When Brad and Monica were not busy with the girls they ran a security firm in the local town. They had the best screening in town thanks to Jaco and Shiloh. They hired humans to do the actual security however they always went out at night to make sure that the locations they supplied security for were really secure and safe for their employees. They very much enjoyed their job especially when Justine and Gabe joined them in the business as partners. Gabe did all the training and Justine worked the office.
On the other side of Rosa and Michael is where Piper and Aidan lived with their four children. Abby had her own room in the back of the house and was busy doing her homework and on Skype with Ben. She was sixteen now and couldn’t wait to be with Ben. As much as she wanted to give in to her teenage hormones Ben kept her in check and reminded her how much better it would be if they waited. She also understood that now more than ever since her mom had given birth three more times and her little brothers were always in her things.
Piper had two boys and another girl. Sawyer was a Water Dragon who was eight. Preston is an Onyx and he is six years old. Delilah is four and she is also a Water Dragon. Abby loved her little sister and loved giving her sisters soul mate a hard time. She was very protective of Delilah and made sure that Orin kept in line when he was around her.
Abby loved her gift even more now. As all the babies were being born she could see the threads that lead to their soul mates. She never said anything to anyone because she loved to see how the little toddlers were on those Sunday nights as they saw their mate for the first time. She knew now why Zoe liked surprises so much. She especially loved the night Justine had brought Thea down for the first time. Thea and Brandon’s thread was very bright and strong. Abby had held her breath as she watched Brandon march over to Thea and claim her.
“Hey doll face, what are you smiling about?” Ben asked as he gazed through the screen of his computer.
“Oh I was just remembering when Brandon claimed Thea. I wish you could have seen it. It really was priceless.” Abby laughs
“Hey how is Dodge doing? Did you remember to give him his meds tonight?” Ben is a huge worry wart about his dogs.
“Yes bossy I did. He isn’t doing well though. His age is catching up and well I didn’t want to tell you but I had Quinn come see him.” Abby finally said what she had been trying to avoid all night.
“He is sicker than we thought huh? I knew it…I …well I didn’t want to acknowledge it.” Ben admitted as he hung his head not wanting to see Abby’s now tear filled eyes.
“He is babe. Quinn says he only has a few months maybe less. But honestly babe I think he is waiting for you to come home and say goodbye. And I am not just saying that because it’s been four months since I have seen you. I talk about you to him and his color changes and he picks his tail up. So ya I think you need to come let him go.” Abby admitted with a small smile as tears ran down her eyes. She knew how much his dogs meant to him.
“Can you ask Kevin if he will come get me on Friday after school? I can only stay the weekend, but I so need Sunday dinner too. No one cooks like Mary. You know you may have to go take some lessons from that woman.” Ben teased trying to get his mind off his dog and on the food he missed so much.
“Already on that babe you know I am thinking of changing my mind and going culinary instead of veterinary science. I know you want to work with animals together but I have been helping out on Sundays and well I love it. You wouldn’t be mad if I did that would you?” Abby asked another subject she had been trying to avoid for a few months now. They had the animal thing planned out him training and her in the back as a vet. And she honestly loved animals but she fell in love with cooking.
“Babe I will be happy with anything you choose. I want you to be happy so if cooking makes you happy then cook away. We have lots of time for you to choose several careers if you want. Please do not do veterinary if your heart is not in it and don’t worry about what you think I want from you. I just want you. So if cooking is what you want then please follow your heart.” Ben pleaded
“This is why I love you so very much.” Abby gushed
Chapter 29
Blood 10 Years Later
“Hey little girl you ready for school?” Vivi asked her six year old daughter Elena.
“I am mommy after school can I go play with Forrest? Miss Shiloh said it was okay yesterday. She saids she would make snacks.” Elena pleaded with huge green flecked puppy dog eyes.
“I will have to call her first, so I want you to come home first ok? That way you can change out of your school clothes.” Vivi said as she handed the bagged lunch to her daughter and then to her other two sons.
