Chapter 19

WYNTER

I feel like the biggest bitch to ever walk this Earth, and that's saying something for me.

Cirrus looks so happy, and I can't believe I forgot about the check up.

"I'm so sorry. I forgot," I gasp.

"It's okay, my little wombmaker, I didn't, but we better get going Nan hates when people are late."

The boys get in the backseat, and I take note of how much room is actually in this truck. My SUV seats seven, but with three large men and a baby we may need to upgrade.

Pulling out of the motel, I wave at Jordan as we pass the gas station. He has a smile on his face as he talks to that girl he works with… Ugh, I can't think of her name right now, but she's not very nice to him.

"So, Wynter, I've been meaning to ask. Are you sure it's a girl, because a little boy would be great too. I'm just saying," Sin mumbles, and I bite my lip.

"Yes, she's a girl, but don't worry we have another three in our future," I coo, turning to look at the twins in the back seat.

"G..girls?!" Astor shouts, stammering and I laugh.

"Kids. That is if you want to stay in this crazy family." I really look at them, checking for any doubts.

They agreed to help me break this curse, but actually staying here permanently… I hope they decide to, but I won't force them.

"I'm not going anywhere, dove. I've been looking at going back to school and becoming an online therapist. I can work from home. Help you with the baby."

"Oh, wow, but are you sure? I mean this town isn't very big, and it's a haul to get to the stores?"

Leaning as far as his seatbelt will allow, Sin places his hand on my shoulder.

"I'm sure, Wynter. Not a doubt in my mind."

Tears fill my eyes, and I groan. "Fucking Fae sperm."

The guys laugh at how emotional I am, and Astor clears his throat.

"I will need to go back to Texas for a week out of every month, but I'm staying too. I've been looking into law firms in New York, so in a few months maybe I can relocate closer."

"Really?" I sob, and he unbuckles his seatbelt, leans over and places his hand on my cheek.

"Yes, Wynter, you are a beautiful enigma wrapped in a spicy witch that will probably cause me to have a heart attack at a young age, but you're mine."

Cirrus scoffs and Astor rolls his eyes. "Ours. You are ours. We are going to break this curse so our children don't have to deal with the pain and heartbreak you have. We will beat this, baby, I can feel it."

"Okay," I mumble and give him a sweet kiss.

"Well I didn't picture proposing in a truck, but our life is always a little chaotic. My little heartholder, I will love and…"

My eyes widen, and I push Astor back into his seat, then turn to Cirrus. "No. No fucking way. You are not proposing to me while driving."

I give him a glare for good measure and he sticks his tongue out at me.

"All in good time, my little queen."

The moment we arrived at the house, Nan was there on the porch swing chatting with Arnie.

Wearing her crazy colors and boho-chic dress, I still can't get over how young she looks.

Her skin is blemish free, and soon I'm going to age older than her.

"Wynter, poppet, how are you?" she shouts, leaving the swing so quickly it smacks into the side of the house.

Pulling me into a quick hug, I laugh. I'm still not a huge hug person, but it's starting to grow on me.

"Come, we must start the exam while the moon is in the right place."

I look up at the blue sky and shining sun.

"Um, are we supposed to do this at night?" I mutter confused and she laughs, tugging me up the stairs and into the house.

The living room has been transformed into something I'd only describe as a makeshift midwives' office.

Soft blankets cover a pad on the floor in calming shades of lavender and gray.

There is an ultrasound machine, but this one looks a little different.

"Lay down, honey pie. Let's see that beautiful baby," Nan says. Astor helps me onto the floor, and the guys circle around me. Nan sits on the ground and lifts my shirt.

I have a bigger bulge today, and when she places some warm jelly onto my stomach, I swear I can feel butterflies fluttering about.

A loud whooshing sound instantly fills the room, and I look at the screen. I don't know what I'm seeing though.

"Baby is looking great, darlings. Strong, healthy, heartbeat too."

Snapping her fingers, the screen changes into a movie-picture quality and my eyes grow larger.

"That's incredible," I mutter and Cirrus laughs, plopping down next to me to squeeze my hand.

"That's our baby. Our little teddy bear," he mutters and I sigh, leaning into him.

I know that I've been pregnant for awhile now, but this just made it all more real.

Finishing up the exam, Nan leaves us for a minute. I glance at the twins, worried they are going to be upset. This isn't their biological baby.

