Page 66 of Wicked Witch

“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 thephone. 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.

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