15. Chapter Fifteen
Iwake up in a hospital bed, sore all over and surrounded by the Osbornes and Janelle. One of my legs is suspended in a cast, and even without looking, I know that I’ve got several cuts and abrasions all along the left side of my body. Groaning, I try to lift my head to see who else is around, but my neck feels stiff. Actually, everything feels stiff and achy, but there’s one thing that feels strong and steady.
Cole.
“I’m here, baby.” He jumps up next to me and comes into view. His brown eyes fill with relief, and the worry lines in his face ease. I reach up to touch his cheek, and he nuzzles my palm. “Don’t move, don’t move. For Goddess’ sake, I don’t want you to hurt anything else. How are you feeling?”
“Sore,” I wince. “But all things considered, not bad.”
“Oh, honey, it’s so good to have you back.” Melanie dabs at her eyes and gives me a watery sort of smile. “You gave us all a fright for a minute there.”
“Especially me,” Cole adds. “I thought I was going to lose you.”
“Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”
“Next time, maybe don’t try to navigate through an enchanted forest on your own.” Clay crosses his arms and leans back against the wall. “Those trails are easy to get lost in, especially if you don’t know your way.”
“You’re lucky Cole found you when he did. You could’ve–Ow!” Connor’s words are lost when Janelle digs her elbow into his side.
Someone pushes a button and the bed adjusts beneath me so I can sit up and see everyone.
“The point is, you’re safe now,” Melanie says. “They got you all fixed up in no time flat.”
“The medical staff here in Fable Forest are, ah, uniquely talented. Maybe you should write about a medical paranormal crossover series next,” Janelle says, closing the laptop balanced on her knees.
“Wait. Is that my laptop?”
She nods.
“How did you…?”
One of these bears fetched it for me. You did tell me it’d be done by the end of the week, so…”
“We’re not dogs. We didn’t fetch it,” Clay grumbles.
“You know my password?”
“Babe, I know everything. Besides, BreedMeBruno123 isn’t the most secure password in the world, now is it?”
“Janelle.” My cheeks flame as I look around the room at Cole’s family, who all seem to be trying to find somewhere else to look.
“But look, I’m going to let you recuperate before you head back to the city–”
“I’m not going back to the city.”
“Oh.” Janelle blinks and all the Osbornes seem to lean in. “Come again?”
“I mean, I’ll come to wrap some things up, but I’m finally where I belong, J.” I reach out for Cole, and he takes my hand to press a kiss to each of my knuckles. Something glints in the light, and my breath catches when I notice the giant pink gemstone glittering on the ring finger of my left hand. “Exactly how long have I been out?”
“Two days. I told him he was supposed to ask you first,” Janelle says, rolling her eyes. “But this bro tells me he’s your mate or some shit—like that’s more special than me. He nearly threw me out of the hospital and we almost came to blows when he wouldn’t let me in here. I mean, he might be big, but I’m fast as fuck. Remember that one krav maga class we took?”
I cough.
“One class?” Cole says, lips twitching.
“Still counts,” I say, wiggling my hand at him. “So, what’s this?”
Cole twists the ring on my finger. “It’s Morganite. Maebeth told me it’s good for divine, unconditional love and deepening our connection. But if you’d rather have another stone, just say the word.”
“You still didn’t ask,” Janelle points out.
He glares at her. “Can I finish?”
I stifle a laugh as Melanie coughs, and Janelle raises her hand in a go right ahead gesture.
“Where was I?”
“I believe you were about to ask me something,” I say, grinning.
Cole pulls up a chair beneath him and takes both of my hands in his. The warmth and tenderness emanating from him vibrates between us.
“I was an idiot. Got so used to being on my own and living a solitary life. I focused too much on keeping my life small and protected, but you taught me that reward is never without risk. For a long time, I didn’t think love would be worth the risk.” He pauses, a swirl of emotions evident in his eyes. “But when I couldn’t find you or feel you through our bond, all I could think was that we didn’t have enough time together.”
Tears spring up cloud my vision, and I give his hand a squeeze.
“I love you, Rae. I never want to be cut off or separated from you for the rest of my life. Not in mind, not in body, not in spirit. Will you marry me?”
“I love you too, Cole. Yes, of course, I’ll marry you.”
He leans down and kisses me while everyone claps, and I move my free hand to my belly, feeling the familial bond pulsing between us all.
“Promise me something. Next time you’re looking for me and I’m up a mountain, please don’t come after me. Just reach out across our bond.”
“I promise.”
“Why were you trying to find me anyway?”
“I was coming to tell you that we’re going to need to expand the cabin.” I smile at him. “We’re going to need a family-sized lodge of our own soon.”
“What?” Cole’s eyes widen with surprise as his brothers jump up and clap him on the back. “We’re pregnant?”
“Yes. With twins. I can feel them both. I’m connected to them energetically, and boy, do I think we’re going to have our hands full.”
“Oh, gosh, cubs! That’s fantastic news,” Mama squeals and jumps up to give me a gentle hug. “Finally!”
Everyone laughs as contentment winds through me. Looking around the room, I realize how surrounded I am by love. Love shielded me at my birth, carried me to my adopted family, and brought me to Fable Forest. It granted me a career, healing powers, and a whole new family to call my own.
Maybe Magen had been right about one thing.
I am blessed by the Goddess.