After he stabbed me through the stomach, he hasn’t been able to forgive himself. Luckily, Karl had the energy left to heal me seconds before I died. He talks to Lore every day. They call and text constantly. He visits her whenever he can. Sometimes he stays overnight. I miss him, but I also understand that whenever he looks at me he’s reminded of all the horrible things he did. Despite my forgiveness, he cannot forgive himself.
All is right with the world. I couldn’t possibly be happier.
“Food`s up!” Garrot yells, throwing a wink my way. Everyone flocks to the chef and grabs a burger. Karl places Renee in my arms and joins the line for chow.
“Hello, my darling,” I rock her as she looks up into my eyes. “Look at them, the perfect family. Who knew we would still be here after everything we have been through.” Sun shines off her light-brown hair, highlighting the red tones in it. Just like daddies. “I have so much love for everyone here. I count myself so lucky. I can’t wait to show you the world.” I sit next to Garrot at the dining table they dragged out for today. Everyone chats and the kids laugh and giggle.
No one can ever hurt us ever again. We are finally safe.
The end.
BONUS SCENE
The Everly Davis Chronicles box set
Lorelei
"Dad?" My biological father, Leyland, walks into my mum's kitchen. His head hung low and his eyes on the floor. His shoulders slump and the corners of his lips pull down. Today is my tenth birthday. But I feel much older. "Are you ok?" I ask him, knowing full well coming here is hard. Before I was born, a lot of stuff went down. My mum killed a God, my other dads, Karl, Garrot and Victor, helped her. My uncle, Gordon, made it all possible with a trident which held the last of my mum's powers. My dad, though, almost killed my mum. He stabbed her through the heart, mistaking her for an enemy.
"Yeah, kid, I'm fine." He looks up through his lashes and winks. A smile tugs on his lips. When I throw my arms around his waist and squeeze, I look up to watch it spread and the happiness comes back into his eyes. A soft pink light seeps from my skin, soaking into my dad. My powers are unpredictable, doing whatever they want, whenever they want. But when my dad is here, it always tries to wrap around him. I'm pretty sure it's trying to heal his broken heart. But it can't get through the wall he’s erected around it.
"Thanks for coming, " I mumble into his stomach. He smells like roses and cotton candy. Behind us, the back doors open and Victor walks in.
"Leyland, " within two strides, I'm sandwiched between them as the two share a hug. When Victor pulls back, Leyland stiffens even more.
"Le, " my mum's voice is husky, as it always is when my dad’s around. I'm pretty sure it's because she is trying to hold in tears. "Lore, " my mum says my name without looking at me, "Can you check on the kids outside? I think William is having a panic attack because there are no other adults out there." Her words are intended as a joke, but there is no humour in her tone. Reluctantly, I pull away from my dad.
"Sure, um, where's Mickey?" I ask as I make my way outside.
"He went for a swim." Karl, one of my other dads, says behind me, making me jump into the air.
"Whooa! Warn a girl before you sneak up on her!" I mildly scold him.
"You need to work on being aware of your surroundings, Lore, I even scuffed my boot." He pins me with his eyes, and I puff out my chest in defiance.
"I heard ya, commander, I just, I err, " I turn and dash out of the door before he laughs. Poo! I really do need to work on that, but right now, I intend on having a water fight with all the little kids running riot around our back garden.
Everly
The air is so thick in the kitchen, I could cut it with a spoon. I drag in a deep breath as I move past Le and flip the kettle on.
"Brew?" I ask everyone as Garrot walks in with his arms filled with gifts. "Bloody hell, I said one each, guys!" Garrot lays them on the table and turns.
"These are from Le, " he grins while winking at Leyland, who refuses to lift his head.
"Oh, " Is all I manage. Turning back to the sink, I grab some cups and start to make tea.
"It's good to see you, bro." Karl says to Leyland.
"Yeah, once a year sucks," Garrot grumbles. I try to tune them out, to give them some semblance of privacy.
"I'm sorry." Leyland mumbles. If I had a penny for every time he has said sorry over the last nine years, I'd be super bloody rich. The more he says it, the angrier I get. I forgave him seconds after I learnt about all the bad things he had done.
"Come round more often, then." Karl gets straight to the point. As usual. "I'm sick of this bullshit." The words are angry, but his tone is sad.
The loss of Leyland broke all of our hearts. For the longest time, I told myself he would come back, and I’d get my happily ever after like all the women in my favourite books get. I thought all would be right with the world now I made sacrifices to save it. But unfortunately, that didn't happen. My happy ending was incomplete.
"Brews up, guys!" I plaster a smile on my face and hand out the cups. My fingers brush against Leyland's. Our eyes meet over the steam coming from his tea as he takes a sip. As quickly as it happens, he looks back down and shuffles his feet.
I let out a quiet sigh. Karl hears it and steps around Leyland to take my hand.
"How is life up above?" Victor asks. The silence is broken and the four of them chat easily about work and other stuff. I make my way outside and stand under the porch watching the kids play.
