Reclaiming Her Heart

Chapter 87 - Reunited At Last

Song Inspo: "Run Run River" by Stick Figure and DJKryos

Adam

The moment I got to Ty's, Persephone and Ginny made their prompt exit, wanting some time with their mates. Before I could go wake my kids, Ty stopped me. "Is she..."

"She's good," I assured. "Her memories are back." My gaze flickered to the bedroom, where Aidan and Anika slept.

"So, it was them," he mused, frowning. "Are you staying?" he asked.

"Yes. We are home free. Well..." I didn't want to go to our home in Wyoming.

"You can stay here as long as you want," he reassured.

I don't know why tears clogged my throat. "Thank you, for everything you have done for us."

"What are brothers for?" he clapped me on my back. "Will she—"

"She's going to surprise them during the egg hunt."

"They are going to be so excited," his voice dropped, smile softening. He was looking forward to her being back too.

Yes. I swallowed my tears, intent on making this day the best for them. "I'm going to get them ready."

While there weren't many children, there were a handful of youngsters.

Ty's pack was a mix of his own and his late father's. Lucien's pack had been rather large, with about eighteen wolves—all of which had mates. Most of them were older, and their children had already flown the coop. A handful of those children chose to stay, and there were some infants and toddlers running about. Then, there was Ty's pack of seven bachelors.

All of them resided on the Knight compound. A large set of apartments housed the pack members and their growing families. Ty took up residence in his late parents' house. Then, there were the three guest cabins.

Easter wasn't a big production here. Everyone gathered for breakfast, said some prayers, and then did some Easter activities. There were games. Some arts and crafts for the kids. This gave a few select adults the chance to sneak out and hide eggs. For the past few years, the weather hadn't allowed for an outdoor egg hunt. They'd hosted it in the barn. This year, though, the weather was gorgeous.

Slipping into their room, I gently woke them, gathering them into my arms as they clung to me. They were being affected by our time apart. I couldn't wait to tell them we were back to stay.

"Happy Easter," I greeted them. Both of their faces held sadness, their smiles forced. "What is it?"

"We miss momma,"Aidan admitted, his little head drooping.

"Did the blood work?" Anika asked, so hopeful.

Hesitating, I didn't want to lie to them, but I didn't want to give the surprise away either. Luckily, Uncle Ty saved me.

"Oh my goodness! The Easter Bunny has already visited!" he announced. "You guys need to come see this!" he called from the living room. The kids didn't waste any time, they scrambled out of bed and down the hallway to see what had been left. Slowly, I followed them to find Ty had spoiled them. Heaping baskets overflowing with trinkets, toys and Easter goodies were waiting for them.

Thanks, I mouthed to him. Beaming, he gave me a thumbs up and, in true uncle fashion, got on the floor with them to help rip everything open. During this, I was able to sneak one kid away at a time to get ready. Anika donned a cute, frilly pink dress that Jadea had picked out for her shortly before the accident. It was a long princess-style dress with puffy sleeves and a huge skirt. "Do my hair daddy?" she asked, shoving a bow and brush into my hands.

While Aidan and Ty played with remote-controlled Easter cars, I finished up Anika's outfit. Then, chasing Aidan into the bedroom, I helped him change into a blue button-down and pressed jeans. Helping tame his flaming red hair, we stepped back out into the living room and found Ty playing dolls with Anika.

"Daddy, aren't you going to get ready?" Anika asked critically.

"What do you mean?" I asked, looking down at myself. I changed for the day, wearing a nice light blue polo that matched Aidan's, and nice jeans with the black biker boots Jadea gifted me.

Just then, a sharp knock at the door sounded, Garret's voice immediately following. "Special delivery!"

Anika sprinted for the door and fell into Garret's arms. He almost didn't catch her because, in one hand, he held a light green button-down shirt and in the other was the hat Jadea bought me at the demon stronghold. "Woah there little lady," he chuckled. "It's good to see you too."

"What's this?" I asked, sauntering forward and reaching to take everything from him.

He shrugged, a mischievous grin playing across his face. "You forgot these. I was asked to bring them." He shrugged, playing innocent.

Hmm...

"We will see you at breakfast! You've got ten minutes before it starts," he called over his shoulder.

