by Anna Lewis
Elu leaned over and rested his head on Xander’s shoulder, admiring the child they had made together.
“I guess it’s our happily ever after now,” Xander whispered. “My charges have been dropped and we’ll be able to go home soon.”
“That’s fantastic, Xander,” Elu said. “I’m really glad we got through this together.”
“Me, too,” Xander said.
“Do you still want to go on vacation?” Elu asked.
Xander chuckled lightly.
“Of course I do,” he replied. “We should head for the beach and soak up the sun.”
“That sounds great. I would love to sit in the sand again,” Elu said. “It’s been too long. We can go to my private moon at the edge of the galaxy.”
“I would like that a lot,” Xander said.
“And we’ll take little Azalea with us,” Elu suggested.
Xander smiled.
“It sounds perfect, honestly,” he said.
“We’ll have to wait until Anna Leigh recovers. She’s still in a lot of pain,” Elu said.
“Of course,” Xander said. “I can’t wait.”
“Neither can I,” Elu said.
The two sat in silence while soaking in the otherworldly presence of their daughter who stirred briefly before settling back into her nap. She was beautiful. They admired her for what seemed like an eternity, utterly lost in the moment, only moving when a nurse came with paperwork for them to sign. They would be going home soon. Xander couldn’t wait.
Chapter 10
Ocean waves lapped at the shore as Anna Leigh set out a blanket and a basket full of food. The chicken steamed from the container and she pulled it out to set out portions on three plates. Behind her, Azalea bounced in her carrier, cooing and pointing up at the clouds passing in the sky.
“Boo! Boo!” she cried.
Anna Leigh turned with a grin.
“What are you looking at, sweet girl?” she asked.
“It’s boo!” Azalea claimed while pointing up at the sky.
“What’s boo?” Anna Leigh asked while looking up and shielding her eyes from the sun.
“It’s a ship, darling,” Elu said as he approached.
He leaned down to kiss his daughter and then kissed Anna Leigh on the lips.
“You two look beautiful today,” he said.
Anna Leigh blushed.
“Where’s Xander?” she asked.
“He’s still napping,” Elu replied.
“His food is going to get cold if he doesn’t come soon,” she said.
“He’ll be on his way, I’m sure,” Elu said. “What do we have today?”
“Chicken, peas, potatoes, and your favorite kind of cheesecake,” Anna Leigh replied.
“Cake!” Azalea called from her carrier.
“Not yet, silly,” Elu said while sitting on the ground. “Why don’t you try your chicken first?”
“Ew,” Azalea replied with a grimace.
“She’s picky like you,” Anna Leigh teased.
“I believe it,” Elu joked.
As he carefully pulled apart pieces of chicken for Azalea to chew, Anna Leigh prepared the rest of their plates. She procured bottles of water from the basket when a hand rested on her shoulder. She looked up and found Xander.
“Hello, sleepy!” she called with a grin.
He leaned down and kissed her lips.
“Good afternoon,” Xander said while sitting down.
“How did you sleep?” Elu asked while accepting a plate from Anna Leigh.
“Really well. Those curtains in there are a blessing,” Xander replied.
“That’s why I bought them. The sun is up here most of the day, so those curtains come in handy,” Elu explained.
“Darling, do you need a nap?” Xander asked while accepting a plate from Anna Leigh.
“No, not yet,” she replied. “I’ll lie down whenever Azalea needs to sleep.”
“No sleep!” Azalea cried.
Xander leaned over and kissed her violet forehead, tickling her stomach as she tossed a piece of chicken.
“Wow, we got a fighter,” Xander joked.
“Not while she’s eating, Xander,” Elu said.
“I can’t help it. She’s so cute,” Xander claimed.
Elu smiled.
“Well, she has your looks,” he joked.
Xander posed and smiled.
“She certainly does,” Anna Leigh agreed.
“I still can’t believe we did that,” Xander said while nodding towards Azalea.
