Chapter 20

ASTOR

"How's it looking? Cirrus just texted that they will be here after breakfast," Sin asks, rushing into the attic. "It's perfect. Do you think Wynter will like it? I want her too. God, why am I so fucking nervous?" he mumbles and I laugh.

Usually I'm the neurotic one, but today is a big day for us all. I finished painting the elephant stencil on the left wall a light pink color.

The moment I saw Wynter's reaction to the baby elephants I knew that would have to be her theme for the nursery.

Rus said we should do some type of magical decor, but I think the elephants will be the real winner here.

Sin plops down in the huge rocking chair and grabs one of the stuffed animals, squeezing it close to his chest as he takes a few deep breaths.

"I know she wants us to stay, and Rus joked about proposing in the truck, but what if she turns us down? Me down? I still don't understand why you want me to marry her?"

He's on the verge of a full panic attack, so I walk over to him and crouch.

"I love Wynter. Rus loves Wynter. A little too much if you ask me, but you… She was always meant to be yours. You got cheated by Erick. It's time to right a wrong, Arsen."

WYNTER

Leaving the diner, I groan. My stomach is full, and the baby is happy. I woke up this morning with the worst hunger pains of my life.

Almost didn't make it through my shower.

I think I ate more than Cirrus today. Taking my hand, I let him guide me to my SUV. His truck is still at the house, and the other guys left early this morning.

They have been working on a surprise for me. I already know what it is, but I won't spoil it for them.

It's not my fault that I'm psychic.

Opening the door for me, he helps me inside then leans down and kisses my stomach.

"How is my little Poppy?" he asks, looking up at me for approval. I shake my head and he sighs. "Shoot, I thought that one would be a winner," he mumbles, then stands and closes my door.

I mean that one wasn't bad compared to yesterday.

He's been getting more and more ridiculous with his baby name choices, but I already know what our daughter's name will be.

Summer .

She needs something whimsical, but still kinda normal. The fact that it's the opposite of my name makes it even better.

She is going to be so strong and loved. I don't care if she's meant to be the next Fae queen or High Priestess of my coven.

She will never feel pressured and I will make damn sure she has a normal childhood.

Climbing in the driver's seat, he looks at me.

"You know I love you, right?"

Sighing, I nod. I haven't returned the sentiment to him yet and I know he's becoming impatient, but the fear of my past is holding me back.

As we drive to Spells Hollow, I stare out the window. Cirrus is singing to the radio, but I'm not in the mood.

Something is bugging me, but I can''t figure out what it is.

When we reach the town, Arnie is there, and he looks panicked.

"Something is going on here, Wynter. I can't describe it, but it's not friendly."

"Thanks, Arnie, I can feel it too."

Cirrus takes my hand, and we walk over to the house. I move for the porch swing, but he leads me to the front door.

"Now, bumblebee, we have a surprise for you. Just hear us out okay?" I look into his purple eyes, and nod.

Leaning down, he kisses me as if I am the only girl in the world, and I hope he never stops, but sadly he does.

"Took you long enough," Astor grumbles behind us, and I pull away from Cirrus to face him.

He looks strange… "What are you wearing?" I ask, biting my bottom lip, trying not to laugh.

Glancing down at his hot pink sweat suit he shrugs.

"I bought these for you when we went shopping. I needed something to change into, and they were still in the bags."

"Aww, that was sweet. Thank you. Yeah, I still need to go through everything we bought. I was waiting until the laundry room was finished, so I could launder them."

"Ah, bout that. Come inside, peanut," Cirrus says with a huge smile on his face.

As I pass Astor, I grab his arm. "Would you like some other clothes?"

He shakes his head and buries his hands inside the large pocket on the hoodie.

"No, I'm not ashamed to wear pink, and they are ridiculously comfortable. I got the largest size they carried. I thought you would enjoy them for the pregnancy."

God, he's so sweet. Getting onto my tippy toes, I grab the back of his neck and kiss him hard.

I'm still not ready to say I love them, but this is what true love should be like. It's the little things that count.

Pulling away, I lick my lips and wink at him. Maybe tonight I'll be crawling into bed with him.

Walking through the door, Cirrus pulls me to the stairs. The wooden banister is finished and it looks gorgeous.

This is my first time going to the higher floors and I take in all the little details.

"Did you carve little brooms into the steps?"

"Yes, and the wooden furniture in the master bedroom has crystal balls, my little witch."

Tears prick my eyes, but I force them back. I know when I see their ‘surprise' I am going to be a blubbering, snotty mess.