I had just enough time to change before we left for the dining hall. Breakfast commenced. And then the games and activities started. We made sure to put all the kids at the same table to make it easier.

Time went by slowly. I was anxious for their reunion.

Finally, the egg hunt was announced. Baskets were passed out, and then they were led to the meadow. The adults watched from the sidelines as the children's happy squeals filled the space as they ran into the meadow, looking for the eggs.

While they searched, my gaze traveled over the meadow, looking... searching. I caught sight of Caden first. He was dressed in a long-sleeved white button-down, jeans and boots. Walking along the edge of the treeline. He was opposite us and more to the right. Not everyone spotted him yet. It seemed so odd he would be over there, until I caught a glimpse of her through the trees and shadows, and my heart skipped a beat, ensnared by her ethereal beauty.

I could not tear my gaze from her. I understood why Garret brought the shirt over, so I could match her.

Seconds later, others spotted her too and the whispers started running through the adults. Their excited gazes moving between her and I.

Caden paused, slinking back into the shadows when Anika neared.

Jadea paused, then slowly stepped closer to the edge of the meadow. When Anika bent over to reach for an egg, Jadea's hand was there first, lifting it up to Anika. Jadea, kneeling in a pool of green chiffon and fluff, her eyes fixated on Anika. It took a moment for Anika to understand who stood before her. But when it registered...

Her screams of excitement and cries of joy as she threw herself into Jadea's arms were soul-healing and shattering, at the same time. They filled the meadow and made the others pause. Instinctively, I stepped closer, drawn to her like a magnet. Their cries hurting and healing my heart.

As much as I wanted to hold them, this was their moment.

Aidan's yells, filled with happiness and sorrow, came next as he recognized who held his sister. He sprinted across the meadow, basket falling to the ground forgotten, his arms reaching for her.

Standing with Anika clinging to her neck, one of her arms tucked around her daughter, she ran to meet Aidan. Right before they crashed, she fell back to her knees and caught him. Her arms banding around them tightly, hands caressing over their hair, neck and back, pulling them in close as they all broke down.

My heart swelled, tears threatening to fall, so glad my whole world was back together once more. I stood there, admiring them from a distance, allowing them time to reunite, and allowing myself a moment to revel in this reunion. When her sage green eyes, lashes wet with tears, met mine, something primal within me snapped into place. It was intense. Immediate. Forever.

Never again would she be taken from them. From me. We would do anything, be anyone that was needed, to ensure she would never fall into the enemy's hands again. There could never be the insecure, indecisive man I used to be. That man couldn't protect her, at least not in the ways it mattered most.

"Look at them," Ty murmured from my left, an awe about him, completely unaware of the internal changes I was facing in that pivotal moment.

"You have a beautiful family," Caden added, sauntering up to my right, nudging my shoulder with his.

"Beautiful indeed. With their halos slipping and horns poking out," Garret ribbed, joining us, his mate tucked under his arm.

"Does this mean she's here to stay?" Persephone asked timidly from Blade's side, her gaze on the heart-warming reunion, hope clinging to her.

"Yes." I answered, smiling.

"Everyone's finally back home," Briar breathed, happiness filling her tone.

"Everything will be alright," Blade agreed.

As Aidan and Anika calmed, I saw that mischievous glint in Jadea's eye as she whispered to them. Before I could even think to eavesdrop, they were up, hand in hand, running full boar at me. I was snared by her beauty. The way the dress moved and swirled around her. The way her intoxicating smile lit her face, it hit me like a freight train. Such true and deep joy had been absent for so long in her gaze, it mesmerized me. It was spellbinding to see it written so plainly on her face. Not to mention, Aidan's and Anika's smiles were brighter, their laughter true. Different. Almsot normal.

Those closest to me barely had time to dodge out of the way as the three of them tackled me to the ground, their laughter filling my heart to the brim. My own bursting forth as we sprawled out in a tangle of limbs.

I missed this most.

Jadea landed partially on top of me, our chests pressed together, her fluffy dress surrounding us. Within those green eyes, I saw her utter love and devotion shining brightly down on me. Right as she was leaning down to kiss me, the kids pounced, breaking our little moment, all of us wrestling. Laughter echoing in the meadow and far beyond.