"He does not play power games; he just likes to help people," a male vampire in the crowd said, speaking above the group.
A female vendor leaned against her stand. "I would have expected something like this from Declan." She pointed to the children. "I did not know Prince Magnus had it in him."
The man sitting at the stall next to her waved his glass. "He is always happier when Bethy visits, and now that she is expecting and out of season, it is no wonder he can not stop smiling. His house has been touched by the gods."
"We are lucky to have him as our Prince," another voice said warmly.
"I wish I could be so blessed," the female vendor said wistfully.
Rachelle ducked her face down, blushing. "I am with child," she announced quietly. Around them everyone became silent. The children, picking up the shift in mood, also stilled their motions. Everyone turned to where Rachelle stood. Her mate stepped closer.
Kari smiled at the timid woman. "I am so happy for you!"
Magnus walked up and took Rachelle's hands in his own. "Is this true?" he asked intently.
She nodded, her face now red from embarrassment from all the attention. Her mate wrapped an arm around her.
Kari was shocked at the tears streaming down Magnus' cheeks. He swallowed hard. "The first child to be conceived here in nearly two centuries," he whispered, practically choking on the words.
"Why is everyone crying?" the girl asked from her perch on top of the warrior's shoulders.
The warrior shook his head. He had tears in his own eyes. "Because they are so happy," he explained.
She frowned. "They should be laughing then."
He reached up and tickled her, and she squealed. The crowd began to laugh.
"We need a celebration!" one of the men yelled.
"A party!" one of the wolves suggested.
"Excellent idea," Magnus agreed. He patted Rachelle's hands before releasing them and turning to the crowd for ideas.
Rachelle shook her head. "You do not need to make a fuss. Your own niece is also pregnant. I am not the first."
Magnus smiled softly. "She will return to Lycaonia with her mate. Her child will be born there. I will still spoil my future niece or nephew horribly, but your child was conceived here. Regardless if you leave with your mate when they return home, your child will always be able to claim Noctem Falls as their home."
"What about another barbecue?" a vendor suggested loudly.
"Think bigger!" Magnus challenged.
Kari watched as the little boy who had taken down Adriel walked up to Magnus and pulled on his pants leg. "Can we have cotton candy?" he asked. Magnus' eyes grew wide, and he snapped his fingers. "What about a fair? We could have games, toys, food, contests, games, food..." Magnus suggested.
"Sire, you said games and food twice," one of the girls said giggling.
He winked at her. "Those are the most important things."
"When could we have it?" the boy asked.
Magnus looked at her. She mentally added up transport time needed for food orders and equipment needed for the fair. "Three days," she replied. "That should give us plenty of time to order things and get the city estate set up for deliveries. We will have to let the fae at the Albuquerque portal know that we will have a lot of things coming through."
The woman to her left turned to her friend. "I want to make my famous peanut butter pie."
Kari turned to Magnus "This woman needs supplies to make pie." Everyone chuckled at her serious expression.
Magnus smiled. "I take it you like peanut butter pie?"
"It sounds heavenly!" Kari groaned.
Magnus turned Adriel. "Adriel, you are in charge of Noctem Falls' First Annual Spring Fair."
Adriel's mouth opened and closed wordlessly. Grant and Micah began to laugh at their Unit Leader's expression.
"Come along, Kari; I have papers to go through," Magnus said pompously. Adriel shot her a panicked look, and she nodded to assure him that of course she would help. That poor man looked a bit out of his depth. She waved goodbye and followed Magnus back down to Level One.
After a few more hours in the office, organizing decades of reports, Kari called it a day. Magnus had left an hour earlier to meet with Rex before dinner. She found her way back to the living quarters and to her mate. She was now staring down at her lion.
She sighed. "They are too cute to wake up."
"I know," Beth agreed. In her hands she held a steaming cup of coffee.
"It is his brother," Aiden reminded them.
Kari walked over, gently picked up Avery, and cuddled him close. He opened one eye when she kissed his nose. She handed him off to Ryuu before extracting Felix from Declan's mane. When Felix opened his eyes and stared up at her drowsily, she felt as if she lost a bit of her heart. He looked around, locking in on Ryuu. The squire held out a hand, and Kari carefully set the sprite down in his open palm. Felix yawned and climbed Ryuu's shirt, heading for his vest. He lifted Ryuu's jacket and disappeared in the fabric.