Chapter 77
Lucie laced her fingers with Derrick’s as they followed behind her grandparents. For the first time since everything had happened, she felt happy and excited. They were picking out the next generation’s guardian.
Derrick lifted their joined hands, bringing Lucie’s to his lips. She’d been so depressed lately, and it was good to feel the warmth inside her again. This was just what they both needed. Someone to help them heal. Lucie tilted her head up at him and smiled. She knew this would help her too.
Lita opened the door to a separate building and showed them into a large open room.
There were children of all ages, some on computers, some playing with building blocks, a few playing with playdough, while others colored.
A few kids were running around playing some sort of game similar to freeze tag.
“We also have a few babies and some other kids still adjusting. But why don’t you see if you feel anything here before we head to the other rooms?” Lita watched as Lucie scanned over the room.
“Wow, that is a bunch of rowdy children.” Justice chuckled and winced at the children’s loud screaming as they played.
Lucie took a step forward to greet the children but stopped. She felt a strange thudding in her chest, as if an invisible rope was pulling her. She turned her head and stared at a door near the opposite end.
“What’s through there?” Lucie felt a magnetic pull in that direction, compelling her to go through the doors.
Lita smiled widely and looked up at Asher. “Why don’t you go and see?”
Lucie looked at her grandparents curiously.
The smiles on their faces were … odd. She squeezed Derrick’s hand and slowly walked around to the other side of the room, her chest pulsing and pulling her.
She began to feel a strange, excited anticipation, and she paused as her fingers landed on the door handle.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she turned and looked at Derrick.
He could feel what she was feeling, and the sensation in their chests was hard to explain.
Taking a deep breath, she pulled the door open and took a step, blinking into the sun. Derrick followed at her side, Jasper and Justice right behind them. Asher and Lita also followed them, peculiar smiles still plastered on their faces.
Her eyes adjusted to the outdoor scenery.
It was a fenced-in playground where another group of children were playing.
Her eyes immediately reached the far corner.
A young boy who looked to be around six years old was standing against the fence, looking outside toward the open field behind the building.
She walked straight toward him, pulled by an unknown force.
When she got closer, her heart began to beat rapidly.
She knew that this boy was the new guardian.
It was as if he was connected to her soul.
But there was something else … the familiar scent of smoked cedar.
Her breath caught in her chest as the boy turned to face her.
He had dark brown eyes and hair the color of ebony. A smile spread over his face.
“Did you miss me, princessssss?”
Lucie began crying as she rushed over and knelt in front of the child, wrapping him in her arms. This was Abe, right? And he was now her daughter’s guardian?
“How? Oh gosh, how?!” Lucie’s tears poured down her cheeks.
“You missed me that much?” Abe patted Lucie’s head.
Derrick’s eyes teared up as he knelt beside Lucie and Abe.
“Don’t expect me to call you Mom and Dad or anything. I’m an adult trapped in a kid’s body.” Abe winked at Derrick.
“Do you remember everything?” Derrick asked.
“No. I have my memories from the time I became a contracted soul for the vampires, but I don’t remember anything before that. Sometimes … sometimes I have nightmares, though …” Abe trailed off.
“I’m sure you’re curious about how all this happened.” Lita and Asher walked up with smug smiles on their faces.
“So that’s Abe? And he’s a werebear now?” Justice asked, pointing at the kid.
“Well, half. He is half werebear and half demon. Which is why it was the perfect body for him.” Lita turned and looked at Lucie.
“That body is that of a child who drowned in the ocean many years ago, one the merrow queen Olga had collected and preserved.
As you know, Olga has an interesting ability to keep souls in exchange for another life.
And fairy royalty has the ability to allow souls to reenter the life pool.
“Asher and I agreed that Abe’s soul should get another shot at life in the event of his death.
This is something only we could do since Abe’s soul had already been plucked out by the vampires.
Honestly, the whole thing was quite complicated.
But with the help of Olga, who had this body and the original heart of Abaas, we prepared a host. In the event he lost his life while protecting one of you, his soul would be sucked into the new host body.
This werebear cub has Abe’s heart inside him, making him a hybrid.
A demon werebear. Honestly, we had just finished preparations only days before his soul entered, and it took over a week for his consciousness to revive.
During that time, we weren’t sure if it was going to work or not.
” Lita stopped to make sure everyone was still following what she was saying.
