Interrupted by Jan.

“I was expecting you two to be in the bedroom by now, but instead the house is filled with pleasant smells, and I find you kissing softly,” Jan interrupted their kiss, “It’s beautiful.”

Steve could not help but blush at his fiancée’s words; it made him feel oddly embarrassed to have her describe him kissing their girlfriend as beautiful. “Kaya, I love your hair, and I can see the clasp of a necklace there, can I see the whole thing?” Jan asked.

Kaya stepped away from Steve and untied her apron and, with a little flair, pulled it from her body in a flourish. “Oh that necklace is stunning, can I ask what it means?”

Kaya put her hands behind her back and looked at Steve through her thick eyelashes, “It means I want to give myself to you, as partner, lover, and mother to your children.”

Steve audibly groaned as Jan bit her lip, “So I should wear something like that next week for your father?” Jan asked.

Kaya laughed as she stepped up to Jan and kissed her, “Only if you are interested in him as your partner, if you just want him as your lover and are willing to bear his children then emerald is not the right stone. But I can help you if you like, maybe Tuesday help plat your hair, and select some jewellery so you can present yourself to Dad like a centaur?”

Jan kissed her girlfriend in return, “That sounds like a nice idea, and I have next week off work, so maybe we should make it a pamper day?”

“Bring my mum as well?” Kaya asked.

Before Jan could answer, Steve interrupted, “Sorry, did you say that the necklace you are wearing means what?”

Kaya laughed again, still holding Jan, “Jewellery means something to Centaurs. Gold means physical interest, which is why silver and emerald would not be right for Jan next week. Silver means commitment. Emerald means that I am willing to give my whole self. So Jan would wear gold and emerald next week, and Dad would know what that means. I think Mum would rather Jan wear gold and, I don’t know the name here, it’s a golden brown-stone, very shiny, umm almost like a stripy golden brown and black pearl?”

“Tigers eye?” Jan offered.

Kaya shrugged, “We have a suitable necklace, but it means that there is no commitment but willingness physically and we use the tiger's eye to let our partners know that we are willing and fertile.”

Steve hesitated, “But I thought you said you were fertile and you aren’t wearing tigers eye?”

Kaya shook her head, “No,” she stepped over towards Steve, “letting a more casual lover know I am fertile would suit tiger’s eye, but a partner, that deserves emerald and the verbal commitment. Steve, Jan, would you give me your child?”