Chapter 411
“Athena!” Kiara’s voice rang out across the yard. “Where do you want us?”
I turned to see her and Derek navigating through the crowd, Derek carrying a large wrapped box while Kiara balanced a bag that was definitely full of even more presents.
“You didn’t have to bring anything else,” I protested. “You’re their
godparents, your presence is gift enough.”
“Please,” Kiara scoffed. “It’s their first birthday. We went
shopping and couldn’t stop. Derek’s credit card took a serious hit.”
“I regret nothing,” Derek said, though his expression suggested
he might regret at least some of the charges. “Where should I put
this?”
“Present table,” I directed. “But seriously, you two have already
given them so much.”
“And we’ll keep giving them more,” Kiara said firmly. “That’s what
godparents do. Spoil their godchildren shamelessly.”
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She’d changed so much over the past year and a half. Softer
somehow, though she’d kill me if I said that out loud.
Being with Derek had brought out sides of her I’d never seen
before–patience, tenderness, a willingness to compromise that had
shocked everyone who knew her.
They were good together. Balance each other. Derek brought
structure to her chaos, and she brought spontaneity to his careful
planning.
And watching them with Adrian and Arianna was one of my
favorite things. Derek, who’d claimed he didn’t know how to interact
with babies, now carried on full conversations with them like they
could understand every word. Kiara sang silly songs and made
ridiculous faces to get them to laugh.
“Has Ari done anything unusual today?” Derek asked quietly,
moving closer so only I could hear.
“Define unusual,” I said dryly.
“You know what I mean.”
“The hydrangeas bloomed when she crawled past them,” I admitted. “And I’m pretty sure she made the grass under the play
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fence grow six inches in thirty minutes. But nothing dramatic.”
“And Adrian?”
“A butterfly landed on his hand during his morning nap and
refused to leave until I removed it. And the grass glowing thing just
now, but I don’t think anyone noticed.”
U
Derek nodded, his expression thoughtful. “They’re getting
stronger.”
“I know.” It was something that kept me up at night sometimes, wondering what their gifts would look like when they were older, how powerful they might become, whether we were preparing them
properly.
“But they’re also learning control,” Derek continued. “Slowly.
With your help.”
“Our help,” I corrected. “All of us. We couldn’t do this without
everyone.”
“That’s what packs are for,” he said simply.
Lily appeared at my elbow, tugging on my shirt. “Aunt Athena,
can we do the cake now? Please? I’ve been waiting forever!”
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out.
“It’s been fifteen minutes since we cut the watermelon,” I pointed
“That’s forever when you’re six,” she said seriously, making me
laugh.
“Soon,” I promised. “We’ll eat first, then cake.”
“Fiiiiine,” she sighed dramatically, then ran off to play with Liam and several other pack children who’d formed an impromptu game of
tag.
The party continued around me–people laughing, children playing, food being served from multiple stations around the yard.
Orion had indeed been manning the grill, and the smell of
burgers and hot dogs filled the air.
Sarah had set up a drinks table with everything from lemonade to beer. Someone had started music playing from speakers hidden in the
garden.
It was perfect. Chaotic and loud and perfect.
Tristan found me again, Arianna still on his hip, and wrapped his
free arm around my waist.
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“Happy?” he asked.
“Deliriously,” I admitted. “You?”
“More than I ever thought possible,” he said, pressing a kiss to my
temple. “Look at them, Athena. Our babies. One year old. Healthy and
happy and surrounded by people who love them.”
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