“Okay Mommy. See you after school.” Elena stated and she got in the elevator with her brothers.
“Love you guys! Have a good day.” Vivi said as the door was closing and she heard the reply she got every day. “Love you mom!” they shouted back.
Vivi had had a very hard time for a few years after she had killed her father. Working with Sarah and having her do the pictures. Vivi was also thankful that Abby had interfered that night. She would have killed all of her siblings. Christian had taken her back to their suite that night and Maggie was standing in the living room waiting for her. She had crumpled to the ground in the little girls arms and Maggie just held on to her. All the other kids had come out and ended up all sleeping on the floor right there with Vivi that night.
Vivi found out she was pregnant on the one year anniversary of that night. She took it as a sign to open her eyes and see life for what it was. Nine months later she had a son. She named him Mason and he was now eight years old. It was also shocking to her and more of a sign when he opened his eyes and she realized she had a Pearl. Then when Zoe’s daughter Aisley was born around the same time Vivi had Elena she was doubly surprised. Her son’s soul mate was the Queen’s daughter. Vivi had burst into tears the night Zoe brought Aisley down and Mason ran to her. Zoe hadn’t even made it to the last step when Mason stopped her and demanded to see the baby in her arms.
As soon as Mason put his lips on little Aisley Vivi lost it. She had burst into happy but scared tears. She had given birth to a King, oh what her father wouldn’t have done to get his hands on her son and his mate. Zach had been the one that night that grabbed her and shook her yelling at her to stop that line of thought. She did and Vivi couldn’t be happier now. Mason was a good little man with respect and love in his heart. Elena was the sweetest little Earth Dragon.
Vivi and Christian also had two Blood Dragon boys. Elias was five now and Gage was three. They had all claimed their soul mates already and life was good. Vivi had taken online courses to become a registered nurse and Christian went to school and got his doctorate in family medicine not too long ago. They now had a clinic in town and during the day they helped humans.
Alexi and Gosha also had more children which made Christian very happy. He now had two sisters and a little brother. Nadia was the first born. She is five now and is also a Blood Dragon. Anya is three and when she was born Vivi laughed because she was also a Pearl. Then Luka came along two years ago and he is the best toddler around. He is a Water Dragon and he is the mellowest little boy Vivi has ever seen.
Nadia was a free spirit of a child. When it was obvious that Leo was her soul mate she did her own thing. To this day he follows her around the yard and she just picks flowers. Sebastian and Camilla just laugh at their son because he tried everything he can to get Nadia’s attention. Anya and her soul mate Robert are still so young but it is apparent she adores the five year old. When he started school this year Anya looked a little lost for a while but Alexi kept her busy.
Alexi and Gosha were also registered nurses now too and they helped out in the clinic in town too. Although Alexi was taking time off until the kids were all in school. Instead she took Anya and Luka with her on home visits that she shared with Sarah. Today she was going to check on Sarah however as Sarah gave birth a eight months ago and had her hands full with
her five children.
Leon also got his doctorate in family medicine with Christian and he was the other doctor at the clinic. So this morning Alexi sent Nadia to school and headed over to Sarah’s house to make sure her oldest kids headed to school as well. Leon and Gosha always left early to the clinic. Christian always waited until his children left for school and he rode in with Vivi. Anya and Luka followed behind their mother like little ducks as Alexi made her way to Sarah’s.
Opening the front door Alexi walked inside Sarah’s home. “Knock Knock!” Alexi hollered out.
“Oh thank god, we are in here. I need help please.” Sarah answered with a holler of her own.
Alexi made her way down the hall to the kitchen which was a disaster. “Umm did a tornado come through here?” Alexi asked
“No no, here Orin here is yours and Maddox here is yours.” Sarah announced as she handed the three oldest their lunches.
“Thanks mom, hey Miss Alexi, good to see you.” Keely said as she walked by Alexi and out the front door with her two brothers’ right behind her.
