“Not too soon, I hope. I need you,” Topper whispered.
“You’re going to be fine without me. You were meant for bigger things in this world. We all have our own life journeys to live.”
“I met one of Gaia’s messengers while I was in Alaska,” Topper whispered. “She died an old woman, but looked no more than thirty in Gaia’s sacred space. I hope that happens to you.”
“Me too,” Moonie said, closing her eyes.
Topper looked up at the witches now surrounding them. “Take Moonie home so she can rest. Have Evanna come check her out. Tell her Moonie conjured up a golf cart before she collapsed.”
Stark pulled her to her feet while two witches kneeled beside Moonie and transported her back to her home. Topper looked at the golf cart and hoped Harry wasn’t going to be mad about Moonie taking it without his knowledge. Harry was one of the few warlocks living in town. His son was a bit of a hell-raiser, but what teenage boy wasn’t?
She looked at one of the remaining witches. “Will you tell Harry what Moonie did? Tell him I need to borrow his golf cart and will return it at the end of the day.”
“Of course, Topper.” The woman lifted a hand and was gone.
With most of the problems now constrained, Topper looked at her husband. “You can drive the golf cart today, but go slowly. I don’t want this baby to be born before her time, whenever that’s going to be.”
“As you wish,” Stark said, helping her navigate to the cart to climb inside.
Chapter 2
Exhaustion had claimed her early the previous evening, but sleeping was not easy. Topper held her protruding belly and rolled to her back as she tried to get more comfortable. It was hard when you were growing an alien inside you, especially one who’d decided to develop at twice the speed of a normal baby.
She and Stark had miraculously—and without intending to—conceived a child on their Alaskan honeymoon which was less than three months ago. Gaia’s messenger had sort of aided Topper’s choice in allowing the conception to occur, but Topper wasn’t going to hold that against the woman. But if the messenger ever called her by her birth name again, she would not be so friendly. No one got to call her that horrid name. No one except Gaia.
Topper sighed as she felt her legs being lifted and gently dropped over Stark’s. He rubbed her knees and her feet which had her sighing deeper over the physical relief. Her still fairly new husband chuckled at all the sounds she was making—sounds he was used to being the one to coax out of her. Lately their pleasure had taken a different tone.
“Your daughter…” Topper said groggily, the complaint fading even as it left her lips. With her legs elevated, her eyes were closed in peaceful relaxation at last. Maybe she could stay here a little longer. No one in Magic was knocking down her door yet this morning.
“My daughter will look as beautiful as her…”
Topper opened her eyes when Stark stopped mid-sentence. His side of the bed shifted as he rose up on one elbow. There was shock in his gaze as he stared down at her.
“Goddess… what now? Am I double the size I was yesterday? I knew I was sleeping poorly for a reason other than all the work we did yesterday. I’m bigger, aren’t I?”
Not even awake yet and she was already cranky. It was hard enough for someone her age to be pregnant in the first place. Thanks to Earth Mother Gaia and the light of Icela, a goddess she had yet to meet, being an older witch had not turned out to be the enormous barrier to motherhood Topper had always assumed it was.
Yet alien miracle conception aside, nothing explained the rapid gestation. Her niece, Lacey, hadn’t gone through this acceleration when she’d carried Frost’s child. Lacey had gone through the same nine months as all other human witch females endured. At the rate hers and Stark’s baby was growing, Nonny, Magic’s best healer, had estimated she’d deliver at five months.
Stark gently slipped his legs from under hers. He rose until he knelt above her on the bed and spanned her rounded stomach with both of his very large hands. His fingers no longer touched her hip bones. So she had grown. Her sigh was loud and long. She wasn’t mathematically precise like he was, but she knew exactly how his hands fit every part of her.
“Our child has increased in size again, but not as much as the last surge,” Stark said softly. “But Topper…” His voice drifted off. He moved his hands from her belly to her face and stared again.
“Go on,” she said. “Just tell me the bad news.”