Astor is wiping his eyes and Sin can't take his eyes off the screen.

"Last chance to back out," I joke, and they snap their attention to me. Astor scowls, and Sin drops to his knees, kissing me until I can't breathe.

"Not going anywhere, dove," he mumbles against my lips, and I nod.

As I leave the room, and walk to the kitchen, Nan stops me.

"I didn't want to say this in front of the others, because my Cirry, will get all in a tizzy but… Your daughter is going to be extraordinary. A ruler of not only the Fae, but High Priestess too. She will do great things in her time and I can't wait to see it all."

Placing my hands over my stomach, I close my eyes and try to envision all that Nan said. Flashes begin, showing me the truth.

Holy shit!

ONE MONTH LATER

"What do you mean they never returned?" I shout into the phone. I was in the middle of organizing the living room when Halee called.

Dropping the pillows on the couch, I take a seat. My back aches and my feet hurt.

"They started the work, then had a family emergency or something. I told you I'm not good at this, Wynter. When are you coming back?"

Sighing, I look around at our home. We have put so much time and effort into making the downstairs perfect.

Cirrus is still dragging his feet about doing the bedrooms and I don't understand why.

"I'll have Astor call them. He's a lawyer and I'll see about going there for a few days."

"Thanks. I'm not cut out for this. I'm sorry. I can handle running the bar and bookshop, but arguing with construction companies is a lot."

"I know. I owe you a raise and hell maybe I'll make you part owner of the place."

"Don't joke about that, " she huffs, but I was being totally serious.

"Okay, Hales, I have to go, but I'll text you later after I talk to the guys."

We hang up, and I stand. The guys are outside, planting some flowers in the spots where the land is healed.

We still have a long way to go and I'm becoming discouraged. I want more than anything to break this curse, but I was supposed to be returning to Texas over a month ago.

Opening the screen door, I shuffle along the new porch with a smile.

"Now, that's a view," I holler. Three hot, sweaty, shirtless men is just what my hormone-ridden body wants.

"Come here my little incubator," Cirrus shouts, and I cringe.

"Nope, never call me that again. Can you all come inside? We need to chat."

Astor starts my way, so I turn and go back inside where it's cooler.

Arnie is standing in the kitchen with my fridge open, invisible drooling. "I miss food so much. My brother and I would make the craziest sandwiches on the nights our parents worked late." He sighs, and concentrates on shutting the door.

"I wish I could heal you of being dead, but I am not into necromancy."

"Yeah, no thanks. I'll just stay and haunt you until you join me in the great beyond," he mutters and I laugh.

"No dice, bestie, as soon as this curse is broken we will find out what happened to you and get you crossed over."

Arnie frowns and plays with his camera strap. "What if I don't want to leave. You guys have become my family."

"I would never force anything on you. But just think about it okay?" He nods, then floats out of the room and up into the second floor.

"That sounded like a hard conversation, you okay, my little cherry pop?" Moving behind me, Cirrus pulls me into his arms, placing his hands on my stomach.

I am even larger than I was last month. Stupid Fae sperm. Sighing, I pull away from him and shuffle toward the pantry.

We bought these lemon biscotti bites at Costco, and they have become my new addiction.

"Why do you hate me so much," I wail. They are on the top shelf, and I can't reach them.

"Um, did you forget you're a witch babe?" Astor asks. He has humor in his tone which I do not appreciate. But he's right.

Waving my hand, the bag levitates and moves toward me.

"Great now that we're feeding the hungry monster, what did you need to talk about?" Cirrus says, pulling out a stool and helping me onto the seat.

"So, Halee called and she's having a hell of a time. It seems the contractor scammed me or something, and the work is still not done. The bookstore is in disarray, and they have caution taped off the stairs."

Astor pulls out his phone and leaves the room. "I'll take care of it, baby."

Sin moves closer and grabs one of my cookie bites. I don't mind sharing, but I'm watching how many he's taking.

Costco is known for having limited time things. Who knows if I'll get them again.

My lower lip trembles at the thought, and Sin drops the cookie. I smile, then snatch it and greedily shove it into my mouth.

"Do you think you need to pop back to Texas? I could probably portal us."

I nod, finish chewing, then groan.

"Yeah, Halee isn't equipped to handle all of the stress. She's an amazing bartender and waitress though."

