wanted to be able to prove that I was a better mother than my own.
I wanted to see my mates being the fathers that I never had.
I wanted to build a home where our little ones never questioned if they were loved or not. I never wanted any child that I had to feel like how I had grown up. I wanted to prove that I could take care of others and not always be the one needing to be taken care of. I absolutely loved that my mates did so, but there was a fierce sense of independence growing inside of me, and while I knew it would take time, I couldn’t lie that it would feel good knowing I could handle myself.
Plus, with how much I loved Bella, I couldn’t imagine how it would feel to have my own children. Creating a small being that was literally a combination of you and the person—or in my case, multiple persons—that you loved? It was beautiful.
“Maya?” Marco pulled me from my thoughts as I tilted my head up to offer him a questioning look as he pushed. “Where did you go?”
I blinked, legitimately about to ask him what he meant because I’d been walking next to him the entire time, but that was before I looked to Henry, who was offering me a curious look. Clearly, I’d been quiet for a bit too long. I shrugged, blushing slightly.
“Just thinking about children, actually,” I admitted softly.
Henry let out a soft rumble that I could hear came from his dragon. Marco offered him an amused look before looking back down at me. There was a soft affection in his gaze, but it was also dark with heat. “What about kids?”
“Just whether I can have them or not,” I spoke honestly. “I mean, I assume I can, but I don’t know how any of that works with me not being human.”
Marco let his arm fall as he intertwined our fingers in a soft gesture, distracting me from something Henry said under his breath, sounding pained and making me worry about him briefly. When Marco spoke, his voice was a bit rougher. “Is that something you want, baby girl?”
“Kids?” I asked and nodded almost immediately. “I mean, one day, at least. I know Bella isn’t really our child… but she sort of feels like that. So I can imagine having more.” Honestly, I was really glad she wasn’t around because I feel like the comment about her not being my child may have hurt her feelings. She really did consider me her cat mom.
Henry chuckled, causing me to look over at him. “Don’t let Atlas hear that, Maya. He one hundred percent considers himself Bella’s dad.”
I smiled affectionately at that, absolutely loving his words and the truth I knew to be part of that statement. As we approached the end of the long hall, the voices from before going silent with distance, I realized we were reaching the restaurant. I assumed this was where brunch was being held. A young man standing at the podium greeted us, saying something to Marco as my eyes trailed the space in front of us. Already, I found myself enamored with the space, making this meal that I wasn’t looking forward to slightly better already.
The entire room was filled with light that flooded the white and pale-pink decor, the soft chatter of peaceful brunch meals being eaten, and the smell of cherry blossoms filling the space. I looked at each table that had a spread of gorgeous flowers and couldn’t help but want to reach out to them and touch their soft petals. Instead, I walked through the restaurant as the young man led us ahead, the three of us drawing attention that honestly didn’t even fully bother me because it allowed me to see each unique face. They seemed far more friendly than those outside.
We were led to a private room at the back of the restaurant, which faced out towards a massive bright, sunny garden that featured large cherry blossom trees and a water feature. I was clear this wasn’t the ‘normal’ seating area, but when Henry pulled out a chair for me at the circular table, I sat down immediately, my fingers reaching out and running along the soft petals that were scattered across the table. I think I found my new favorite flower.
“These are gorgeous,” I mumbled as Marco sat to my right and Henry to my left, their comfortable suits seeming to fit