by Susan Harris
Ever blinked at the sound of the door opening, angling her body to smile at her mate as he entered, ready to place their sleeping daughter into the cot that had once been Ricky’s and Killian’s. Once he had made sure Ash was settled, Derek kissed her lips.
“Did you get them all on board?”
“Caitlyn and Donnie are going to take some time out, but they will be ready to start. They deserve some time to just be.”
Considering Caitlyn had waged her own war long before Ever had appeared on the scene, she was happy for the vampire and her mate. And now that Erika and Donnie were related, it only forged the bond that Donnie was family, like the rest, as if he too were her nephew.
“I know that Erika plans on staying, dividing her time, but we haven’t discussed where we go next.”
Derek’s eyes held a hint of amber as he looked into her eyes, yet Ever kissed his jaw before she spoke. “Valhalla is only a thought away. Danae can run things on a day-to-day basis. I’m not sure what Freya intends to do, but my place is here with you. It’s nice that we can flash to Valhalla any time we need a weekend away.”
Derek, ran his palms up and down her arms. “I think you could convince her to stay, if you asked her. The way her and Killian have been throwing glances at one another, I think she would stay. She was even civil with Samhain. Diane said that she was very attentive with Ash, even Zach, though I do not think a woman alive could say no to that kid.”
Ever laughed, shaking her head. “It seems that even you aren’t averse to his affections either, Uncle Derek.”
“I would have been less floored if you hit me with a two by four.”
Derek rested his nose in her hair, inhaled her scent and then sighed. Ever stepped back, ready to ask Derek what was wrong, when there was a knock on the door. Derek kissed her forehead, then walked over to the door and opened it.
Freya stood on the other side, her hands in her pockets, her face that unreadable mask as Derek inclined his head and stepped out. Freya stayed standing in the doorway as Ever placed a blanket over Ash, who immediately fussed until Ever removed it.
“You used to do that. Even as a toddler, you would kick off the blankets during the night, and no matter how many times I tucked you in, you would wriggle free within minutes.”
It was the most Freya had ever said about when Ever was a baby. Ever had not heard the softness in her tone before, and when Ever glanced up at her birth mother, there was a flash of regret before the mask was back.
Freya stepped into the room. “I have spent some time with Diane, speaking with her. I have made some mistakes, Ever. More than a few. I hope you will realize that what I did, how I was, it was to protect you and the girls. I could not let myself feel love for you when Odin would have used it as a weakness.”
Ever peered down at Ash, her heart constricting at the reminder of the teen who had returned to where she had come from, and though Ever could not imagine not showing Ash all of the love she had for her, she had also almost made a terrible choice.
Freya had made a terrible choice, but what if the alternative was worse?
“The cloaking spell will evaporate once I leave the house. She won’t even feel it.”
Ever leaned against the other wall. “What will you do now?”
Freya craned her neck, her expression serious. “In truth, I am unsure what I can do now. When Odin handed Valhalla to me to look after under the promise that he would bed me, in order to birth a Valkyrie who would one day be queen, I buried parts of me that I do not think I can reclaim. When Odin saw the affection I had for you, when he began to use it against me, I shut down.”
Shifting her weight, Freya sighed. “Valhalla has its queen. It has its general and Danae to train the new Valkyrie, when you find them. My time as Valhalla’s gatekeeper is over. Though I do not belong on Asgard, I do not belong anywhere.”
“You could stay?”
Her mother blinked, as if surprised by Ever’s words. “I beg your pardon?”
Ever smiled, glancing from Ash to Freya. “I understand you better now. You have the chance to be the doting grandmother Ash needs. You have time to find who you are without Odin. We have time, you and me, to work through things. You could be part of our family, if you want. And I’m sure Killian would be delighted to know that you were hanging around.”
“Killian is far too young for me.” Freya grunted, causing Ever to laugh.