As we reach the attic, Cirrus spins me around carefully and covers my eyes.

"No peeking, my little eagle eye."

"Okay, but seriously what are with the nicknames today?" I grumble.

"Ugh, love cakes, I don't know. I think I'm nervous," he mutters and sighs.

I keep my eyes closed as he opens the door.

Astor helps guide me inside and I smile. "Open your eyes, baby," he whispers.

"What?" I gasp. "How?"

They tricked me. This space isn't covered in purples and magical stencils.

Soft gray and pink cover the walls with the tiniest little elephant stencils.

There is a huge bay window, with a dark gray bench seat and matching pillows.

A white crib is placed in the center of the room with a twinkling chandelier above it.

Tears run down my cheeks, and I don't even care.

This is better than what I envisioned.

Arsen is quiet, sitting in a rocking chair next to a white dresser with a changing pad on top.

"This is perfect," I cry, and they laugh. Reaching over, Sin grabs a box of tissues and stands, moving over to me.

Dropping to one knee, he hands me the box, and I laugh until I see that he also has a ring.

"Arsen," I gasp and he gives me a huge grin.

"You have always been mine, Wynter. Since the moment I saw you walking through the courtyard at school. Your dark hair shining in the light as the snow fell around you. You looked up and smiled before opening your mouth and catching a flake on your tongue. Everyone else was rushing to get inside where it was warm, but not you…

"You were always sweet and willing to help anyone in need. You're beautiful inside and out and I know you will be an amazing mother to our children. I've admired you from afar for too long and I won't risk losing you again. You were always meant to be mine and I promise that if you chose to marry me, I will be there at the altar. Curse or no curse, I will be there… Will you marry me?"

I look at the others, surprised that they are allowing this, but Cirrus winks at me, and Astor nods his head.

It doesn't take me long to decide. I know what he's saying is the truth. Arsen has never hurt me, and I was the fool to let him go.

I place my hand over my stomach and nod.

Our little family is growing… I just wish this curse would break already.

But like he said… Curse or no curse, I am going to live in this moment.

"Yes."

CIRRUS

THREE MONTHS LATER

"You need to take a break. Ask for some help."

Shaking my head, I ignore Sin and continue going down my checklist. Our wedding is in three days and everything needs to be perfect.

The flowers, food, cake, guestlist. I have issues handing over control to people and I know that they just want to help, but I've got this.

"If it becomes too much, I'll just use magic," I mutter, crossing out petunias and adding azaleas… Or maybe we should do roses?

A swirl of magic surrounds the house and I groan. "Why is he here so early?" I whine and my little hufflepuff laughs, waddling into the kitchen like the cutest little tuxedo bird.

"He's here, my love, because I asked him to help me with something."

Moving toward the door, she opens it and pulls my brother, Grule, into a tight hug.

We have come a long way in our relationship and I'm glad. I hated fighting with him.

Letting Wynter go, he marches inside and over to me. "I am at your service, brother. Put me to work."

"Fine. Astor needs help in the yard. I want twinkling lights around the pool and the trees. We will light the lanterns on the day of the ceremony. We also need to lay out the chairs in front of the Willow tree and altar."

The tree still hasn't bloomed, but I have noticed the closer we get to the wedding the healthier the property is looking.

We finished the house completely and moved in shortly after Sin proposed to Wynter.

She never did go to Texas. Astor got everything squared away, and Autumn and Halee are running the bar with the bookstore now.

She won't ever admit it, but I think my little bookworm is relieved. It may have been her dream when she couldn't fathom a different life, but now she has a new destiny and she's much happier.

I rarely see a scowl these days and her wickedness has faded.

"You got it. Which one is Astor again?" Tossing my pen onto the marble counter, I growl, ready to give him an earful, but when I look over at him he's grinning.

Wynter moves closer to me and grabs my arm, placing my hand over her stomach.

Our little girl is kicking and I melt.

"Hi, my little petunia, I can't wait until I can hold you," I coo and Grule walks by us, smacking me on the shoulder as he passes.

Arsen leaves with him and soon it's just me and my little lollipop. Looking up at me, she smiles.

"This wedding will be perfect, Cirrus. I don't need anything extravagant. Just you, Sin and Astor beneath the Willow tree."

Closing my eyes, I groan. "I know, but I just want everything to be perfect. You deserve the world, Wynter."

"The ceremony doesn't matter to me. It's the vows," she whispers and I nod.

She's been burned too many times at the altar. I will do everything in my power to make sure this time there are no hiccups.