Every time Leyland visits, my heart breaks all over again. It's so hard to see him and be unable to touch him. Kiss him. Love him. He barely looks at me, let alone speaks to me. It's awkward and awful. A hand touches my shoulder, jolting me from my thoughts. I'm surprised to see Leyland there when I turn around.
"Is everything ok?"
"No, " he admits. My instinct to reach out and hold him kicks in. I bite down on my tongue to stop myself. I taste blood. "Ever, I'm sorry, "
"Stop saying you're sorry!" I whisper yell. Losing my cool. "You have nothing to be sorry for. Nothing. Say it once more and I swear to God, I will have a whale eat you." I spin on my heel but his hand reaches out and grabs my arm. I look over my shoulder and whisper, "There are two ways this ends, Leyland. One: We kiss, make up, and make this family whole. Two: I kick your arse all over this fucking field." My powers leak into my voice. Making it deadly. Silver light radiates off my skin. My heart rate slows and a calm comes over me. The silence that follows makes goosebumps spread over me. I hold my breath.
"What if I wanted option one?" He replies. My heart begins to pound and my whole body heats up. For long moments, I don't move. His hand remains holding my arm. The heat coming from his skin seeps through my body, chasing away the goose flesh. Slowly, I turn to face him. His storm grey eyes meet mine for the first time in nine years. "I miss you, Everly. I miss my daughter, I miss you all so fucking much I can't stand it. I love you, I always have. Will you have me back?"
The blood drains from my face and the world around me spins. The Olympic sized pool the guys built for me behind the house churns. They filled it with seawater. A spray of cold water hits my face, pulling me from my shock. I throw my arms around his neck and our lips crash together so hard, I can taste blood.
"Yes!" I break the kiss just long enough to say.
LEYLAND
I stand atop a cliff, looking down into the abyss. The wind softly caresses my curls and the sun heats my skin. The same cliff that took so much from me, but gave me so much, too. The large crowd behind me is made up of Other kind. All the kids are on their best behaviour, sitting in their seats quietly. It's a miracle. I quietly chuckle to myself as I turn to face them. Nerves writhe in my stomach.
"You ok, bro?" Karl wraps his arm around my shoulder and squeezes me to his side.
"What if she doesn't show?" I ask. The very real possibility she won't kept me up all night.
"She'll show." Garrot says with a huge smile on his face. Music starts to play, ma
king my heart speed up even more.
"It's time, she's here." Victor, in a white toga, whispers to us. We all turn to face the ocean and wait. I can barely breathe.
Everly
"Shit a duck up it's arse." The words work their way up my throat before I can stop them. As I approach my men, vomit threatens to spew from my mouth. If my stomach doesn't calm down, I'm going to shit myself.
"Take deep breaths, mum." Lorelei reminds me. Looking down at my daughter, I can't help but smile. She looks just like me. Only she has Leyland's eyes. I'm unbelievably proud of her.
"I love you, Lore. You're my best friend." My voice cracks with emotion as we hug.
"Love you too, mum. Now, " she pulls away and hands me a bunch of wildflowers tied together with a strand of silk. "Try not to faint." She winks and walks away to take her seat. I'm pretty sure I'm going to throw up. I step next to Leyland, between him and Karl and finally look at them.
Holy hotness, Batman.
They're all in suits, except Victor who is in traditional Atlantean attire. They all look mouthwateringly sexy. I catch each of their eyes and the nerves fall away. They smile at me, their love for me visible in the air as their inner lights pour from them. My own power joins theirs. They swirl together, the most beautiful sight I've ever seen.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Everly and her consorts, Karl, Victor, Garrot and Leyland." The werewolf before us says loudly. The whole cliff becomes silent as he continues. "Today is a momentous day. A day that has been long-awaited." his eyes drop to Leyland, a small smirk on his face." But, alas, it is finally here. Although already bonded, they have decided to take the final step in solidifying their union. It is my pleasure, " he looks at me and wiggles his brows.
I barely suppress a giggle snort. He's over one hundred years old, and looks around thirty. I look left, then right, all four men have a raised eyebrow and a small snarl on their lips. My giggle I kept in escapes.
The wolf chuckles and so does everyone behind us.
"It is an honour to officiate the marriage of these brave, selfless warriors." He finishes. Smiles replace snarls and I let out a breath. Wolves are so crazy. "Please, assume the position." The wolfman winks at me and I roll my eyes.
Now is not the time to joke with my men. But it is funny when Karl, Victor, Garrot and Leyland form a circle around me, joining their hands, they form a barrier between me and the rest of the world.
"I love you all, so much." I say as I spin in a small circle.
"We love you too, Everly." They say in unison. Chills dance down my spine. I'm already looking forward to this being over so we can go home. They look handsome in their suits, but they'd look better naked and at my mercy.
"I pronounce you, husbands and wife!"
I kiss each man and the audience clap and cheer. By the time we break the circle, I'm panting and so are my men.
"Let's go home, guys. I've got a surprise for you all." I say as people walk towards us. Karl picks me up and rushes through the crowd. I giggle the whole way. I can't wait to tell them the secret I've been keeping for the last six weeks.
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