It took a good year before both she and Monroe were able to really let their guards down. They had befriended Max and Laura first, mainly that was Braden’s doing. Then Adara got bold and started approaching Ava. They had become very good friends in a short time. Now they swapped recipes and helped out with the kids every once in a while. Adara always tried to do it when Carmine was on rotation. Since three days a week he lived in town at the fire station.
Like today she saw him outside with Adam while she was cleaning up lunch and when she looked at the clock she knew that Paige would be asleep. So she had quickly gotten the kids shoes on and took them for a walk. Snagging Adam up was really just a bonus for her as him and Braden were the same age and got along so well. She took the kids to the smallest park that had been built. There were several of them now and they were all built for ages. The one she headed to now is designed for toddlers. She let them play for about an hour and then headed back.
As she approached the houses she tried to make sure she wasn’t too early. But when she got to the front she noticed the front door was open and Ava stood there holding a very awake Paige.
“Was he good for you?” Ava asked as Adam ran up the steps to him mom.
“He was an angel as always. Better question is was she good for you? Get enough adult time?” Adara laughed as she teased Ava.
“She did. She was a very good girl and only just woke up. However she was hogging the bed so we had to make due.” Ava laughed at her own brazenness.
“Well the next time he is off remember to put her down in the crib for her nap. Now how would you to feel about a BBQ tonight? I was also going to ask Max and Laura if they wanted to come. It’s not that often we all get to see your man too so you know share him for a bit.” Adara asks
“Actually that sounds great. I hadn’t made a plan for dinner yet so count us in. What do you want me to make?”
“Make that great macaroni salad and whatever meat you want. I am gonna make a potato salad and macaroni and cheese then just hot dogs. I know Max will want his steak and Laura loves her bean dip. Anything else you think of just bring it. Six sound good to you?” Adara asked as she was timing it all in her head at the same time.
“Sounds great, see you then.” Ava says as Adara smiles and wave as she starts to walk to her back door.
Chapter 31
Earth 10 Years Later
“Honey we have to head down to the air strip Chloe is going to be landing any second.” Quinn stated as he put on his jacket. “Airic and Zach are already heading down. Come on babe I don’t want to miss my little girl.”
“Well then help me with you other two little girls Harper is still in her bouncer and I am having a hell of a time getting Olivia up from her nap. Not to mention Drake will be walking in the door any moment.” Morgan looked up at her mate and just gave him the glare.
“Ok I’ll get Olivia and you get Harper. The diaper bag is right here and hopefully we meet Drake on our way out. I know little man is excited that Chloe is moving home. I am glad too. The school is a great school and she has done well there but she needs to be around kids that are like her. Her being a Pearl has started to show too much.” Quinn stated as Morgan made her way down the hall stopping as he spoke about the school.
“That is the school my parents wanted to send me. I thought that we were doing the right thing sending her there. She was our first and I was pregnant with Drake when we made the decision together. I didn’t think her Dragon would shine out so much I guess. I am glad she is coming home too. Lesson learned and it is going to be nice seeing her every day.” Morgan began to tear up and when Quinn turned to her she quickly turned to get Harper ready.
As Olivia jumped in the bouncer knowing she was about to get picked up Morgan reflected back to that day. Chloe had been born right after Airic. Morgan hadn’t even known that she had become pregnant the first time her and Quinn were together. Quinn also hadn’t sensed it. When Chloe turned four she and Quinn had talked about the all girls’ school that her parents often talked about. Morgan wanted her first daughter to go there and was pretty adamant about it. So a year later Chloe was enrolled and a week after she left Morgan learned she was pregnant again.
Morgan gave birth to an Earth Dragon. Drake is now five and Quinn was adamant he went to school here with all the other kids. Chloe only saw her parents and siblings not to mention her soul mate when she came home for summer break and holidays. Quinn was fine with it at first. That first year was a busy one with Morgan being pregnant and them opening the furniture shop they had talked about opening. It was now a thriving shop with lots of orders. They were making a good income with the shop.