“I am centuries older than Derek, even if I have been reborn six times. Loki is older than Erika. Caitlyn is older than Donnie, and Ricky is older than Melanie, though in vampire terms, she’s technically older than him. You have spent too much time alone, mother. Maybe a little sexing by the young warlock would do you some good.”
Freya rolled her eyes. “I have not lain with a man since your father. It was not an enjoyable experience. Though I did quite like sex before him.”
Freya, goddess of love in the eyes of mothers, narrowed her gaze as she pondered Ever’s words. “I would like to visit my granddaughter and you. If that would be all right.”
“I would like that very much.”
Freya inclined her head, then retreated out of the room before she flashed from view. Ever was happy that Freya would be back, had already had a conversation with Samhain and had promised to sit down with her next week to talk things through.
“It looks like you are repairing hearts and minds all round, sister.”
Ever rolled her eyes as Loki appeared, draped on the bed, wearing a Marvel Studios tee over well-worn jeans. His black hair was pulled back off his face as he looked at her, obviously amused.
“Freya did what she did. We have all done things we regret. Tell me, if you had known all that would happen, would you have set the curse in motion?”
Loki pondered her question, tapping his fingers to his chin. “I try not to think of what-ifs and maybes, Ever. We lost our dear brother, yet I finally got Erika to see me, and you have your little family. Those around you are happy, content. Had I not cursed us all those years ago, we might not have had the power to defeat him.”
“That was all Ricky and Donnie.”
“Perhaps. It was as the fates designed it to be. It was not the gods who saved the world but those called monsters by the humans. I think, considering all that could have happened, we should be happy with the win.”
Ever heard Ash whimper, touched her fingers to the toes of her little feet, and she settled again. “I’m not sure why Ash thinks you let Fenrir out, but I think she would be upset to know that it was Donnie.”
“Then we will have to wait and see what happens in the future. Perhaps we have changed Ash’s fate by winning. If we can stop her from traveling to Niflheim, then we can keep them from crossing paths. But you know as well as I do, Ever, that if it is meant to be, it will be.”
Loki shifted to stand, smoothing down his tee.. “Now I have left a sleeping Valkyrie and Goddess of War in my bed, and I can feel her beginning to stir. I will take my leave.”
“Wait, Loki, before you go.”
The god of mischief halted, tilting his head as Ever began to speak. “Neither of us is religious. Me and Derek. But we wanted to have people Ash could rely on. Most Catholics have two godparents, but we might end up with a few. Derek and I would like you and Erika to be one set. Should anything happen to Derek or me, we need people who understand her powers.”
Loki arched his brows. “I have not exactly been a great father.”
“But you are an exceptional brother. And now an uncle. Perhaps, just like Freya, you have time now to dedicate it to your children. Or any that may come along the way.”
“I am honored. As will Erika be. I am very proud of you.”
Then Loki flashed away, leaving Ever alone with a smile on her face. “I love you too, brother.”
Ever made sure the monitor was on in the room, checked the windows and doors and acknowledged she might be a little paranoid before she closed the door and headed down to the kitchen, where everyone see
med to be gathered.
Melanie and Ricky were on the floor, surrounded by an army of Legos as they built something with Zach. Caitlyn sat perched on Donnie’s lap as they looked over some paperwork Derek passed them. He caught her eye, smiled, then nodded at something Caitlyn said to him.
The moon was at her highest tonight, not full, but she felt it coming. There was no thunder, no lightning, no storm on the horizon. All was calm as she looked outside to see Killian sitting in the grass, Freya beside him, even if there was a space between them.
Derek looked over his shoulder at the pair before he turned to Ever, a smile playing on his lips. “Killian just asked her if she had a mobile he could text her on. Freya looked puzzled until he asked her if she had ever sexted.”
Ever burst out laughing, setting down the monitor as Ricky said. “He’s definitely my brother.”
Derek leaned back in his chair, rolling his eyes as Ever pushed her thoughts down the mating bond and into her mate’s head. Did you ask yet?
I was waiting for you.
