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ASPEN AND ASH WERE NEARLY five months old. Leah’s manuscripts were getting close to completion. Marcus kept working construction, and he seemed to really enjoy it.
In the haze of a dream, Leah sat tall in a fancy dress purchased and fitted for her by the palace. She crossed her ankles as a proper lady ought to, wearing a perma-smile for the crowd. This meeting was taking place in Capital City, a gathering of mostly Bomen.
Leah tried not to sweat, tried not to show fear or panic. She was well-mannered, repentant—everything she should be to win over the people.
Queen Catrina, King Stephan, and other politicians and public servants took turns addressing the crowd. They shared plans for the future of Bomen, and more than one gestured to Leah, commenting how she’d come to realize the error of her ways. She was a shining example of how far people could come in accepting those born without powers. Leah tensed to not squirm, to keep that smile on her face as eyes rested on her.
Luckily, it hadn’t been all about her, but it was an opportunity to show her off, to clear her name, to help her settle in.
As the rally came to a close, Leah and the others on the platform stood. She tried not to fidget, keeping that smile that told everyone she wasn’t crazy or hateful.
To her surprise, a redheaded woman approached the platform, right in front of where Leah stood. She must have been an Ivy Boman, assuming the child she held in her arms was hers. The adorable little child had deep red splotches on its face and neck—the mark of a Biman. Less than a handful of Bimen existed in the Green Lands, the offspring of Ivy Boman mothers and Seeder Boman fathers.
Leah marveled at the child, at the miracle of unity it represented. She wished Marcus could have attended with her that day, her smile becoming more genuine.
And then the woman’s gaze turned harsh, and she gave Leah a vulgar gesture. She stared Leah dead in the eye as Leah’s heart faltered, as her smile faded. No, the woman hadn’t wanted to talk. Hadn’t wanted to give Leah a chance. She’d wanted to show her child and remind Leah that had her parents won the war, had things turned out according to their plans, this child would have been born into slavery, or more likely—wouldn’t have existed at all.
Leah wanted to vomit. The child began to wail. Leah tried to open her mouth to say something, to reassure the woman she wasn’t like her parents, didn’t think that way, that she loved a Boman. But her mouth wouldn’t budge.
The child continued to wail, louder and louder, as the woman simply turned and walked away.
Come back! I can explain everything!
Why is the crying getting louder?
Leah woke with a start, her heart racing. What the... No, that’s... The crying was from one of hers. Either Aspen or Ash was crying.
She blew out a breath to collect herself, closing her eyes. The mind sucked when it played tricks like that. That rally had happened in real life. That interaction with the mother had happened.
It didn’t matter. Hopefully, Leah’s book would make a difference someday?
The bed was cold next to her, a dim light glowing through the open bedroom door. Marcus must have gotten up with one or both of the twins at some point.
Leah pulled back the covers and stumbled to the doorway. Marcus sat on the couch in his boxers, softly shushing Aspen. “No waking Mommy,” he whispered. “Mommy needs sleep.” His voice was groggy but gentle.
He lifted Aspen, sniffing her diaper. “Oh, man! What is Mom feeding you?!”
Leah watched while leaning against the doorframe.
“No more tacos for Mom, that’s what I say, Stinky One,” he cooed in the most adorable baby talk. Setting her next to him, Marcus grabbed a diaper and wipes, then proceeded to clean her up.
Leah held a hand to her heart, smiling wide as he took care of a now-calm Aspen. He continued to talk to her, animated and sweet.
Marcus was always like this with the twins. He’d been a great cousin to the prince and princesses. He was a great father.
And then Aspen giggled at his silliness. Her first giggle.
Leah turned to mush, her heart full, her smile gone. A thousand emotions flooded her, pouring out in the form of tears. Marcus was the type of dad she’d imagined she would have had as a little girl. The kind of dad she wouldn’t have actually had if he’d lived—not with a monster like Soren.
With Marcus, she never once feared her children wouldn’t be safe with him. Never once feared she’d have to choose between her kids and her husband.
