Hooked on a Phoenix

by Ashlyn Chase

  Misty paused for a few moments, then shrugged. “Well, if he or she can fly, that might come in handy with my MS. Maybe I can teach the baby to fly where I want him to go instead of worrying about my unsteadiness.”

  Gabe leaned back and laughed. “Always looking on the bright side. I love that about you, Misty.” Quietly, he added, “I love a lot of things about you.”

  They gazed at each other. He could tell he’d surprised her. Hell, he’d surprised himself. His parents smiled at each other. He hadn’t said, “I love you.” And he wouldn’t just tell her what she wanted to hear. He hoped everybody would understand that and not force the issue.

  After a respectful pause, Antonio cleared his throat. “That brings up an important point. We’re not supposed to shift in front of humans. Ever. It’s a general rule of paranormal beings that they never display their powers to unsuspecting mortals, and that rule is hard and fast.”

  “Well, except for spouses,” Gabriella was quick to add.

  “Paranormal beings?” Misty repeated with a shaky voice. “Are there more than just phoenixes?”

  Gabe, Antonio, and Gabriella all took turns glancing at each other. At last, Antonio spoke. “We’re not at liberty to say, Misty. At least not at this point. I could see if you married into our family, there might be a little more information we could give you—”

  “In other words, yes,” she said.

  Antonio chuckled. “You’ve always been a smart kid. The only reason that’s not a problem is your ability to respect people’s boundaries. Just accept that you’re perfectly safe. Paranormal beings have some very good reasons for staying under the radar.”

  Misty bit her lip. “Are you afraid of scientists trying to experiment on you? Maybe the government finding secrets they can use in war?”

  “Yes. That’s a major threat,” Antonio said. “Believe me, nobody wants that.”

  “Well, that’s a lot to take in,” Gabriella said. “I’m glad you’re staying with us. If you ever have any questions, anything at all, you can come to me.”

  “I have one question right now.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “Well, since everyone in the family has these powers or whatever, except for you, why do they obey you?”

  Antonio laughed. “Apparently, it hasn’t escaped Misty’s notice that my little spitfire of a wife rules the roost. Pun intended.”

  Gabriella smiled. “I have to be honest, dear. They don’t always listen to me—but if they want a big piece of tiramisu instead of the first little one that crumbles on its way out of the dish, they behave.”

  Misty gaped at her. “Really? You control them with food?”

  The men laughed.

  “I was just being silly. No, darling, our boys are taught to respect their elders from the cradle. And there’s no mistaking who rules this family. It’s Antonio.”

  Gabe smiled. “Dad lays down the law, and then we complain to Mom.”

  “Does it help?” Misty asked.

  “Sometimes she gets him to lighten up. Be reasonable.”

  “Hey, I’m always reasonable,” Antonio protested.

  “And if I can’t get him to listen, he gets the crappy piece of cake,” Gabriella joked.

  Antonio wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. “Her cooking is worth behaving myself for.”

  “Do you like to cook, dear?” Gabriella asked.

  “I—I never really learned how. I mean, I can put together something simple without poisoning anyone, but that’s about it.”

  Gabe groaned.

  “Maybe while you’re here, you can learn to cook,” Antonio offered. “You couldn’t find a better school than the Fierro kitchen. Not even in Paris or Rome. Even Gabe has learned a thing or two.”

  Misty gave Gabriella a grateful smile. “I think I’d like that. My own mother didn’t have a chance to teach me anything more than how to use the microwave. This is one of those times when your generosity—” Her voice cracked, and she couldn’t finish her thought.

  Gabriella reached over and squeezed Misty’s hand. “We’re here for everything and anything you need. Remember that, sweetheart. Just let us know when you’re ready to plan the wedding, and we’ll arrange to pay for whatever you’d like. A big church wedding or a small family gathering. It’s up to you two.”

  “One problem,” Misty said.

  Gabriella tipped her head. “What’s that?”

  “Gabe hasn’t proposed.”

  “I was about to.”

  Misty straightened her spine. “Well, don’t. I’m not sure I can accept right now.”

  Gabe’s brows shot up. “Is it because I left you at the coffee shop? I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t have done that, I know.”

  Misty shook her head. “That didn’t help, but no. That’s not all of it.” She faced Gabe’s parents. “I don’t want Gabe to ask just because ‘it’s the right thing,’ according to everyone else.” She used air quotes to indicate it might not be the right thing at all. “I don’t think he’d be proposing if I weren’t pregnant. Even if I am a catch.” She winked at him.

  He grinned. “You are that, and more.”

  “Yeah, but my more comes with major drawbacks.”

  “Do you mean your MS?”

  “Well, yeah. I don’t know what’s in store for me. You watched those videos. This disease can be devastating.”

  “I feel bad for you, but I’m looking at it philosophically. Sometimes life slaps you in the face. It’s how you react that matters. I hope I can always behave like a good person, even though I’m far from perfect. I promise to make sure you get the care you need.”

  “Yeah, medical care.”

  “If you’re talking about moral support, I seem to remember holding you while you cried. I imagine it won’t be the last time.”

  She worried her lip and was quiet for so long, he felt the need to fill the silence.

