Epilogue

18 Years Later…

Suraya joined her mother and fathers at the firepit outside their small log cabin home in Colorado. It was her birthday, and she was excited to finally be an adult. Having been chased for several years after her birth, both by angels and demons who wanted to control her, it had been a hard-won victory to have their peaceful lives now.

She smiled now as she sat on a wooden Adirondack chair and accepted the slice of lemon cake her mother handed her. Her early childhood had been somewhat of a blur with running and hiding, but when her powers manifested, she could fight back. Combined with her mother’s powers and her fathers’ abilities, it had been enough to make Iramiel and Zephael decide to steer clear of her and her family. Gaining Destriel as an ally had finally ensured their safety.

She looked at her mother, smiling happily at her fathers, and felt a pang of envy. She wanted to find someone special, who would complete her. She wanted that bond, but she reminded herself to be patient. She had all the time in the world.

“Happy birthday,” said Papa Mal as he handed her a rectangular box.

She took it with a grin and opened it to find a pearl bracelet that would look gorgeous against her light-brown skin. “Thanks, Papa.”

Mal seemed like he might blush. “Of course, baby.”

Daddy Brax was the next to give her his gift. She opened it to find matching hair combs that would help tame her riotous dark curls. She immediately put them in before leaning over to kiss his cheek. “Thanks, Daddy.”

“Anything for my pumpkin.”

She looked expectantly at Dad Dante. “Well?”

He blinked. “I totally forgot. I’m sorry. I was servicing my motorcycle…”

She huffed a sigh and rolled her eyes. “Sure, Dad.” She held out her hand. “Hand it over.” Suraya wiggled her fingers for emphasis.

With a chuckle, he passed her a small box, and it revealed pearl earrings to match the rest of the set. She took time to put in the studs and modeled her ears for Dad. “Thanks, Dad.”

“You’re welcome.” He gave her an indulgent smile before biting into his cake.

Her mother was last. Abby hesitated for a moment before coming close. She knelt at the ground in front of Suraya, and she clearly didn’t have a gift. Suraya frowned, not feeling slighted, but she was confused. “What…?”

“This is my gift to you, my dear. Belinda showed me how.” With those words, Abby cupped her face in her hands and pressed her forehead to Suraya’s. In that instant, all the pain, love, and joy she’d experienced at Suraya’s entry into the world flooded through Suraya, but viewed through her mother’s eyes. She had never felt so loved and cherished—and she got a glimpse of what her family had endured to bring her into the world and keep her safe.

When Abby pulled back, Suraya blinked back tears. “Wow,” she whispered.

“You’re the best thing that ever happened to us.” Abby patted her cheek before dropping her hands. She put one in her pocket and pulled it out. “You still get a present, of course.”

Suraya sniffled. “I don’t need one after that, Mom. I didn’t realize you fought so hard against the angels and demons to keep me with you and give me life.”

“We have no regrets,” said Papa Mal. “We’d do it all again.”

Her smile was tremulous as she took the small box her mother held out to her. She opened it to find a pearl ring that matched the rest of the set. “It’s beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you.” Abby kissed her on the top of the head before returning to her seat.

Suraya, wearing her gifts and treasuring the memories her mother had shared of the running, hiding, and fighting, along with their fierce determination to make a better world for Suraya, one where she could exist in peace, left her temporarily speechless. Had any woman ever been so lucky to have such love and devotion in her life?

******