Page 79 of How to Keep a Fae

“There are more?” Jayga asks, his expression one of disbelief.

“Two older boys in the warrior training,” Cara says. “Here, would you like to hold William? He takes well to cuddles and is a little obsessed with men’s beards.”

The two girls, peeking around the door, giggle at this.

“I’m… Um…” Jayga sits bolt upright as Cara places the baby in his arms, instructing him how to hold.

I catch August’s smirk. “Welcome to the family. Expect to be assaulted every time you walk through the door,” he says dryly.

“August,” his mother scolds.

I don’t think Jayga is breathing, and his body radiatestension. I bite my lip to contain my smile. The gruff alpha looks terrified, holding the tiny baby until William waves his small, chubby arms and breaks out a smile.

Jayga’s resistance folds. “Aye, he’s a cute little mite.” He shares a look with August and me, grinning from ear to ear.

I nearly blubber on the spot.

William’s fist makes contact with his chin and grips a handful of beard. His small, chubby legs kick with growing excitement as he tries to liberate Jayga of his facial hair.

“Gods! He has a powerful grip,” Jayga mutters.

The girls at the door forget about hiding, giggling as they come over to help themselves from the plentiful spread.

“You were warned,” August says, laughing.

“Not very well,” Jayga says dryly. He carefully unpeels William’s grabby fingers. “My mate likes how my beard tickles, so I’m going to have to ask you to be polite.”

I blush to the roots of my hair.

Cara laughs and covers it by asking Sally to offer me a slice of cake.

I can’t take my eyes off of Jayga. He will make a wonderful father, pouring all his heart into it, making up for all he missed out on growing up. I know he worries that he has no role model. Doesn’t he know he is everything our children could need exactly how he is?

Time and children of our own will resolve his internal conflicts.

August has his share of conflicts, too. His birth father is a cold and distant fae whose ways have definitely rubbed off. Yet I also see today how he is with his many siblings, how clearly they adore him, and how playful and loving he is with them.

“Do you want to see my picture?” the younger girl, Rebecca, who had been shy at the start, arrives with a stickdrawing for me to admire. One of the figures is particularly misshapen, which she informs me is August.

“He’s always had trouble fitting his head through regular doorways,” Jayga deadpans.

“His hair looks beautiful,” I say, cutting Jayga a glare. “Do you have any more pictures?”

It is like a stampede as half the children disappear to collect ‘artwork’ for my approval.

“Don’t laugh about it,” August cautions, grinning. “I have a strong feeling that next time, the star of the show will be you.”

We enjoy a pleasant afternoon that passes far too quickly and leave with a promise to return for a visit soon.

Later that night, as I snuggle between my mates, I reflect on the winding, sometimes tumultuous road that brought us here.

But I don’t linger upon that for long, instead looking forward to our future, and about the babe I shall one day soon meet. I would do all of it again in a heartbeat, for this happiness is our reward.

Epilogue

Adaline

One year later…

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