Page 58 of Kiwi

Piper

It's been a few weeks since Tai and I officially became an us. The days that followed our coming out were tense and weighed heavily on us and the entire club. My dad and I are incredibly close, so those few days, when he was silent and keeping his distance, killed me. My dad is my rock. He has been my hero for as long as I can remember, and knowing he was disappointed enough in me to not speak to me was the worst feeling in the world. Now that the three of us have worked things out, we are back to like we were before. And I know it meant the world to Tai when dad said he couldn't imagine a better man for his daughter.

"What ya doin'?" Tai comes up behind me, where I'm sitting at the kitchen table, typing away on my laptop, and kisses my neck.

"I'm emailing the school. I want to make sure my credits get transferred and that I'm signed up for the fall semester."

"Are you sure this is what you want? Long-distance would suck, but we could make it work if you wanted to finish getting your degree in Texas."

"I already told you, I'm positive this is what I want. There was never anything for me in Texas. I belong in New Orleans with you and with my family."

"I just don't want you to feel like you have to give up anything for me. Like I told you, we'd make it work. You're mine, Piper. That means doing whatever it takes to keep you."

Twisting in my seat, I stand. Tai wraps his arms around my waist. "Tai, I'm staying in New Orleans for me, because it will make me happy. Being here with you, waking up next to you every morning, us getting to know each other more and more, being close to my dad, uncle, and grandfather. And getting to see my baby brother grow up. All those things combined are why I am staying."

"Thank fuckin' god." Tai kisses me. "Otherwise, my arse would be driving to Texas every weekend." Tai nuzzles his face in the crook of my neck and starts palming my butt.

"Tai," I breathe, closing my eyes. "I have to be at work in an hour."

"I can be fast."

I try to push him away. "Seriously, I don't want to be late like I was yesterday."

He pulls the collar of my shirt aside and bites along my shoulder, causing me to lose my resolve. "Fine. You have ten minutes."

As soon as the words leave my mouth, Tai puts his shoulder to my tummy and scoops me up into a fireman's hold. "Tai!" I squeal.

"I only need five," he declares as he races down the hall to the bedroom.

"Ten minutes, my ass," I grumble as I walk through the door of the clinic an hour and fifteen minutes later.

"Hey, Piper," Mathew greets me as I walk inside. Mathew and I switched shifts today because he had mentioned needing the afternoon off. And now I feel like shit for possibly making him late.

"How's it going, Mathew? Sorry, I'm late. I feel terrible."

"No problem. It's only a few minutes, so it's no biggie. It gave me the chance to catch up on some homework anyway."

"How's summer school been going? Are you ready to start your senior year?

"It's going good. And yeah, I'm ready. I'm looking forward to graduating." Mathew gathers his textbooks and shoves them into his backpack.

Once Mathew is out the door, I check the schedule to see who is coming in this afternoon. I also check messages and make a few return calls.

"Piper," Dr. Channing pokes her head out of her office door. "Can I see you in here a minute, please?"

"Sure." Walking into her office, I take a seat in front of her desk. "What's up?"

"I wantedto ask what your plans are with your next semester. Are you returning to Texas?"

I shake my head. "No. I have decided to stay in New Orleans and finish my degree here. In fact, I have already transferred my credits over and will be taking fall classes."

"I assume you are going all the way with this?"

I'm suddenly curious about her line of questioning. "Yes. I have three more years before I have my bachelor's degree, then I will have four years of veterinary school, and of course, an internship, the whole nine yards." Dr. Channing smiles. "What's this about?" I ask.

"I have something important I want to propose to you."

"Okay."