“We waited to tell you in case it didn’t work.
Then I wanted to surprise you after we brought Abe here.
It finally took threatening you to get you here.
” Lita gave Lucie a crooked smile. “Fairy magic is very unique. And I wasn’t sure, but I was very curious if this was all part of the plan for the next guardian.
When you felt that strong of a pull from the other room, Asher and I both knew he was meant to be the next guardian.
After everything … I couldn’t think of anything more perfect. ”
Lucie looked at Abe with watery eyes. “Abe, you’re free now. You have a life again.”
“Looks like instead of you, I’m tasked with watching over your daughter now.
” Abe smiled and furrowed his eyes a bit.
“I feel like I owe it to you and your family, but I can’t remember why.
But there is something …” He looked around and out through the fence.
“There is something really satisfying about being here. Like being here is something sentimental to me.”
“Abe, you don’t owe my family anything. You gave your life to protect my baby. I missed you so much. I’ve been so depressed without you,” Lucie choked out.
Abe gave her a crooked smile. “Silly princess. What are you doing being sad? Protecting you and your baby was one of my happiest memories. I was able to keep you both safe. I don’t regret it, and I would do it again.”
“No more dying. No more sacrificing your life. You’re just as important, and these past couple of weeks have been so painful.” Lucie sniffled as Abe patted her head, smiling softly.
“Thank you, Lucie. You’re important to me too.”
“I’m glad you’re back with us.” Jasper grinned happily and bumped Justice’s shoulder. They were all concerned with how sad Lucie had been. And now they didn’t need to be anymore.
“So can you shift into a bear?” Justice asked.
“We don’t know what his powers will be yet.
But as the next guardian, he will have guardian powers.
He is still a bit young, so time will tell.
” Asher wrapped his arm around Lita. The two of them had worked in secret.
They didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up in case they couldn’t accomplish what they were trying to do.
But Lita did it. She always managed to surprise him, and that hadn’t stopped since the day he met her.
“Well Abe, I’ll be your sensei. I’ll teach you the ropes of being a guardian, but we may need to visit my dad if you’re a shifter.”
Abe walked up to Justice and eyed him up and down. “Eh, I think I would rather ask your dad. I don’t think you can teach me much. You’re just a cub yourself.”
“Well, look at this feisty little rascal.” Justice reached down and patted Abe’s head. “Easy, little buddy, you don’t want to hurt yourself.”
“Just because I’m in a child’s body doesn’t mean I’m a kid. Mentally, I’m far superior to you.”
“Of course you are, little tomcat. You just keep telling yourself that.” Justice prodded at Abe’s nose. “Don’t let anyone tell you any different.”
“I can see how this makes you feel better about yourself, Justice. You go on ahead and poke at this little bear. Go ahead and stroke that ego of yours while you still can. I’m going to grow, and so will my powers. Then we’ll really see.”
Jasper chuckled and looked up at Lucie and Derrick. “Mom! Dad! The kids aren’t getting along.”
Both Abe and Justice turned and quirked a brow at Jasper.
“Well, at least we aren’t this guy,” Abe said with a smirk, nodding toward Jasper.
“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” The smile on Jasper’s face vanished as he turned to the little cub.
Derrick wrapped his arms around Lucie, pulling her deep against his chest. The two of them smiled as they watched Abe, Justice, and Jasper squabbling with each other.
Everything was finally right. No … everything right now was perfect.
Today didn’t turn out how they’d expected.
It turned out even better. They now had a guardian for their child, but it was more than that.
They had their friend back, and he was someone they already trusted.
Derrick’s hands slid around Lucie’s waist and settled on her stomach.
His head came down and rested on her shoulder where he placed a gentle kiss on her neck.
He had everything he ever wanted right here.
After everything they’d been through, their love had only grown stronger.
Their bond had tightened into a solid knot that could never be separated.
Sometimes he liked to voice his words to her even though it wasn’t necessary. But right now, he didn’t need to. Their emotions and thoughts flowed freely between them. He could feel her love and happiness, just as she could feel his. Their hearts were both full and bursting with love.
Erebus was still out there somewhere, but they couldn’t live their lives worrying about him. The other deities were looking for him, and eventually, he would be taken care of.
He held his little mate close while his hand rested over his little love. This is what life was all about. And no matter what happened in the future, they would overcome it all … together.