But that first time Chloe had come home Morgan realized the mistake. Chloe was ridiculed for being smarter and faster than the other girls. In a way it made her more humble but the girl was only five and taking now four years later it was enough. Chloe had called crying and demanded she move home. Morgan was a stubborn one and did not want to admit that she was wrong in sending her daughter there so she encouraged Chloe to hold on and do her best. After that phone call however she wanted her baby home as much as Chloe wanted to come home.
“Ready?” Quinn asked holding Olivia on his hip. Morgan nodded and they headed down to the air strip. The jet was already there however and Chloe was walking toward them with Airic and Zach. Zach carried her bags while Airic walked next to her. Chloe had a huge bouquet of lilies and in her other hand was another huge bouquet of balloons. Airic also carried a small box in his hands.
Quinn set Olivia down and ran to Chloe scooping his first born in his arms. Olivia ran to them as well. Olivia was three years old and was their only Onyx. She was also Justine’s sons Ian soul mate. Drake’s soul mate was Charles and Etana’s two year old daughter Amira. Six months ago she had given birth to her little Fire Dragon Harper. Who at such a small age already showed her little temper. Harper was mated to Liam, Justin’s other son, that match was a good one. Liam was calm and Harper was already a little spit fire.
“Hey baby girl I am so glad you are home!” Quinn gushed as he twirled Chloe around.
“Daddy I am so glad too. Look! Airic brought me balloons and flowers, aren’t they pretty?” Chloe smiled down at Airic while she asked her Dad.
“They are and I am so glad he was here to welcome you home. I am sorry we are late Olivia was still asleep and didn’t want to wake up. Also Drake should be home any moment from school.” Quinn told her as he set her down and looked at Zach. “Thank you for being here for her. I’ll take those from you.”
“I got them plus you need to go catch Olivia. Looks like she spotted the kids coming home from school and Ian.” Zach pointed to the group of kids walking together towards the main house.
“Oh boy, Chloe you ready? Drake is there with her so we can take our time and see they just noticed us. Mom also had planned to make your favorite for dinner and she needs to get started.” Quinn asked as he looked to the crowd of kids and noticed Ian holding Olivia’s hand as he waited with Drake for them to walk over.
“I am. Mom you ready?” Chloe asked as she looked at her mom and noticed that she hadn’t said a word and was holding on to Harper very tightly with tears in her eyes.
“I am so sorry I sent you there! I was only trying to give you the best education I didn’t know other kids could be so mean. I am so glad you are home!” Morgan burst into tears as she handed Harper to Quinn and pulled Chloe into a hug.
“Mom chill, I am home now. It wasn’t as bad as you are thinking. But I just want to be here. This is home.” Chloe said into her mother’s ear.
“You have your own room still just so you know. I moved Harper and Olivia together and it will stay that way unless we have another daughter. Then sorry but you will have to share.” Morgan laughed
“Fine by me.” Chloe stated as she handed the balloons and flowers to her mother and scooped Harper up into her arms. She hadn’t seen her for a few months and missed her baby sister. Harper laughed and
held on tight to Chloe.
They made their way to Olivia and Drake. Ian was still there not willing to leave Olivia until Quinn was there to take her. Even then he still walked with them to the house and only left her side when he had to go to one elevator and they went in the other. Chloe still had Harper in her arms, Drake and Olivia both were talking nonstop to her and Airic just stared at her while she stared at him. Once they were in their suite Zach put her bags next to the door and she put Harper on the ground.
Harper crawled away and Airic handed her the small box in his arms. Inside was a beautiful locket on a silver chain. Inside the locket was a picture of her and Airic from the last time she was home. Chloe hugged him and then waved goodbye as they left. She then turned and listened to Drake and Olivia who had not stopped their talking.
Colin and Shawn had been walking home when they noticed their big brother Quinn and their niece come home for good. They were happy she was going to be going to school with them. All of the kids knew she hated that other school but stayed because her mom wanted her to go there. They both made it home and called out to their mom
“Mom we are home!”