That dream, that memory of the Boman mother... Even if it was the case that Bomen never came to accept Leah, they accepted Marcus. There was confusion about why Marcus would still be with Leah after what she’d done, but he was an insider they respected. And even if it hurt Leah to never be included in their circle, despite being a mother to Bomen, Marcus was a Boman and could help their kids where she lacked, where she was unwelcome or uncomfortable.
He deserved the world. He deserved to be happy.
Leah sniffled, wiping away tears. Marcus’s gaze shot up to her. He only now realized he had an audience. “What’s wrong?” Concern painted his face. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, sniffling again. “I’m fine.”
“Do you want to talk?”
As she walked in, Aspen stirred once more.
Leah picked her up, supporting her with vines. “Might as well get a two-in-one diaper change and feeding.” She sat back on the couch. “We all know you like Mom’s taco-flavored milk.” She gave Marcus a look.
He snickered. “You heard that, huh? I’m just saying, it might be the hot sauce...”
Leah rolled her eyes.
“Did you hear her giggle?” Marcus asked, wearing a broad smile.
Aspen latched on. “Yeah,” Leah whispered. “It was cute.”
He sweetly ran a finger up and down Leah’s arm. “So, what’s wrong? Why were you crying?”
They’d been happy tears. Mostly... “I...” She wanted to say it, but it was almost impossible to push out, and once she did, she couldn’t take it back. She couldn’t dangle that carrot in front of him and then take it back, not when he’d been so patient. “I think it’s time to go home.”
He studied her a moment, cautious. “Really?”
There was indeed hope in his voice. He’d been patient as she’d healed, as they’d worked to figure out what they’d needed as individuals, as a couple, as a family. But he had always wanted to be home, even if he’d never said so.
“Really.” She explained her reasoning. She could continue working on her manuscripts anywhere. His family deserved to see him and meet the twins. And they couldn’t hide forever.
“If you’re sure, then I’m on board.”
“I’m sure.”
As she nursed and rocked Aspen back to sleep, they discussed their timeline and how they’d go about everything.
Long after Aspen drifted off, they continued to chat. Something nagged at Leah, her heart hurting as they discussed returning home.
And normally, she’d have buried that feeling, would have suppressed it until it probably came out in some unhealthy form of resentment. But they’d promised to be open and honest as a couple. And even though she knew it wasn’t exactly right, she couldn’t deny her feelings.
“When we get back ... I know that...”
He’d explicitly declared during their big argument—before he’d left her—that she couldn’t do what she wanted to right now.
“I know my mom can be a better person. And I know it’s wrong, but I... Part of me wants her to be able to see the kids.” Her mom hadn’t been there to dress shop with her. To plan things. To help in the delivery room. Her mom had missed the most important moments of her life. And even though Leah recognized her mom’s faults and shortcomings and sins, a part of her ached to have her in her life—the one constant she’d always known. And if her mom accepted her kids, maybe she’d finally recognize how twisted her prejudices were.
Marcus pressed his lips thin, looking down. He had to be angry, disappointed. “Let’s talk about that.”
The next day, after taking time to sleep on their decisions, they used their extra phone to text Kaylah. They didn’t really know the state of things or how they’d be received when they arrived at the cave. This was going to be a huge move, and there were preparations to make.
A few days later, a text arrived from Kaylah.
<So excited to see you!!! Safe to head over. Give me forty-eight hours heads-up whenever you’re ready, and I’ll be there.>
She also provided a different number to text, that of a cell that would stay with a cave employee in the human world. They’d be dispatched to send for her.
Leah battled her nerves, but pushed forward. What they’d do with their belongings was the easiest decision to make. You couldn’t rift with much other than what was stuffed in your pockets. Most big things they’d acquired were secondhand anyway, so they started to redonate them along with other items. It chipped a little at Leah’s heart that they’d have to give up most of the clothes and toys they’d bought the kids. But they would never lack in the Green Lands. She picked out her favorite ones and donated the others to a women’s and children’s shelter.
