She didn’t miss Rhian at all. It was strange for her to think that, but it was easy to admit. As a twin especially, they should have had the closest connection and have done anything for each other, but they had never been like that. She’d always been made to feel like the ugly sister, even though they were identical and it was Rhian who had the ugly personality. Nothing she ever did was enough for either Rhian or her mother.
It was odd to think how much Cala thought about Kayleigh and Kelton. They had been more caring and loving towards her than her mother or Rhian ever had been. In the short time she had known them, they’d taught her so much about what a real family could be like.
Like now, thinking about growing up in a place like this with parents like Kayleigh and Kelton, with little Elias. How different that was from the life she knew.
“Do you like it?” Kelton asked, bringing her out of her thoughts.
“I do. I love it. It’s a beautiful room.” She smiled at him as she admired every aspect of the room. “Who does it belong to?” Whoever it was, she hoped they knew how lucky they were.
“You, if you want it.”
Cala turned to look at him, unsure if she heard him right. “Huh?”
Kayleigh walked into the room with Elias on her hip and hooked her arm through Kelton’s. “We have quite a lot to tell you.”
“Maybe we should go and sit down.” Kelton suggested.
Cala nodded and followed them back out of the room. They walked back down to the living room and again, Cala couldn’t believe how perfect this place was. It was a true home.
“Take a seat.”
Cala sat down on the sofa next to Kayleigh, who was bouncing the baby on her knee. He was gurgling happily, not caring where he was as long as he was with the people that loved him unconditionally.
“I bought this house. It’s ours.” Kelton smiled over at Kayleigh.
“Maybe you should start from the beginning.” Kayleigh suggested, laughing at him for getting ahead of himself again. Kelton was so excited about this move and she couldn’t blame him in the least. This was the start of a new beginning for them.
“I don’t understand.” Cala looked confused.
“Well, to start things off, I’ve resigned as the Head of the academy.”
Cala gasped. She didn’t think that would ever happen. It wasn’t just seeing Kelton at the academy with the trainees, she’d also done plenty of research and everything she read painted him as one of the greatest warriors of all time.
“Why did you do that?”
“I wanted more time to concentrate on the other things in my life. I’ll still be heading up the warriors out on the streets, so it’s not like I’m losing touch with them all, but I thought it was time to have more. I wanted time with my family.”
“Which leads us to here.” Kayleigh smiled.
“You’ll be so happy here.” Cala smiled back at her as she looked around. It was a wonderful place for Elias to grow up in.
“We’re hoping you will be happy here too.”
Cala looked back at him sharply. What was he saying?
“You don’t need to look so confused. You’re my daughter. I want to spend more time with my family, and that includes you.” He took a deep breath. This emotional crap wasn’t easy for him. “I want you to live here with us. I want us to be a family.”
She didn’t know what to say to him and tears clouded her eyes. This was the last thing she’d expected to hear from him. It was true, they were moving forward with their fragile new relationship, but she’d honestly thought he meant he was moving here with Kayleigh and Elias.
“I don’t know what to say.” She choked out.
“Say you’ll come and live with us.” Kayleigh smiled through her own tears.
“I can’t believe it.” It wasn’t just what Kelton had said, but to ask her move in showed how far she and Kayleigh had come. Cala wasn’t stupid. She knew that every single time Kayleigh looked at her that she was reminded of Kelton’s ‘indiscretion’ with her mother, and to know that they were moving past that meant the world to her.
“So, what do you say?” Kelton asked. He seemed nervous as he waited for her to answer.
“I’d love to.” Cala wiped the errant tears from her cheek and was grinning from ear to ear. This was so much more than she ever hoped for.
“We thought it would be perfect for you. We’re near the college and thought studying would be easier for you.”
She’d been looking into different courses with Kayleigh. As she wasn’t Lamia Matris, she wasn’t restricted by the sun and could attend a normal human school.
So many things were happening, it was overwhelming. “I really can’t believe this.”
“I know. So much is changing, but it’s going to be worth it. We’re going to be so happy out here.” Kayleigh stood up to move to the window, showing Elias the lush garden. Kelton had already ordered play equipment for the garden, wanting to make it perfect for his son.
“Why don’t you have a look around? You’ve seen your room, but feel free to explore. This is going to be your home, too.” Kelton suggested.
Cala smiled, unable to speak, and walked back upstairs. As much as she wanted to check out the rest of the house, she wanted to see her room again. This was almost too good to be true.
“What do you think?” Kelton asked Kayleigh when he knew Cala was upstairs and couldn’t hear them talking.
“I think she was happy.”
“She looked it, didn’t she?”
“She deserves some happiness in her life.”
“After living with her mother and sister, she deserves to be given the world.” Kelton growled.
“That’s what we’ll try to do.”
“Thank you.” Kelton said, kissing her on the cheek.
“What have I done?” she replied, puzzled.
“You don’t have to be like this. You could have cut Cala out completely, but you’ve been the one to encourage me to bring her into our family.”
“She’s your child, Kelton. She’s family. I’m just grateful she isn’t anything like her sister.” Kayleigh rolled her eyes and laughed. Rhian had been a bitch and she didn’t think there was any way she could have lived with her.
