Let her have your voices.
— William Shakespeare, Othello
THE GAME ROOM had been converted into a Christmas wonderland. A huge Christmas tree decked in silver, red and gold with twinkling white lights filled one corner and candles gleamed in the night, casting shadows over holly and mistletoe. Christmas music played in the background, and kids from Elysium were dancing, talking, laughing and drinking eggnog and spiced cider and eating every variation of Christmas cookie the kitchen helpers could imagine.
"Do you think she'll come?" I asked Derek for the hundredth time.
"I hope so," he said, squeezing my hand.
I needed to see Jasmine, to know my little sister was okay. And I wanted us all to be together when I announced my news.
I sipped at my cider and watched the door. Derek's parents were there, talking with Father Patrick.
Sam and Drake were laughing as Ana used her wings to dance.
Even Beleth had shown up, and you could tell just by looking at him that he was smitten with his grandchild. She had him wrapped around her little finger.
I had just about given up when Jasmine walked in, her hair a short blue bob. When she saw me, she smiled and walked over, tears burning my eyes.
I held my arms open and she walked into them. "I've missed you," I told her.
She squeezed me tighter then let go. "I've missed you, too. I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize," I said. "I'm just so glad you're here."
"I do have to apologize," she insisted. She looked so much older already. I couldn't believe it. "After everything that happened with Mother, I just couldn't face you. I wasn't mad at you, I was mad at me. I trusted her. I trusted her over you and I almost ruined everything. It's my fault you almost died. It's my fault… Blake."
She swallowed and a tear ran down her cheek.
"None of it is your fault. It's hers. I love you. We're family. We'll always be family."
She sniffed and smiled. "I want to come home," she said, looking around. "Can I come live here? I'm tired of being alone."
"Yes! Of course you can. I'll let Father Patrick know. It would be so wonderful to have you home, Jasmine. There's always a place for you here."
"Where's Ocean?" Jasmine asked.
"She's been traveling. She might be here tonight. I don't know."
As if on cue, Ocean blew in, her long red hair wild around her face. "Rose! Jasmine!"
The three of us hugged and laughed and cried all at once. "We thought you weren't coming!" I said.
"How could I miss this? Besides, you said it was important."
I nodded. "It is. And now it's perfect."
I rang my glass to get everyone's attention. "I was going to do this privately, but you all are our family. I have an announcement to make."
I turned to Derek and smiled.
THIRTY SIX
With Me
DEREK
For she is with me
— William Shakespeare, Othello
"I'M PREGNANT."
Rose held my hand to her belly and smiled through tears. "You're going to be a father."
The room erupted in cheers and I stood stunned for a moment. When the reality sunk in, I reached around her waist and swung her around, kissing her neck. "I love you so much."
"I love you too."
Jasmine and Ocean smiled and hugged Rose once I let her go and Ryder walked up to me and offered his hand. "Congratulations, Dad."
I took his hand and shook. "Thank you."
Alaric joined Ryder and me as Rose was whisked around the room by well-wishers. She and I would have our celebration later. In private. I grinned in anticipation and then turned back to the men standing before me.
"Ryder, I need to apologize to you," I said. "I hope you can forgive me for—"
"Trying to kill me?" He smirked.
"Um, yeah, basically."
"I would have done the same in your shoes," he said.
I nodded. "What are your plans now?"
He shrugged. "I haven't thought it through."
I looked around at my new family, by blood and by choice, and a thought occurred to me. "Why don't you and Alaric make your home here? We need more leadership at Elysium. Professor Shaw, Brad and Ocean are leaving again. Luke and Lucy are no longer here, given their IPI commitments. Elysium could use you both."
Ryder looked at Alaric and then back at me. "Are you sure about that?"
I realized I was and nodded. "Yeah, I am. Besides, I have my own responsibilities now too."
I looked at Rose and then at my parents who were congratulating her.
I walked over to them, my heart fully settled on my own path for once in my life.
"Dad, mom, I've made a decision about the pack."
My dad looked up and Rose smiled. She knew. She'd always known. It just took me longer to catch up.
"I'm ready to take over the pack. I'm ready to accept full responsibility for my family. For this life."
Rose hugged me and kissed me. "You're going to be an excellent father and pack leader," she said.
"Only because of you," I said. "I am who I am because of you, Rose. We're a team."
"To the end," she said.
"To the end."