Page 52 of Twilight Echoes
Or the Fergusons.
“We had to call her, son.” Alfred stood. “I’ll go let her know you’re awake.”
“Sir?”
“I’m going to break you of that horrible habit,” Alfred said. “What is it?”
“Can you take your time telling my mom I’ve woken from the dead. I’d like a few?—”
Alfred held up his hand. “Say no more. But I won’t be able to keep her at bay too long, and I feel I should warn you that your mom, my wife, and Avery’s sisters have already planned out the wedding and the baby shower. They assumed you’d be awake in a few days. It’s taking place in two weeks.”
“I haven’t even proposed. Or bought a ring,” he said with a slight chuckle, though it hurt to laugh.
“We have heirloom rings for that and you knocked up my daughter. I think official proposals are out the window.”
“Daddy. That was rude,” Avery said, but with a smile.
If a heart could grin, then Darrell’s filled his chest.
“I’ll be back, and I’m bringing the doctor, just to be safe.” Albert slipped from the room.
Darrell let his eyes adjust slightly as he soaked in Avery’s beauty. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Saving my sorry ass.”
“You’re welcome.” She rested her head on his chest. “Because, you know, I wear the tights in this family.”
Even though it strained his muscles, he wrapped his arms around her body. “Yes, dear.”
“Oh, a woman could get used to hearing that.” She laughed. “I resigned as principal while you were sleeping.”
“It was for the best, considering everything.” He kissed her temple. “But I will miss telling you what to do onstage because something tells me that’s the only place I would have held any power in this relationship.”
“You’re right about that,” she said, glancing up at him with a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. “I know our future is a little onhold because of this whole Legend of the Fated Moons, but when it’s all over, I do want very much to choreograph with you.”
“We will.” He sighed. His eyes grew heavy. “I’m sorry. I’m so tired.” He rested his head against hers. “I promise to love you forever.”
“I will love you right back.”
13
TWO WEEKS LATER…
Darrell sat at the makeshift bar in the barn at the Ferguson farm in Vermont and stared at his bride. The last two weeks had passed in a haze. He’d spent six days in bed, recovering from having black magic cast from his body.
Boy, had that been an experience. One he hoped he never had to repeat.
A couple little wolfairy pups raced between his legs, pausing to tug at his slacks. He chuckled, bending over to pat them on the head. “Who do we have here?” He knelt down. Little Jasper, one of Nico and Isadore’s kids, jumped on his lap and licked his face. “Aren’t you cute.” He wiggled. Darrell set the wolfairy back down and the rest of them raced off as he glanced back at his beautiful bride.
Avery hugged her sister Amanda and then smoothed down the front of her wedding dress. A simple strapless gown that made her look like the royal princess she was. She glided across the room, waving and smiling at everyone she passed. How the hell had he gotten so lucky?
“You can stop gawking now, son. She married you,” Albert said as he handed Darrell a glass of red wine.
“I like gawking.” Darrell raised his glass in a toast. “Besides, I catch you staring at your wife all the time.”
“I know.” Albert laughed. “To soulmates. Fated mates. Or whatever a given species calls them.”
