Epilogue Two
Luna
Many years later
“Are you sure?” I asked as I stared at the older woman currently smoothing her hands over my exposed, rounded abdomen. Banner gave my hand a squeeze, and I glanced over at him, seeing he was already watching me with intent, almost worried eyes. I gave him a reassuring smile, knowing he was worried for my safety.
I’d told him I was fine, more than fine, in fact. I was happy and healthy and had finally found the one person bound to be my soul mate, the love of my life, and he, in turn, loved me back fiercely.
And now I was going to be a mother. We were starting a family after so many years, after traveling the world and loving each other with every single molecule of our bodies and souls.
But because my big, hulking Lycan of a mate was so protective of me, so possessive of every single part of me, that meant he worried about my safety and health during the pregnancy. Hell, he worried when I stubbed my damn toe.
I gave his palm a squeeze back, and he brought our conjoined hands to his mouth and kissed my knuckles.
“Oh aye. Tis’ true.”
I looked back at the woman who Banner had introduced as Magdalena when we’d first met months ago. A half Lycan/half witch, Banner had explained she’d created the wards on the gates that protected the property and manor. With bright blue eyes and graying hair, I had a feeling she appeared older than she truly was.
“I can feel the truth growing in yer womb.”
She kept smoothing her hands over my belly, adding slight pressure at different points as she murmured under her breath, then nodded as if she’d answered her own question. With one more pass over my protruding abdomen, she adjusted my shirt, sat straight in her chair, and gave Banner and me a very motherly smile.
“Three little ones are growing big and strong inside of ye.” She stood and packed up her bag, leaving Banner and me sitting on the sofa and reeling from the news.
“You can feel that just from…” I gestured to my belly with a wave of my hands. “Rubbing your fingers over my stomach?”
She chuckled softly. “Aye, although I’m gifted with sight, yer wee ones are verra strong and want the spotlight. Believe me, they’re wanting tae show me how strong they are.” She chuckled and shook her head, mumbling in Gaelic.
“Blessed,” Banner murmured and brought our twined hands to his forehead, closing his eyes and exhaling. “I was blessed by the gods to find the love of my life and now…” His voice cracked, and he opened his eyes to look me in the face. He let go of my hand but only to open it so he could place my palm right over his heart. “And now ye’re giving me three little ones, darlin’. Gods, ye’re so precious tae me, complete me so much. I love ye, Luna.”
“Boys,” Magdalena said, and we both looked at her. “Three lads. Rowdy ones too, not just in yer woman with all that kicking, but also when they make their appearance.” She slung her bag over her shoulder and smiled at me. “They’ll test yer patience. But they’ll be strong and protective and take after their da in all the ways that count for a male in our world.”
I didn’t know what that exactly meant, but I didn’t say anything, just nodded.
“I guess we’ll have our hands full,” I teased.
“Oh, aye,” she said. “And about a decade later ye’ll be blessed once more with a wee lass, one whose life will be rich and full.” She inclined her head. “And she’ll be well taken care of.”
Another one. A little girl? I closed my eyes and felt prickling behind my closed lids. Ever since I’d become Banner’s mate and he mine, all I’d dreamed of was creating a family with the male I loved. I pictured two: a little boy who looked like his father and a little girl who looked like me. And I was getting four. Four babies that I’d love for the rest of my life.
It was the feeling of Banner brushing his finger along my cheek that had me opening my eyes and looking at him. I sensed we were once more alone but didn’t bother glancing around the great room to see if Magdalena had left.
“Ach, mionag. I love ye so fooking much my heart breaks thinking about how much.” He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. “I donna know how I can love anyone more than ye, but gods, darlin’, I know my heart is big enough to try.”
I couldn’t help but smile against his mouth, knowing he’d love our babies just as fiercely as he loved me, knowing he’d protect them and cherish them the same way he’d been doing with me for all these years. He’d fight to the death for our family. Of that I was sure of.