Rand dashed for his cell phone. He’d call in his family. If they all helped, he’d find Ariel. As he lifted the receiver, he caught sight of a piece of paper on the kitchen counter. Had that been there during his first mad dash through the room?
His glance went first to the signature at the bottom of the note. Ariel. Her handwriting was flowing and passionate, like Ariel herself.
Rand—
I have gone to stay with Stephanie until the baby is born. I do not wish to ruin your life any longer.
Ariel
Beneath her signature, she’d added another line.
Enjoy your peace and quiet.
Relief enabled Rand to breathe again. She’d gone to Stephanie’s. All he had to do was drive over there and bring Ariel back. She belonged here with him.
He hesitated. Or did she?
Seeing her only made him want her and added to the pain of knowing he had to let her go. Perhaps she was better off at Stephanie’s. She’d be safe there.
Recalling the intrusive reporters, his spirits fell. In fact, Ariel would be much safer there than here. Rand plowed his fingers through his hair. Maybe this was the best course of action for the time being.
But he didn’t have to like it.
And he still intended to ensure she was all right.
He dialed his sister’s apartment and she answered on the second ring. “Steph? It’s me. Is Ariel there?”
“She’s here.” Stephanie’s voice was strangely formal.
He didn’t speak for a moment. “Can I talk to her?” He could apologize, at least.
“She doesn’t want to talk to you. Good-bye, Rand.”
She clicked off before Rand could protest. Damn. He’d wanted to hear Ariel’s voice. Was she really that angry with him?
Evidently.
Rand hung up the phone, then kicked the wall. Like that helped. Determined to thrust Ariel from his mind, he straightened. He now had an entire evening to himself—something he hadn’t had in weeks. He should enjoy it.
He’d call his friends and see if they could get together at Smiley’s. He hadn’t had a chance to do that since Ariel’s arrival.
But Dean’s phone went unanswered and Dwayne and Roger begged off with excuses. Odd, they were usually always ready to hit the bar.
Left on his own, Rand fixed a sandwich and settled in front of the television. But the sandwich tasted like cardboard and the shows did little to hold his interest.
Rand grimaced. What did he used to do before Ariel burst into his life? Though it was only three weeks ago, he had a difficult time remembering.
Or was it that television paled beside Ariel and her erratic magic? He had to admit, with Ariel around he was never bored.
Now the evening dragged and he found himself going to bed earlier than usual. You’re turning into a slug, Thayer.
As he laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling, sleep eluded him. The more he sought it, the more it stayed out of reach. In his dreams, he could be with Ariel, but he was even denied that.
By Saturday morning he’d hardly slept at all. Climbing out of the shower, he pulled at the towel so roughly, the rack fell from the wall. “Damn.”
Repairing it took some time, but not enough, so Rand measured the cabinets and shower. Maybe he should redo the bathroom.
He shook his head. Now he sounded like one of his sisters. Didn’t he get enough of that from them?
Thinking of his family brightened his spirits slightly. It was Saturday. He was guaranteed at least one phone call for some emergency repair and several others to come look something over.
By ten o’clock, he knew something was wrong. No one had called—not one single sister, not even his mother. Had the world ceased to exist while he wasn’t looking?
Rand peeked outside. Some neighbors were climbing into their car while children across the street played in the snow. Life continued. So why did he feel like he was in an insulated bubble?
He’d call Vicki. She always had things to be fixed around the house as her husband was less than handy with such things. But she was reluctant to talk to him.
“No, everything’s fine, Rand. Don’t need you,” she responded to his query.
“Well, how about the kids? I’m free tonight.” What was he saying?
“No, thanks. We have it covered. Got to run. Bye.” She ended the phone call almost as abruptly as Stephanie had the previous night.
What was going on? Calls to his other sisters were just as short. The kids were fine. No, he wasn’t needed. So long.
In desperation, he called his mother. She provided the first clue for this unusual day. “I can’t talk. I’m on my way to a meeting at church.”
“I...okay.”
“What’s the matter?” Amusement tinged his mother’s voice. “Too much peace and quiet?”
Rand hung up the receiver, realization dawning. Peace and quiet. That was it. Ariel was somehow ensuring he received the peace he’d always wanted.
Well, then, he’d just enjoy it. He’d show them.
He paused in the middle of the kitchen. The question was, how?
Ariel paced the main room in Stephanie’s apartment, much to Stephanie and Dean’s amusement.
“You’re going to wear a path in the rug if you keep that up,” Stephanie said from within Dean’s arms where they cuddled on the couch.
