“Jesus, Winnie. For fuck’s sake.”
“Calm down, Galen. It’s a flannel, not a silk shirt.”
“I’m more worried about the beer. I want to drink that beer!”
“There’s plenty more,” she laughs. “Thanks for throwing this big bash for me.”
“Don’t mention it,” I say, leaning on her. “I love you, you know.”
“Yeah,” she giggles. “You’re a glutton for punishment, you know, since I can’t stop torturing you.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
A loud whistle sounds from the middle of the yard, and everyone turns to look. To my surprise, Nico is standing in the middle of the yard with his hands up.
“A special birthday gift for Aunt Winnie,” he announces.
Nico closes his eyes and raises his hands, palms up. A white glow shimmers around him, and then small sparks flick up into the sky. As they get higher, they explode into brilliant fireworks, far more vibrant than traditional ones, and with no noise.
I put my arm around Winnie and hold her tight, watching the sky.
“Nico is very powerful,” Winnie says. “He’s getting stronger by the day.”
“I know,” I answer. “But he’s doing extremely well with it.”
“His wolf is bigger and more powerful than any of the others,” she says. “He’ll make a wonderful alpha.”
“Replacing me already?” I tease, shoving her away playfully.
“Wouldn’t dare,” she says. “Just an observation.”
“I’m observing a close relationship developing with you and Jerry,” I answer. “What’s going on there?”
“Nothing much,” she says in a light tone.
“Maybe you need the bride-for-hire service,” I tease her.
She scoffs. “Jerry can’t afford me!” she laughs. “We pay his wages.”
“Point taken,” I nod, smiling. “But somehow, I feel Iris Porter isn’t done in this area.”
“What about your old pal, Kit?” she asks. “He’s chronically single.”
“He is,” I reply, sighing. “I might recommend it to him. He could use a good woman,”
“Speaking of,” Winnie says, pointing, “I do believe that good woman over there is trying to get your attention.”
I look across the yard to see Clara waving to me, two champagne glasses in one hand and a bottle of Chandon in the other.
“Excuse me, Winnie, but it appears I have a previous engagement,” I quip.
“Don’t let me stand in your way,” she laughs, shoving me.
I make my way around the yard, greeting people as I go. Nico is still doing his fireworks display, standing in the center of the clearing with colored light bursting from his hands. His face is a mixture of excitement and awe, and I know that so long as he respects his powers, he’ll continue to develop them in a safe, responsible way.
He just keeps getting more powerful, though. It makes me wonder what he’ll be able to do when he’s all grown up.
Finally, I make it to the far corner of the garden, and Clara beckons me as she dances away down the trail into the forest. I chase after her eagerly, finding her over the next rise in a big, soft bed of fresh green clover.
