Page 125 of Let It Snow
He rises slowly, and we simply look at each other.
He’s so perfect. From the very first day I saw him, his beauty struck me, stunned me, and left me in awe. The soft lines of his lips, those wistful mismatched eyes with long lashes, his smooth, luminous complexion.
Just a few hours ago he was in my arms, begging me sweetly…
I slowly return to my material form, and Summer ruefully smiles.
"You came," he says softly, his voice a bit breathless. "I thought you had given up on me…"
"I’ll never give up on you, Summer. But I also knew you needed this trip, that you needed to talk to Moon."
"So you already know… about stuff." His voice is a bit shaky.
"I know some things," I say, tempering my voice so I don’t sound arrogant. "But I’ve got my blind spots too."
He studies me closely.
Then he slowly lowers his head and stares at the wet sand. His aura is turbulent, uneven. Flickering pale gray sparks run across it.
"Moon told me about… the kids. About the reasons why you did it."
For a moment I’m silent. Summer’s lips are trembling a bit, and I really want to hug him, but I know it’s not the right time.
"I guess I need to come to terms with the fact that I can’t have biological children. With who I am. But it helps to know you did it for a good reason. I needed to see meaning in it. Really… desperately."
I nod slowly.
"These children are going to need you, Summer," I whisper. "So much."
Summer flinches slightly, like my words hit deep. His pale blue aura shifts slightly toward a more violet shade.
I go on. "Only you will be able to help them handle their powers. Theo could never handle it. It would crush him. It would destroy their family. And with Tim’s public position, it would put the children in great danger."
Summer’s breathing quickens. My words literally flow into his aura, stirring it until it resonates like a pulsing pink heart.
"Their souls chose you to be their dad," I say softly. "Theo is only helping them come into this world. But spiritually… you are their true parent. Fate designed it that way."
Summer presses his hands to his face. The color of his aura shifts toward green and purple. I know my words partly sadden him but also bring a sweet relief, and even some… longing.
For a moment there’s silence. His energy stabilizes, like a calming surface of water, and he lifts his gaze.
"I want to be their dad." Our eyes meet. "To give them love and support. Even though right now I feel… hit by all of this, I’ll come around. They’re innocent, and I don’t want to turn my back on them."
Summer’s aura begins to lighten up with some hope, tiny yellow and golden sparks flickering inside it.
"You know, my brother said something today I didn’t understand. About taking responsibility and growing up. That by helping build others, we’re also building ourselves. But it doesn’t have to be about our own blood, about raising our own children. Maybe what matters most is the love, the support, and the care we can offer to others, no matter the blood ties?"
He looks out at the ocean for a moment, raindrops flowing down his delicate, adorable face, then draws a deep breath, straightens, and his tone gains strength.
"It’s time for the truth, Snow. Time for you to tell me who we really are to each other."
"We are fated mates."
"Stop. Don’t. I know we’re not!"
"We are not True Mates, but still, we arefated."
"I don’t understand."
