Chapter Twenty-five
“Move it, preggo!” Kevin opened Annie’s front door for me. “Everyone’s waiting to find out if we’re having a mini-you or a mini-me!”
I waddled in, smiling. “Okay, okay. I’m coming.”
“Ms. I’m-never-late has lost her touch since the pregnancy,” he announced to everyone inside.
I rolled my eyes. “Blame your own genes.”
Two years had passed since the day we changed everything.
Park’s trial had been nice and swift. Between Robert’s documentation and worldwide testimony from freed Luminaries and normies alike, she’d been sentenced to life without parole.
The irony of her being confined and controlled wasn’t lost on anyone.
The world had adjusted surprisingly well to the loss of Luminary powers.
Maybe because deep down everyone knew it was better this way.
Though I still caught Kevin occasionally reaching for electricity that was no longer there, and Annie sometimes forgot she couldn’t lift heavy things one-handed anymore.
I was studying genetics now, trying to understand what we’d done that day.
Kevin and Nick had opened a private investigation firm, using their old skills in new ways.
Jenny had returned to nursing, finding purpose in healing people the traditional way.
And adorably enough, she and Robert had been seeing each other for months, though they thought they were being subtle about it.
Beth had found her calling in coaching high school track teams, turning natural athletes into champions. She might no longer be cheetah-like, but she was still pretty damn fast. Andrew worked alongside her as a personal trainer, with Elisa’s help, of course.
Gabby and Chris were currently somewhere in the Caribbean, sending us photos of their much-needed vacation with their kids.
Their first real break since everything happened.
And the twins? Well, Anali and Antonio were deep into their college studies, taking every physics and biochemistry course they could to assist Dr. Ryder’s ongoing research.
Tonight was family night at the Logans’.
Jack was super excited about opening our gender reveal envelope.
We’d promised he could tell everyone who his little cousin would be.
He’d been showing signs lately . . . nothing too unusual.
Just the casual way he’d once shoved the coffee table out of his way to reach a toy, or how fast he could run for an almost four-year-old.
Little things that made us wonder. According to Dr. Ryder, some genetic echoes might still exist in children born to former Luminaries.
It was a long shot, but then again, those lingering traits were the only way to explain how Jay and Rash had managed to come back with their powers.
Either way, we knew the chances were high.
Dr. Ryder just smiled when we asked, saying that time and space weren’t always what they seemed.
But he insisted we’d soon . . . “Understand it all, indeed.”
So there we were, in Annie’s living room, everyone watching as Jack held the envelope. My hand instinctively went to my belly as he tore it open.
“It’s pink!” he said and made a face. “A girl?”
Suddenly, warmth flooded through me. It was familiar and impossible. I looked down to see a soft pink light radiating from my hands against my stomach. “Kevin, look!”
His eyes bulged. “What is happening?”
“Well, now you know how I get home.” We all turned to see Rash leaning by the doorway, pointing to my glowing hands.
“You could’ve just told us what would happen!” I said.
“Had to let it play out naturally. Plus, as Jay and I found out the hard way, things can change.” He smiled. “But now my work here is done. Take care of that little girl, Ryan. She’s going to be something special.”
“Damn right, she’s special!” Kevin said.
“Oh, yeah.” Rash turned to Nick. “And speaking of special, I’ve kept an eye on my parents in this timeline. They’re alive. My dad’s going to be looking for work soon. You will hire him.”
“That’s how you and Jack become best friends,” Annie said.
“Yep.” He turned to me, gesturing to my stomach. “May I?”
“Sure.”
“Before you throw a shoe at Uncle Kevin, her name is Nya. Please don’t fight about it.” He closed his eyes, his hand warm against mine. “Now, Aunty Ryan, focus on Nya and send me home.”
What could I say? It was like riding a bike. I pulled up all the love I had for my little girl and sent it out tenfold into Rash. Pink light swirled around us, growing brighter until, with a flash, he was gone.
Kevin’s hand covered mine where Rash’s had been. “Nya? I kinda love it.”
“So do I. Especially if I don’t have to throw a shoe at you.”
He laughed as we both stared at my bump. I knew both of us were thinking the same thing: our daughter would have powers in a world without them.
“It will be different this time,” he said, squeezing my hand. “She’ll have us to guide her. And you know the world is more accepting.”
“Yeah. You’re right.”
“Of course I am,” Kevin said, his hand still holding mine. “So! We’re having a daughter. Ready for the adventure?”
I smiled, feeling the warm pink energy pulse through me. “Together? Always.”
. . . And somewhere in the future, a little girl with pink glowing hands was waiting to complete the circle.