**Two years later**
Celina looked down at her swelling belly, at four months pregnant she was already big with twins growing inside of her. Dalton ran around in his wolf form at almost a year and a half. The little guy reminded her so much of her daughter, Alia. After she had received the news of her daughter’s passing she had spent a full month in bed crying.
The only thing that started her going was the fact that another life had started growing inside of her. Celina had been riding the line of nourishment for herself but with a baby growing, she had to bring herself to eat for Dalton. Dalton was more like his father with his shifting abilities but no signs of magical abilities like Celina. Yet she wasn’t going to completely give up teaching him little spells when she could.
Dalton shifted out of his wolf form and ran up to Celina with a dying flower.
“Mom, make pretty.” Dalton placed the flower in her hand. She used a bit of focus and made the flower brighter and younger. Dalton stared at the magic she performed and oohed at the display.
“Better?” Celina loved the little boy’s smile. He nodded and then grabbed another one.
“How?” Dalton lifted it toward his mother like he was trying to ask how to do the same magic.
“Imagine it looking like mine. Concentrate really hard and then push a bit of energy into the flower.” Celina moved his other hand to the flower so both sides touched the stem.
Dalton looked at the flower Celina had brought back and then closed his eyes. The flower turned a shade brighter and Celina clapped her hands with delight.
“Good job, little guy. I knew you had it in you.” Celina kissed his head and smiled. Pico walked out with a tray of food and placed it on the table near Celina and Dalton.
“Yum.” Dalton dropped the flower and ran over to the bits of fruit.
“What were you clapping about?” Pico sat next to Celina.
“Your son has a bit of magic in him after all. He helped bring this flower back to life a bit.”
“Really?” Pico grabbed the flower and lifted it to his nose. They sat there in silence for a few moments while Dalton chowed down.
“I miss Alia so much. It hurts a bit less but some days I just want to lay back in bed and cry.” Celina leaned into her mate.
“I know, I want to do the same thing sometimes.” Pico rubbed her back.
Soon she would be a mother to four children and she would tell her other kids about Alia and how she met her father. Some days she wondered what Alia would look like as she grew.
Maybe someday the pain wouldn’t be so great but days like this she focused on Dalton and the babies growing inside of her. The little ones inside kicked her, sending love through her heart.
Love would get her through this as long as she had Pico by her side.
**Twenty Years Later**
Celina looked down at the pile of dirty dishes her lovely children had made. Her youngest, Mason, at twelve years old was playing at a friend’s house like most of her other children, having a social life. Mel and Henna at fourteen were her last set in a rush of twins. Matt and Fin were now sixteen and always chasing after girls. Gavin and Eva were eighteen and her only set of twins who weren’t the same gender. They were studying for an exam at the library while Addy and Mave at twenty years old were looking at colleges.
She was so happy that her fertile days were long behind her and yet she waited for the days she’d have grandkids running up and down the halls.
“What’s going on, Dalton?” Pico yelled from outside, catching Celina’s attention.
“This female is looking for Mom,” Dalton said. Who would be looking for me?
Celina walked toward the door and it sounded like Pico had said Alia but that didn’t seem right.
“Honey, what is...” She opened the door and stopped dead in her tracks as a woman stood tall, those eyes were the same as Pico’s. Her hand slammed against her mouth when she looked up from the glass she held. The glass plate hit the ground and shattered on impact. Celina ran past Pico and pulled Alia into a tight hug, her swollen belly getting a bit in the way. My girl is here, I’m holding her again!
“My baby girl,” Celia choked out. Her hands pulled Alia tight and started moving over her head and back like Alia might vanish any second.
“Mom,” Alia whispered through tears. Celina released her from the hug but didn’t let her go.
“You’re alive.” Tears streamed down Celina’s face. “Cherish said you’d died in a fire.” She cursed herself for not going back to look for herself. A few months later Jina and Cherish had sent her photos of her old home burnt to a crisp. Celina couldn’t handle seeing Alia dead so she had never asked to see her body. Alia bit her lips like she was deep in thought but Celina didn’t care, her little girl was here and alive.
“Well, looks like I have another sister,” Dalton chuckled. Alia looked at him, her eyes full of delight.
“Wait. How many are we talking here?” Alia asked.
“Our parents don’t know how to stay apart. Five sisters and four brothers, not including yours truly.” He winked. Alia looked over to Pico still frozen in the yard.
“Dalton, don’t overwhelm her,” Celina yelled at him. Dalton tended to say the wrong thing at the worst time. Celina finally let go of her daughter to smack Dalton.
“Too late,” Alia said. A male with red hair leaned close before wrapping his hands around her hips and steadying her. She leaned into his touch and Celina let go.
“You need to rest,” the male whispered into her ear.
“Who are you?” Pico finally spoke and moving closer, his eyes on the male.
“I’m her mate, Olsen.” Olsen extended his hand.
“Pico.” They shook hands. “Wasn’t expecting to be a grandpa yet.” He chuckled looking at Alia. Celina slapped him. “I’m glad you are alive and well.”
“Let’s get you off your feet.” Celina smiled and led them into her home. My baby girl is alive and soon she would be having a little one, things couldn’t possibly get any better.
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Did you know that Alia has her own story? Red Eclipse! Check out this Preview.