Fates Entwined

51

"Maybe you should talk to Ethan about it," Ayla said with a little gleam in her eye. Everyone knew Larkin had a crush on the Libra alpha. "He might have some good ideas since he works in real estate.”

Larkin stared very hard at the mug in her hands as a blush rose up her cheeks. “Maybe I’ll ask him sometime. But one of the biggest problems we have is that the witches have been living in Lunatera so long, none of them have any money.”

“Oh, that does make it trickier,” I said.

“Not only that,” Larkin said, eyes blazing as she sat up straighter. She must have been saving this up for someone who would listen to her. “They have no credit, no IDs, no addresses, and no history on Earth to use in the human world. A lot of them are really struggling to adapt to modern times too. They'd been in Lunatera for decades or even centuries, and there are so many new technological advances and things that they can’t easily pick up on. I’m afraid they’re going to struggle and want to give up on returning to Earth at all.” "I'd love to help in any way I can," I said. "Not just while I'm here, but when I go back home too. I can do some research on places to live, or answer their questions about how to use a tablet, or whatever else you need."

“Thank you so much,” Larkin said. “I’d love that.”

I opened my mouth to tell her that it was no trouble, but before I could, Ayla stiffened, putting a hand to her stomach. Her brows knitted and she sucked in a sharp breath.

“What’s wrong?” I asked. “Are you having a contraction?”

“No,” Ayla said, but it came out strained.

I set Adriana down on the floor by her toys again. “You are."

“Okay, you’re right. It might just be a fake one though. I’ve had some before and thought that it was the baby coming, but it turned out to be a false alarm. I’ve been having these since this morning, and they’re just getting worse, but I wasn’t sure if it was real this time.”

“That one didn't look fake." I got up from my seat to put my hands on Ayla’s shoulders. “I think you’re in labor, and we need to get you to the midwife.”

“We should wait a bit,” Ayla said. “I don’t want to bother her again if it’s just another false alarm.”

I frowned, rubbing her shoulders. She looked so uncomfortable and I wanted to argue, but I knew how stubborn Ayla could be when she wanted. Just as I opened my mouth to ask her to reconsider, she stiffened again, eyes going wide with pain.

"Maybe you’re right. I think they’re getting worse. Can you hand me my phone? I'll text Kaden to let him know.”

I looked around for a few seconds, trying to find Ayla’s phone. It was over on the kitchen island, and I swooped down to grab it and hand it to her. She sent off a text just as another contraction hit her. They were definitely getting closer together now.

We rushed around getting everything Ayla would need to take with her, while she groaned from her spot by the fire, and then Kaden burst into the room. "I'm here! Is it time?"

"It's time," I said, shoving Ayla's overnight bag in his hand, while Larkin took hold of Ayla’s hand and helped her to her feet.

"Larkin, would you go to Lunatera and tell Celeste that it's time, please?" Ayla asked as she and Kaden headed for the front door.

"I'm on it!" Larkin replied. She gave Ayla a quick hug, wished her luck, and then vanished, leaving behind only a few silver sparkles that quickly dissipated.

Ayla slipped her shoes on and then glanced back at me. "Oh, and Mira? Could you please call Stella and Jordan to let them know I’m in labor? Wesley too?”

I hesitated. I had Wesley’s number saved in my phone, of course. I thought about reaching out sometimes, just to hear a familiar voice, but I never quite managed to do it. But this wasn’t about me. It was about Ayla. “I’ll call them right now and let them know.”

"Thank you." She bit her lip, hesitating at the door.

I hurried up to Ayla and hugged her tight. “Everything is going to be fine. You're so strong, and your baby is too."

Ayla nodded and smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. I knew she was worried about the pregnancy and about the baby, but she had a lot of good people looking out for her. And everything I'd said was true—Ayla was the strongest person I knew.

“Good luck." I kissed her cheek before ushering them out the door. "I'll take care of everything here."

Kaden helped Ayla out of the door, and I closed it behind them. I sighed, turning around to look at the empty house. Adriana made a questioning noise, crawling toward me, and I leaned down to pick her up.

“Don’t worry about Ayla. She’s going to be just fine, and then you’ll have a new friend.” I ran my hand over her dark hair and she looked up at me, her brown eyes wide like she understood what I was saying. “Would you like that? A friend?”

Adriana babbled in response with what I assumed was a yes, but who knew with babies? She could be asking me for a snack, for all I knew. I put her in the high chair in the kitchen, which was already set up in preparation for the new baby, and got out some of the baby puffs I'd brought with me. That would keep her happy while I made my phone calls.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and typed in Wesley's name. Might as well get the hardest one done first, I thought and pressed the call button.

Please go to voicemail, I thought as the phone rang once, twice, and then again. But of course, Wesley picked up.