“Oh good how was school?” Clover asked as she hands both boys a snack and ushers them to the table where her two daughters sat eating their snacks.
“It was good. Rosa did this awesome presentation of the moon. Oh we saw Quinn on our way. Chloe is home for good this time. She emailed me last night and told me not to say anything but she had enough of those nasty girls and is not going back.” Shawn told his mom.
“Good for her. I know Morgan has wanted her home for a while now but I think she was waiting for Chloe to say it.” Clover laughed thinking how stubborn her daughter in law and granddaughter were. “We will give them space tonight but after school tomorrow we will go see them. I miss my grandbaby.”
“Is it odd mom?” Colin asked
“What do you mean son?”
“What he means is that our niece is older than us.” Shawn stated
Clover had to laugh at that. Rosa was a very good teacher and her children seemed to be smarter than their own good sometimes. They talked like adults most of the time, in fact all the kids did. They all acted like kids but their speech and attitudes were so mature. Clover gave the maturity to the fact all the kids grew up with their soul mates now. The boys especially were very mature and protective, even as toddlers.
“Well you all know the story right? You boys especially know what your father and I were kept in a cell for a very long time. We didn’t get to raise Quinn and when fate deemed it safe to have babies once more all of us became pregnant. It felt like we were all pregnant at the same time. Shawn you were born only months after Chloe. We were also surprised you were an Earth Dragon like us. Then Colin came two years later and we were overjoyed when he was a Blood Dragon.”
“What was it like in the cages? How long were you there?” Colin asked
“Well son we were thankful we were alive but it was horrible. Knowing Quinn was out there and alone. Could you imagine living how he did?” Hunter asked as he walked into the room.
“No I can’t. I am sorry you guys had to do that. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have you guys.” Shawn admitted
“It is all over now and we have been given huge gifts since. We have you both and Quinn again. We also have been blessed with two lovely daughters Camryn and Bailey.” Clover responded as she took the plated from the table and started to wash them. Hunter took the kids into the living room while she prepared dinner. She thought about her life now as she stirred the sauce in the pot.
Hunter now worked with the human farmer that lived right next to the mountain. He knew about them and always had. The human’s father had worked with Kaiden’s father and the human had told the son on his death bed. His name was Sean and turned out that Sean had witnessed everything that night a year ago. He hadn’t said a thing to anyone and when Hunter approached him to explain his crop damage Sean had smiled and told Hunter he was glad they all lived. Hunter and Sean became very good friends and worked together on Sean’s land.
Clover stayed home with the kids. Shawn was her eight year old Earth Dragon. Colin was six and a Blood Dragon. Camryn was now two and she was an Earth Dragon as well. Then she had given birth to Bailey who was now four and an Onyx. Camryn’s soul mate Baker lived next door. He was Aubry and Adam’s son. Shawn’s mate Lilah lived down at the beach with her parent’s Marie and Julio. Bailey was the soul mate of Charles and Etana’s oldest son Saul. Saul was a lot like Gabriel and already a great little fighter and Clover was very happy with that mating. Bailey was very fragile and gentle.
Out of all her children Bailey was the quietest. She was a watcher though she watched what everyone was doing. However she was a sensitive child so you had to word everything just right with her.
“Mommy may I help you?” Bailey asked standing near the counter.
“You may darling girl. Would you like to butter the bread?”
“Yes please. Mommy those bad men that put you in cages are gone right? I don’t want them to come take you again.” Bailey looked up to her with tears into her eyes.
“How about we go talk to Claudia tomorrow? We can get Saul too and she can tell you what she did when she saw them.” Clover asks
“Yes please I would like to see Saul.”
Next door Aubry and Adam were making dinner for their three children. Baker was their five year old little Earth man. Willa was their three year old Fury daughter and Jada was their one year old Fire daughter. Aubry has a flower shop in town that she is partners with Cassie. Adam has gone into business with Paulo and they do landscaping. Aubry’s shop allows her to take the kids with her during the day. As Cassie has three little ones also they made the back into a nursery. Several of the half-bloods run deliveries for them and one helps with the kids.