“Anyway, thank you. You’re beyond amazing.”
“I know.” Kayleigh laughed, swatting him on the chest. “We’re going to be happy here, aren’t we?”
“It’s just what we need.” Kelton agreed, looking out at the green garden that promised them much fun in the future.
This was for them. For the family. For all of them.
Chapter Twenty Four
“Do you want me to babysit?” Ash asked eagerly. She loved spending time with the little guy. It was such a change from training and everything else warrior related. It gave her some time to relax and Elias was such a happy, fun baby that they spent most of their time giggling.
“No, no. Nothing like that. I wanted to talk to you.” Kayleigh was actually going to find this harder than she thought.
“Is there something wrong?” Ash immediately looked at Elias, hoping that there wasn’t anything wrong with the baby. That was the last thing she wanted.
“Elias is fine. Don’t panic.”
“It sounds serious.”
“I guess it is.” Kayleigh paused to take a sip of her coffee. She’d called Aisline to come up and see her as she wanted to tell her that they were moving out of the academy. Kelton had even given her permission to tell Ash about him resigning. The rest of the trainees and warriors were going to find out later in the day, but she and Ash had a deeper bond and she wanted to tell her the news herself.
Ash put down her own coffee cup and sat on the sofa. As much as she loved Elias and wanted to lay on the floor playing with him, Kayleigh sounded serious and she wanted to give her her full attention.
“Hit me with it.”
Kayleigh smiled. “Kelton’s resigned as Head of the academy.”
“Whoa! I didn’t e
xpect that!” Ash was dumbstruck. Who would have ever thought that would happen. Each year that a new bunch of trainees came to the academy, they all hoped and prayed that they were going to be taught by the best of the best, Master Warrior Kelton. Even though she hadn’t thought that this was going to be her life, she’d grown up hero-worshipping the Sons of Satrina warriors like everyone else in the Lamia Matris community and knew that everyone wanted to be just like Kelton.
“How did that come about? I didn’t think he’d ever want to give that up.”
“Well, he’s still the head of the warriors and will be going out on the streets,” There was no getting away from that, the call of the warrior mark was too strong just to walk away from this life, “But, he wanted to spend more time with the family and the stress of the academy is constantly pulling him away.”
Ash nodded. She could understand that. As a trainee, she had no time for anything else in her life and was having trouble juggling her relationship with Jackson. She had no idea how Kelton had managed it this long with Kayleigh, and now that Elias was here, Kelton would want to be with him.
“We’re also moving out of the mansion.”
“That makes sense. If you stuck around here, Kelton would be constantly drawn into the madness.”
No matter how much it made sense, Aisline felt sad. She loved having Kayleigh so close, especially now that the baby was here.
When she’d first come to the academy, it was Kayleigh who had been her rock, always there if she needed her to talk or whatever. She’d miss having her around and it wouldn’t be the same. Not that she begrudge her wanting to spend some quality time with her family, but she’d miss her.
“We’ve found a beautiful house. And we’ve asked Cala to move in with us.” Kayleigh paused to see Aisline’s reaction.
“That’s fantastic!” Ash and Cala had gotten to be good friends over the time she’d been there and she knew how important it was to Cala for Kelton to accept her. This meant that he had and they were moving forward.
“I’m sure she’ll want to tell you herself, but she’s going to college as well.” Kayleigh didn’t want to say too much.
“She’s been talking about that and I’m so pleased she’s going to do it. If I’m honest, I felt so sorry for her with the training. It wasn’t getting any easier for her and she was so disappointed to have to give it up. She needs some direction in her life and some purpose. She was treated like shit growing up and all she wants to do now is make you and Kelton proud of her.”
“We already are.”
Aisline nodded. That was clear for anyone to see.
“Anyway, I wanted to tell you first. The rest of the trainees and warriors will find out Kelton’s news later today.”
“Thank you for letting me know.” It meant a lot that Kayleigh wanted to tell her first. Their friendship was as strong as ever. Ash would definitely miss her friend.
“And I want you to know that you are welcome to visit any time you’re free. I know Cala and Elias would love you to come out.” Kayleigh would too.
“I’d love to!”
“We’ll have to arrange something as soon as we’re settled.”
“I’m sorry I have to run,” Ash apologised as she started to get up, “I’ve arranged to meeting Jackson.”
“Don’t worry about it. How are things going with you two?”
Ash grinned. “Great. We don’t have much time, but we’re trying.”
“Keep building on it. It’ll be worth it in the end.”
“We will.” Aisline bent down to kiss Elias on the cheek. “See you soon, little man.” And she kissed Kayleigh on the cheek, “Congratulations on the house, you’ll all be very happy.”
“I know, thank you.” And she watched the young girl leave the room.
It was amazing to see how much she’d grown in her time at the academy. Even though she was the same person, she’d changed in a good way. She was stronger, happier. It had been the making of her.
“Well, Elias. I think we need to start packing up. We’re going to go and live in that big house. Are you excited?”