Stark grinned. “Remember on our honeymoon—the young woman on the airplane who kept brushing against me? The one I barely kept you from turning into a toad?”
Topper snorted. “Yes. Unfortunately, I do remember. Why are you bringing up her perky boobs and tight ass when I’m in the process of becoming a blimp because of you?”
“Because you suggested her allure was due to her youthfulness and I’m endeavoring to make a point,” Stark said firmly.
Topper grunted. “Endeavoring… right. Unless you fancy spending the day as a braying jackass, I advise you to stop digging a metaphorical hole for yourself, Stark. I may just decide to bury you in it if you keep talking.”
His confusion over her reference made him frown, but that actually made her giggle, even though she was still cranky about the baby. She found the oddest things entertaining these days.
Topper smiled and shook her head against the pillow. “I’m sorry. I vowed before Gaia never to do that to you. I’m just cranky this morning. Let’s start again. Why were you thinking of that woman while you were rubbing my thigh?”
Stark’s icy blue stare speared her. “Because you now look even younger than she did.”
“I look young?” Topper said. Her voice rose in alarm as worry latched onto her hard. “Help me up, Stark. I have to see for myself.”
Stark helped her roll her to the side and then straighten to sit. She felt like a whale in this condition, only with no buoyancy and no ocean to float in. Topper slid to her feet, waited until she got her balance, and then slowly walked to the bathroom.
What she saw in the mirror had her gasping and shaking her head. “No. No. No. This can’t be happening. Evanna swore the magic would hold through everything.”
She turned to find a naked Stark standing in the doorway sporting proof of his interest in her. Fisting a hand on her naked hip, she smirked. If he’d crooked a finger, she’d have followed him back to bed, even heavy with his child. She liked being on top and the man didn’t seem to mind being under her.
“Like me better as a young woman?” Topper asked.
Stark grinned and shook his head. “I like you any way I can get you. Your energy reads as still being you. What’s going on with this change?”
Topper sighed. “My glamour is failing to hold and I don’t know why. I need to contact Evanna and get her to check me.”
“You talk as if there is something wrong. Is this situation dangerous to you or our child?” Stark asked.
“Dangerous? No, I don’t think so, but I can’t go out in public looking like this. No one currently living in Magic is ready for this kind of shock. Most of them weren’t even born the last time I looked like this.”
“You look incredibly beautiful,” Stark said, coming close. “Shouldn’t you enjoy this while it lasts? Perhaps it’s a side effect of carrying the baby… or something Icela’s light has done to you.”
Topper blew out a breath. “No. It’s neither of those. I never told you about this little issue I have because I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d have to explain it to anyone. I fixed this long ago… or so I thought.”
Topper looked back at her reflection and pointed in the mirror. “This is how I really look, Stark. I choose to look the age of my sisters, who as witches are aging slowly, but still aging enough to look mature. The Fates told me my never changing youth was a gift from my mother, but that’s all I know about why I look as I do.”
“Huh…” Stark said, looking in the mirror so he could see her expression. He’
d married an experienced female who would always look like an untried one. His relationship with Topper tended to be one surprise after another, but not all of them were this pleasant. He didn’t know what her problem was with looking like her real self. “So your older appearance is a lie?”
“Well, technically not a lie…” Topper stopped and sighed when Stark raised an eyebrow. He was so damn literal, and honest to a fault, which was sometimes worse. “Okay, fine. My aging appearance is a lie.”
“Huh,” Stark said again, liking the neutral expression Theo had spent an afternoon teaching him to make. He found it quite useful when his mate was acting so high strung. “Do you think the baby restored your genuine appearance for some reason?”
Topper laid a hand over her extended belly and stared down at it. “At the very least, I think the baby is affecting my magic with her own.”
The doorbell echoing through the house made her eyes goes wide. “Oh no, I can’t let anyone see me like this. Answer the door,” Topper ordered. She closed her eyes to check who it was. “It’s Theo and he doesn’t look happy. Please, Gaia… no more snow zones today.”
