The next day Dee spent most of her time in the kitchen. Soon enough the whole warehouse smelled of roasting meat, potatoes, and spices. The tigers played nursemaid, carrying Edward in a special sling to his mother when he needed to be fed or changed. Eddie had gone to a meeting, and would be back at six.

He still hadn’t told her about the package. Tonight she was planning something special, and he did not want to ruin the day. Never before could he remember her being so angry at the Dark Knight. His unannounced entrance into their home had obviously been the final push; especially finding the vigilante beating Eddie in front of their child.

From the looks of the groceries he put away, he was going to be treated to roast beef. Even as he drove home, he salivated at the thought of the seasoned beef and Yorkshire pudding popover that would be filled with savory onion gravy. Grinning from ear to ear, he pulled over at a florist and picked up a bouquet of tiger lilies. What he really wanted to surprise her with was a bottle of champagne, or Muscat wine. Until she was past breast feeding, however, she refused to touch alcohol. He was lucky she still let him drink and go to the Iceberg!

“Dee?” he called as he walked in from the garage. In the kitchen, the table was set, lit with candles. She was definitely up to something. “Dee? Where are you?”

“Right behind you, Tiger,” she purred, sliding her hands up his back.

Controlling a shiver, he turned and almost dropped the flowers. With a coy smile, she took the flowers, hugging them as she breathed in the soft scent. Eddie was struck at the sight of her. Her long red hair was loose, flowing over her shoulders, and down the back of the emerald green dress she wore. He twisted his head a bit as he looked at her, not having seen her in a dress like that for months.

“Dee… You look…”

“Shh.” She pressed herself against him, covering his lips with hers in a teasingly butterfly-soft kiss. “Now c’mon and eat the nice dinner I made for you.”

Pulling her back to him, he nuzzled her neck, inhaling the peach scent on her throat. “And what about Edward?”

“He’s had his dinner and is in his bed. His bed. Now sit,” she laughed, pushing him into a seat.

Dee served him his dinner, along with a glass of merlot. Throughout dinner, she kept his drink filled and provided conversation. He entertained her with stories of events that had occurred at the factory or office. She enjoyed the stories more for the animated way he told them than the content.

“That,” he began, dabbing his mouth with a linen napkin, “was fabulous.”

“There’s more if you want another serving.”

He waved his hand in surrender. “No, no. I think I ate more than I should have.”

“I hope you’ll be able to handle dessert a little later,” she smiled, picking up the dishes.

Eddie stood, noting that his stomach was only pleasantly full, and relieved her of the dishes. He wavered a little from the wine, and loosened his tie, uncertain if it was the liquor or the woman he had in his arms that made him feel warm. Kissing her, he was rewarded with a fresh raspberry that she had just popped into her mouth from the salad. Stealing the berry from her tongue, he pulled back, chewing the fruit.

“Later. I’m more interested in answering this riddle.”

The sly smile on her face tossed more question marks into the air than it answered. Dee took a hold of his tie and gently pulled him along behind her, reminding him to keep the noise down as they passed the baby’s room. She had not only been busy in the kitchen, but busy making their room spotless and adding candles for light. From the dresser, she took an official looking envelope and handed it to him.

“Open it!” she urged, bouncing on her toes.

From the envelope, he pulled a stack of documents and IDs. Dee put her hands together, biting the tips of both thumbs as she eagerly grinned. Her eyes darted from the items to his face as he looked them over. His hands began to tremble, and a choked laugh came from him. She found it hard not to leap into his arms. Then the papers dropped from his hands, and he swept her into a fierce kiss.

When she felt herself being lowered to the bed, she knew she had him where she wanted him. To keep him there, she wrapped her legs around his waist. Dee pulled back, laughing and smiling at him.

“Edward Nigma!” she gasped. “You’re crying!”

He shook his head, flicking away the single tear of joy that had leaked from his eye. “No. Just… When? How long have you been keeping this from me?”

“January. I wanted to save it for a special night,” she whispered, kissing his nose and wiping away another tear with the flat of her hand.

“Dee… Nigma. I thought we were going to have another argument soon. I was thinking I’d have to find a way to do this, or force you to marry me.”

“But I did it. I did it for both of us.” She took a hold of his tie and pulled him close once more, her eyes twinkling. “And now I want you.”

The look on his face was uncertain.

“C’mon, Tiger. Just like the first time. It’s ok. I’m fine, and I’m ready. And I will not let you sleep until we make love.”

Silence settled. Dee began to loosen her grip on him, frowning and preparing to move away. He stilled her firmly, but made no move to fulfill her wish.

Her eyes fell to the knot in his tie. “I knew it. Watching me have Edward has turned you off on the idea of sex with me, hasn’t it?” she asked, a lump in her throat.

