24. She pointed at the Devil. “He’s wearing a Santa hat.” #2
“Approximately.”
I giggled. “He’s mine so you have to accept him, and he’s really good with kids.”
“That also factored into my evaluation of his character. You require a nurturing hand.”
Obviously, I would have my work cut out for me in the formality department. Then again, I was impressed Ra spoke English in the first place.
“It is a benefit of divinity. We can speak all languages as needed.”
“I hope you’re not expecting me to learn Egyptian. I have enough trouble with English.”
Ra chuckled. “I think you will be fine. There’s the matter of your mother I wanted to discuss with you before your ceremony.”
“Is she coming?”
“She is, but the moon is waning, so it is very difficult for her to manifest. She will be present, but she cannot create a form for herself. This is why we often meet as we do. A possession is easier when the moon is not at its peak. A price of companionship.”
“That’s okay. I’ll meet her one day, right?”
“The next full moon,” he replied with a smile. “It will even rise during the day, so we can meet with you, your husband, and your children. We would be pleased to share our time together on this Earth as we can.”
While aware Sariel had taken some of my memories, I remained certain neither of my human parents would have ever considered willingly doing something that would cost them anything.
Sacrifice, beyond mine, wasn’t in their nature.
Given an opportunity, they would’ve discarded me, a reality I loathed to think about.
Instead of spending his few, cherished moments with my mother, they would spend it with me instead.
I wasn’t sure what to say or do, so I stared at him with wide eyes.
Ra simply smiled, reached out, and brushed my cheek with the back of his hand.
“It is not a sacrifice or a burden on either of us. It is a privilege and honor. You were not the result of a passing fancy, despite our not knowing of you sooner. We did not expect such a gift—we did not even hold hope of receiving such a gift. If it was so easy for the divine to have children, our offspring would have long since taken over the world. No, Bailey. While we have failed as parents, you are a creation of love. We look forward to teaching you that. While we cannot necessarily be with you at all times because of our natures, we can visit as often as you like. Just not together.”
“What is my mother’s name?”
“Menily. She will be an invisible presence for your ceremony today, but if you would have me, I would walk you to your groom as is the tradition of your people. In time, I will teach you the tradition of my people, and Menily will teach you the tradition of her people. Then, we will teach you the traditions of those who came before us. It will take a long time.” Ra sounded rather pleased by that.
As always, I made a mess getting to where I meant to go, but every time life tried to kick me in the face, I somehow found myself looking directly at some bright new future filled with possibilities.
“Do you think I’ll be able to talk Quinn—er, Sam—into renewing our vows every year according to old traditions? That seems interesting. He has a very odd lineage. You’d have to spend a long time teaching us the particulars of those traditions.”
“I believe all you would have to do was ask and tell him you love him so much you want to reaffirm your vows. It is a show of dedication and faith. It will please him greatly.”
It would. “Think he’ll be cranky with me when he finds out that I conspired with a divine about having a kid for Christmas?”
Ra chuckled. “Did you think you could pull such a trick without him realizing? He already knows. He is on the verge of bursting from joy.”
As was I. “Do you think I’ll still get to fight the gorgon?”
“Absolutely not. Your fight is cancelled on account of pregnancy, and I will utilize every trick in my arsenal to ensure that is so.”
I pouted. “But it’s only been a few hours!”
“You have already won that war. Your new children do not wish you to suffer for them, for they have suffered enough. They have chosen you as much as you have chosen them. Allow them this moment of peace. I am certain, once your children are born, your grandfather would be pleased to indulge your need to prove your mettle against him. That, I am afraid, is a tendency you inherited from me. We do like to rule over all we see, and he is a gorgon you have not yet conquered.”
Damn it, I really couldn’t argue with him. As I liked the compromise on finally getting my fight with Archambault Quinn, I surrendered. “That annoys me, but fine. Generally, I think we’re going to get along just fine, old man. But I do have a request.”
“Ask.”
“Every last one of my kids gets a cool puppy like Sunny or Blizzard, and I don’t care if you have to beg Anubis for help. All of my children need a badass puppy.” To make it clear I meant business, I glared at Ra. “And I don’t care if I got Blizzard out of a dumpster. He’s a badass puppy.”
My father laughed. “It shall be done, but I think, rather than wolves or mundane canines cured of infectious diseases, I shall partner each with an animal best suited for their spirits. For all you are a unicorn, you have a wolf’s heart, and you live for your pack.
That is why you have Sunny. Some of your children will be born to fly. ”
“Wait. Some?”
Ra smiled. “Did you really think you would stop after two?”
Oh, well. When I was honest with myself, I wanted nothing more and wouldn’t change a thing.
Double Trouble is the next book in the Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count) series. These stories, with the exception of Burn, Baby, Burn (sequel to Playing with Fire,) can be read in any order.