“I can’t help it.” Ariel cast them a glance. They looked so happy together. At least this love worked for some people. “I can’t stay still.”
She continued pacing, holding her hand at the small of her back against the ache that had plagued her all morning. What was Rand doing now? Did he miss her? Was her plan working? Though Rand claimed he wanted nothing more than to be left alone, Ariel couldn’t see someone as active as him actually enduring it.
When the phone rang, Ariel’s pulse jumped, but Stephanie took her time in answering it. Within a few sentences, Ariel could tell it wasn’t Rand on the other end.
“That was Mom,” Stephanie announced as she hung up, amusement dancing in her eyes. “She just returned from a church meeting but had to tell me that Rand called her earlier today. For Rand to call Mom just to chat is a first.” Stephanie grinned. “I’d say he’s bored out of his mind.”
“Good.” Ariel returned the smile. If nothing else came from this, at least Rand would realize that having what he wanted wasn’t as good as he’d thought. Now he had boring peace and quiet. Perfect.
If only she didn’t miss him so much.
Of course, being around Stephanie and Dean, who were totally devoted to each other, didn’t help. Not that their sniping at each other had stopped completely. It just took on a new undertone filled with subtle meaning, and added glances so potent Ariel could feel them across the room.
Perhaps staying here hadn’t been one of her better ideas. Their touches recalled Rand’s delicious lovemaking, the feel of his skin against hers, his seductive kisses.
The ache in her back twinged suddenly, stronger than before, and Ariel pressed against it in an effort to dispel the pain. Only this time the ache continued, moving around to her front where it felt as if someone were twisting her insides. She gasped, clasping her belly. What was that? Even the growing pains hadn’t hurt like this.
“Ariel?” Stephanie was up off the couch in an instant. “Are you in labor?”
“I don’t know.” Ariel had never witnessed the actual birth of a child. “It hurts.”
Dean snapped to attention now, his gaze going to her belly. “How far apart are the pains?”
“That was the first hard one, but my back has been aching all day.” His obvious concern frightened her. Was something wrong?
“Why didn’t you say something?” he asked.
“I thought they were because of my huge belly.” She’d had aches for the past week, no doubt a result of her off-balance body.
“They can be early labor, too. Let me know if you have another pain.”
Ariel nodded and turned toward the kitchen. Did labor consist of nothing but pain? Why hadn’t someone warned her of this before she decided to have a baby? No wonder none of the other Fae had had children. With very little pain in their lives, the Fae had a low tolerance for it.
She’d considered herself brave for enduring the constant aches. Now this latest ripple through her belly attested to something worse. Could she be brave enough for that, too?
After pouring herself a glass of juice, she lifted it to her lips, then dropped it on the counter as another more agonizing pain wrenched her insides. She leaned over, clutching her belly.
By the Stones, that hurt.
Dean rushed to her side and wrapped his arm around her, his expression concerned. “That wasn’t even five minutes apart.” He steered her toward the bedroom. “You’ll hate me for this, but I want to check you.”
By the time he finished, the pains had increased in both frequency and intensity and Ariel had decided she would turn him into a toad later as well.
“I can’t believe it. You’re already dilated to seven. We need to get you to the hospital now.” Dean pulled open the door and called to Stephanie. “We have to go. Give Rand a quick call, then start the car.”
Ariel straightened, barely able to talk as another ripple tore at her. “Is...is the baby coming soon?”
“Too soon. Looks like you’re one of the lucky ones who has silent labor.”
Lucky? Ariel wasn’t so sure about that.
Dean led her to the main room, encountering Stephanie as she hung up the phone.
“No answer,” she said, her gaze darting from Ariel to Dean. “I’ll keep trying him from the car.”
Ariel sat in the back, Stephanie beside her while Dean drove. The pains came one after another, harder, faster. Was having a baby worth this? She actually cried out as she was seized by more agony.
Stephanie held her hand. “Breathe slow and deep, Ariel. Concentrate on something else. It’ll help.”
“Where is Rand?” Ariel wanted him, needed him. He would make the pain go away.
“I don’t know.” Stephanie squeezed Ariel’s hand. “But we’ll find him. Don’t worry.”
Worry? Ariel wasn’t worrying.
She was dying.
“This is ridiculous.” Rand tossed down his tools. He’d decided to work on the CD cabinet he’d been building, but even working with his hands hadn’t eased his restlessness.
He’d never felt so cut off in his life. He’d always taken for granted his family’s intrusions in his life, griping about it constantly, but without them he didn’t know how to act. His family was a part of him.