“Have a good day kiddos love you lots!” Sarah hollered
Once they were out the door Alexi looked at Sarah. She was tired and had bags under her eyes. Sloan who was her eight month old Onyx son had taken a toll on her. He was a fussy little one. Sarah also had Etaine who was two years old and her only Blood Dragon child. Keely was a Fury and four years old, Orin was a Water Dragon who was six and then there was Maddox their other Onyx son who was five. Sarah definitely had her hands full with the many different personalities of her children.
“Ok you go sit and feed little Sloan. Send Etaine and Keely in here and I will make the kids breakfast. You as well, pancakes and sausage sound good?” Alexi asked as she started to clean up the counters.
“You are a life saver. I love Leon to death but his leaving so early is starting to drive me mad. Sloan tends to wake right as I am trying to get lunches made and kids ready. I need him to help sometimes you know? Sarah let out a frustrated breath.
“I do and that is why I come over every morning. Now Anya and Luka go sit at the table and color, Keely you too. I will go get Etaine. You think she is in her normal spot?” Alexi asked looking over to Sarah who was sitting in the rocking chair nursing Sloan and falling asleep herself. Alexi didn’t say anything else and walked to the living room looking behind the couch. Sure enough Etaine was sitting there looking out the window right at her soul mate Justin, who was walking to school with his brother and sister. Alexi waited until Justin walked out of sight. “Are you hungry little one?”
Etaine jumped at Alexi’s voice but nodded her little head up and down. Alexi picked her up from out behind the couch and carried her to the kitchen setting her down at the table. Alexi placed a coloring book in front of her with some crayons and then went to prepare breakfast.
Twenty minutes later breakfast was done and as Alexi was serving the toddlers at the table Sarah woke up.
“Oh thank you so much for letting me get twenty more minutes. I swear it’s like a power nap until actual nap time. Breakfast smells divine too.” Sarah gushed as she placed Sloan in the bassinet that sat next to the rocking chair. She then walked to the counter and made herself a plate. When they were all done Alexi stayed and helped Sarah clean the kitchen and prep dinner.
When all was clean Sarah placed Sloan in a sling carrier and they left the house to make their rounds. Alexi and Sarah went to each and every home and then to the training area before nap time. With the aid of the golf cart Kaiden had bought the house calls went very quickly.
Bronwyn and Levi had moved to the states and lived in Mary’s old home. They came home every summer but they wanted to raise their girls in the human world. Levi had chosen to postpone being turned for a couple years. He wanted to make sure it was the right thing for him.
Chapter 30
Fire 10 Years Later
Donny and Alex had taken their time really falling in love and for the first few years they traveled a lot with Tia and John. They had been gone for two years before they came home. Donny had talked Alex into coming home as soon as she learned she was pregnant. Now any leaving home is only for family vacations as both of them feel that the mountain is where they want to raise their four children.
Shane was their first born he is now a seven year old Fire Dragon. Tyler came shortly after and is now six and Alex was thrilled when she realized he was a Fury. Not long after Tyler they had a little girl who they named Allison and she is five years old. Allison is an Onyx and has her mother’s jet black almost purple hair. They waited a few years and then had another little Fire boy names Tristan who is now five.
Now that all her kids are in school Alex is taking online courses to become a counselor. She wants to open up a clinic and shelter for battered women and kids. Cara, Donny’s mom, and her mate Brice are also taking courses to become counselors. Brice has already found a perfect location in the bigger city and had Hugh’s replacement working on making the top levels apartments and the lower levels offices. Donny spends his time spoiling the kids and teaching fire safety lessons to the little Fire kids. Who are all really little fire bugs.
So Alex is alone in the suite during school hours and then she piles the kids and her mate into the car and they drive to check on the office building. Cara and Brice always follow as this is also their baby. Cara and Brice also spend a lot of time with their grand babies. Because they are a second chance couple and Cara had Donny they won’t be having any children. Cara is a little heartbroken about it so she spends a lot of time spoiling Donny’s babies. Brice loves the arrangement. The kids come over they spoil them and then send them home.