They gave their apartment notice and cleared the place out. Marcus quit his job and collected his last paycheck. They took a rideshare to the city Marcus’s family lived in, and rented a hotel room.
After their whirlwind of preparations, they texted the number Kaylah had given them, and quickly received a reply that they’d send for her.
Needing to keep their most important belongings compact, Leah had spent time at the library typing up her manuscripts and printing them in small print with narrow margins. They went to a drugstore and printed tons of photos of them, their wedding, and the kids.
Now, it was a matter of waiting the forty-eight hours, and visiting people in town. They met up with Jake for breakfast at a pancake place. It was his first time meeting the twins. Aspen made a mess by grabbing a syrup-covered pancake from Marcus’s plate, and Ash cried for the last ten minutes. Parenthood had its perks. Since Jake would likely marry a human and be unable to have children with her, the twins’ antics probably didn’t serve as birth control, but still...
Despite the chaos with the kids, that was the visit she’d been looking forward to the most. The next was nerve-racking, and Leah considered having Marcus go without her, but she needed to get to a place where she could stand tall and endure scrutiny. Because scrutiny would come.
They each carried a car seat as they approached Tobias and Camry’s house. Marcus squeezed Leah’s free hand.
As Marcus rang the doorbell, Leah took a breath to bolster herself. I can do this.
Camry opened the door, all smiles. “Come in!” After the family of four entered, Camry lunged for hugs from Marcus and Leah, and Tobias emerged from the kitchen, hands in his pockets.
Leah prepared herself for embarrassment and resentment. They didn’t know what the family had told Tobias and Camry about everything. All Leah knew was that she’d nearly died of mortification when Camry had come to visit her at the cottage, and that she already hadn’t been one of Tobias’s favorite people.
Marcus and Tobias exchanged a quick hug, and Tobias curtly nodded at Leah. “Leah.”
That was basically what she’d gotten from him the past three years, so she could manage.
They sat and gabbed for a while, introducing the twins. They shared pictures and stories. It was a little weird talking about their wedding. Leah doubted she’d share pictures of her casual superpregnant wedding with many, but it was extra awkward since she’d ruined their wedding. But Camry asked, and they shared. They ordered food in, caught up on family gossip, human-world stuff, and just settled in.
It was uncomfortable, but bearable.
After another night in the hotel, they visited Marcus’s grandparents. Leah firmly believed theirs would be one of the most uncomfortable relationships she had in her life. She’d apologized to them after the assassination attempt, and they’d forgiven her, but it was weird. Not tense like it was with Tobias, but ... more uncomfortable than not. There was shared guilt there from the old war, and Leah’s assassination attempt after having spent so much time in their home had only made it worse. Unlike with Kaylah, there was no dark humor about the debacle. Just a silent understanding that they’d all rather forget what had happened, would rather never speak of past mistakes in this group. And Leah could be content with that.
Samantha and Brad were happy to meet the twins as well. Who wouldn’t be? They were freaking adorable. Leah couldn’t help but smirk when Marcus’s grandma commented on how grownup he looked. He really had matured a lot in the last year.
The next day was the day, the big day. They were both excited to see Kaylah, but nervous about stepping back into the public eye. They’d be recognized on sight.
Aspen lay asleep while Marcus paced the hotel room, burping Ash. “It’ll be great,” he coached. “We’ll be fine.” There might have even been a bit of an edge to his voice.
Leah stared at the pile of things on the bed in front of her. They had their pictures, her printed manuscripts, the jade tokens, and several other things. Pacifiers for the kids and a change of diapers, of course. The thing that claimed Leah’s attention was Kaylah’s ring. She turned it in her hand, examining it. They’d never had to use it. They weren’t in the clear quite yet, but still... They’d never had to resort to using it in an emergency, and for that she was grateful. Kaylah had to be ready to be reunited with it.
And then there was the debit card. It was still in good shape. They’d used it far more than they’d wanted to, but not more than they’d needed to when things had gotten tight.
“Things will work out,” she said.