Her mate smiled as he closed down the laptop, reached out his hand to Ever, and she slipped her hand in his, fingers grasping one another.
“We know that life is never certain. Sarge’s death proved that. But now with Ash, we wanted to make sure that she had family around her if anything was to happen to either of us,” Derek said as Ricky frowned.
“Nothing’s gonna to happen to you, D. Your mate was already a badass, and now she has a little extra oomph. Don’t be getting all morbid and shit.”
Derek rolled his eyes, resting his hand on Ever’s thigh. “My mate was always a badass, as is yours, buddy. Now shut up and let me get a word in.”
Ricky made as if to speak, but Melanie clamped a hand over Ricky’s mouth to let Derek go on. Ever leaned her head on Derek’s shoulder as he said, “Family, this one we have all chosen, is the most important part of our lives, and we want Ash to have that. We’ve already asked Loki, and Ever will ask Erika, but Caitlyn and Ricky, we wanted to ask you to be Ash’s other set of unofficial godparents.”
Caitlyn looked delighted; her eyes filled with a quiet determination that Ever knew would be such an inspiration to her daughter. Ricky just looked stunned, as if he didn’t believe that they had even considered him. His mouth opened, then closed. The motion repeated, yet not a sound came out.
“I think you broke him,” Melanie teased as she nudged her husband. “Ugh, this is where you say thank you.”
“Derek … I … I mean ...”
Derek held up his hand. “Before you say anything, before you argue our choice, let me tell you that we were both in full agreement. You are not the young man with a chip on his shoulder who joined the guards anymore. You fought tooth and nail to be the man you are today, the husband and father they deserve. And you just about helped Donnie save the world. I could ask no better man.”
Ever saw the wetness in Ricky’s eyes, heard him sniffle before that cocky smile returned. “Donnie was the best sidekick I could have asked for.”
“Fuck off, mate. I’m nobody’s sidekick.”
Zach turned round and wagged his finger at Donnie. “That’s a bad word, Uncle Donnie. You shouldn’t say things like that or Auntie Caitlyn will have to put you in time-out on the naughty step.”
They all laughed as Donnie pressed a kiss to Caitlyn’s neck before he looked at the kid with a serious expression “Okay, kid. I’ll watch my language.”
That seemed to appease Zach, who went back to his Legos, not paying any attention as Donnie winked. “I think I’d quite enjoy being put on time-out by you, Cait.”
Caitlyn rolled her eyes as Ricky muttered, “Save it for the vacay, you two.”
Ever glanced out the window behind her as Killian lifted the back of Freya’s hand to his lips, grinning when Freya snatched her hand back and disappeared into the night, removing the spell and Ash’s aura spilled over her and Derek, whose eyes flashed amber, as Freya’s spell broke,
“When do you leave?” Ever asked Caitlyn, who smiled back at Ever.
“Tomorrow night,” came Caitlyn’s response. “I must pay a visit to Chester before we depart or else he may have a canary if I simply up and disappear.”
“Any destination in mind yet?” Derek chimed in, opening up his laptop again, another email flashing on the screen.
Donnie answered this time. “I’m thinking of a beach somewhere. A few nights by the ocean with Caitlyn in nothing but a bikini sounds like fu—” Donnie broke off as if he caught himself before he swore, then rephrased his words. “Cait in a bikini sounds like a little slice of heaven to me.”
“There are a few very secluded cabins in Valhalla if either of you wanted to stop by and visit Kenzie. Just give me or Erika a call and we can flash you there. If you give us enough time, we can make sure the cabin is sunproof.”
Caitlyn offered her thanks, then rose, bending to kiss Zach before she and Donnie left for the night, heading back to the house to pack and have a little privacy.
Zach yawned not long after. Melanie took the child in her arms on his request for a story before Ricky tidied up the mess on the floor, offering them a cheerful good night as he left them alone in the kitchen.