And, to be honest, not all the calls had been work related. He’d been invited for many a meal, to share in special moments in his nieces’ and nephews’ lives. Moments he’d been proud to witness.
Even more than that, he missed Ariel with an intensity that ate like fire at his gut. For all his protests of not wanting a woman in his life, that was exactly what he wanted—one woman. Ariel.
He stalked into the kitchen and grabbed a soda. She’d come into his life, turned it upside down, and introduced him to a chaos he hadn’t known existed.
And he loved it.
Almost as much as he loved her.
Rand groaned. He’d been so blind, so stupid, denying what he’d known all along. Ariel had not only stolen his seed and his life, she’d stolen his heart.
Existing without her was painful, foolish, and wrong. He couldn’t let her go...even if it meant giving up all that he held dear.
Ariel wasn’t safe here. He’d seen that with his own eyes. A faery didn’t belong in the human world. Therefore, he’d live in the magical realm with her.
Which meant he’d never see his family or friends again. With the time difference, he couldn’t come back to visit. Their lives would be over before his child took its first step.
Rand crushed the can, spilling soda over his hand. He tossed it into the sink, rinsed his hand, then turned for the front door.
It didn’t matter. He needed Ariel. To go on without her wasn’t living. If she couldn’t stay in his world, then he’d go to hers. Simple as that.
He pulled on his coat and shot from the house. He’d go to Stephanie’s and face Ariel. He’d apologize for being seven kinds of a fool and tell her he loved her. Maybe it would mean something, maybe not. He’d learned enough of her world to realize emotions were subdued.
Perhaps she couldn’t love him.
He raced out of the driveway. Didn’t matter. He loved her enough for both of them. As long as they were together, he’d be happy. Hell, with her in his arms, he’d be ecstatic.
His cell phone jangled when he was halfway to Stephanie’s apartment, startling him with its piercing ring. After a day of total quiet, he welcomed it. “Yeah?”
“Rand, where are you?”
He recognized Stephanie’s voice, but she sounded breathless. “Nearly to your place. Why?”
“Get over to the hospital now. Ariel’s having the baby.”
Rand’s already frantic heartbeat jumped several notches and he crossed two lanes, incurring several blaring horn blasts, in order to turn at the next corner. “I’m on my way.”
Thank God, he didn’t encounter any cops along the way, as he only slowed for red lights. He dashed into the Birth Center at the hospital and found Stephanie waiting. She ran toward him and enveloped him in a hug.
“Dean has her in delivery now. If you hurry, you can make it.” She passed him on to a nurse and before Rand had time to blink, he was shoved in a birthing room, decorated to resemble a bedroom at home.
Dean and a nurse stood near a bed. On the bed was Ariel, her face pale, her hair damp. Her gaze found his at once, and he flinched at seeing the confusion in it.
“About time, pal,” Dean muttered.
Rand ignored him, hurrying to Ariel’s side. “It’ll be all right,” he murmured. Hell, what did someone say to a woman giving birth?
“Make it stop hurting.” Ariel squeezed his hand so tightly he almost winced.
“It will. Once the baby comes, it will.”
“Why didn’t you tell me it would be like this?” She threw her head back, stiffening in obvious agony.
“I...I...” He’d assumed she knew. Stupid, Thayer. Hadn’t he learned Ariel’s knowledge of his world was limited?
Her breathing was too fast. Rand touched her cheek. “Breathe with me. In. Out. Slowly. In. Out.” He had to calm her.
“I—” Her words ended in a cry. “I need...I feel...”
“Time to push, Ariel.” Dean gave them a reassuring smile. “That’s what you’re feeling. With the next contraction, take a deep breath and push.”
The head of the bed was elevated and Rand wrapped his arm around Ariel’s shoulders to hold her firmly as she followed Dean’s instructions. She was so brave, his little faery.
She pushed with such intensity, Rand feared for her safety. Was this normal?
Dean coached her, telling Ariel when to push, then when to stop. It was only a matter of minutes before the baby emerged.
“That’s enough.” Dean’s eyes twinkled as a high-pitched cry filled the room. “Congratulations. You have a beautiful little girl.”
The nurse whisked in and, amid a flurry of activity, dried and wrapped the baby in a blanket and laid her on Ariel’s chest. Ariel’s expression softened as she touched the baby’s face and soft blond hair, and examined the tiny fingers.
“It’s a baby,” she murmured, her awe obvious.
“She’s beautiful.” Rand forced the words from his choked throat. “Like her mother.”
Ariel met his gaze, her smile warm, her eyes damp. “But she has her father’s eyes. See?”