“We did a good job,” Anna Leigh said. “And my scales are gone which is fantastic. I can finally wear a bikini.”
“You look good even with scales,” Elu claimed.
“Are you sure? They were so itchy,” Anna Leigh said.
“You always look good, babe,” Xander said while resting his head against her thigh.
Anna Leigh giggled, chewing on a piece of hot chicken that tasted like honey barbecue.
“I guess so,” she agreed. “You two are the ones who don’t have to do much to look great.”
“Oh, come on,” Elu said while handing Azalea some juice. “Do you know how long it takes me to put my foundation on? You don’t get fine blue skin like mine by just being natural.”
Anna Leigh laughed and nearly choked on a piece of food, covering her mouth while coughing. Xander patted her back with a chuckle.
“Don’t die, Anna Leigh,” Xander joked.
“I’m trying not to with Elu’s poorly timed jokes,” she claimed while giggling.
Xander handed her a water bottle and she chugged it down, wiping her mouth when she was finished.
“This tastes delicious, by the way,” Elu said.
He turned to Azalea with a piece of chicken in his fingers.
“Doesn’t it taste delicious?” he cooed.
Azalea raised her eyebrows as she opened her mouth, her antennas wiggling at the top of her forehead.
“Where did she get those antennas from, anyway?” Xander asked.
“The females of my species all have antennas,” Elu replied. “I nearly forgot until she was born. I think they’re cute.”
“Absolutely,” Xander replied. “They look a little big, though.”
“She’ll definitely grow into them,” Anna Leigh said.
“Oh, of course,” Elu said.
“And she’ll be gorgeous like her mother,” Xander said.
Anna Leigh blushed.
“Stop,” she said while pushing him playfully.
Xander shook his head.
“Never,” he claimed.
While Elu continued to feed Azalea, Anna Leigh stuck her toes into the black sand and wiggled them. It warmed her feet immediately and she sighed contentedly.
“This is the most amazing time of my life,” she said.
Xander smiled up at her.
“Mine, too,” he chimed while fingering the sun charm around his neck.
Elu smiled at them both, squinting against the sunlight shining down on them.
“What?” Anna Leigh asked.
Elu shook his head.
“I’m just happy,” he replied. “I have everything I could ever want right here.”
Anna Leigh smiled.
“It’s perfect isn’t it?” she asked. “It’s absolutely perfect.”
THE END
Special Bonus Full Length Stories
As a way to say “thank you” for downloading this book, we have included 20 special bonus romance stories for your pleasure. Happy reading!
= Bonus Book 1 of 20 =
Shadows
Cold air raised gooseflesh on her skin as Whitney Shearing stepped off the bus in Cedar Breeze, Montana. Spring was on its way, but there was no warmth in her heart for the town she’d left. She wanted nothing to do with the place she’d grown up in. It was like a black hole that sucked people in, and kept them forever imprisoned.
She had the urge to get back on the bus, but she wouldn’t
do that to her mother. The passing of her grandfather was enough to force Whitney into traveling the hour to get there, but it didn’t seem like a great reason to stay.
A cool breeze whipped at the nape of her neck. Whitney drew her coat tight about her, and clutched her duffle bag closer to her side. She wished more than anything she didn’t have to face her family. One person in particular she wished to avoid. She intended this visit to be brief.
The sound of a Harley Davidson revving its engine off in the distance sent chills down her spine as she looked up the street for a taxi. None were in sight. Her mother’s house wasn’t too far. All the same, Whitney opted to wait around for a few more minutes.
The home she grew up in wasn’t the warmest place on earth anyway. As long as her mother was still married to Duke, the place would always feel ice cold. There was no way she was going to hurry to get there.
“You’re gonna have to walk down to Mulberry Street to get a taxi,” someone stated from behind her.
Whitney wasn’t in the mood to talk to strangers, she wasn’t even in the mood to speak to anyone she used to know. With a flick of her hands and nod of her head, she refused to turn around as she responded, “Thanks, but I’ll wait here for a few more minutes.”
