Page 75 of Whisker me Away
"I know. I just..." He took a shaky breath, his control cracking enough to show the vulnerable hope underneath. "I want to do this right. Want to be the kind of father who protects and supports instead of abandoning when things get difficult."
The pain in his voice made her heart ache with understanding. His own childhood had been marked by abandonment and instability until Miriam had taken him in, and she could feel his determination to give their child something better through their bond.
"You're going to be an amazing father," she said firmly. "The kind who teaches our children to be strong and kind and brave enough to protect what they love."
"You think so?"
"I know so." She reached up to trace the scar that bisected his eyebrow, marveling at how much gentleness lived in this man who projected such alpha strength. "I've watched you with the younger students, seen how patient you are when they're struggling. You're already nurturing, Kieran. You just do it by making people feel safe enough to grow."
The kiss he gave her was soft with gratitude and promise, filled with the kind of tender emotion that made her magic respond with warm golden light. Around them, the garden seemed to pulse with approval, as if the plants themselves were celebrating the news of new life taking root.
"Miss Freya?" Elena's voice carried from across the garden. "Is everything alright? Your magic just got really bright."
"Everything's perfect," Freya called back, not moving away from Kieran's arms. "Just some good news."
"The best news," he corrected, his hand settling protectively over her still-flat stomach. "Though we should probably tell thestudents before my tiger starts getting territorial about people working too close to you."
"Already getting overprotective?"
"Already planning to wrap you in cotton wool until this baby arrives safely." His grin was unrepentant. "You might as well accept it now."
The afternoon flew by in a haze of whispered conversations and shared glances, their secret adding an extra layer of magic to everything they did. Freya found herself studying the teaching garden with new eyes, imagining a toddler with Kieran's amber eyes and her copper hair playing among the herbs while learning the basics of botanical magic.
"Ready to head home?" Kieran asked, appearing beside her with the kind of perfect timing that came from being deeply attuned to each other. "I'm thinking we should celebrate tonight. Both Elena's success and our news."
"More than ready." She leaned into his warmth, feeling the satisfaction of work well done settle around them like a comfortable blanket. "What did you have in mind?"
"Dinner at the Moonlit Meadow, a walk by the lake, maybe some time planning our future as a family of three."
"Sounds perfect." She turned in his arms, looking back at the teaching garden where tomorrow's students would continue learning and growing. "You know what the best part is?"
"What?"
"Our baby is going to grow up thinking this is normal. Magic lessons in the garden, shifter families living next to witch families, everyone working together to protect what matters." She pressed her hand over his where it rested on her stomach. "They'll never know a world where love isn't stronger than fear."
"Lucky kid," Kieran said softly, his voice thick with emotion.
"Lucky us," Freya corrected, standing on her toes to kiss him as the setting sun painted their garden gold.