“Oh, no! It’s just that I’ve been waiting as patiently as possible for you to be ready, and I just don’t know where to start!” he said, tilting her face up and kissing her to ease her fear.

“Then start from my lips and go from there,” she smiled bashfully.

A broad grin oh his face, he did just that. In a short time, their lips were swollen from kissing. They laughed happily as they undressed each other, enjoying every second. Eddie respected her requests to avoid certain activities they normally enjoyed. She might have been ready, but the actual action proved that she still found some things to be uncomfortable. And the last thing he wanted was to make her uncomfortable.

“I’ve missed that,” he groaned as he collapsed to the sheets.

Dee snuggled her sweating body against him, swirling her fingers in the slick sweat on his chest; a favorite after activity of hers. Placing a kiss on his side, she whispered a thank you to him. They had just settled down when Edward’s fussing came through on the bedside monitor.

“I’ll go. He probably wants food,” Dee said. Before slipping out of bed, she kissed his nose. With a wink, she half shifted and hurried off to the baby.

Eddie lay in bed, basking in the afterglow of such a perfect evening. He was fed, still a bit fuzzy from the alcohol, and tingling with satisfied pleasure at Dee’s name change, as well as the long awaited sex. That he actually looked forward to sex with her was a change from his original view on the subject. She kept it interesting, and they still had just as much a connection without sex. Still, he had never been so turned on by a woman who reciprocated his feelings. Bandying words with her was always a joy.

Eyes closed, he allowed his senses to once more experience the past moments. In his mind, he heard every gasp and moan that had escaped her lips, along with the soft urgency of her voice as she encouraged him. He could smell her skin and sweat on him. Along his body, he could feel her every curve, and her moving in rhythm with him.

She returned then, and he knew it even with his eyes closed. Tucking his hands behind his head, he watched as she swayed back to the bed, cloaked in leopard fur. Every spot was a flawless question mark, a trick she had perfected especially for his pleasure. Dee was once more smiling slyly, her hands behind her back.

“He just needed to be changed. Went right back to sleep.”

“Mmhm. Do you think it’s wise to show up like that? Doesn’t it frighten him?”

“Edward is my son. He has few fears. Besides, he likes the fur. It comforts him,” she said, sitting on the edge of the bed, twisting to keep her hands behind her.

“I’ll bet your other children will appreciate that when he starts crawling.”

Dee smiled wistfully. “Can you see him, Eddie? Riding on the back of a tiger…” She sighed. “He’s gonna grow up so fast!”

Sitting up, he stroked her cheek. “So we’ll just have to make certain we’re there for every important event, won’t we?”

Her face clouded over, and she turned her eyes from him.

“What is it?” He then noticed she wasn’t just hiding her empty hands. “And what are you hiding there?”

“A present. I… I got you a present,” she said, revealing the box she had set behind her. Pulling it into her lap, she fussed with the plum colored ribbon, smoothing the green, question mark-speckled paper. “I got you a present,” she said again, this time in a barely audible whisper.

“I see that. Shall I open it now?” he asked, reaching for it.

“No. No.” Placing the box on the nightstand, she returned to human form. “Make love to me again first. Please?”

That wasn’t even a question. He had wanted to, but wasn’t about to ask. Now she was offering, and he wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity.

“Of course,” he replied, opening his arms.

Setting the pace, Dee quickly pushed the curiosity of the box from Eddie’s mind. Instead, the only thing he could concentrate on was the way her body wrapped around his, and every little thing she did to him.

Curled tightly against him, one leg across his hips, Dee kissed his fingers as they rested. Eddie lightly stroked her back, making her drowsy. She purred softly, nuzzling into his neck and kissing his jaw.

“Tiger? Would you do me one more favor?”

“Sure, Kitten.”

A yawn stalled her request. “Don’t open the box until I go to sleep.”

Now that was an odd request coming from her. She had always loved to watch him open any gift she gave him.

“I can wait,” he agreed, kissing her forehead.

Easing herself on top of him, she whispered “Thank you,” and kissed him. Dropping kisses on his face, she worked down to his neck.

~ ~ ~

Reluctantly he finally released Dee as she twitched in her sleep, dreaming about the gods knew what. Not wanting to find himself suddenly holding a large feline, he had removed her ring. She sighed, and rolled onto her back, meowing as he shifted her. He tried not to laugh too loud as he tucked the blanket around her. Relaxing against the pillows, he pulled the box into his lap.

For something that was just over a foot square, it was heavier than he thought. Now he frowned. He had expected the box to be light, containing a piece of clothing, perhaps. Maybe even a new derby.

Quietly, so as not to wake her, he unwrapped the box, lifting off the lid. Folds of soft, dark green velvet filled the box. Curiously, he shifted the top layer of velvet. He barely caught the shocked gasp as his eyes widened, looking from the box contents to her sleeping form.

“Dee Nigma, what are you up to?” he whispered.
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