Alex also has two brothers and two sisters now. Alex laughs about it because they are the same ages as her kids. Her mom and she seemed to get pregnant at the same times.
Laura and Max had decided to try for kids when Alex had taken off and was gone for two years. Laura had just learned she was pregnant when her oldest daughter showed up back home and told her she was pregnant too. They had had a good laugh especially when Alexi had told them they were only weeks apart. Laura loved it though. She had missed so much of Alexandria’s life that she was glad she got to start over. The pregnancy also brought the two so much closer.
Laura and Max had four children now. Martin was seven and he is a Blood Dragon. Barkley is six and they were dumbfounded that he was a Pearl. They took a break for a few years and enjoyed their time with the boys. When they were blessed with not one but two Fire little girls they threw a party. Saige is now two and Talya is just one years old.
Laura spends her days as a stay at home mom. After not being able to raise Alex she wants nothing more than to spend every day she can with her children. Max opened a tattoo shop in town and his reputation has only grown. He has hired a few humans and now Max is by appointment only, which Laura loves because when she needs him he is there.
In the house next door Carmine and Ava have had three children much to Cara’s delight as she has more kids to spoil. Hadley was their first child he is six and a Fury. Adam came along two years later and is now four. He is their little Fire bug, who like his cousin Donny, likes to set things ablaze. Paige is their newest addition and just five months old. She is an Onyx.
Ava stays home with the kids also while Carmine works as a fire fighter in town. Needless to say injuries of his fellow fire fighters have gone down since Carmine started working there. Today he is home on rotation and playing with Adam outside while Ava cleans up after lunch. Paige is down for her nap and since Adam has out grown them Ava no longer gets her afternoon refuel. However today she is going to take a hot bath since Carmine is home to watch Adam for her.
“Sneaking a hot bath I see?” Carmine stated in the quiet room which made Ava jump.
“Don’t do that!” she whispered loudly at him through her teeth. Paige was asleep on their bed in the middle of a mound of pillows.
“May I join you?” Carmine asked as he pulled Ava
into his arms.
“Where is Adam? He can’t be left alone!”
“Relax Adara was just taking Braden and Ridley for a walk and she asked if Adam could join them. She knows I am not home often enough and also knows its Paige’s nap time. So can I?” Carmine smiled down at Ava as her face lit up with the possibilities.
Adara and Monroe had moved in next to Ava and Carmine as soon as the houses were available. Shortly after it was safe they left the mountain to scour the earth for possible survivors. They were gone off and on for the last six years and hadn’t found any evidence of more survivors. When they found out they were pregnant they decided to give up the search and start living their lives. They now had two children Braden who was four and a Fire and Ridley who was two and her daddies little princess.
Monroe always wanted a little girl and he was excited that she was an Earth Dragon. They both had heard about the journal and the second chances. They even witnessed it happen once they came home. Still it hadn’t clicked that it was true to them until Ridley was born. At Sunday dinner after she was born Josiah and Brielle’s son Brighton had walked right over and refused to leave Ridley’s side.
When Braden’s soul mate was born he went right out the house and two doors down. Max had opened the door and Braden walked right past him and into the nursery. When Max came to get Adara she didn’t even know Braden had left the house. When she walked into the nursery she started to cry at what she saw. Braden was only two years old at the time and he was sitting between mounds of pillows. Laura was to the side carefully watching as Braden held her new born daughter. Even at two years old he was so gentle with her.
Adara is taking night classes with Rosa to become a teacher and Monroe is the mountain handy man. Anytime something small is broken they call him and he rushes out to fix it. Since they were gone for so long afterwards they Adara and Monroe both felt a little rift. Soon however, they realized it was them that were the ones holding back from building relationships.
Redemption (The Extinct Race Series Book 4) Page 16
