tell you."

Erin nodded and followed her. Katja handed Erik his drink with a smile and a kiss, the they walked over and sat down. Katja took a drink, "You didn't say anything wrong Erin, it's more because your pretty and have red hair. My son told Gesa he liked the color and thought it was nice, and she's worried."

Katja grinned, "Gesa is basically jealous of you, because Geoff liked the color of you hair. You see, Gesa and Geoff are destined to be mates one day. They don't know this, all they know is that they like each other and like playing together. Oh, and they both like the way the other smells."

Erin giggled, "You mean that little girl thinks I'm going to steal her... boyfriend?"

Katja nodded, "Or that he'll see another female with red hair and like her better. She doesn't like that idea what so ever, even with Geoff telling her he really, really liked her."

Erin smiled, "That poor little girl. Is there anything I can do?"

Katja grinned, "Well, for starters, don't try and steal her mate, you have your own."

They both giggled, then Katja said, "Nothing really. She'll get over it, just get used to a few growls every now and then if she thinks Geoff likes your more. I think you'll be alright, she has a tail and you don't. Geoff likes tails."

Erin put her hand in front of her mouth holding in the laughter, "It probably drove her up a wall when I told Geoff his tail was cute."

Katja grinned, "Tsk, tsk, it really is impolite to try and steal another's mate you know. She might try to claw you up.

Erin looked at her, "Your joking, right?"

Katja grinned. "A little, but I'm sure it was going through her mind on a base level. The first time Erik took me to Celia's, it was all I could do to stop myself from doing it to the human females there. It was my first time in a crowd of humans and I could sense all these females thinking things and looking at my mate. Including a female friend of his. I got sort of overwhelmed by it all."

"Ariel kept me calm enough so I wouldn't, but in our culture having the bad taste to do something with another's mate, is unthinkable, and is answerable by claw and fang."

They headed back and Katja went back to sit with Erik, who was talking with Jack and Celia.

Erik asked Celia, "You never said, what are you doing with the shop in the village?"

Celia smiled, "The two girls that work for me are taking it over. I basically sold it to them, and for now, it'll stay with the name it has and I'll get a percentage of the profits from them along with some money to buy it."

She took a drink, "Then, Erin and myself will run the store at New Lyonn. Once she becomes priestess, I'll probably retire somewhat, and I may write another book, I think. Plus giving her a hand if she needs it."

Erik nodded, "Well, like I've told you, if you need any help, financially or otherwise, I'm here for you."

Celia smiled at him. "Don't worry, we'll be fine. Between the money the girls are giving me and what I have, it'll be fine. The shop I'm getting is similar to the one now, with the shop on the first floor and an apartment on the second. Stocking it will be gradual as I find out what sells and doesn't in the area."

Erik nodded, "Okay, but just don't forget to ask if you need help."

Soon, everyone went home, and the family were talking. Erik asked, "What time are you girls going out?"

Ariel smiled, "Sometime tomorrow morning, Helen's picking us up."

Katja, Ariel and Helen had decided to go shopping and were taking Brigette with them. Ariel was going to buy her a dress, she had said joking, "Brigette needs a nice dress and I was promised I could buy her first one. She's going to be at the ship, so she needs to look nice."