His Luna, Her Choice

Chapter Six

VIOLETS POV

I woke up in the morning, annoyed at the bright beam of sunlight streaming through the curtains directly onto my face. Groaning, I rolled over, but was equally annoyed to find Jasper still sleeping next to me. For a minute, I simply lay there, watching his peaceful face as he dreamed.

The events of the previous night replayed in my head. Twice. I couldn't understand why he was so angry with me. I really didn't think taking a sandwich warranted such a strong and aggressive reaction. No, he definitely overreacted.

Pulling a face, I rolled back over, swinging my legs over the bed and stretching.

The kids would be up soon, if they weren't already. Deciding I would walk with them to day-care today, I stood to go take a shower. I strode past the vanity with its big mirror, but I couldn't avoid it in the bathroom. Meekly, I glanced into the mirror. My feet planted themselves, my whole body lurching forward, my hands gripping the counter tightly, a tiny whimper escaping me.

The entire side of my hair was blond.

I looked like someone who couldn't decide between hair colours. Like I'd bleached my hair and quit halfway through. Though truthfully, this was better than a dye job. The golden strands were shining, brilliant, loosely falling around my face and over my shoulder.

With a slightly shaking hand, I touched my roots, running my fingers all the way to the ends. Just like before, they felt warm, and sent a jittery feeling from my fingertips to the pit of my stomach.

But my emotions were quite the opposite of warm. I was starting to doubt this had anything to do with my magic. In fact, it was starting to scare me.

"What is going on?" I whispered to myself. "I don't want this."

"I don't like it." Hala said in my mind.

"I don't either." I replied.

"Mother is worried."

"Mother? You mean Celeste?"

"She is scared for us."

"Why?"

"I do not know. She will not tell me. Or perhaps she can't tell me."

What would the Goddess not be able to tell one of her children? Was that even a limitation for her?

I turned from the mirror, stripping my clothes while I was lost in my thoughts. I heard the door open quietly and I tensed as the atmosphere immediately chilled. Jasper didn't say anything, but I could feel his eyes on me as I turned on the water and stepped in before it even warmed.

I kept my back to him, unsure what to say and not entirely convinced I wouldn't end up yelling at him. Grabbing my body wash, I began to lather some in my hand. After five or so minutes though, the ire that was rising in me got the best of me, and I spoke harshly.

"Are you just going to stand there?" I snapped without looking at him.

"Your hair changed again." His tone was clipped.

"Really? I had no idea." I replied sarcastically.

"I don't like it."

My teeth ground together as I bit back the vicious reply I wanted to give. Instead, I said, "I don't like it either Jasper."

"Then why haven't you changed it?"

"Excuse me?" I peeked over my shoulder at him finally. His face was set in hard lines, jaw clenched.

"Why haven't you changed it?" He repeated. "Hair dye exists. And, also, you have this thing called magic. Just change it back!"

The petty girl in me was tempted to tell him to f**k off, that I was keeping it just because it seemed to bug him so much. But the sane part of me agreed with him. I didn't know why this was happening, and it made me uncomfortable. I turned away from him again.

"I will."

"Good." He turned to leave, but I called after him.

"Is that it then? The reason you're so upset with me. Is it because of my hair?"

"I....No. I mean, I'm not upset with you."

"Could have fooled me." I scoffed.

Jasper stepped back into the bathroom as I was shutting off the water. I grabbed my favorite fluffy towel, wrapping it around myself.

"I'm not upset Violet, not really. I just... I don't know, okay?" He took a deep breath. "Do you still love me?" He asked suddenly.

The question took me off guard in a big way. "What? Of course, I love you! How can you even ask me that?" I demanded.

He shrugged, looking away. Two steps and I was standing in front of him, tilting his chin back to face me.

I didn't like the look in his eyes- like he was trying to cover up some emotion.

"We had a fight. I'm not going to say I'm not angry, because I am. But you're my mate. Aside from that, you're my husband and the father of our children. People fight Jasper. But that doesn't mean I'm going to pack up and walk out. We both need time to cool down, and then we'll work things out. That's what people do when they love each other."

"You don't feel repulsed by me? Don't you have an aversion to being near me? Touching me?" He took my hand in his as he spoke.

"No! Do you feel like that with me?"

He blinked, his eyes darting away. Panic swelled in my chest.

"No, of course not. I just feel like such an asshole after last night..." He trailed off, but he still wouldn't meet my eye.

"Like I said," I pulled my hand away gently, "We both need time to cool down. I'm going to get dressed and then take the kids to day-care before work." I leaned up to peck him on the cheek.

"'Kay."

I got dressed quickly, picking out a light blue t-shirt and black jeans- I wasn't up for being more than casual today. Slipping into some black flats, I moved past Jasper on my way out, giving him a gentle kiss and telling him I loved him. I don't know why, but I almost didn't believe he would say it back. When he did, I felt a rush of relief. I hated that I suddenly felt so insecure in our relationship, like I had to walk on eggshells around him. It wasn't a feeling I enjoyed.

Opening the door to the kid's room, my face lit with a smile at the scene before me.

Cam was helping Carson into a pair of pants, trying to get them over his shoes. Her shirt was on backward, and on his bed, Drew was wearing rainboots and a bathrobe over his Spiderman outfit.

I giggled, and the three of them looked at me with wide eyes.

"Mama! We gettin' weady all by owselves!" Cam announced proudly.

"I see that." I giggled again. "And you guys did a great job. But I'm going to help you a little, alright?"

In fifteen minutes, I had Drew in decent clothes and regular shoes, Carson in his pants with a shirt, and I fixed Camillias outfit. I brushed their hair, supervised them while they brushed their teeth, and had them ready to go just in time for Tracy to show up. She did a double take upon seeing me.

"Oh! Your hair!" She gasped.

"Yeah." I touched it, feeling the warmth. "You know, the kids didn't even say anything. I almost forgot about it actually." I laughed once.

"It uh... You look, uh, good." She lied.

"You don't need to lie Tracy. I know it looks horrible."

"No, no!" She winced around her smile. "It's unique!"

I rolled my eyes. "You are the nicest person I've ever met. I'm changing it back though."

"Oh go- I mean oh." She quickly changed the topic. "Morning kiddos! There are pancakes downstairs."

"We already brushed our teefs." Carson said.

"That's alright honey. Let's go have to breakfast." I took his hand. Cam grabbed my other one and Drew took Tracys. I glanced back at Jasper and I's room in the hall, wondering if he was already in the office.

The kids chatted all the way to the kitchen happily. People stared at me wildly, giving weak compliments on my new look. I took them politely, trying not to grimace each time.

The most off-putting was when Cam touched my hair as I sat her at the table. She whined about how cold it was, like snow. I was sure I had gone pale at her comment, just like Jaspers, and quickly shoved a plate full of pancakes and syrup in front of her.

"Hmm... that is odd. Why is it so cold?" Tracy took some of my hair between her fingers.

"I don't know." I mumbled.

"It feels weird."

"Huh?"

She dropped my hair, shivering delicately. "Sorry, not gross or anything. Just... uncomfortable. Like a knot in my stomach." She frowned, and I gaped.

I'd never heard Tracy complain or say anything negative about anyone. Then she laughed lightly, using a nearby baby wipe to clean the syrup off Carson's face.

"Don't mind me. I'm just being silly I guess."

Unknowing to her, her words transferred that knot into my stomach. Excusing myself, I stood to go to the nearest bathroom, feeling extremely uneasy. I stopped dead in my tracks when I heard my son speak. Whirling back around, I openly stared at him with such shock, I was positive my eyes would fall onto the floor.

"What did you just say?!" I gasped.