Ceri had her raincoat on, and seeing me standing alone, she excused herself, gathering Quen in her wake as she crossed the room. She was beautiful in her happy contentment, and I glanced at Ivy. The vampire wore a hungry look I understood. It wasn’t vampiric hunger; it was the hunger from seeing someone who has what you want but knowing that if you get it, it will break your heart, your life, and your soul.

Neither of us would be having children. It was as if Ceri were having a child for all of us. Poor little baby was going to have so many aunts he or she wasn’t going to walk on anything but rose petals.

“Rachel,” Ceri said, beaming as she took my hands, “thank you for the wonderful party. I never—” Her expression shifted, and tears deepened the green of her eyes. Quen touched her shoulder, and she straightened, smiling. “I never thought I’d ever do this,” she continued. “I thought I was going to die mindless in the ever-after. And now I have the sun, love, and a chance to live and have purpose.” Her grip on my hands tightened for a moment, deepening the intent behind her next words. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I said, feeling the prick of tears as I mourned the loss of my own dreams. “Stop it. You’re going to make me cry.”

I glanced at Quen as I wiped the corner of an eye. He was stoic, letting the estrogen flow around him as if it couldn’t touch him.

Ceri’s gaze flicked to him and away. “If it’s a girl, we’re naming her Ray. If it is a boy, Raymond.”

There was a lump in my throat, and I couldn’t swallow. “Thank you.”

She leaned in and gave me a quick hug. “I have to leave. Trenton wants to poke and prod me with more tests.” The young-seeming elf rolled her eyes, and my hand slipped away.

“Then you’d better go.” Trent wasn’t gunning for me, but I distrusted his silence.

Her smile went stiff, and she whispered, “Be careful with Al. If you’re honest with him, he will be less likely to…hurt you. And if he gets angry, try singing.”

She pulled back, and I glanced at Quen, wondering how much of this conversation was going to end up in Trent’s ears. “Okay. Thanks. I’ll remember that.” I didn’t know how me singing “Satisfaction” would make anything better, but the honesty thing? I could do that.

My focus sharpened on Ceri and she nodded. “I must say good-bye to Mrs. Morgan and Ivy,” Ceri said, touching Quen’s arm. “Can you give me a moment?”

He gazed at her and said “Yes,” but what I heard was “I will give you the world if you but ask.”