  “Why don’t we see how it goes? I understand your reluctance. I can do better. I will do better.” He stood and moved behind her chair. “I can give you killer massages.” He kneaded her neck and shoulders while she sighed, and everyone watched the tension melt away.

  After a few moments, Misty said, “I’m exhausted. Would you mind if I go upstairs and take a nap?”

  “Of course not,” Gabriella said right away. “I remember how tired I got during my pregnancies. It’s been a stressful day.”

  Misty snorted, excused herself, put her water glass in the dishwasher, then left.

  “Antonio, would you excuse us for a couple of minutes? I’d like to talk to Gabe alone.”

  Gabe’s father rose and pushed in his chair. “Have at it. I’ll be in the man cave downstairs.”

  In a few moments, Gabe was alone with his mother, who looked over at him and smiled sweetly. Oh no. That smile could mean a number of things. Not all of them good.

  “Gabriel, dear, do you remember my telling you that someday I would sit down and introduce you to yourself?”

  Gabe chuckled. “Yeah. Something about my being your most sensitive son or that kind of bull—I mean, baloney.”

  She reached over and patted his hand. “That’s right. You may not believe it, but I do know my sons.”

  Gabe leaned back in his chair. “Why wouldn’t I believe it? Dad’s the one who gets us mixed up.”

  She chuckled. “That’s not what I meant. All of my sons are special—and not just paranormally. Ryan is rebuilding a castle in Ireland with his wife, Miguel and Sandra are preparing to take over as heads of the family along with Jayce and Kristine. In some ways, you’re the one I worry about the most and the least.”

  “Now I’m even more confused.”

  Gabriella sighed. “Listen to me carefully. I don’t need to worry about you, because you’re content to be who you are. And I’m worried a
bout you, because you’re content as you are. Think about this. Right now, you’re happy living in a studio in downtown Boston and working as a firefighter. But is that what you want to do for the next five years?”

  He shrugged.

  “How about five hundred?”

  Gabe sat upright. “Five hundred? I think the fire service might catch on after a couple hundred years or so. I know I’ll have to do something different eventually.”

  “Okay. Let’s just advance five years, then. You and I both know you have a lot of long-term goals to think about.”

  Gabe shrugged. “Well, in five years, I might be a lieutenant or at least studying for and going after a promotion.”

  Gabriella nodded. “And that’s a fine goal. So, what else will you be doing?”

  Gabe squirmed in his chair. “I don’t know, Mom. Do I have to decide right now?”

  “No, you don’t. But if you just drift along and wait for something to happen, you’re letting fate decide where you’ll go, what you’ll do, and who you will be. I want you to be happy.”

  “I am happy.”

  “You could’ve fooled me.”

  Gabe leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. He stared at his hands, turning them over and then clasping them in front of him. “I think I know what you’re saying, but look at what’s happening right now. Life is throwing something at me that I didn’t ask for.”

  “Consider yourself lucky. You could have had a lot worse things come your way.”

  He sighed. “I know, I know. I’m lucky I have shoes on my feet. I’m lucky I have feet to walk on. And right now, I feel like walking right out the door. Maybe you could just say what you’re trying to say without all the subtle messages.”

  “If I tell you what to do, it won’t mean anything. You need to examine your own life, look at the possible outcomes, and choose a path. The sensitive boy I know is probably scared, going around and around in his own mind, trying to figure out what he should do and what other people think he should do. And you’re thinking of things in terms of avoiding the worst.”

  He just stared at his hands.

  “And there’s nothing wrong with that. A couple of my sons take too many risks. They just dive in, barely looking to see if there’s water in the pool. You, on the other hand, stand beside the pool, watching everyone else. I don’t know what you’re thinking half the time, but I do know what you’re doing. Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada.”

  Gabe held up his hands. “Okay, okay. I get it. I need to make a decision about my future.”

  “And it should be a decision you feel good about. If you can follow that plan, I think you’ll find your way into at least the shallow end of the pool. Who knows? You might even have some fun. But I guess you’ll have to learn to splash before you can swim.”

  “Or sink.” He smirked.

  She leaned back and swatted his arm. “Now you’re just mocking me.”

  “Yeah. I am.” He looked over at his mother shyly. She was a beautiful example of someone who made good decisions and traveled a happy path. But she couldn’t have guessed at the circumstances that would touch her life.

  “How did you do it, Mom?”

  “Do what?”

  “Deal with all this? Us? Did you really want seven sons? Seven paranormal sons?”

  She laughed. “Sometimes you don’t get what you want, you get what you need. Isn’t there some song about that?”

  “Who the hell needs seven kids?”

  They both laughed.

  His forehead wrinkled. “So, are you satisfied?”

  She smiled broadly. “If I were any more satisfied, it would probably kill me.”

  The two of them smiled.

  Gabe rose. “Good talk, Mom.” He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

  She reached up and stroked his face. “I love you, you know.”

  “Well, duh. I’m going to go home now to make some decisions and plans.”

