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Arlana and Mollie stood on either side of James as they greeted their guests as they arrived at the club. The men were dressed in black three-piece suits instead of the regular gray and Arlana and Mollie wore matching gowns - Mollie's black, trimmed with white and red and Arlana's red and black with white lace.
Mollie had overseen the baking of the cake herself before they'd hurried to get changed before their guests would be arriving, the rest of the club closed to the public for the night.
"Good evening," Carrados smiled as he bowed, kissing Mollie's hand then Arlana's with a flourish. "May I introduce my companions, Alphonse, my uncle, and Justitia."
James and Mollie exchanged a look before welcoming the Italians, introducing themselves and Arlana.
Alphonse smiled warmly before standing beside his nephew, only Justitia remaining where she stood.
"Secret Keepers. I have not come across your kind in a long time - too long," Justitia's voice was smooth as silk before she turned, placing her hand on Arlana's stomach. "You carry within you a warrior who will be as great as the kings who came before him."
Arlana was not yet showing. She looked between Justitia and Carrados in surprise, before smiling, "Thank you."
Justitia raised her eyes, looking at each of the men surrounding James, Mollie and Arlana in turn.
"So many. You put my own people to shame. They must learn from you and follow the ancient paths once again. It is time."
Arlana wasn't quite sure what Justitia was referring to, but followed Mollie's lead, dipping into a curtsey as the men bowed in respect.
"I'll explain later," Mollie kept her voice low even after Justitia and her companions had entered the dining hall. "It's a long story, My Dear, but I am happy to hear that my suspicions have been confirmed. You carry a son."
"How did she know?" Arlana touched her flat stomach a moment before James smiled down at her.
"Justitia is one of the Ancient Ones. She knows everything."
James chuckled as Arlana blushed, looking away.
"There is nothing to worry about. We have our own customs but they are similar to the ones held in Ancient Rome. Justitia would not condemn our rituals, but rejoices with us at the conception of this child."
Arlana thought on what James had said as another group approached, their accents betraying their European heritage.
"I'm Dieter. My wife, Halinka and nephew Aleksander," the elderly man's blue eyes sparkled as he stepped forward. "I know most of you, but it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Arlana stepped forward and Dieter focused on her, apparently the only one in the group he didn't know.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Arlana shook their hands. "Thank you for coming tonight."
"We wouldn't miss The Wolf's birthday celebration for the world."
The last group followed the Italian's lead, joining them at the long banquet tables moments before the door opened once again when the largest group arrived, all wearing matching black suits.
"Cousin," the broader of the two, smiled as he approached Arlana, not bothering with any formalities. "We have been sent with a message for you on this glorious day. It is from our mutual cousin, Erika Landry."
"Erika?" Mollie gasped. "I'd heard she had been kidnapped."
"But of course," Pierre smiled as though being kidnapped was the most natural thing in the world. "Erika is well. She is in hiding as we speak but sends this message for her cousin. Erika believes you will know what to do with this information she has gathered."
Arlana looked down at the piece of paper within her trembling fingers.
"We will be destroyed unless you can find the traitor who sold us out for gold. That is the moment our blood was cursed."
That's it. The note said so much and yet so little. Arlana knew all about the curse. It was an unspoken secret.
"May I?" Mollie whispered, holding out her hand for the paper Arlana still clutched within her trembling fingers. Mollie frowned as she read the note twice before slipping it within the pouch hanging from her wrist. "Thank you for this information. How will we reach you when we find the answers Erika seeks?"
"We will find you. Now come, let us talk of happier things. We have much to celebrate tonight - The Wolf, our great and noble leader!"
Arlana smiled, already liking their enthusiasm but her thoughts were on that mysterious note. Where would she begin?
***
"I NEED TO HEAD OUT," Gavin whispered as the celebrations were still in full swing as it approached midnight. "Adelaide will be expecting me."
Arlana excused herself before walking Gavin to the door, the bouncer looking away to give them privacy as Gavin gave Arlana a lingering kiss goodbye.
"I'll miss you Angel," Gavin breathed against her lips before raising his head.
"I'll miss you too. Say hi...well..." Arlana caught herself. It would just make things more awkward and so far things were going smoothly - far better than anyone had expected.
Gavin had been promoted to full time in the past month and with it a pay increase on the condition he quit his other job and devote his full attention to the family business. He'd quit his job on the spot, much to Brion's amusement. As for Adelaide, the extra money took care of the financial burden and Gavin devoted his full attention to his family for the entire weekend, leaving late every Monday afternoon to head back to the ranch right on schedule. Everything seemed to be working out.
"I'll be back soon, Darling. Have a good weekend," Gavin kissed her once more, placing his hand on Arlana's stomach for a moment before heading out into the storm.
**"
Gavin wasn't expecting the lights to still be on when he arrived home. Placing his keys on the stand, he headed straight upstairs for a shower, having learned his lesson after returning home smelling of lilacs. Hanging his suit up, Gavin scrubbed away every trace of his double-life before tugging on his "dad" attire - jeans and a gray shirt that reminded him of home.
