Chapter 483 – Growing Family
“What do you mean I made it snow?” Cora frowned, bustling around the kitchen, making mimosas. “That’s ridiculous—you must have imagined it.”
“It totally snowed!” I protested, laughing and shaking my head. I turned to Sinclair at the table for support.
“It did,” he said, raising his eyebrows at Cora while handing Rafe another slice of apple. “The news is completely baffled by the sudden cold snap that disappeared by morning. They’re calling it the duke’s miracle.”
“What!?” Cora gasped, spinning to stare at Sinclair wide-eyed.
“That’s so cool,” Roger said, grinning at baby Jesse, who peered up at him with sleepy eyes. “Mom’s magic, Jesse,” he whispered. “It’s very cool.”
“You guys are just teasing me,” Cora sighed, leaning against the counter as I turned off the stove, removing the pan of finished eggs, sausage, and bacon.
“Dominic is dead serious,” I said, nodding eagerly at Cora. “Seriously, word got to the media that the nation’s beloved duchess had her baby and that night it snowed unseasonably early—people are freaking out.” I laughed, starting to portion out breakfast.
“Oh my god,” Cora said, covering her face. “I didn’t even mean to do that—do you really think it was me?”
“You tend to affect the weather when you’re emotional,” Roger said, grinning at his mate. “I think it makes a lot of sense.”
“Oh, that’s so weird,” Cora sighed, shaking her head. “People are going to start figuring out what we can do, Ella,” she said. “We’re going to need some kind of story.”
“I think my secret’s kind of already out,” I said, grimacing. “And why do we have to tell anyone anything? Just let the rumors fly—it’s not anyone’s business but ours.”
“Yeah,” Cora said, rolling her eyes before returning to adding a tiny amount of orange juice to nearly full glasses of champagne. “Until they burn us at the stake for being witches or something.”
“We won’t let them do that,” Sinclair murmured, smirking as he focused on Rafe’s breakfast.
“Plus,” Roger shrugged, “it’s not like it will work. You can just rain on the fires, Cora.”
I burst out laughing, and Cora, despite herself, laughed too.
“Well, whatever,” she sighed, carrying a mimosa to Roger and Sinclair, who murmured their thanks. “I guess you’re right, at least not until our children develop some weird, dangerous gifts or become social pariahs.”
She returned to the counter, handing me a mimosa and taking one herself, raising it in a toast. We all raised our glasses to baby Jesse and drank.
Well, they drank deeply. I faked mine, letting the bubbles touch my lips before putting the drink down where Cora couldn’t see it. Because, as much as I’d usually love a festive breakfast beverage… my reasons for not drinking are much better. Still, it’s Cora’s day, and I don’t want to steal her thunder. Not that I think she’d mind, just… one happy announcement at a time.
“How did he sleep?” I asked, indicating Jesse.
“Fitfully,” Cora said, frowning at him. “But that’s normal, right?”
I nodded, smiling. “He’ll find his patterns soon, don’t worry. How did you sleep?”
“About the same,” she said, smiling. “I kept waking up every time he moved.”
I grinned, remembering those early days. “You’ll get used to it too.”
“Well, some people,” Cora laughed, glancing at Roger, “are already used to it.”
“You cannot begrudge me my sleep, Cora,” Roger said, unashamed. “It is self-care. I will not apologize for it.”
“You have a baby to care for now,” she retorted, smiling. “You need to be a little more selfless.”
“I will care for the baby during the day,” Roger said, gesturing to the baby. “At night, he’s your son.”
We all laughed, knowing he wasn’t serious. Roger, like Sinclair, would certainly do his share of childcare. He’d just tease Cora about it more.
“How can you take care of the baby all day,” Sinclair asked, his eyes mischievous, “while you run the military from the palace?”
“I’ll bring him with me,” Roger grinned. “Never too early to get the boy used to a war room.”
I grinned, picturing Roger in his uniform with a sleeping baby on his shoulder. And honestly, I didn’t mind it as much as I probably should. These Sinclair dads—I don’t think they’ll hesitate about incorporating their children into their daily lives.
As I considered it, my hand drifted over my stomach. I wondered if the same would be true with a girl. Would Roger have said the same thing if Jesse had been a girl?
I sighed, hoping it wasn’t true. Because this little girl—she’s going to grow up with two big Alpha boys barely a year older than her, and I’m damn well going to have a word with them if they try to exclude her just because she’s a girl.
You all right? Sinclair telepathically asked, placing the breakfast plates I’d forgotten about in front of me.
Yes, I replied, letting him see my worry, but assuring him it wasn’t anything major. Just…mom thoughts.
He nodded, smiling as I sat.
Our breakfast was lovely, but it went too fast. Sinclair put a hand on my knee, his sad expression silently signaling our need to return to the palace. He’s a king, after all, and while family comes first, we have responsibilities.
“Oh no,” Cora pouted. “So soon?”
“I’m sorry,” I sighed. “I mean, if you’d just take me up on my offer to move into the palace while Jesse is a baby…”
But she laughed and waved a hand, clearing our plates. “Not a chance—you just gave us this house, we’re not moving again just to have a free nanny.”
“A free auntie,” I said, saying goodbye to Roger and Jesse. “Bye baby Jesse! See you soon!” I leaned down to kiss my nephew.
“Ella,” Cora frowned, holding up my undrunk mimosa. “Why didn’t you drink this?”
At that moment, Roger grabbed my wrist, his eyes widening. “Wait a second…” he said suspiciously.
I froze, my eyes flicking to Cora, then to Sinclair, who started to grin, shaking his head as he stood with Rafe.
“Ella,” Roger said, sniffing my wrist. “Oh my god!” he gasped. “You are! You totally are! How did I miss this!?”
“Miss what?” Cora asked.
“You were distracted,” Sinclair said, laughing.
“Miss what!?” Cora demanded. Then her eyes widened as she looked at the mimosa. “Oh my god!” she gasped.
“Well,” I grinned at my mate. “Secret’s out now, isn’t it?”