"Sonofabitch!"
Everyone turned to see that the silver globe over Keelan opened, dumping pounds of purple glitter all over the witch.
Colton looked up to make sure he wasn't standing under anything.
"You get a free pass tonight, because of Penny, but you're fair game tomorrow," Sascha promised.
Colton gave him an exaggerated salute.
Radek raised an eyebrow.
Colton shrugged. "Just a friendly, ongoing, personal battle. They turn Keelan purple and taunt me about my mate giving them a physical, we 'accidentally' electrocute them. You know, good clean fun."
Athan chuckled. "It almost makes me miss being in a unit. Almost."
Rheia turned to her brothers, "How long are you staying?"
Radek went to toussle her hair and noticed the braids. Grinning he lowered his hand. "A couple days."
"I'm so glad you're here to watch me give Colton his present." She smiled up at him slyly and stood back from their semi-circle.
She reached down into the front of her dress and Colton wagged his eyebrows at her.
She laughed. "Not those."
She opened a small pouch and let the stone fall into her hand; seconds later it turned amber, lighting up brilliantly in the dim ballroom.
Excited whispers ignited all around them; paranormals knew what this light meant.
Colton tried to get air but found that he couldn't. His entire focus was on the soft, warm light in his mate's palm. When he started to see dots, his knees tried to give out. A solid whack to the back had him sucking air into his starved lungs.
"Breathe, you idiot! And, congratulations," Sascha said smiling wide. He picked up Colton's hand and shook it.
Aiden pushed his way through the growing crowd, Meryn in tow. He looked from Colton to Rheia to Colton again. "Brightest Blessings on your child!" he boomed, pulling Colton into a hug.
Meryn and Rheia were hugging and Meryn was jumping up in down in excitement.
Colton felt a tug on his jacket. Penny was looking up at him with a puzzled expression.
He picked her up and settled her on his hip. He walked over and pointed to the stone in Rheia's hand.
"Do you see that stone?" Penny nodded.
"It's a very special stone. It let's paranormals know right away if a mommy gets pregnant, that way every precaution can be taken to make sure that mommy and baby are healthy. Since the stone your mommy is holding his glowing, that means she's going to have a baby. You're going to be a big sister, Penny," he explained.
Immediately Penny began to wiggle. Colton set her down and wrapped an arm around Rheia. They watched as Penny hugged Rheia's midsection and kissed her belly multiple times.
"Isn't she just the cutest little thing?" Aiden said proudly.
"You up to being Athair to my other child?" Colton asked.
Aiden clapped him on the back several times. "Of course! Also, Meryn and I both decided, we would like you to be Athair to my son as well."
Colton shook his best friend's hand.
"Daughter!" Meryn said stubbornly.
Aiden frowned and Colton laughed.
Rheia walked over carrying Penny. Aiden moved to one side pulling Meryn into his arms as Colton did the same with Rheia. His whole world was now complete.
"I love you Rheia Bradley. I love you Penny Carmichael," he said kissing both of his angels.
"And I love you too Colton Albright." Rheia rested her head on his chest.
Penny looked from him to Rheia and back.
"Love you, Mommy and Papa."
Everyone around them quieted. Radek and the rest of Rheia's brothers crowded around. Behind them Sascha and the Gamma Unit pushed closer.
Rheia looked up at him then down to Penny. "What did you say, baby?" she asked her voice shaking.
Penny pointed to her. "Love you, Mommy." She then pointed to Colton. "Love you, Papa."
Colton whooped loudly and pulled Penny into his arms. He threw her in the air, laughing, unable to keep the joy from spilling over.
"I love you too, Penny! You're our perfect Christmas miracle." He and Rheia snuggled her close.
He had his mate and daughter with another child on the way.
Life didn't get better than this.
EPILOGUE
Darian slipped away from the festivities. He smiled widely at the strangers who passed him in the hallway nodding his head and tipping his hat at the ladies. He got into the carriage and whistled as it wove slowly through the quiet streets of Lycaonia. Everyone in the city was at the Midwinter Ball.
The carriage dropped him off at the Alpha estate and he used his key to get in. He walked up the long staircase and headed to his personal suite. Once the door was closed he loosened his tie and walked over to dresser.
He stared into the mirror, his reflection visible by the light of the moon. He relaxed his face and let the smile slide away. He'd been dreaming of his mate almost nightly, but in his heart he knew it was too late. He watched as his lavender eyes flickered to black.
He was almost lost.