Fated

Chapter 7

The group spent a while looking around Fort Niagara, going up into the bunkers, visiting the small kitchen, and watching them shoot from the rifle. It was overall a beautiful experience. The scenery was breathtaking, and they picked out a small replica of the fort to bring home.

The children were running around, laughing and playing, enjoying the overly nice weather for January. Chase was chasing after them, and Alashia hung back, carrying their things smiling at their antics.

“You have a beautiful family.” Asher murmured, watching the antics alongside her.

“I truly do. I don’t know how I was blessed this way, but I’m happy I was.”

“Do you want more children?” holding his breath, he earnestly waited for his answer.

“Gods, no. Three is enough. Maybe we will adopt down the road, but not anytime soon. Three young children is enough,” her laughter carried over to the children, who ran up to her with Chase trailing behind.

“What’s so funny?” panting from the run, Chase bent over to take some deep breaths.

“The concept of more children!” Asher exchanged a look with Chase, and they all were laughing, even the children who had no idea whatsoever what was going on.

“We should feed everyone.” Picking up Daniel and taking Ricky’s hand, she led the group towards the van back to the hotel for lunch.

“What are the plans for the next little bit?” Asher asked once everyone was settled into the van.

“Lunch in our room, followed by a short nap. We will head to Art Alley around 2 pm or so. Hopefully, the good weather holds up.” Turning in her seat, she looked back towards Asher.

“Tell us a bit about yourself. You are a stranger to us.” Looking into her eyes, Asher thought for a moment about how to answer.

“I was raised in England and traveled to the States when I was a teenager. I started working for the company I’m at right after school. Moved around from place to place after that. Never quite found what I was looking for. My search led me to Belleview, and I received a hint that the... item I was looking for is in Niagara Falls, so I caught a plane here.” Asher didn’t feel now was the time to explain that this had happened over hundreds of years. They’d kick him to the curb for insanity for sure.

“What about you and Chase?”

“Oh, Chase and I met at the Statue of Liberty in New York on a field trip. I felt like he was who I was supposed to be with. It took a few years to figure it out, but once the i***t realized he was in love with me... We’ve been together ever since. Three kids, a house, and a pup later, and here we are.” Chase grabbed her hand and kissed it, a move that made her blush.

A moment later, they pulled into the hotel. Chase glanced back at Asher, “Meet you in the lobby in an hour?” Asher nodded with a smile as they unloaded and went their separate ways. Art Alley was going to be quite eventful for him. Hopefully, he could find a way to have his meeting with the witches and not alert his Beloved.