At least we’ve got a shady spot on the shore.
As I get her sat down on the blanket, Janie hands Luna to me while she pulls wrapped sandwiches and fruit out of a basket. I marvel at the idea — it’s not so different from when my battle brothers and I have meals on field missions. That was out of necessity, though, and a lot less well-prepared than what Janie has for us.
“What was this called again?” I rub the back of my neck. I know I should remember, but I’m going to blame it on newborn brain. I knew that taking care of a baby would be a full time job, but I didn’t realize just how much there was to do! Of course, we have Lara and Soren’s help, but I’m not going to let my heart-mate raise this baby all on her own.
Not this time.
I pitch in wherever I can, whether it’s changing diapers or looking after Luna so Janie can get some much-deserved rest. It’s what she deserves.
“It’s a picnic,” Janie says with a smile. “You go to a pretty place and eat while looking at the scenery. It’s fun.”
Iris clearly agrees. “Mommy, the fish were sooo cool! You gotta go see them!” She’s talking a mile a minute, and my heart swells with just how fast she’s grown.
“After we eat,” Janie promises, handing her a small sandwich she’s cut into the shape of a heart and a juice box with a straw.
“Okay.” The food keeps her quiet as we munch on our meals in pleasant silence. Overhead the calls of the birds greet us, and the sea breeze swirls through my girls’ hair and laps at tiny waves on the shoreline.
I rest back on my elbows for a moment, just enjoying the feeling of being here together with them. For so long, my life revolved around battle. Around one mission after the next, never having a real purpose. Never having anyone — or anything — to come home to.
Now I had Janie, Iris, and Luna…and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to see Janie full and round with another child again very soon.
Iris finishes her meal and, as expected, curls up in the corner of the blanket, blinking blearily up at us a few times before falling asleep. Janie puts Luna down next to her and I throw my arm around Janie’s shoulders, bringing her close.
Our two girls. Beautiful, perfect girls.
I turn my head and give Janie a kiss. It’s soft and sweet, nothing like the animal passion we shared during her heat. It’s a kiss of contentment. Of peace.
“I hope you want a large family,” I mutter as I tilt my head and press a kiss to her neck, then up to her ear. “Because I can’t wait to fill you up again.”
“Rathgar!” She squirms and laughs at my teasing, but her body melts against mine like it was made to be there. Her skin warms and tightens at my touch. “It’s not even time for my heat yet—“
“That’s okay,” I cut her off with a kiss. Her cheeks. Her forehead. Her nose. Every part of my Janie is beautiful and deserves to be treasured. “We can still get some practice in.”
Janie snorts and playfully pushes at my chest, but that just makes me grab her harder. We can’t do anything out here with the kids so close, but my mind already spins with what I’m going to do to her once we get home.
“I love you, Janie.” I say, holding her against my chest as we watch our sleeping girls. “Thank you for being my mate.”
Janie snuggles closer to my body and lets out a sigh of contentment. “I love you too, Rathgar. Thank you…for helping me trust again.”
“You deserve it,” I remind her. “You deserve the whole galaxy, and more. You’re mine now, and no one’s ever gonna mess with you again.”
As we gaze out over the Crystal Sea and the sun sinks lower on the horizon, I thank all the stars for my Janie and my family.
My very own miracle.