A snickering Stark turned away to obey her, but she grabbed his arm. “Pants first,” Topper hissed. “There will be no answering the door like an angry Scotsman. I’ve finally gotten Moonie to quit calling you Stark Naked. Theo would tell the world if you answered the door with your man stick pointing north.”
“My reaction is because of you, Wife,” Stark reminded her.
“Yes, and I feel very possessive about keeping it only between us,” Topper said, pushing her bulk around him. Once upright, she moved like a tank, mowing down obstacles in her way.
Grabbing a pair of exercise shorts, she shoved them at Stark who huffed but finally yanked them on. She went to the hallway and yelled down it. “Just a minute, Theo. We slept in.”
The dragon mumbled something beyond the door, but being Sheriff of Magic did that to a person. Even the former one grumbled in wavering ghost form about the stuff that happened around here daily.
Topper hid inside the bedroom and listened as Stark opened the door.
“Morning Stark. Sorry to bother you all so early. A new alien showed up at my office this morning. He was in a big old parka before he stripped down to nothing but his pants after the sweat started pouring. Guy says he’s a friend of yours. He also says he’s the God of Thunder, but then just looked at me like I was crazy when I asked where his hammer was.”
“I’m not sure if I can help, Sheriff. Goddess Icela is the only deity I know,” Stark stated.
“Huh,” Theo said, rubbing the bump on his nose that became a horn when he shifted. “So you don’t know anyone named Thor then?”
“Thor? Actually, I do know someone named Thor. He’s a friend from Glacier.” Stark grinned as he turned. “Did you hear that, Topper?” he yelled down the hallway.
“Yes. Thor must have taken us up on our offer to visit. He can stay in the guest room,” Topper called back.
Stark turned back and bowed his head to Theo. “I appreciate you taking care of Thor for us, Theo. Let me get dressed and I’ll come to your office to collect him.”
“Great. I figured you’d know what to do—being Glacier’s official portal guardian—though I don’t think your friend arrived from there. His one piece of luggage had an airline tag on it,” Theo said, tipping his Sheriff’s hat before striding away.
Stark shut the door and turned to find a naked and extremely pregnant Topper now standing in the hallway. She was more radiant and beautiful than he’d ever seen her be. He made a growling sound. Goddess, he was so lucky to have found his true mate.
He walked to her slowly. “If I’m not allowed to walk around unclothed, neither are you, especially not looking so amazing. Looking at you today is like looking at your Earth’s sun.”
Topper rolled her yes. “You don’t have to worry about me staying naked. I’m not the exhibitionist in our family.”
“I beg to differ. You’re exhibiting beautifully this morning.” Stark said. Topper’s laugh over his teasing made him grin even wider.
“The only reason I’m still naked is because I’m afraid to use my magic to dress myself. Before you collect Thor, find Evanna and tell her I have an emergency. Do not say anything about what it is. It was Evanna’s magic that I used as a catalyst for the glamour. I tied my aging to hers when we were in our twenties so we’d stay the same.”
“No magic today? How will you get dressed then? You can barely walk,” Stark observed, smirking at the fire in her gaze.
Topper pointed a finger. “Since nothing fits me but a sheet at the moment, I will simply wrap myself up in one. Evanna will have to help me create a wardrobe that fits. And don’t make fun of my size, Alien. I’m not in the mood for your teasing.”
“Despite your threats, I still pray every day that our daughter will get your fire.”
Topper chuckled. “I think that’s a given. My mother always said I got that from my father. He was the finest mage whoever lived. Sometimes it makes me sad that neither of my parents got to see me happy. It was truly all they wanted for me. I hope that’s the kind of parent I’m going to be.”
Stark reached Topper in three strides and kissed her hard before promising to do all as she asked.
Chapter 3
“The glamour we cast is still in place,” Evanna announced. “Your body seems to be refusing to honor it. I don’t know how or why. We’ll get Nonny to check you out when she gets back from vacation.”
Topper sighed heavily and leaned back in the chair. “What am I supposed to do in the meantime? I can’t go out in public like this.”
