Thank the gods and goddesses because I was ready for this little witchling to be out.
“Feeling it, Gorgeous?” Tor asked, brushing a hand over my forehead to move the hair from my face. Nodding, I took a breath, relaxing enough to look around. Each of my men was there, supporting anything I needed throughout the day, despite looking like they could go for a nap—dark circles, tired smiles, and messy hair—but they all were awake and ready to help.
“Yeah, thankfully. It felt like I had been stabbed ten thousand times for the last few hours there,” I chuckled tiredly. “Let’s get this show on the road because this soon-to-be mama is tired.”
“You got it,” Doctor Charlie said. After another little while of following her instructions, there was a crying baby in her arms. She laid the baby on my chest for me to hold, and Drayce and Kye situated the blanket over us as we all looked at our little witch.
A little girl with the prettiest gray eyes and dark brunette hair.
“She’s beautiful,” Xan stated, his eyes growing watery as he spoke.
“Our mini-Aris,” Drayce agreed.
“She’s definitely Kye’s,” Caspian joked. “Look at that little pouting scowl on her face. There’s only one of us that makes that face.”
Kye chuckled, wiping his face on his sleeve in an attempt to hide the tears I saw flowing.
“Whoever’s she is, she’s perfect,” I whispered.
“What’s her name?” Doctor Charlie asked, glancing around at us.
“Ella. Her name is Ella Hope Aeternum.”
Six Years Later
Aris
“Mama! Mama! Look at what I can do!” Ella yelled as a swirl of shadows darted around her in a circle, her magically tinted pink hair and tutu flaring out as she spun with her powers. Raptor clucked excitedly, chasing the shadow stream as she twirled.
“That’s awesome, Ella Bella,” I told her, loving the excitement she held for practicing. “River! Rider! What did I say about messing with the rune circle?” I called sternly, noting the little russet-haired twins on the edge of the circle. The two-year-old troublemakers jumped up, giggling to themselves before running toward the summer home. Mr. Stripes and Ruby darted around, running with the twins, while Coral swam around the edge of the lake and basked in the sun.
“Hey, you little hexing hellions,” Torryn hollered boisterously, scooping up River and Rider with a playful rawr. “You bothering your mama again?”
“No!” they both shouted, their giggling only growing louder as Caspian came up and started tickling them from where they were clutched in Tor’s arms.
“How are you feeling, Angel?” Drayce asked, coming to sit next to me at the outdoor table and chairs, Petunia waddling until she sat at her witch’s feet, snorting adorably when I patted her head. “Need anything?”
“I’m craving ice cream… with pumpkin Hex Mix and spicy salsa…” I said, thinking, “not all mixed together, though.”
“Well, you’ve had some weird cravings in the past, so it wouldn’t be surprising,” Drayce told me, his eyes falling to my belly straining against my tank top. “Nausea staying away?”
“Yeah, that new potion Doctor Charlie gave me is a lifesaver.” I sighed, shifting to get more comfortable when the little witchling moved in my belly. Mr. Stripes squeaked, holding his hands up for me to pick him up. Leaning over the best I could, I scooped up my little baby and set him in my lap. He loved being a “big brother,” but there were times where he still needed to be pampered and shown he was still my baby, too.
“Did someone say Hex Mix?” Kye questioned, leaning over the back of my chair to kiss my cheek. His hand came around, holding a bag of pumpkin Hex Mix.
“Oooh, yummy! Can I have some, Mama?” Ella squealed, running over. Laughing, I nodded, holding open the bag for her.
“Don’t eat all of them though, Mini Sweets,” Kye explained. “Bedtime is soon, and we don’t need you running around like a little tornado.”
“Where’s Xan?” Tor asked, sitting down with River while Caspian sank down, holding Rider. Drayce gave me another kiss before curling an arm around Caspian, placing a kiss on his temple before doing the same to Rider.
“Washing up. He just finished his most recent painting,” Kye explained, sitting on the other side of Ella, who was still happily munching away on the treat.
“I’m here, I’m here,” Xan called breathlessly, Hedgie squeaking as they came to a stop behind me. “Sorry it took so long, had a section that kept being a pain. Did I miss anything?”
“Nope, the meteor shower hasn’t started quite yet,” I told him, smiling up at my artist. “Did you finish up your piece?”
“Yup. It’ll be ready to go in baby Luna’s room as soon as it’s dry.” Reaching down, he rubbed my belly. Somehow, little Luna seemed to know someone was there and kicked right where his palm was. “Only a little while longer and she’ll be here.”
“And what better way to celebrate than to watch shooting stars?” I murmured as Ella gasped excitedly when the first meteors started to fall.
This is everything I never knew I needed—my guys, our love-filled homes, and a family that isn’t done growing… My perfect life is no longer just witchful thinking.
The End.