“I have lots of orders tomorrow and need to leave early. Do you think you can get Baker off to school before you leave?” Aubry asks as she turns the chicken in the pan.
“I can manage that. Paulo mentioned the same so I know he needs to get his off to school too. Ok salad is made would you like me to start Jada’s food or are you going to let her eat what we do now?” Adam teased because he knew Aubry was very picky about what the babies ate. Even though what they were cooking was very healthy.
“Well she is done cutting teeth and hasn’t been fussy for a few days so I think she can eat the pasta. But not any salad she might choke on the lettuce.” Aubry said not paying attention to the smirk on Adam’s face.
“Good. You hear that baby girl? You get to have chicken fettuccine like daddy.” Adam coos to Jada who is in the high chair across the counter. Willa is next to her munching on a bread stick as she waits patiently. Baker is sitting at the table doing his homework.
“You need any help little man?” Adam asks
“Nope Mister Michael was nice today and only have to match these up then add this page. Can I go play with Camryn after dinner?” Baker asks as he keeps his eyes on his paper.
“At the swing set but only until if Miss Clover agrees ok.” Adam had built a swing set in the back of their house as soon as the Baker took to Camryn. It was all vines and trees that grew in the ground. Adam was very glad that Baker’s soul mate lived next door and he was able to see her almost every day. Willa’s soul mate also lived on their other side his name was Malcolm and he was Josiah and Brielle’s son. Those two were a riot to watch together. Willa was only three but she was feisty. Malcolm just followed close behind making sure she never got hurt. Tristan was Jada’s soul mate and he lived in the main house as he was Donny and Alex’s son. But Sunday nights for now were all about the pair. Tristan had to have Jada next to him when he ate so they had to make sure they got a seat next to Donny and Alex.
Once the pasta was mixed Aubry scooped it all in a bowl and set the table. Adam moved the highchair with Jada still in it to the table. Willa needed help into her booster seat so Adam picked her
up to help. Aubry handed Adam Jada’s bowl and he made sure to cut everything small enough so Aubry didn’t have a panic attack. Soon they were all eating and Baker was itching to finish first so he could go see his Camryn.
On the other side of Aubry and Adam is where Josiah and Brielle lived. They were also all at their table eating. Brielle had made tacos and her children were having a blast as the heaped on the cheese and lettuce and tomatoes to their plates.
“You know you’re going to eat all that you get right kids?” she asked them knowing that they would. Her children had very healthy appetites.
“Yes mama we will.” Malcolm responded for all the kids.
“Good. Now after dinner we are all heading up to the main house to our lessons. Malcolm you have training tonight with Charles and Mateo so your dad will take you to the training room. The rest of us are headed up to art lessons with Halina and Sarah. So I expect you all to be on your best behaviors and use your manners.” Brielle looked to all of her children to make sure that they were listening to her.
Brielle stayed home with the kids and tried to keep them active. Josiah ran a natural foods shop in town and needed to work on his online orders tonight. He had several half-bloods that made the deliveries or ran the shipments to the airport. Josiah had mentioned a few times how busy he was getting so Brielle knew that as soon as Hailey was a year old she was going to be going to work with him. Brielle worked with Josiah a lot in between kids however he always let her stay home until the baby was one.
They had five children now which Brielle loved and couldn’t wait for more. She had hired Hugh’s replacement to extend the house for her after her third child was born. She knew three bedrooms would not be enough and had three more rooms added to the house and her bedroom moved to the first floor. She kept the youngest in the two other bedrooms on the first floor and three of the four bedrooms upstairs were occupied. The fourth room for now was used as the office for the business. The main shop was in town but all the books and orders were done at home. Josiah liked to be home with the kids as much as she did.
Redemption (The Extinct Race Series Book 4) Page 17
