Page 70 of Unbearable Attraction
"That's going to make for interesting school presentations," Leenah said with a laugh. "What did your parents do for career day? Oh, they helped resolve a centuries-old haunting in Tennessee last week."
Movement in Leenah's belly made them both pause, a flutter that carried distinctly magical resonance. Their daughter, reacting to the approaching sunset or the proximity to Moonmirror Lake's spiritual energy.
"She's strong," Luka observed, his hand covering Leenah's on her stomach. "I can feel her magical signature getting more defined every week."
"Think we can handle raising a child with both our gifts?"
"I think we can handle anything together," he replied, meaning every word. "Besides, look around. She's going to have the entire town helping raise her. Twyla's already planning birthday parties, Maeve's designing training protocols for when her shifter traits manifest, and Elder Varric keeps asking about educational considerations for magically gifted children."
"And if she decides she wants nothing to do with magic? What if she inherits our abilities but chooses a completely ordinary life?"
"Then we support that choice," Luka said simply. "Same way this community supported us when we needed space to figure out who we were together."
The sun touched the horizon, sending ripples of reflected light across Moonmirror Lake's surface. From their bench, they could see the lights beginning to glow in Hollow Oak's windows. The Griddle & Grind, where Twyla was probably planning some elaborate celebration for their daughter's eventual arrival. The Silver Fang Tavern, where Maeve would be holding court with her usual sharp-tongued wisdom. The Book Nook, where Lucien and Moira were building their own life together.
"I love this place," Leenah said softly. "I love the life we've built here."
"Good thing, because I'm planning to keep you for the next several decades."
"Just several decades?"
"Forever," he corrected, pulling her closer as the first stars appeared overhead. "However long forever turns out to be for a mated pair who've learned that the best magic happens when you stop trying to do everything alone."
Their daughter shifted again, her presence a warm promise of the future they were building together. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new communities seeking their help, new adventures in balancing their growing family with their responsibilities as Hollow Oak's spiritual advocates.
But tonight, sitting by the lake that reflected a thousand stars and feeling their child's first magical stirrings, Luka marveled at how love had transformed two broken, lonely people into something neither could have achieved alone.
A family with the power to bridge worlds and heal ancient wounds, ready to face whatever came next.
"Ready to go home?" he asked as the night air grew cool.
"Always," Leenah replied, her hand warm in his as they walked back toward the cottage where Minerva waited and their future was just beginning.
