Page 66 of Elemental Healer

“You’ll have them back in just a minute. I can’t hold you and a baby right now. Rest, Red.” Drew finished with a kiss to her forehead, and I knew what I could do.

Grabbing Jeff’s attention with a nudge, I waved my hands in front of the baby. “Give me Tanner.”

“What?”

“Give me the baby.”

He consented and handed over the bundle that didn’t weigh much at all. Drew and Jazz stood about ten feet from us in their own world, and I could see as I approached that Jazz was exhausted. She gave me a smile, though, as I walked closer.

“Hi, Tessa. Which one is that? I can’t see.”

I lifted the bundle and laid it across Jazz’s chest so she could cuddle her baby. My hand stayed on the underside of the baby so he wouldn’t slide off his mom. Jazz’s eyes misted as she took in her son.

“Hello, sweet baby.”

“Thank you, Tessa.” Drew’s voice startled me. I hadn’t expected him to speak to me.

“You’re welcome.”

I stayed where I was until the bed was remade. Then I took the baby until Drew laid Jazz on the bed. She was exhausted but she insisted, like any new mom, that she could hold a baby. So, Drew held Taylee—she already had her father wrapped around her finger—and Jazz held Torrin. Neither attempted to take Tanner from me, the little Earth Elemental.

Jeff’s happiness reflected on his face as he sat against the wall by the door. I’d taken the rocking chair in the room. Sophie and Chris cuddled on another wall, and Ruby excused herself to go grab something to eat with the order to send up the boys and their mates.

Carmon and Sylee entered first, and I handed over Tanner to the pair. Adam, followed by Dalton and Grace, walked in next. Dalton closed the door when everyone was present, and Grace took the little one offered her. Drew, of course, wouldn’t give up his little girl, but he did let Jazz cuddle her.

“Thank you all for everything you’ve done,” Drew said when everyone was settled, most of us sitting against walls around the room. “This was only possible with your help and the help of our friends.”

“What have you decided about the meeting?” Carmon asked.

“I hate to bring them here, but I see no other choice. Rico is a pain, and he’s out for Jeff’s head. Nash seems decent, and we’ve never had a problem with her. Yet, either one of them could be the traitor. Leaving Jazz and the babies unguarded, though, would be an even worse decision. Even if one of us could be here, it’s not enough. So, we’ll meet in the gym. It’s big enough, closed off, and away from my family.”

“I’ll have a constant scan going of the property and beyond,” Carmon said.

Jeff readjusted himself and added, “I’ll keep a scan going of Jazz and the kids to make sure they all stay well.”

If it didn’t kill him first.

“Everyone is going to stay in the house tonight and maybe even tomorrow night.” Carmon looked around the room, but no one objected until Jeff held up a hand.

“Life told Tessa she’ll be mature enough to bond with me tomorrow night. We’ll be at my house.”

“I don’t know, Jeff. We need the bond, but it’s risky to be by yourself.”

“I think we need to take the risk,” I found myself saying. When Carmon only stared and raised an eyebrow, I continued. “Life told me that when the bond became available, we were to act on it immediately. I don’t know what she does, but she obviously has information we don’t, so I think we should take her advice.”

Carmon leaned his head back. “Yeah. Probably should.”

I thought back to my chat with Life. “She’s worried.”

“Who is?” Dalton asked.

“Lady Life. I think we’re seriously running out of time.”

“Yeah, she told me the same thing,” Jefferson said from my side.

Carmon stood. “It’s almost dawn. I’ll have Jonas call the Council and let them know of the change. Everyone, start cleaning up. We’ve got two bathrooms and lots of people.”

Chris gave a chuckle. “Well, I guess we’re going to find out if all the races can live together after all.”

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