by K. F. Breene
Savion took a running leap and kicked Charles in the shin.
“Ow! You little rat.” He put Sabrina gently on the ground as he sank to his knees and pulled Savion into a bear hug. Another knock sounded at the door before I heard it open.
“Must be Ann,” Jonas muttered.
“Thank you, security.” I grinned as Ann sauntered in with jet black hair. She’d given up the blue a while ago for pink. Then it went to purple before she settled on black. I suspected black was to cover up some mistake, but she assured me it was a conscious choice.
“Don’t get my brother!” Sabrina ran in with a dagger.
“Grab her, grab her! Who left a dagger laying around?” I jumped up from the couch as Stefan swung his long arms toward her and scooped her up.
“No, baby. No swords until you get your magic.” He gave her a kiss on the forehead and set her back down sans dagger.
He didn’t yell nearly as much as I did. I had no idea how he kept his cool.
Undeterred, and with her brother still getting attacked by Charles, she ran at them with a determined expression and balled-up fists. She punched Charles in the arm and then wound up and kicked him right between the legs.
“Ow! No—not the balls!” Charles let go of Savion and crumpled to the ground. “White flag, white flag,” he wheezed.
Savion, released, smiled at his sister before turning a gloating expression on Charles.
“Time out, you two. That is not nice!” I used my firm voice. They usually listened with the firm voice. And Jonas’ stare.
I sighed and closed my eyes. “Who are we waiting for, again?”
“Ann’s lover,” Charles said in a sulky voice as he climbed, painfully, to his feet and took a chair.
“Tim’s taking care of something, but he’ll be here—“ A knock interrupted Ann.
It had shocked me a little when Ann had first mentioned she was seeing Tim. He seemed a little too serious for her. After a couple months, it still shocked me. They didn’t seem all that interested in each other. It seemed more convenience than anything. And for Ann, getting a rise out of Charles.
And it did get a rise out of Charles, even though he still maintained he didn’t want anything permanent. He often glowered at Tim when no one was looking, and he badgered Ann about her boyfriend constantly.
Ann wouldn’t admit it, but I had a feeling she was lonely, and she’d chosen someone she knew wouldn’t work out long-term so she could wait for Charles. The way she looked at Charles, and the fact that those looks were often returned, spoke volumes. But, while Charles was definitely growing up, and he didn’t get up to nearly as much Mansion sex as he used to, he just wasn’t quite there yet. Men just took longer to come around sometimes. And this man most of all.
It was just a matter of time, in my opinion. They’d finally have a moment when neither could deny their mutual attraction, and then they’d be glued to each other. Just a matter of time.
Tim strolled in with Paulie and Selene. Their two-year-old boy was waddling right at their side.
“Mama, can we play?” Sabrina asked as Savion ran by. He stopped right in front of Todd, Paulie’s son, and grinned.
“Wanna play?” Savion took off to the right. Sabrina ran by Todd’s side, making sure he didn’t fall.
“Hey Stefan, Sasha, Jonas, Emmy, Charles—“ Tim nodded to everyone. His soft brown eyes held Ann’s gaze for a moment. “Hi beautiful.”
Charles rolled his eyes.
“Are the witches coming?” Ann asked as she scooted over on the love seat for Tim.
“Which ones? The Mansion is full of them.” Charles picked at his nail.
“Unlike you, who is full of it?” Ann smirked at Charles.
“Dinner should be ready in an hour. Drinks on the patio?” I stood and stretched my back. “Dominicous and Toa are already out there.”
“Oh shit—you didn’t say they were coming.” Charles hopped up and started walking out.
“Language!” Ann scolded. “There are children present.”
“What are you in such a hurry about?” I asked Charles as Stefan stepped behind me and started to knead my back. I leaned into his touch. I hadn’t seen him for most of the night and I missed him.
“I heard Toa got that spell wrong because he inverted it and I wanted to make fun of him.”
“Don’t make fun of him!” I threaded my fingers into Stefan’s and followed Charles out.
Dominicous stood by the large BBQ station with a glass of whisky. Toa sat in one of the cushioned patio chairs with a glass of wine. They looked up when we came through the sliding glass door.
“Hi everyone,” Dominicous said lightly.
“Hey, Toa,” Charles started. Jonas calmly handed the baby to Emmy. “I heard—Damn it, Jonas! Why’d you punch me, bro? That’s fucked up!”
“Language!” all the parents yelled.
“Messed up.” Charles rubbed his arm with a glower and settled into one of the many chairs.
A server distributed drinks from a side bar. After everyone had gathered and had their drink of choice, I raised my glass of juice. “I have an announcement.” Stefan rubbed my back as everyone turned to me expectantly. “I’m pregnant. Hopefully with just one, this time.”
Everyone smiled and beamed, wishing me congratulations, except for one person. Toa gave me his customary stare as he said, “Sasha, while that is happy news, what about stepping up in your post? We could really use you.”
“Hey Toa, I hear you blew up a whole room!” Charles boomed.
Jonas smirked as he took the baby back and smiled down on her. “That time it was warranted.”
Laughing, I raised my glass. “To family.”
“To family!” everyone chorused.
Afterword
Darkness Series (Paranormal Romance)
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