Chapter 409: 1-4

I sighed happily, my eyes dancing all along her face, noting all the changes since we've moved, the happiness in her eyes, the smile she wore endlessly, the weight she gained filling her out more, giving her the curves that she hadn't had before. Her head cocked to the side, she brought her eyes to mine, searching for something, "You're calling me Cassie..." she murmured, I nodded, unsure. "Why?" she asked while below the water her legs flexed around me, gripping me tighter, easing and settling me at once, "Because dad - I thought - Thayer and the rest were?" She nodded, glancing behind me, "I told them too." "I know," I smiled wanting to show support, hoping this time it seemed more genuine. "But I don't want you to call me that name," her light green eyes serious and demanding, holding my full attention, her face just mere inches from mine. "I like it when you call me Angel," again I could only nod as my mate transfixed me. Our mate, Cirus growled. My heart spasm in my chest, a twinge of nervousness and excitement rolled inside my belly, as her eyes became hooded, her legs gripped me tighter and one hand lifted to the side of my face, caressing my check softly. At her pace. At her speed. Whatever she wants. Whenever she's ready. The mantra played again and again as her simple stroke submerged me into an ocean of desire and want. Instead of acting by instinct I leaned my forehead against hers, releasing a shuddering sigh. "My Angel," I whispered, my eyes closed. Grant POV Butterflies, pure nervousness, longing and utter fear of the rejection I was sure that would come when I told Julia years back that I would never be able to father a child. Wanting to give her an out before she became disappointed because of what I lacked. It had only been a few dates, and she had spoken greatly about the love she had for children, but that night, when she mentioned her pure joy at the prospect of being a mother my heart sunk. That would be the one thing I would never be able to give her. The deal breaker I had thought. Everything about her was right, even the minor flaws I saw, still so soon in our relationship only brought forth the incredible pure love I had for her even then. I swallowed, now, and then as well, before explaining honestly what happen, why I couldn't father any children, 'I just wanted to be honest... before either of us... before our feelings deepened,' the words had left a bitter taste in my mouth and an ache in my chest. Closing my eyes, I shook my head in wonder, again now, and then, she called me for another date, my tone surely bewildered because I hadn't expected it, and so we continued. I lifted the camera from my neck, snapping a picture or two or three of my wife rocking in the nursery that was now completed, a serene smile on her face. Eyes closed, hand on her belly. I swallowed all the emotion I had right then, knowing and grateful that she was getting everything I had promised - love, devotion and support - and all the things I hadn't - a child. "No more pictures," she murmured her eyes still closed, "I haven't changed since this morning," she opened one eye, a smile still in place. I was just down at the hotel, coming inside I knew I'd find her inside this nursery; this was where she spent at least one hour a day. "I just can't believe this is happening," again something I had heard so many times, but still the shock in her voice, the awe and gratitude thick. All the things she asked for and the one thing she didn't. We would've been fine, had this never happened. We would've adopted. Because our love was what she cherished... but now... she had that still plus more. While everyone, Chelsea, Oakley, Ben, Greta, Kieran... all of them gave us the pieces to make this room, they left everything for me to assemble, not wanting to take the experience away from me. Painting this room with Jack, Casey and Gabriel, making it what Julia would enjoy. It wasn't going to be permanently home, but our child would be here for a good while, she - or he - since we couldn't quite tell yet, held a title before even leaving utero. The Air Elemental. It was mind blowing, just how linked everything was here, how connected we all were before arriving as well. A part of me wondering if Norine had known? Was that why she took a special liking to my Julia? Chelsea had explained it to me, Julia was a carrier, she had the gene and while she didn't shift into any animal spirit, our child would. But what I hadn't counted on knowing was that Chelsea believed that I was Julia's mate. That instant connection Julia felt to me, the longing that developed over a short period of time. All little indicators of who she was truly and what I meant to her. But I digress. Oakley. If I was having a little girl, I wished she had even the tiniest bit of that girl's heart and attitude. I was never able to grasp how Pat didn't see the little gem she was, and now, looking at the furniture and supplies and the chair Julia sat on, all things I knew she hid her inner longing for, from everyone, Oakley... a child saw it.