In The Roar(39)
“When Tiana dropped the bottle she must have assumed you would become curious and look for it. She must have reported this to Nadeeya, who in a rage, came to warn you off.” Karel locked eyes with Bella. “My only question is how they got Aayi sick to begin with. Was it your idea to send the treats with the books?”
Bella gasped. “I was in the library picking books about earth for Keliana to read. Tiana happened to walk in, or at least I assumed it was by accident. Knowing everything now, I have to assume they were listening in on my conversations and knew what I was doing. Tiana offered to deliver the books. She also mentioned she had been by the kitchens and there were some delicious pastries fresh from the oven and maybe she could wrap a few as a nice surprise and perhaps make some tea.” Bella turned to Keliana. “I am so sorry, it was my fault.”
“You can forget that right now. This was not your fault. It was those idiot women and their petty vengeance. I don’t blame you or anyone else for this stupidity in accepting reality.” She reached out and took hold of Bella’s hands. “Besides, if you think about it, due to their meddling I have a new daughter who will be giving me little ones to play with sooner rather than later.”
Bella laughed when she saw how red Liv’s face became at her words. Liv smiled and looked to Karel. He walked over and wrapped his arms around her. “Yes, Aayi. Soon, I promise.”
* * *
Liv glanced at the dual moons from Karel’s arms and leaned her head against his shoulder. It had been a few days and Keliana was almost fully recovered. “I’m glad your mom’s okay now.”
“She considers herself your mother, too,” he whispered against her forehead, placing a kiss on her hair.
Happiness burst in her heart, filling her with joy. “I know. It’s nice to have someone I can count on. Someone who actually sees me as a daughter.”
“I’m glad that makes you happy, love.” He curled his arms tighter around her waist, splaying his hands over her abdomen. She didn’t think anything of it at first, but then he brushed his lips over her ear. “Aayi will be happy to know she’ll get those grandchildren soon.”
She let the words sink in and then sat up in a rush, turning to face him. “What? That is not cool, Karel. You know I’ve been dying for a baby.”
He laughed at her obvious annoyance. “No need to die or kill anyone, love. Your wish is coming true.”
She gasped, glancing at his hands on her belly. “Are you sure? How could you know?”
“I know.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “Yes, really.”
She flung her arms around him, hugging him tightly, attempting to show how much she loved him through the embrace. “I love you. I love you so much, I can’t even explain it.”
He slid a hand over her hair in a soft caress. “I know, beautiful. I love you too.”
She’d finally gotten the family she always wanted: a man who loved her, a mother, a good friend, and even a baby. It didn’t get any better.
EPILOGUE
With a sigh, Gerri knocked on Cassie’s door. She was exhausted and needed to find reliable help or she’d end up killing someone. Those shifters were so demanding when they wanted something.
Cassie’s door flew open and a man ran out with a box in his arms.
“You’re fucking crazy, you fat bitch!” he screamed and ran down the hall.
Gerri’s brows flew up when a curvy blonde with angry gray eyes and caramel skin came out of the apartment with a baseball bat in hand.
“Yeah, I might be fat and crazy,” she yelled, “but I’m not stupid.”
“See who gives you a job, now!” the man yelled rounding a corner toward the elevators. “You’re fired.”
Cassie rolled her eyes and met Gerri’s gaze. “I’m fired, but I’m not the one needing medical attention. He’s lucky he moves fast or I would have broken his ribs.”
Gerri frowned. “Why did you want to break his ribs?”
“Because he stole every cent I had in my savings account.” She shook her head, her shoulders dropping. “I go away on a business trip and my own boss, aka my boyfriend, does that shit to me.” She took a deep breath and sighed. “I have no job, no money.” She frowned. “And I have no idea who you are.”
Gerri grinned. “I’m actually here to talk to you about your neighbor Liv, but I think I have something better in mind. May I come in?”
Cassie glanced at Gerri for a moment. “Sure, not like you can make my troubles go away. I swear,” she grumbled and stepped aside to let Gerri pass, “I wish I could just disappear and send this whole planet to hell.”