Change Birds

Chapter 5

I smiled and nodded at him. "Thanks. I really think I like her."

Shrike chucked and patted my shoulder, standing completely. "And this is coming from my apathetic child. I'm really impressed."

I smiled again and turned, walking out swiftly. Father followed me and as we stepped into the main room, mother was already setting out plates and cups, placing the food on the center of the table. She smiled at us and gestured towards it. "Dinner is ready."

The little ones had already scampered to their places and so dad and I just had to sit and the blessing was said quickly before we dove in. It was a simple dinner of beef and rabbit meat with a side of a salad and slices of the new loaf bread. My mother, whose name was Marcia, sat next to my father and I sat across from her. The other two sat beside me and her. My father always sat at the head as a sign of seniority, but despite our customs, he always let us eat first. The custom was that the oldest male always got the first bite, but he always made sure we had some before he got his share. Marcia glanced at me and smiled as she sliced some beef for tiny Chickadee. "How was the trip, sweetiepie?"

I swallowed politely before answering. "Same as always. Except that I met a nice girl."

She gasped and her smile brightened as she handed Chickadee his plate back before beginning on Cardinal's "That's wonderful! What was her name?"

I spread some butter on my bread before setting it on my meat to soak up the gravy. "Sarah."

My mother chuckled and situated her skirt before slicing her own meat. "I've always liked that name. I also really like the name Seth. Just as a heads up for your future children."

As a blush flooded my cheeks, Shrike suddenly touched her hair and chuckled. "Come on Marcie, he's not at the child stage yet. Besides, as a werebird, he'd name his child after their bird species."

Marcia sighed and nodded. "Oh, I forgot. Sorry. It's weird being the only full human in the family."

Shrike sighed and nodded. "I know. It's my fault. I got you to love me, marry me, and then I dragged you here to live in an attic for the rest of your life."

She looked at his upset expression and shook her head, smiling softly. "But I don't mind the living space. I have four healthy children and a loving husband whom I know can protect us. What more could I want?"

As they smiled at each other and shared a kiss, I couldn't help but think about what life was like if I married a noble blood. We could live in the castle and eat fine food and drink fresh wine. We'd never have to worry about the king being despicable to us because we'd be family. The little ones could have the wide open spaces and proper beds that they needed. Everything would be perfect. Not to mention I'd have that beautiful girl as my own.

Once supper was finished and the little ones began to yawn, I picked them up one by one, carrying them into their room. It was very small, but big enough to keep them comfortably until they were ten. Robin was six, Chickadee was four, and little Cardinal was two, just beginning to toddle around. I was lucky enough to have my own bigger room downstairs. It used to be a preacher's study, but father put in a bed and moved the desk upstairs to use in his own study. Mother and him had a room that he'd made out of the choir loft in the side part of the church building.

I laid Chickadee in his bed and then Robin in hers, before laying Cardinal in her crib, rubbing their heads gently and blowing out the lamp. As I turned to leave, Robin grabbed my pants leg and tugged to get my attention. I turned and saw a big smile I wasn't expecting. "Is it true that you're in love?"

I felt a warm blush spread over my cheeks and I was glad it was so dark that she couldn't see it. A sigh escaped my lips and I nodded in the darkness, pulling my leg away and stepping out after closing the door.