“Faster is one thing. This, a few months, is hardly acceptable. We'll barely have time for a shower, and think of all the shopping we need to do!”
I laughed as she tinkered through the kitchen, searching for something. “What are you doing, Gran?”
“I'm looking for some paper and a pen. We need to take notes and get organized. Time is limited!”
“I actually have to get going. I want to check out some of the new plants and burn a little magic out of my system. Dinner with everyone sound good to you? Kai is talking about grilling, and I know how much you enjoy his cooking,” I teased.
“I enjoy watching the show more…”
“What?”
“Huh?” She feigned innocence, and I grabbed my phone.
“Okay, well... Call me if you need anything. I can send a few of the guys over to move these boxes back if you want?”
She smiled like the cat who got the canary. “I'll take the Viking, the Highlander, and the grumpy dragon.”
“You got it, Gran.” I hugged her and let myself out. The sun chose that moment to break through the clouds, casting beautiful golden rays across the green expanse of my yard and gardens. I took my time, kicking my shoes off and letting my bare feet ground me with the earth. The spongy feel of the grass always made me feel calm and collected.
I wandered around aimlessly. Gods, it had been so long since I'd done this, justexisted. I used little touches of my magic where it could fix and heal, providing life and growth to the things around me. My fingers sparked with green and gold wisps as they trailed along the full blooms and ivy vines. My heart was full, my body thrumming with power and magic. The pea gravel beneath my feet shifted as I took the twists and turns through the pathways, and I marveled at how I could feel each tiny stone. My senses were awakened to a level I don't think I'd ever experienced.
Movement caught my attention from the corner of my eye, and I scanned the treeline, not seeing anything. It was probably a deer; there were so many animals out here.
A stunning flower bed of lilies made me pause. Vibrant pops of pinks, golds, oranges, and reds exploded from sturdy dark green stems, which made their coloring stand out even more. There was one sad-looking smaller plant that was maybe half the size of the others. Due to its height, it clearly struggled to get enough sun.
“Here, little guy,” I whispered, letting my magic wrap around it and sink into the earth, searching for the roots of the plant. I smiled as it began to grow, more and more flowers bursting into the light. Placing a hand on my stomach, I breathed in the fragrant scents of the lilies, as well as the honeysuckle that crept throughout the garden.
Would my daughters become green witches as well? I had no idea how their affinities would react with the mixing of demon blood. Actually, there was a lot about pregnancy in general that I didn’t know about, and that should’ve concerned me more than it did at the moment.
A vision hit me of the seven of us being outside, on a day just like this… We’d have a huge water balloon fight with the kids. The guys would probably revert back to their spy training, and the girls would giggle, watching them sneak around and dive behind trees and rocks for cover. Kai would be grilling, but I could see him having a huge super soaker water gun down by his feet so he didn’t miss out on the fun.
I had another flash, this time of the girls in sundresses, running ahead of me through the gravel-lined gardens, their little dirty hands brushing over the leaves hanging over their heads. I’d teach them everything I knew, and they’d never know what it would feel like to be unwanted.
Gran had set the bar high for me, and I wanted to give my girls everything she’d given me. And gods, the guys had been so excited when I told them about being pregnant. I’d never pictured this life for myself, yet here it was... and I was so happy.
“Sweetheart, you okay?” Guppy’s voice drifted through the air, snapping me out of my daydream.
Smiling softly, I glanced at him. “Yeah, Gup. Just reconnecting with the earth and using some magic.” His honey oak eyes snared me, our connection buzzing to life.
“They’re going to be beautiful. You know that, right?” he asked, brushing a few strands of hair out of my face. The warmth of his hands spread through me as he cupped my cheeks. “I hope they look just like their mama. I already know they’ll be as sweet as you are, full of sunshine and rainbows.”
“Guppy,” I said, my throat tightening with emotion. “How are you the sweetest man ever?”
He balked, as he always did when I called him sweet, but his grin appeared anyway. “Sweet to you only. And soon to these two baby girls. I’ll be sweet to them too.”
Yeah, there’s my heart melting through my body and exiting my vag. It’s no longer wetness from arousal down there. It’s my actual heart turning into a puddle of love juice.
“Love juice?” Guppy barked a laugh, and I playfully shoved his shoulder, giving him the evil eye.
“Out of my head, sweetie pie,” I teased.
He tossed an arm over my shoulder and began walking us back toward the house. “Why would I want to stay out of your head when it is full of quite possibly the most interesting things I’ve ever heard in my life? If I hadn’t been listening, I’d never have known that a woman gets wet during sex because her heart turns into—”
I jabbed him the ribs, earning myself another genuine laugh as he took off running. “Hey! Where are you going?”
“To tell the guys what I just learned!” he shouted back over his shoulder, and I flipped him off.
“You know I don’t run! This is cheating, Fischer!”