"Um, dove, if we're planning to live here don't you think we need to discuss selling Books & Brews, or appointing someone to take the reins?"

"Yeah, I've been thinking about that a lot. I was going to ask my cousin, Autumn. She has a business degree and lives in Texas. I'd like Halee to become a co-owner with her though."

"I'll have the contracts written up," Astor says, returning and catching the tail end of our conversation.

"As for returning to Texas… do you think that's okay? I mean this in a loving way, dove, but you're pregnant."

"No, shit, Arsen, thank you for that wildly observant statement. I had no idea. Ya know now that I think about it, though, the having to pee every twenty minutes, constant nausea, and breaking out into tears randomly is starting to make sense."

Huffing, I climb off the stool and stomp outside. Plopping down on the porch swing, I breathe in the fresh air.

Our yard looks better, but I can still sense the evil lingering in certain spots. The Willow tree especially.

Closing my eyes, I picture wildflowers all around us and the scorched circle.

Just because evil once lived here, doesn't mean we can't bring some beauty back into this place.

Mumbling a small spell, I smile as the scent of flowers perfumes the air.

Opening my eyes, I take a deeper breath in.

The screen door swings open, but I don't acknowledge them. I know I'm being irrational, but right now I'm annoyed and just wanted a moment to myself.

"What I meant was… people may be a little surprised if you returned to Texas extremely pregnant, when you weren't a month and a half ago."

Ugh. Why does he need to be logical right now?

"Mavis and the people at the diner haven't said anything?" I point out, turning to look at Sin and Astor.

Cirrus is inside humming a Fae tune about pixies jumping lily pads and a frog taunting them or something.

"People in town aren't all human. Remember you were the ones to tell us that. They are used to the strange."

"Let me take care of it. Trust me, okay?" Astor sits next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, and I nuzzle into him.

"I still think I should be the one. I have to pack up all my things, but for now, I'll table this."

Sitting in the garden, I watch Melisande and her children play. Their laughter rains all around this magical place.

Turning to look at me, she tells her kids to have fun, then glides over to sit beside me.

Taking my hand, I turn to face her. She seems worried.

"Do you think I'll ever break this curse and bring you peace?" I ask her. Lately I've been getting more doubtful.

Frowning, she sighs. "You have incredible power inside of you, but if you leave, you will never break this curse, Wynter. Stay. Heal the land and your heart."

"Wynter, baby, wake up!" Someone shaking me causes me to open my eyes and realize that it was all a dream.

"Cirrus, why are you in my room?" I mumble, then cover my mouth and yawn.

I distinctly remember going to bed alone. My stomach was in knots about returning to Texas, and I needed some time to think.

Sunlight shines through the small space, and I groan. "What time is it?"

"Close to eight. Figured we'd grab some breakfast at the diner then head to the manor. The guys are already there."

Nodding, I rub my eyes and throw the blanket off. I'm wearing an old T-shirt I stole from Arsen and panties.

"Or better yet, maybe we should stay here," Cirrus mutters, and I roll my eyes.

"Typical Fae, always thinking with their cock."

"Careful, snickerpuss, I have the right to be cocky."

He adjusts his growing erection and I sigh. He really does have an amazing dick, but we don't have time right now to rearrange my organs.

My stomach is complaining, and I need food.

"Go away so I can shower and get dressed."

Pouting he bats his eyelashes at me, then sighs and nods.

"Fine, but I will worship at your altar again, my little melondrop."

"Yeah, yeah," I mumble, then climb off the bed and walk to the small ensuite. This motel isn't the most accommodating but it'll do until we get the rest of the house fixed up.

After I'm ready for the day, I go in search of Cirrus. He's not in my room or his.

Walking outside toward the office, I can hear his voice arguing with Mavis about something. Those two always seem to butt heads, but she's pleasant to me.

"Ready, firemoon?" he asks when he sees me.

I raise an eyebrow at that one, and he sighs.

"I know I'm off my game, my little lovedove. Astor kept me awake all night with his snoring."

Moving closer, I take his arm, give Mavis a wave and usher him out the door.

"Ah poor baby. Maybe tonight I'll let you sleep in my room or better yet, stop holding back on me with that magic of yours and fix up the damn bedrooms at the manor."

"Soon, my little grumpy snout."