I led them along the path between beds. Sitting between the two was a cement bench—a gift from Rod when we finished blocking off the ground. At the far end, the pride of my garden bloomed in full glory.
I stopped at the first row. “Rod and I planted this when we arrived.”
“Your copper and his white,” Colum said, as he touched the Ivory petals. “This captures your balance perfectly.”
The pale steel-blue row was next. “Ailpein is so like Rod at times, but he has a bold streak Rod says comes from me.”
“They’re stunning,” Elspeth said. “They’re almost silver in this light.”
I wasn’t surprised my sister saw Ailpein’s true color. We couldn’t get silver, but this was close enough. “These are for my little firebird.”
The rose-gold blooms were the essence of my fiery daughter, who had her father’s caring heart.
“You’ve done an amazing job, Cini,” Elspeth said. “Who knew you’d inherit Mom’s talent for seeing everyone’s nature?”
Their joyous reactions were enough for me to ignore her use of my hated nickname. “In those days when Rod and I were apart, I would visit Mom’s garden and feel the connection to everyone she created. The day I took Rod there, he promised to build me a garden, because he knew in his heart we’d get here. He was right.”
I let them linger in my perfect place. This was the heart of our family—just like Mom’s had been for hers.
“Speaking of Mom,” Colum said. “She hasideasabout what the twins should wear to Lauch’s wedding. Be prepared if she brings it up tomorrow."
Rod and Ireallydidn’t pay enough attention to what happened outside our little bubble. This issue, however, was already settled. “We told Fiona she could pick Adelais’s dress, and we’ve already got Ailpein a tuxedo. He looks really cute.”
Beyond the garden, the house sat beside a playground Rod built for the children. The chaotic mess of toys and equipment embodied our lives. We paid attention to what mattered most, and didn’t sweat the little things.
The front door of the house burst open, and Leo and Gwyneth emerged. Ailpein rode on his uncle’s shoulder, beaming like he owned the world. He looked more like a Hollen than a FionnLoach, but at least he had my amber eyes. Even at five, his magic suggested he’d be a powerful mage.
My daughter was holding Auntie Gwyn’s hand. She somehow convinced my proper oldest sister to skip. Adelais had my copper-red hair, and was all phoenix.
“Papa!” Adelais broke free and raced toward me like we hadn’t seen each other in days. Her hair streamed behind her like a phoenix flame as she ran.
Ailpein studied us for a second before he smiled and got Leo to head in our direction. As with most twins, their different personalities complemented each other.
I scooped Adelais into my arms while Ailpein high-fived his aunt and uncle.
“Busy morning, Auntie Gwyn?” I asked when Gwyneth joined us.
“No more so than usual,” she said. “First we did flame painting, followed by story time with Leo animating images as I read, and now, we’re going outside to play on the swings and slide. Sadly, neither Leo nor I can fit on the slide.”
“They’re too big,” Ailpein said.
“We don’t want it to break,” Adelais said. “Daddy built it for us kids.”
Elspeth barely held back a snort. “Smart kiddos.”
I tossed my daughter onto my shoulders and jogged with Leo to the playground. It was a good omen for the rest of the day. The adults indulged the kids at their level. A far cry from the state affair we could expect at the castle.
“So glad we had the kids’ party today,”I told Rod.“They’re already having fun.”
“That was my mate’s idea,”Rod answered.“But then he’s an amazing parent.”
Neither of us ever felt like we knew what we were doing, but sometimes we got it right.
“Adelais, please sit still,” I pleaded, attempting to thread a ribbon through her hair while she wiggled in my lap. “You don’t want it to be crooked, do you?”
“But you said I could wear the blue ones,” she protested. Her skin had warmed enough that I kept a closer eye on her. “The red is ugly.”
Trying to teach a five-year-old that their favorite color didn’t match their hair had been an ongoing battle. I scooped her up and stood in front of the mirror. I put the red one to my hair. “Does this look good on me?”