  Chapter 15

  Misty went on her break at work. She had no sooner put her feet up than she heard some kind of commotion from the lobby. What now? Of course, another robbery popped into her head, but she couldn’t imagine it. Not so soon after the other one—especially with all the news coverage and the fact that they hadn’t gotten the big prize they were going after.

  Misty carefully peeked around the corner to see what was going on. To her surprise, one of her coworkers was arguing with Adam…loudly.

  “She’s on break. She can go outside if she wants to.”

  “People can’t just walk into the bank and expect my tellers to drop what they’re doing…or not doing…and walk outside.”

  “Adam? Do you hear yourself?”

  Misty figured it had to be about her since she was the only one on break. She didn’t usually stick her nose in, but it seemed to be where she belonged. So she entered the teller area and asked, “What’s going on?”

  When she looked over at Adam, she saw Gabe standing behind him, holding a bouquet of flowers.

  Her jaw dropped. “Gabe?”

  “Hey, Misty. I was hoping to talk to you for just a minute and show you something outside.”

  “Well, how fortunate. I just happen to be on my coffee break.” She glared at Adam and smiled at her coworker, Betsy, who was trying to defend her.

  As she entered the lobby area, Adam stomped off to his office. Gabe handed her the flowers. Some red roses, some white lilies, and some other floral that she couldn’t identify, but they made pretty purple splashes among the rest. She took a deep whiff.

  “They’re beautiful. Thank you. What’s the occasion?”

  He extended his hand. “You’ll see.”

  Taking a couple of moments to step outside was not unheard of. One of her coworkers smoked and regularly took his breaks outside, so she didn’t know why Adam was having such a fit.

  She took Gabe’s hand and walked confidently to the front doors. Outside, she caught sight of Engine 22 with a huge banner all across its side.

  It read, Marry me, Misty!

  “Oh my God!”

  Gabe’s captain was hanging out the shotgun window, smiling. “Hurry up and give him an answer, Misty. We have work to do.”

  She stuck her hand over her heart and took a step back, repeating, “Oh my God.”

  “You don’t have to answer right now,” Gabe said. “I just want you to know that I’m not doing the right thing.” He gave her a rare silly grin.

  She laughed, more from relief than amusement.

  Gabe stepped closer, leaned down, and gave her a deep, toe-curling kiss. One that caused passersby to stop and applaud. It must’ve looked like she’d said yes. She wouldn’t embarrass Gabe by contradicting them, but he must know there was a lot to consider.

  When he finally pulled away, she placed her hand over his heart. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I still have a lot to think about, but I appreciate the gesture.”

  He swept her hair behind her ear and whispered back, “Take your time. I can do this as often as I need to until you believe me. Well, not with the truck. I was lucky to finagle that once.”

  “What are you going to tell the guys?”

  He shrugged and gave her a cocky smile. “I won’t say anything, except what a lucky girl you are. They’ll expect something like that.”

  She cupped his cheek. “It would be true.”

  A quick peck later and Gabe was jogging back to the truck, jumping into the driver’s seat. She inhaled the fragrant flowers as she walked back inside. Who knew Gabe could do something so romantic? Would that change Parker’s mind? That thought put an immediate damper on the elation she’d experienced only a moment before. Tough. It was her decision. Her brother didn’t have to like it.

  She wandered back inside. Now, what am I going to tell my coworkers?

 
The truth, of course. She wasn’t a good liar. She knew that. After she had put the flowers in a generic vase, kept under the sink for just such occasions, she returned to her window. Her coworker Betsy excitedly asked, “What did you say?”

  Misty decided to play it cool. “About what?”

  “Don’t play dumb. We saw the fire truck—and the banner.”

  Adam appeared to be checking the flyers on the wall advertising the other bank products. He might as well have been wearing a sign that said I’m eavesdropping.

  Misty shrugged. “I said I’d think about it.”

  Adam let out a deep breath in a whoosh.

  “Think about it?” Betsy exclaimed. “What’s to think about? He’s gorgeous, a firefighter—a real-life hero—and he loves you. A lot! Obviously.”

  Misty wished it was as obvious to her as it seemed to be to everyone else. Maybe Gabe had had a change of heart with all his “thinking.” But was that what she really wanted? A change of heart? She would’ve preferred his heart be in it all along—with hers.

  What was it he’d said? “I’m not doing the right thing.” That could be taken a couple of ways. Either he meant he was doing this because he wanted to, not because he had to, or maybe he just thought it wasn’t the right thing, but he was doing it anyway. Oh, man. This is going to drive me crazy.

  Until she was sure exactly how he felt, she really couldn’t make a decision. She wouldn’t be pitied. And even though there might come a time in the future when she would need to be taken care of, there were professionals for that. She didn’t need to force a man into marriage for the part about “in sickness and in health.”

  The baby was another matter. She would welcome his financial help in order to give the child a better life. As long as they both put the child’s needs first, that part would work out…somehow.

  She could picture Gabriella wanting to have both her and the baby under her roof. But she didn’t know how Antonio would feel about that. She had heard that he wanted to move to the Caribbean for his retirement. And he certainly deserved to do that, if they wanted to. He had been with the fire service for many years and retired long ago. Suddenly, she wondered how old he was. Was that also part of the family secret?