 | ShatterStorm Productions
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| ShatterStorm Productions
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Primary Character(s): Sylvia Ventura
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++ Sylvia ++
It’s been a wholly uneventful day so far. Normally, I don't mind this on my birthday. In fact, normally I prefer it this way. If it's a week day, I'd spend the day at work, going about my normal business, as if nothing were different, followed by taking Nicole to my favorite restaurant for dinner and going home for other of my favorite pleasures. And further back, before I had Nicole in my life? Dace and I would go out to the clubs. It amused me to watch her scamming the adults for drinks with her youthful exuberance and sexuality. Truthfully, it didn't just amuse me; it turned me on, and not just on my birthday. But on my birthdays, particularly when she was underage, it seemed she would turn on the charms to the fullest. I would take her home those nights and take my pleasures of that sweet, firm, nubile body of hers all night long.
When tensions began to mount between Dace and myself, I began to change how my birthdays were spent. In truth, the changes began when she grew old enough to decide she wanted to be a police officer. I was against the idea, but she was an adult and ultimately it was her decision. That it also ultimately played into our disastrous separation has been a thorn in my side ever since.
Since Dace left and the separation from the other suits came about, if the truth be told, my birthday has been a day I've hated. I've dreaded getting older, I've dreaded the fact that the one woman I truly wanted to tame and bend to my will left me. I've dreaded the thought that perhaps many of the things she said to me in anger are, in fact, true. Basically, I'm not able to fully accept the things I can't change. Not yet, at least.
But things have changed, whether I like it or not. It all began in Chicago a little over a year ago. Honestly, it began the day Dace walked into this very office and told me of the situation happening in Chicago, of her need for my help. All of the hell that happened, all of the deaths that madman caused, the death he almost caused. The moment I heard that Dace had nearly been killed in her pursuit of protecting people, it felt like my world had collapsed. I told Jesse I'd pay any medical costs for her recovery, bring in the best doctors, whatever it took. There was a knowing tone in his voice when he refused, saying the House of Clubs was already taking care of everything for what she'd done for them. It hurt to be rejected like that, but in hindsight, I now understand what he did.
The jarring jangle of the phone brings me out of my thoughts. "Yes?"
"There's a package for you, ma'am." Nicole's voice sounds decidedly odd.
"Then bring it in, Nicole," I snap back. "I don't have time for this."
"Ma'am, it requires your signature." Now she sounds decidedly fearful.
"Fine." I hang up the phone and stalk out to her desk, where I stop when I see Dace standing there, all decked out in her riding leathers. "What in God's name is going on here?"
"Happy birthday, my Queen," Dace replies, bowing deeply before me.
"What is this?" I ask, trying not to show my confusion. "Dace, I think you're in the wrong city. And where's your mate?"
"She's at the hotel," Dace replies with just the hint of a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "She said she'll join us for dinner later."
I can't help quirking an eyebrow at that. "Oh, she will, will she?" I ask dryly. "And what if I already have plans for dinner?"
"I'd say you're lying," comes her sassy retort. "Nicole's already told me what your plans are for the rest of the day, and since there's nothing important coming up, I'm stealing you for the day."
"Dace, I don't have time for this. I've got work to do, a business to run. Something I believe Anastasia should have waiting for you back in Las Vegas."
Boldly grabbing for my hand, Dace grins impishly. "She gave me the day off to come celebrate your birthday with you."
"Damn it, Dace," I hiss, pulling my hand back. "I don't celebrate my birthday. Now go back to Las Vegas." And I turn around and stalk back into my office, slamming the door behind me. I barely get to my desk when she saunters into the room. "I mean it, Candace. I'm not in the mood for this."
"I apologize, my Queen," she replies softly and when I turn around, she's on her knees with her eyes on the floor. "It won't happen again, ma'am. I'll just go show Catherine around town and head back to Vegas a little early."
I pause at that and move to settle against the end of my desk. "Why did you come here in the first place, Dace?"
"I simply meant to celebrate this day with you again. It's been years since we last spent a day together, and…"
"Spit it out, Dace," I reply when she doesn't continue.
"Permission to speak freely, my Queen?"
"Always, Dace." I lean back on my desk again, curious as to what she'll say.
"Sylvia, I know what you tried to do last year," she finally says. "Jesse explained it to me out at Fen's RenFaire thingie."
I can feel my heart starting to beat faster. "Meaning?"
"Thank you," is all Dace says finally.
I tilt my head to the side and study her for a moment. "For what?"
"Like I said, Jesse told me what happened. I know you offered to pay for everything, get the best care possible for me. I know he turned you down because he felt that the House of Clubs needed to do this for me." I look away at her acknowledgement of that situation. "And I also know that you stayed by my side with Olivia, Jinny, and Monica, made sure they got sleep and decent meals. And I wanted to thank you for that. It means a lot to me, Sylvia. That's what today is all about."
To say I'm stunned is a gross understatement. I didn't think the others would tell her I was there. I hadn't wanted them to. I just wanted to be sure Dace was safe and would be as whole and healthy as she possibly could be. "Come here," I finally say, embarrassed by the husky tone of my voice. When she stands up, I pull her into a tight embrace that she returns easily. "You have no reason to thank me, you know. I merely wanted to make sure you were all right. And your continued health is thanks enough."
"I know I've never been the easiest person to get along with, but you helped create an important part of who I am. And more importantly? You saved my life, Sylvia, you saved my sanity. I don't think I've ever thanked you for that, and God knows I should have."
"And this is the reason behind your sudden intrusion on my life?" I tease lightly, patting her cheek. When she nods, I smile. "I'm glad you came, Dace," I finally admit and press a light kiss to her lips before standing and walking toward the door. "Come along, Dace. Nicole, cancel all my appointments for today and tomorrow. I've decided to play hooky for the rest of the day, and Dace and I are going to catch up. We'll be back for you at the end of the day, and you can join us."
"Y-- yes, my Queen," she replies, a combination of confusion and smug amusement in her voice.
I'll have to remember to take that smugness out of her hide later. Or maybe I'll let Dace do it for old time's sake. For now, I'm far more interested in spending time with the woman who's captivated me for the past twenty years, even when we were separated by such ugliness.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Dace asks as we take the elevator down to the lobby.
"I was just thinking about how much things have changed," I reply honestly. "And how much time I've wasted in pursuit of things that haven't necessarily been healthy for me. I'm an old woman now and I'm still more driven than most men half my age."
"You're not an old woman, Sylvia," Dace cuts in smoothly. "KC's an old woman, but you're still in your prime."
"You'd best hope I never tell her you said that."
She chuckles and grins mischievously. "I'll gladly let her take it out of my hide to prove me wrong. But seriously, you're only as old as you feel, Sylvia. And honestly? All this tightly leashed self-control is making you old. I don't want to lose you from dying far too young for your vibrancy and vitality. Let go and live a little, hunh? Take Nicole on a cruise around the world, let Salix take up some of the reins for a while. She needs to know she has your approval and consent to run this business when you do eventually hand it off."
"I know," I reply softly. "I'm working on it. It's difficult, but I don't think I can continue like I was. I wasn't getting any satisfaction out of it." I pause and grin at her. "Did you know that young Fawn sent me a birthday card? Even signed it to 'Gramma Sylvia,' the little imp."
Dace cackles delightedly. "Seriously? That kid's really turning into your mini-me."
"I hope not," I reply honestly. "No one should be that heartless and emotionless in their lives."
And as I say it, I realize just how true those words are.
Things have changed, things are changing, I need to change with them.
