“I’ll be right back.” He rushed into the kitchen.
She walked around the coffee table and sat on the sofa. “What are you up to, Trace?” She knew he could hear her from the other room.
Trace appeared in the doorway. He glanced down to his side and Kira’s eyes followed. He held the hand of a beautiful child. She appeared to be around three. Her dark hair swung around her fair skin when she glanced up at Trace with a cute little smile. Trace bent down and whispered into her ear; she giggled.
Kira stood. “What are y’all whispering about?” She had no idea who this child was. Then a terrible feeling settled in her stomach. “Um. Did you forget to tell me something?” She thought his kind couldn’t produce. Except on rare occasions.
Trace’s face lit up from the inside out. “This is your surprise.”
She cleared her tight throat. “Hi.” She had no idea what to say. “I’m Kira. What’s your name?”
The toddler said something that sounded like “Mimma.”
Trace glanced at the little girl. “This is Emma.” Trace spoke into her mind. Emma has speech impairment. Nothing that a little practice wouldn’t help.
Kira tilted her head. “Nice to meet you, Emma.” She felt Trace’s stare. “Do you have something to tell me?”
Would you mind if Emma stays with us?
Of course not. I could take her to work with me and she can play with some of the kids there. Trace, whose child is she? Why do you have her?
The child tugged on Trace’s pants leg. “Ol’ me. Ol’ me.”
Kira stepped forward and put her arms out. “Can I hold you, Emma?” Emma put her tiny hands up toward Kira. Her soft baby skin smelled sweet. Kira couldn’t help trying to snuggle closer to her. She smelled like she’d just bathed in a bottle of baby bath. Something about holding Emma touched her heart. A thread of hope surged through her.
“Kira, I don’t think you understood my question.” He smiled. Would you want Emma to live with us—as our daughter? No, she is not mine, but I would like her to be ours. She needs us.
“Are you serious?”
Trace nodded.
A burst of excitement shot through her and she jumped up and down with baby Emma as tears streamed down her face. She pulled Trace into an embrace with Emma giggling between them. “You mean adopt her?”
“We can do that or we can be her foster parents.”
She smiled. “I thought being near another child, I would feel different. But, I think Bre would want me to help Emma.” She wiped her cheeks dry. “What do we have to do now?”
“I already started the process.” He kissed her lips.
“How’d you know I’d say yes?” She snuggled Emma’s cheek.
“Emma got into my heart the instant I saw her. I knew you wouldn’t stand a chance either.” Then he kissed Kira with fire and passion.
She melted under his touch and smiled. Trace knew her more than she knew herself. Kira placed Emma on the floor, and held her hand. Trace, I’m ready.
Trace lifted his brows. You want to change now? Right now?
“Not this minute, but soon.” She’d already adjusted to living the hours of the Poryria, and now with baby Emma, she had no reason to wait any longer. The fear of not having a child vanished. Her dreams of a family had come true once more. This time she’d fight for them no matter what.
“How soon?” His blue eyes widened.
She’d never seen him so curious. “After the wedding.”
“Wedding?”
“Yes. You’ve heard of them, haven’t you?”
“I have.” His eyes glowed, then he knelt on one knee. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a shiny silver band. His contagious smile made her heart melt.
Kira laughed knowing this had been his plan from the beginning. He’d let her make all the moves, yet he’d known all along that their future, their life was meant to be together. Trace filled her mind with love. “You set me up, didn’t you?”
Acting innocent, he gasped, then fisted his hand across his chest. “Me?” His gaze locked on hers while holding the silver band higher. “Is that a yes?”
Her fingers brushed his face with tenderness. “Yes.”
Not An Angel (A Poryria Vampire Novel (Book 1)) Page 17