The baby blinked, revealing chocolate brown eyes, which appeared to focus on Rand. His heart swelled with a new love. His daughter.
“Do you have a name picked out?” Dean asked.
Rand glanced at Ariel. They hadn’t discussed names. In fact, he hadn’t been sure Ariel would even give him a say in the matter. “Do we?” he asked.
She nodded, her gaze returning to the baby. “She’s already told us her name.”
Rand started, then remembered. He grinned as he took the tiny hand in his. “Her name is Rose. Rose Thayer.”
“An appropriate name for a beautiful young lady.” Dean paused beside them. “We’re done here. If you let the nurse take Rose, we’ll get the preliminaries out of the way and get Ariel cleaned up.”
“Do I have to let her go?” Ariel asked, her hold possessive around the child.
Rand understood completely. He didn’t want to allow this miracle out of his sight for a moment.
“You’ll barely be put back together before she’ll be with you again.” Dean smiled. ‘Trust me.”
And because it was Dean, Rand did. Following instructions, he went to register Ariel, only to return and discover the waiting room filled with his sisters and mother.
They all demanded information, one voice overrunning another, then hugged him, as many as two or three at a time. Rand blinked to keep tears from falling. Damn, he’d missed them. He had never thought it possible, but he’d miss every single one of them.
Dean emerged, back in street clothes, and came to stand beside Stephanie. “Congratulations, Rand.” He extended his hand. “Rose is definitely the healthiest, prettiest baby I’ve ever delivered.”
Stephanie gave him a warm smile, a husky note in her voice. “You probably say that to all the parents.”
The look Dean sent Stephanie startled Rand. What was going on here? That was definitely a more-than-friends type of exchange. “Have I missed something?” Rand asked.
In answer, Stephanie snuggled against Dean, who hugged her close. Good humor shone from his eyes. “It’s a long story. I’ll explain later.”
Rand studied them. His best friend and his sister. Why hadn’t he seen this coming? “Are you happy?” he asked Stephanie.
Her smile lit up the room. “Totally.”
“Well, then, that’s great.” Rand hugged her, holding her tight. With a shock, he realized he would never see her again. God, he’d miss her. He released her finally and clasped Dean’s hand again. “Take care of her.”
Evidently Dean heard something in Rand’s voice, for he sobered. “Is there something you’re not telling us?” Rand hesitated. He wanted to talk to Ariel before he said anything to his family. He echoed Dean’s earlier words with a wry smile. “I’ll explain later. Can I see Ariel now?”
Dean nodded. “Rose should be with her by the time you get there. I’ll give you a few minutes, then everyone is going to want to see this new addition to the family.” Rand nodded and hurried toward the room. Ariel’s magic would return now. With it and their baby, she had no reason to remain. He quickened his pace. Please, don’t let her leave until I tell her how I feel.
Ariel relaxed in the bed, her earlier agony only an unpleasant memory. She had a child, a lovely girl with a sparkle in her eyes and roses in her cheeks. She would be a wonderful pillywiggins.
That thought made Ariel hesitate. Did she really want her daughter to have that kind of life? No longer queen, Ariel couldn’t be sure what kind of reception Rose would receive. Would Titania even allow Rose to join the faery court? With Titania’s disdain for half-breeds, she might even decide to imprison Rose as she had Robin.
Ariel’s chest tightened. She wouldn’t allow that to happen. Her magic was almost as powerful as Titania’s.
Or was it?
She searched within herself, but found nothing, not even an ember of magic. Shouldn’t it have returned by now? The baby was born. She placed her hand against her soft, but flatter belly. “Where’s my magic?”
“You foolish, foolish pillywiggins.”
She jumped as Oberon, King of the Fae, appeared beside her bed. A handsome faery with dark hair and eyes, he wore his commanding presence as easily as others donned a shirt.
“Your Majesty,” she said, bowing her head.
The light in his eyes was kind, though his expression was rueful. “Don’t you know what you have done?”
Ariel smiled. “I had a baby. She’s wonderful. You have to see her.”
Oberon shook his head. “I received your message, but I didn’t realize why you’d stayed until I felt the shift in the magic. Haven’t you ever wondered why female Fae don’t have children?”
She’d learned the answer to that. “Because they don’t want to become out of shape and ache and suffer pain.”
“No, little Ariel, don’t you remember the old legends? When a Fae gives birth to a child conceived by a mortal, she becomes mortal.”
What? Mortal? Ariel bolted upright. “What did you say? That’s not possible. I’m Fae.”
