Everything Changes But One Thing Is True, Understand

Family Bonding

Jess P.O.V

Shelby zoned out again. I break out of my conversation with Adam and shake her. "You zoned Gracie. Thinking about him?" I whisper in her ear. She nods. "I don't know why I can't stop thinking about him. Something just... draws me in and I don't think I could fight it even if I wanted to." she admits quietly. I think for a moment. "That sounds like what I felt with Graser. You might want to talk to Lizzie about soulmates." She sighs. "I thought it might be." she tells me. "I just... want him and I'm having a hard time focusing on anything else." I nod. "Talk to Lizzie about it. In the meantime, I'm leaving you in charge. I want to spend some time with my kids." Her eyes go distant. "I've never thought about kids, but now... now I want them with him." she shakes her head. "Why am I thinking like this when I've never even considered having kids?" she asks, seemingly on the verge of hyperventilating. "I don't know." I sigh. "It's probably the bond, but can you handle being in charge for a bit?" She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "I can do it." I can tell she's determined. "Thank you mon aube." "No problem mon sol." We press our foreheads together before separating. I whistle sharply to get everyone's attention. H winces. Does he have enhanced hearing? It doesn't matter right now. "Shelby's in charge. I'm taking my husband and we are going to spend some time with our kids." "We are?" Graser asks dumbly. I glare sharply. "I haven't seen them in three years. Yes. We are." He steps back with his hands raised. "Okay." I smile sweetly and he shivers. Good. He should be scared of what I can do. Mate. Mine. I'm glad my dragon seems to have claimed my husband. I guess that's expected. I freeze a moment and whisper to Shelby again. "Your dragon should be able to tell if he's your mate, Gracie. Mine's claimed mine." She tilts her head. "I'll check with her in a bit. I get the feeling that if she confirms it, I'll end up nesting." I laugh and she giggles. "See you in a bit." I say, waving. I head inside and am crowded immediately. "Whoa, calm down! What's happening?" Sly steps forwards. "Why'd you leave just then?" I roll my eyes. "My sister Shelby, the redhead, had some people show up at the gates looking for her. I had to take care of that, but right now she's in charge. I'm here for my kids, and then I'm out for a bit to get to know them again." I explain. I shut out the clamoring and push past everyone to the basement.

When I get down, Stella runs up to me. "You're really spending time with us mama?" she asks hopefully. I crouch down. "Of course petite étoile. I haven't seen you in years and your papa needs to spend time with the little ones too."(little star) I tell her softly. She beams and turns around. "Luna, I was right!" she squeals. Luna huffs from her position in front of the younger ones. "We haven't seen mom in three years Stella, forgive me for being skeptical." I look at her. "You have a right to be, but I do want to spend more time with you all." Cloud looks at me seriously. "Are you sure?" he asks, clinging to his twin sister. Before I can say anything, Breeze rips herself away from him. "Are you dumb? She just said!" she scoffs. Storm and Shine tear away from behind Luna and bounce next to Stella. "Mama!" they cheer. I hold my arms out and they cling to me. I stand up straight, holding them on either hip. "Don't leave again." Storm tells me as seriously as a 5 year old can. "I won't." I tell him. Gods, I missed so much. It's hard to believe that Stella and Luna are seven now and Breeze and Cloud are six. I missed most of my kids' lives because of this stupid traveling curse. Heck, I only got one year with Iris and Lavender. It makes me so glad that I was pregnant when I faded the last time so I wasn't torn away from Scarlet and Grey when they were newborns. I just wish my kids didn't have to feel so hesitant with their own mother. I feel my dragon purr, happy to be around her hatchlings. "C'mon, let's go up to your papa, okay?" I say. Storm and Shine grab me even tighter, and suddenly I have two little 4 year old girls clinging to my legs. I stumble for show, letting out a small oof, then moving slowly and dragging my feet make my way up the stairs, the older kids following behind. I maneuver through the people still in my house and escape to the outside. It doesn't surprise me to see Scarlet and Grey already clinging to Graser. "Alright mes fleurs, off you get."(my flowers) I tell Iris and Lavender. "Mama, please." they beg with puppy dog eyes, gripping more. My heart melts and I sigh. "Oh, alright." I bend quickly to their request. Shelby looks at me holding my kids and her eyes glaze over. I can tell she wants this with her own hatchlings. "Souvent ma soeur."(Soon, my sister.) I promise her. She shakes her head. "Je ne crois pas."(I don't think so.) she says sadly. I let my dragon take over and hers does the same. Your human has no hope. she growls. My sister's dragon dips her head. She does not believe she can be happy with her mate. She explains sadly. He is her mate? she asks. The form of my sister blinks. He is safe and he is mine. Mate. she growls. My dragon gives me back control, Shelby's doing the same shortly after. "Do you believe me now?" I question sofly. She nods hesitantly. "I think so." "Gods, I missed seeing dragon interactions." Adam comments. "Still can't translate?" I tease him. "Not when you go feral." he shoots back. We look at each other and laugh. "I'll go now, but gods, it really is good to be back." I sigh fondly. Adam dips his head and moves to the side. "Lady Aphmau." he sends one more barb. I decided to just ignore him and just move on. I jerk my head for Graser to follow and we and the kids make our way back down the hill, this time on the other side.

I stop us at the house of the former lord. "We won't be interrupted here." I say softly, setting down Storm and Shine, getting Iris and Lavender to let go of me in the process. Graser tilts his head. "What is this place?" I close my eyes and swallow. "The house of the former lord of Phoenix Drop. No one but me comes here anymore." I answer quietly, before snapping out of it and moving inside. "It's stable, don't worry." I reassure them. "Mama, why did you leave?" Luna asks after we all get inside. She looks so vulnerable and I rush to comfort her. "Oh petite lune, I never wanted to. I was happy but I-I was cursed, well she called it a gift, but I couldn't stay. The magic wouldn't let me."(little moon.) She trembles. "Y-you didn't want to?" her voice cracks but she holds steady. "Non ma petite lune, j'ai était forcé."(No my little moon, I was forced.) She shivers. "Fait-tu promesse?"(Do you promise?) she asks, trying to stay strong. "Promesse." I look at her, conveying what I can through my eyes. She starts at the intensity, but I need her to know I mean it. She breaks down crying. I gather her in my arms and just hold her tight, murmuring words of comfort. "Shhh petite lune. I won't leave you again. Mama's here and this time she won't let go." It breaks my heart to see her like this. My oldest baby girl, falling apart. I knew the breakdown was coming, but I wish it didn't have to. Stella approaches hesitantly. "Mama, Luna hasn't cried since you left." she informs me sadly. "She-she's been bottling it up a-and I could feel it and she was hurting be wouldn't let it out. Mama, she didn't let herself cry." My heart breaks even more. "Oh, ma petite lune..." I whisper. I gesture Stella over. "C'mere petite étoile. I think you need this almost as much as your sister." She blinks rapidly and nods tearfully. "I missed you so much mama." she whimpers, running into my arms. I run my hand through her hair. "I missed you too ma petite étoile. I missed you too."