“I thought they’d never leave.” Ever’s mate’s growl was the only warning she got before she was astride his lap, his lips on hers, hands in her hair as Derek kissed her like a dying man needed air. It was a kiss of all tongue and teeth and possessiveness until Ever was dizzy and pushed him away with a playful swat.
Derek’s wolf was in his eyes as he kissed her hard once more, then shifted slightly so Ever could tell exactly what he had in mind.
“I am so glad you walked into me that day on campus, Derek Doyle. Even if you were a grumpy ass most of the time.”
Derek nipped at her chin. “We may need to have a discussion on this, mate of mine, considering it was you who bumped into me. Can’t have you telling our grandkids untruths about how we first met.”
“Grandkids?”
Derek chuckled softly, his hands cupping the side of her neck. “Hell ya. I have generations of agents to bring into the force. We’ve got Zach and then Ash, but we could do with some more family members on the team.”
“Lots of grandkids means more kids.”
“Six sounds like an okay number.” Derek laughed at her shocked expression.
“Six?”
“I’m a wolf, babe. We like packs. I need my own little squad.”
Ever leaned in to the curve of his neck, licked the spot where Derek’s pulse thrummed, then bit down gently before she whispered in his ear. “Then I think you need to convince me, Mr. Broody Agent.”
Derek barked out a laugh, then kissed her again as if they had forever to play with each other, to kiss and touch and love.
Because that’s exactly what they did have now … forever.
Derek
11 months later
* * *
Derek growled as he cut the video link on the conference call, closing his eyes to rein in his temper at the hoops he was being dragged through. He knew he was asking for a lot, more funding for a growing department, but the numbers justified his ask of government for an extra grant to expand the Paranormal Investigations Team countrywide.
Since Derek had taken control, supernatural crime was down fifty percent.
In the ten months since Derek took over the running of the new standalone branch of the Gardaí, applications had come through fast and in great quantities to join. He had requests from many large cities and counties to come and train or give a briefing on the need for more supernatural boots on the ground.
Dublin had been the first to get on board, with their captain coming down to shadow Derek and the team for a whole month before he agreed that as the country’s capital, Dublin needed more qualified guards to deal with supernatural offenders.
Derek was already stretching himself thin, and now, with the fact that the bearcats in government and the supernatural council cou
ld not agree who should fund the training in Derek and Ricky’s plan, it meant that it would take longer to get things off the ground.
He was lucky that he had Ricky, who had taken to training the newbies like a duck to water. His easygoing yet stern attitude, or Dad mode, as Melanie liked to call it, made him extremely well-respected and liked among the new class of recruits.
Derek was respected by them as well, but they were also a little afraid of him, considering he was the boss and ultimately, he had the final say as to whether they joined the team or not.
And then there was Erika.
Derek snorted as he remembered the recruit who had pissed himself because Erika got in his face when he made a smart-ass remark that there was nothing a girl could teach him at the shooting range. The Valkyrie had smiled, then proceeded to pull a gun from her hip and empty the clip into the bullseye.
They used Erika to help Ricky train the newbies and scare the wrong ones out of the program. She enjoyed it a lot more than she should.
Derek glanced at the clock on the wall as the phone on his desk rang, his PA on the other end.
“Sir, the meeting with Arthur De Valera has been pushed to Friday. Mr. De Valera sends his apologies, but his mate had a difficult early birth last night, and he cannot leave the county. He wanted to offer his apologies, but you were on the phone with the Taoiseach.”
Derek thanked Melissa, then asked her to send a hamper to Arthur and his mate. He hung up the phone, glancing at the clock again with a sigh. Getting to his feet, Derek strode over to the window and glanced out at the city of Cork.
Since Odin had been defeated, since the war was done, things had been blissfully normal, with the team dealing with the usual nasties and garden-variety monsters. Ricky, Melanie and Zach had stayed in Caitlyn’s home while she and Donnie traveled, and their home was ready to move into, right next door. Himself and Ricky were just adding the finishing touches to the paint and they would be good to go.