by Stacey Jay
Ariel teases me about being the world’s first stay-at-home dad, but I don’t mind. Of all the things I’ve been, a husband and a father are by far the best.
“I wish I had brothers and sisters.” Gemma plops her feet into my lap, an invitation for me to pull her little toes, a thing she’s loved since she was barely able to walk.
“Then you wouldn’t have your own room,” Ariel says, not a hint of sadness in her voice. Gemma’s birth was difficult, and neither of us were surprised when no more children came. We weren’t upset, either. We have one amazing girl, a life together, freedom from all things Mercenary and Ambassador, and each other. It is … everything. Better than eternity or superhuman power. This is real magic, and I live and breathe it every day.
“I could share,” Gemma says. “I’m small.”
“No, you’re not.” Ariel pinches her heel. “You’re the tallest girl on the entire road.”
Gemma smiles a sleepy smile. “I am. I am going to be the tallest girl in the entire city when I grow up. And I will be a painter like Mommy, but I will only paint animals. Mostly horses.”
“Sounds like an excellent plan.” Ariel smiles down at her, that loving smile that makes her even more beautiful. And then she turns to look at me with that same look in her eyes, and I melt the way I always do. I am the luckiest man in any world, a soul transformed, pulled back from the abyss and blessed with love more powerful than evil or death or time or space or any of the rules.
“I love you,” I whisper.
She smiles. “Two thousand and twenty-four,” she says, and then she kisses me. And it is still the best kiss.
And soon we’ll put Gemma to bed, and when she’s asleep, we’ll go down to the stream behind the house with a bottle of wine and none of our clothes and remind each other that—even in the midst of so much goodness—there are delightful ways to be wicked. And we’ll swim and laugh and kiss, and the stars will shine, beautiful and bright, but Ariel will always shine brighter.
At least for me.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, many thanks to the team at Delacorte Press, especially to my editors, Michelle Poploff and Rebecca Short, for their guidance, support, and enthusiasm. Thanks to the Bard for the inspiration, Julie Linker for the critique (you were right, as always), and the Debutantes of 2009 for their friendship and support. Thanks to the booksellers who have worked so hard for my books in troubled times. Thanks to the Ithaca College Theater Department, London Center, for the walking tours of Shakespeare’s haunts—the frozen toes were worth it! And even bigger thanks to my readers. You inspire me daily.
STACEY JAY is the author of Juliet Immortal and several other books for young adults. She lives in California wine country with her husband and their two little boys. Learn more at staceyjay.com.
DISCOVER JULIET’S STORY IN
Juliet Capulet didn’t take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, who made the sacrifice to ensure his own immortality. But Romeo didn’t anticipate that Juliet would be granted eternity as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light.
For seven hundred years, Juliet has struggled to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent, while Romeo has fought for the dark side, seeking to destroy the human heart. Until now.
Now Juliet has found her own forbidden love, and Romeo, O Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy their happiness.