“Always stubborn, but I can’t say I remember you being this rude,” the voice joked.
The voice was familiar, but she wasn’t interested. His piercing green eyes were unforgettable. She turned to face the man.
Julian Danes was her step-brother, and all-around good guy. However, he was number one on her list of people she had wanted to avoid. She had hoped to see her mother first.
“I’m not being rude,” she shot at him, rolling her eyes and turning back to stare down the street.
“You are,” he said. “But that’s fine. You can stare down the street all you want. Ain’t no cabs coming back here. This strip is for buses only. So unless you’re getting back on one, then you’ll have to head down to the taxi stand on Mulberry Street. That or you can come with me, and I’ll drop you off at the house.”
“Ugh.” She twisted her face in disgust. “I’m in no rush to get back there. I’d rather walk.”
The truth of the matter was, she didn’t want to be near Julian. There was a piece of her that couldn’t deny how close they used to be. With their history, they could tell when something was off with each other, but she did her best not to let him see he was bothering her.
“Did I do something wrong here?” he asked her.
He always could hit the nail on the head, she thought.
Whitney huffed. “You never did anything wrong. I just can’t stand your sperm donor. So forgive me if I’m in no rush to be under his roof. Not that it’s his.”
“Well when you say smart shit like that, I bet he doesn’t look forward to spending time with you either. Cut him some slack, we’ve been family for a while now,” Julian said. He grabbed her bag, making the decision for her, and walked over to his pickup truck.
The logo on the side was of a dog standing in front of some animated tools with the words, “Great Danes Auto Repair.”
Whitney was proud of him for making a living outside of that damned motorcycle club her stepfather was so insistent on being a part of. Looking at Julian, she couldn’t help but feel ripples of emotions run through her body. He made her feel as no other man had. Even when they first met, she had been sure that they’d end up together. Their parents had beat them to it.
Her memories of being a gawky teenager made Whitney blush as she hopped inside the truck. The strength of his hand on her back as he helped her up was a feeling she’d missed more than she’d thought.
“Do you remember the day we met?” Whitney asked, staring out of the window.
He smiled as he pulled into the street. “Of course I do. You were super skinny, and super awkward.”
“Oh, and you were so cool,” she scoffed.
“I was the definition of cool,” he smirked, running his fingers through his jet-black hair. He was tall and leaned back away from the steering column. Her bag was the only thing separating them in the front seat. His tone got a little deeper when he reached reach over and rubbed her knee, “I remember we shared a lot of firsts together.”
Whitney pulled away. “Don’t.”
“I was joking, just trying to lighten the mood. I mean, I don’t want to tiptoe around you. We have history. You just left and we were—well, I just want to be comfortable around you again, you know? Why can’t we joke around with each other, Whit?”
“We can, you can.” She shook her head refusing to meet his gaze. “I just have a lot on my mind you know? School, and Pawpaw. My mother. I don’t even want to imagine what she’s going through right now.”
“I get it,” Julian put his hand back on the steering wheel. “I just thought with the way you took off, it was because of how things ended between us.”
“Oh believe me, that didn’t make me want to stay, but it was a bunch of different stuff hitting the fan at once. Your dad didn’t help either,” she said.
“Yeah, he knows how to make a mess of things. Have you ever told your mother about us? Or anyone for that matter?”
“Of course not! Can you imagine what they’d say at the club?” Her mind wandered to the insatiable gossips at The Shock Bar.
The Shadows of Chaos motorcycle club was a group like no other. They feared no one, and did as they pleased in Cedar Breeze and beyond. The club often used the family bar as their meeting spot, and with her mother being the wife of their Vice President, it was cheaper for them to gather there.
“So how long before you go running back to school?” he asked snidely.