Voices coming from the living room stopped Gavin mid-step.
Jaira.
What was she doing in his living room?
"You don't understand what it's like, Addy. You have everything - three kids, a house, the perfect marriage - I mean, how could you possibly understand what I'm going through?"
Adelaide took a deep breath as she reached for her sister's hand.
"You know, they say that you can't judge a book by its cover. Gavin is never home. He's gone all week, but on the weekends, he's the happiest I've ever seen him. Do I have the perfect life? Not by a long shot. Do you know what I think of often? Too often, if I'm being honest? I think about everything I gave up the day I agreed to marry that man. Do you remember how I wanted to live among the Native Americans? I would have done anything to be one of them when I was a child. I grew up wanting to marry one but instead, I gave up on that dream and married Gavin.
Yes, I have three beautiful children, but I wonder all the time if I had followed my dreams, if I would have been happier. I'll never know... I'm sorry you're going through a rough time, Jaira and wish I was able to offer you more than just a place to stay on your birthday. I will pray for you though. Here, would you like another hot chocolate?"
"No, but thanks. I think I'll head to bed."
Gavin took his cue, slipping up the stairs undetected.
"I didn't hear you come in," Adelaide whispered when she entered the room not ten minutes later. "Are you sleeping?"
"No. I just got in not long ago."
Adelaide slipped beneath the covers, the room silent save for the rhythmic ticking of the clock.
"Addy, would you like more children?"
Adelaide didn't say a word, taken aback but Gavin's unexpected question.
"No. Three is enough. Why?"
"I'd like to have more. I was just curious if we were on the same page. Sometimes, I think, we have very different dreams for our future."
"I don't know. What do you see for the future?"
"A house in the country surrounded by land and children. A simple life or maybe we'd live in a small town and raise our children there, but in all my dreams, there are children. What are your dreams?"
"It's late and my sister is here for the weekend. I really should get some rest."
"Of course. Good night, Addy."
"'night."
***
GAVIN WASN'T CERTAIN how he got through the weekend. He focused on his children and left the sisters to themselves as they got caught up. Monday arrived and with it, Jaira's departure. Gavin didn't say much as he dropped her off at the train station. Adelaide's confession had latched onto his mind, refusing to loosen its grip.
Reaching the club, Gavin parked the car, barely acknowledging the bouncer as he strode towards the Arlana's offices.
"You're back," Arlana smiled, stating the obvious as she wrapped her arms around Gavin's neck. "How was your weekend?"
"I saw your sister."
"I thought as much," Arlana grinned, before dusting Gavin's jaw with kisses.
"I saw Jaira," Gavin began, tilting Arlana's chin until their eyes met. "She spent the weekend at the house, but may have been there longer. I didn't ask. Addy told her she sacrificed her dreams of living with the Natives when she married me and often wonders if she would have been happier. She told Jaira she thinks about it all the time but will never know. Baby, I haven't been able to get that confession out of my head. I don't even...I don't know what to say."
Gavin hadn't noticed Mollie sitting by the fire, a large volume on her lap until she stood.
"I didn't mean to listen in, but I think there is something you should know."
"I'm listening," Gavin's voice was low as he sank into the nearest armchair before lifting Arlana onto his lap.
"Arlana, as you know, is special and has rare gifts. She has the ability to travel through time - and return at will. It is possible that Arlana could take Adelaide into the past - temporarily of course - so that her dream could come true and she could see for herself if she would truly be happier."
"No."
"No?" Arlana turned in Gavin's arms, not expecting his response.
"It isn't that I don't believe you, Mollie. You've given me no reason to doubt you, but I'm not going to risk Arlana miscarrying over a whim Addy has. It won't happen."
"Arlana will be in her second trimester in July and by then, the baby will be safe to travel through time - just as safe as if you were to go on a road trip. Why don't we plan for July?"
Gavin was quiet, searching Arlana's eyes.
"Have you already done this? Have you traveled through time?"
"Yes, but only once. I went back with James and I believe we may have reached the 17th century based on what the warriors were wearing when they rode past us."
"Baby! You could have been scalped! They weren't called Savages for nothing..."
"We came right back and James was with me."
"I need time to think about this," Gavin held Arlana closer, gently rubbing her lower back, "If we were to do your plan, I would want to make sure we are fully prepared and have researched every possibility of something going wrong. We'd have to agree on a duration, such as an hour unless of course, we stumble upon a war party or something."
"We?" Mollie smiled. "You sound like you'd like to join us."
"I'm not letting my family go alone," Gavin shrugged. "I need to head out to make the deliveries, but we will talk about this more in a few days when I get back from the border. In the meantime, we have two months to plan this, assuming Adelaide agrees to the plan."
"Will you tell her about the time traveling?"
"No. I'd like it to be a gift."