The baby gurgled back at her and Kayleigh laughed. This move was going to be a good thing for them all.
She’d never seen Kelton like this. He seemed nervous.
“It’ll be fine.” She assured him.
“It’s just that it’ll be hard telling them. They’re great kids.”
“And they’ll be in good hands with Verynai. You’re doing the right thing.” Kayleigh smiled as she handed him Elias. The little boy gurgled and waved his hands as his daddy smiled down at him.
“It is the right thing. It’s just hard to say goodbye to it all.”
“You don’t have to say goodbye.” Kayleigh felt tears clouding her eyes. “You’ll still be here to help with the transfer and you won’t be leaving them forever. Verynai will be calling on you for help so you can’t get away with it that easily.”
Kelton kissed the baby on his soft cheek. “It’ll be worth it.”
Kayleigh swiped at her eyes, “It’ll all be worth it. Thank you.”
“You don’t ever need to thank me. We’re doing this together because that’s what we do. We were always meant to be together.”
“Forever.” Kelton smiled as he leant down to kiss her.
Pulling apart, Kayleigh smiled at him, “Go do your thing.”
Kelton nodded and passed the baby back. With one last glance, he left the room to start his new life.
It wasn’t going to be easy and there were going to be many changes, but it would all be worth it. What was life about if you couldn’t balance work and family? As a warrior, he had many people to protect, but his family would always have to come first.
It was time to make some changes.
It was time to make some changes for the better. Knowing that Kayleigh was waiting for him with his son and daughter, he could do anything.
He was Master Warrior Kelton of the Sons of Satrina.
Chapter Twenty Five
“Come on! We’re going to be late.” Kelton bellowed at the top of his voice.
“Do I really have to wear this, Daddy?” Elias complained
He was an extremely precocious little boy with a vocabulary way beyond his years. Kelton worshipped his little man and Elias looked up to his father like he was a hero. To him, he was a hero.
The boy was the spitting image of his father, something else that Kelton was very proud of. Elias soaked up knowledge like a sponge and was constantly playing warrior and battling imaginary bad guys, pretending to be just like his dad. It was in his blood. Even from such a young age, the warrior mark was already getting him ready for a life of a warrior, albeit through harmless play.
“Yes, Elias. You do have to wear that.” Kelton bit back a grin. The kid looked so goddamn adorable in his little suit that was a perfect imitation of his father’s ceremonial suit.
“I look silly.” Elias said as he pulled at the itchy, scratchy collar.
“You look very handsome.” Kayleigh beamed at him as she walked into the room, smoothing her child’s wayward hair back into place.
She loved her son with a passion, even more so because he was the mirror image of Kelton. Kayleigh knew that even without the warrior mark or the full Lamia Matris status, she would have loved him unconditionally. They’d been blessed with a wonderful child who could make you smile, even on the dullest of days.
“I don’t like it.” Elias pouted.
“You look just like Daddy.”
Elias peeked up at Kelton and grinned.
“So, are you finally ready? I can’t be late.” Kelton grumbled.
“Oh, stop fussing. We’ve got plenty of time.” Kayleigh scolded. She and Cala had spent hours primping and preening, making sure that they looked perfect for this evening’s ceremony. Kelton had been calling for them to hurry up for the last hour, but Kayleigh knew that there was no rush. They had plenty of time before they needed to be there.
�
�Cala!” Kelton roared.
The clicking of heels could be heard rushing down the hallway. “I’m coming! Keep your hair on!” They all heard her giggling before she even stepped into the room.
Kelton’s breath caught for a moment. He was speechless. Cala had grown into such a confident, beautiful young woman. She may have looked just like her mother, but Kelton saw the differences. Cala was a genuinely nice person and that shone out clearly.
It had taken a long time for Cala to become who she was today. It had taken her a long time to find out who she really was. All those years that her mother and sister had tried to mould her into someone they wanted to be had been shed away and the true Cala had emerged. Kelton and Kayleigh were so proud of her and were delighted to have her as part of their family.
“You look beautiful.” Kelton smiled down at her proudly.
“Thanks, Dad. You don’t look half bad yourself.”
Kayleigh laughed. “The old man doesn’t scrub up too badly, does he?”
“Hey! Less of the old!” Kelton laughed, not taking any offense in the least. The ageing process was still a long way off for him and he still didn’t look a day older than he had when he and Kayleigh had first met.
“You look like a princess.” Elias stared up at his big sister wide eyed.
“Cheers, kiddo.” Cala smoothed down the silver silk dress that flowed down her slender frame like a fountain. Her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulder blades, looking even paler against the fabric of the dress. She had on a little more make-up than she was used to, but Kayleigh had done a great job of making it look natural, emphasising her best features. Cala felt like a princess. Elias had hit the nail on the head with his assessment.
This was a big day. Her best friend was graduating and entering into the big, bad world of the warriors. They were officially growing up.
Aisline had called her earlier in a total flap.
“My hair won’t stay up.” She’d moaned.
“You’ve done it a million times. Take a breath and start over.” Cala laughed at her.
End of an Era: A Sons of Satrina Novel (The Sons of Satrina Book 4) Page 26