She knew what he was insinuating. Julian always made it perfectly clear to her that he thought she was a coward for running away from her problems. But instead of jumping down his throat, she sighed and answered politely. “I’ve been given some bereavement time. My teachers gave me two weeks. I turned in most of the work that was due during the time I’ll be out here, so I’m good on the school side of things. I get to focus my attention on you guys and the funeral.”
“Why don’t we hang out before you go?” he suggested, pulling up in front of her mother’s house.
“I guess we can,” she shrugged. Hanging out with Julian wasn’t on her list of things to do. If he knew the real reason she was uncomfortable being back home, she was sure she’d be the last person he’d want to spend time with. But that was a bridge she wasn’t ready to cross.
“Well we’re here.” She got out of the truck and waved to Julian before making her way inside the house. The sound of Duke’s voice came through the walls and into the front yard. The front yard, still barren of grass or any other living thing, was kicking up dust as she made her way up the rickety wooden stairs onto the front porch.
It had been such a long time since she’d been home, but it all felt the same. Twisting the knob, she stepped back into the house she lived in as a little girl. Long gone was the college sophomore, and there stood Whitney Shearing, the ten-year-old smart ass.
“Well look who decided to come back to boring old Cedar Breeze,” Duke snarled as she stepped into the living room, “Shame somebody’s gotta die for you to show your face ‘round here.”
“Now, you leave her alone,” her mother Molly called, as she hustled in.
“Hey Duke, thanks for having Jules come get me from the bus.” She forced a smile.
“That boy wasted time, gas, and company materials comin’ to get you, when you could’ve walked here with those long legs of yours? I’ll deal with him later,” he growled.
“Hi, Mom,” Whitney said, ignoring Duke’s threats. The two women hugged for what seemed forever. Her mother always smelled of fresh lilacs even though there wasn’t a single blade of grass growing on the lawn. She stepped back and looked into her big beautiful blue eyes, wishing she’d inherited them. Biting her lip, she asked, “How you holding up?”
“Now don’t go stirring the pot!�
� Duke clamored from his seat on the sofa, “I just got her to calm down!”
Whitney raised an eyebrow at her mother, who looked fine. She motioned for her to join her in the back. The front door opened straight on to the living room. Just off that room, to the right, stood the kitchen. There was a long hall leading to the rest of the bedrooms in the house. Duke and Molly occupied the first room. The other two were hers and Julian’s whenever they decided to stay.
Julian’s room was untouched while her own had been used as a makeshift storage room. She rolled her eyes as she dropped her bag on the floor and went to her mother’s room.
Molly Shearing-Danes could have been one of the most beautiful women in the world, but she had let her husband wear her down. The wrinkles around her eyes, the lines on her forehead, the roughness of her hands, all were signs of a woman working hard. In her case, at the family bar. “So, what was that about Puke calming you down?” she snickered.
Molly covered her mouth, trying to mask her giggle. “I haven’t heard you call him that in so long. What’s got you in such a good mood?”
“Just happy to see you. But seriously, are you okay?” Whitney asked again.
“I’m fine,” Molly smiled. She sat on the bed and began pulling at clothes in a laundry basket. After folding a few, she looked up to her daughter, who was watching her in disbelief, “Really, I am, Whit. Paw was sick for a long time and honestly, it was time for him to go. It’s good that he’s resting now. I will admit I’ve been a bit over the top with Duke because it’s made him nicer. He did the dishes this morning.”
“What?” Whitney had never seen Duke lift a finger to do a single chore inside the house.
“Truth be told, Paw left me and Ben the bar. I think he’s trying to butter me up so I’d sign it over. But if that’s his reason for being nice, along with my fits of tears, then I’ll take it. But what I haven’t told him is that I want you to run it.”
“You want what?”
***
The weather was unseasonably warm and the sun was bright. Whitney’s black dress clung to her breasts but flowed freely from the waist down. The breeze swayed as their tears spilled. A smile touched Molly’s lips as a cloud passed overhead. Her body swelled with every emotion but sadness. Whitney nudged her mother as people began to stare.