“Topper, we always knew this situation was going to come up one day. When I die, you’ll immediately return to your normal appearance for the rest of your life—the length of which is yet to be determined.”
“That’s why you are never allowed to die, Evanna. I refuse to live in this world alone,” Topper said firmly.
Evanna laughed, but sobered quickly. “Even your great power can’t stop what will eventually happen, Topper. You can’t stop Moonie from dying either. I know that’s what’s really bothering you.”
“Of course it’s bothering me. Agatha Moonbeam and I were born in the same year. Sixty year old humans are more spry than she is. It’s not fair that she’s so fragile now,” Topper said sadly. “Why do some witches live for hundreds of years and others only live out a normal human span?”
Evanna shrugged. “Only Gaia knows that answer.”
Topper stared at her hands. “Neither of us is that old. Moonie’s the most powerful witch in Magic next to me. We need her.”
“Yes. The entire town of Magic knows you and Moonie are the strongest witches, Topper,” Evanna said tersely.
Topper gasped. Hurting her sister’s feelings had not been her plan. “No, that’s not what I meant. Your gifts are enormous, Evanna. Without them, where would we be? There’s not a paranormal creature in this town you haven’t helped. Lacey’s gifts are now mirroring yours, but she’s far from your level. You and Nonny are both important here.”
“None of that is the same as having enough power to open a portal to another planet or close it back. You well know I’ve reached my peak… and so has Nonny. Lacey has found her niche too. Not admitting those things would not change the Goddess given reality of my limited witchness,” Evanna said. “If Moonie passes on, we will have to recruit another powerful witch for you to train. It’s not optional for our town. Although…”
“What do you know, Evanna?” Topper asked, expecting to hear some juicy gossip.
“Elzadora Bickley. She’s changing, Topper. I think she’s one of those late-blooming witches. True, she just turned forty, but she looks younger this year than last. Her powers are increasing instead of decreasing. I don’t think she’s going to peak until she’s sixty like you. Why don’t you apprentice her?”
“Elzadora? No, I can’t. She’s…”
“What some
would call a complete nerd?” Evanna suggested.
“No, I would never call her that. It’s just that she’s not well-rounded enough to reach inside herself for the kind of magic I practice,” Topper said, clarifying as kindly as she could.
“Then at least let Moonie work with her. It might keep Moonie entertained and out of trouble, plus it would give her a witch babysitter who can summon help in emergencies. Maybe a little Agatha Moonbeam influence would bring out the hidden magic in Elzadora. It’s what human business people call a win-win… and it’s a great plan, if you ask me.”
Topper nodded thoughtfully. “I admit that’s a good idea—a very good idea. And it will help Moonie.”
“Good. Then my work is done here today,” Evanna announced, standing tall.
“Wait, Evanna. No, it’s not. What about my face?” Topper asked.
“Enjoy this while it lasts,” Evanna said with a breezy wave of her hand. “Blame it on the pregnancy and it will be no more unusual than anything else that happens in Magic. With the glamour still in place, you’ll probably go back to looking my age after the baby is born, so I say enjoy being your true self while you can.”
“But I liked looking as old as you and Nonny. Stark fell in love with me like that,” Topper insisted.
Evanna gave her a chastising look. “Honey, looking older than you are was never meant to be your destiny. Mom told you that before she died. Think of it this way… now you can see how everyone will feel about you being your real self. Your power is why people respect you, not because you look old and mature. You need to get over your strange ideas about aging. Your power will last for another century or two. Accept your fate.”
Topper frowned when Thor’s face heated with embarrassment. She hadn’t meant to glare so hard at him. It had just been a difficult day. Her ability to be polite was strained.
The former Star Ranger sitting at her dining table was incredibly handsome. Thor was as dark as Stark was light. His eyes were the same shade of icy blue as Frost’s. As far as handsomeness went, both the males at her table were off the chart. She was very grateful one of them belonged to her.
Magic, New Mexico: Timeless Topper (Kindle Worlds Novella) (My Crazy Alien Romance Book 3) Page 2