“You were Fae.” Oberon took her hand in his. “Your magic has gone into the child. She is now fully Fae, but you are mortal with all the limitations that go with that.”
“I...” Ariel couldn’t find words as her initial horror faded away. Mortal. She was mortal.
Like Rand.
Oberon disappeared abruptly as a nurse wheeled in Rose’s tiny bed. Ariel bent to touch her sleeping daughter’s back. She was so lovely, so perfect.
Oberon reappeared as the nurse left. ‘There is a way to get your magic back. But you must act quickly, within minutes.”
She could get her magic back? Ariel turned to face him. She wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to know the answer. “How?”
His gaze flickered to Rose. “You must destroy the child before it is sixty minutes old. Only then will your magic return to you.”
Destroy Rose? The thought horrified her. “Never.” How could she harm this precious life?
“You’re dooming yourself to a pitifully short existence, Ariel. Think about this.” Oberon approached the crib. “Would you prefer I do it for you?”
“No.” Ariel seized the baby in her arms, startling Rose awake. “Don’t touch her. She’s worth more than magic, more than eternity.” More than anything Ariel could gain as a faery. In fact, mortality might be the best thing that could happen to her.
“Don’t leave yet.” Rand rushed into the room, his hand outstretched. “Take me with you, Ariel. I love you.”
His words released the weight already leaving Ariel’s shoulders. He loved her. She met his gaze with a tremulous smile. “I’m not going anywhere.” She’d already made up her mind.
She faced Oberon, her chin up. “I’m staying here with Rand and so is Rose.” Now that she’d made her decision, she experienced a new sense of calm, of rightness.
Rand glanced at Oberon as if just noticing him. “Who’s he?”
“Oberon, King of the Fae.”
“Did he come to take you back to the faery realm?” A fierceness entered Rand’s voice that made Ariel smile. “I’m not going back,” she murmured.
Rand touched her cheek, studying her face. “Do you know what you’re saying?”
Pleasure rushed through her, bringing tears to her eyes. “I love you, Rand. I’m mortal now and I want to stay with you...if you’ll let me.”
“Let you?” Rand bent to kiss her, careful of the child in her arms. “I want you with me always.”
This was what Robin had meant when he described love—this giddy, wanting-to-laugh-and-cry-at-the-same-time, effervescent feeling. Ariel nestled against Rand as Oberon released a snort of disgust.
“Mortals and their love,” he muttered.
“You ought to try it sometime,” Ariel said. What would Titania be like if Oberon actually loved her? If she loved him?
“Not for me.” Oberon crossed his arms and studied them. “Life will not be easy as a mortal, Ariel.”
“I know.” Ariel still had much to learn about the human ways. “But I want to be with Rand.”
“What about your daughter? She is fully Fae, you know.”
Rand’s eyes widened. “Rose has magic?”
“It should remain dormant for now. She will discover her magic when she enters the human period of puberty.” The Fae king frowned. “Are you prepared to handle that?”
To Ariel’s surprise, Rand laughed. “After three weeks with Ariel, I’m prepared to handle anything.” He tightened his hold around her. “I’ve discovered I like a little chaos in my life.”
“You will have that.” Oberon grinned, then bowed his head. ‘Take care, little Ariel. Blessed be.”
Without another word, he vanished.
Rand touched Rose’s cheek, his finger enormous against it. “So our daughter will be magical, eh?”
“That was where my magic went. Into her.”
“And you don’t mind?” Rand’s gaze probed her face.
“No.” Oddly enough, she didn’t. Her magic wasn’t who she was. While it had been a part of her, she’d discovered she was much more than that. “Not as long as I can be with you.”
“Good. I don’t intend to let you go.” Rand kissed her with such tenderness tears slid down her cheeks. He caught one on his finger. “No more opals.”
“Do you mind?” Brief doubts surfaced. What if her magic had been what he liked best about her?
“Well,” he drawled, his grin contagious, “I’ll miss the green Jell-O flooding my kitchen, but I’ll get by.” He cupped her cheek in his palm. “I love you, Ariel, magic or not.”
“I love you, too.” She leaned forward for his kiss, then froze at hearing a multitude of voices approaching.
“Looks like the family is descending.” His affection for them lingered in his voice. “What should I tell Mom?”
Ariel glanced from Rose to Rand, her spirit lighter than when she’d been able to fly. “Tell her the wedding is on.”
They entered then, all his sisters and mother, exclaiming over the baby and embracing Ariel in a series of warm hugs. Ariel couldn’t stop smiling. Her days of loneliness were over.
The little lost faery was found.