Between Shadow & Ruin (Fangs & Fae Saga Book 2)

sixty-nine.

When everyone woke up the next morning, Val made breakfast and then she, Zane, and Odie got ready to go to the fae realm. Zane grabbed a bag and threw it over his shoulder.

"Be safe," he said, his voice softer than normal. "I love you three," he said to Chris and I and then placed his hand on my stomach.

"Don't say it like that," Chris said. "That makes it sound like you're not going to make it back."

"I will always come back to you." He moved his hand from my stomach to Chris' hand. "We're just not sure how long we'll be gone."

"Not long if I can help it," Val said. "But Liz... I do need to ask you a favor." She pulled me aside and handed me an envelope. "If shit goes sideways... and we're not back... give this to Ava and Noah." Those words nearly sent me in a spiral. It sounded more and more like Val and Zane expected something to go wrong while they were in the fae realm. I took the envelope from her, trying to hide how shaky my hands had become.

"What? What is –" I flipped it over, unsure if I should open it. Val held my hand.

"It's instructions on how to open the portal to the fae realm. I'm sure you won't need it, but there's no other way for me to get you to safety if Zane and I are both in the fae realm. Promise me you'll keep this safe?"

"I will. But fuck... Chris is right, can you two sound like everything's going to be okay?" She took a deep breath.

"Everything will be fine, it's just a back-up plan." I took a deep breath, not entirely reassured. Zane, Chris, Val, and I all held our foreheads together. I heard the footsteps of the kids coming downstairs. The four of us broke apart to allow them in. The twins wrapped their arms around Val's and Zane's waists and Odie gave Chris and me a hug. They opened the portal and Val, Zane, and Odie walked through it. It closed behind them.

I felt a sinking feeling as I stared at the spot on the kitchen floor where the portal had opened. Chris put his hand around my waist and pulled me out of that thought.

"You'll be okay at home alone with the twins?" Chris asked.

"You have a meeting. I'll be fine," I said.

"If you need me... you'll call me, right? I can re-schedule."

"You've already re-scheduled that meeting, Chris. Just go to work. I'll be fine. We'll just... go to the park? Ava, Noah, you two want to go to the park?"

"Okay, Momma!" they said, running to get their shoes.

"See? We'll go to the park." He half smiled at me, kissing my forehead.

When the twins finished getting ready, they piled into the back seat of my car, and I drove to the park. I parked the car, and they ran towards the playground. I groaned a bit as I saw how many other moms and dads there were with their kids, knowing they were going to try and talk to me about anything to do with kids and parenting – or worse their relationships and work. The twins immediately started to climb on the structures as I sat on the bench and watched them play. I took a deep breath of fresh air, trying to calm myself.

"Haven't you seen here in a while," I heard a deep voice say. I looked to my side to see a man with short hair and a full beard.

"Jackson?" I asked. "Hey! Yeah, it's been a while." I smiled, pushing my hair behind my ear. He sat down next to me. A small blonde boy came over to him and handed him something.

"Daddy, I found this rock. I want to keep it but it's making my pants fall... Can you hold on to it for me?" Jackson laughed.

"Yeah, buddy. I'll hold on to it. Go on, go play." Jackson put the rock into the pocket of his cargo shorts and his son ran back to play. "How is everything?" he asked.