“Oh, Phil. Honey.” Phil’s mother, typical in size for a pixie, flew up to embrace her son as Phil’s father did the same. “We’ve missed you so much.”
“Mom! Dad! How? I mean, you’re bonded to your home and…” Phil’s wide, tear-filled eyes traveled to Ray. “You did this? You brought them here?”
Ray’s arm lifted, wrapping around Wendall’s shoulders as he sidled up beside his fairy. “It was Wendall’s wish.”
Wendall made a pain filled sound. “It was Dillon and Ruthie’s idea. I just told them Ray would do it.” Wendall sounded very proud of himself.
Palms cupping his parents’ cheeks, Phil turned his head, his pink, ombre hair falling across his shoulders. “You two did this?”
Dillon beamed and his eyes flared golden. “We wanted to get you the best present ever.”
Ruthie grabbed her brother’s hand, entwining their fingers. “Your mom and dad are still alive, but you don’t get to see them, not really. You gave that up for us. For the house.”
Dillon nodded. “You’re bonded to the house and us, and your mom and dad are bonded to their property. It’s too far for either of you to travel, so we asked Ray to transport them here.”
“Ray transported everyone here,” Wendall proudly said. “He’ll be well rewarded later this evening.” Going up on tiptoes, Wendall kissed Ray’s cheek. Scarlet danced along Ray’s skin. It was the only outward sign Wendall’s affection affected him at all.
Going down on one knee, Phil stared at Ruthie and Dillon. As far as he was concerned, blood or no, they were his children. “I don’t even know what to say. This is… It’s the absolute best present in the whole world.”
“Yes!” Dillon and Ruthie high-fived, and Phil wiped the tears slipping down his cheeks.
“They did good.” Sedrick’s deep voice filled the space. “Our pack is in good hands.”
Dillon’s chest puffed out. “The absolute best hands.”
“Phil, honey, I’d like to meet our grandchildren.” Phil’s mom didn’t have to lower herself as much as Phil to look the children in the eyes. “You two are just how Phil’s described you. Come here and give your grammy some lovin’.”
Ruthie went first, folding into welcoming pixie arms. Dillon’s hug was briefer but no less heartfelt.
“How long do you have?” Phil asked his dad.
“About two hours. Three if we push it. We’ve been bonded to our home for a long time, Phil. We can’t be away from it as long as when we were younger.”
“Two hours is a blessing from the Goddess,” Phil answered.
His dad agreed. “It seems we’ve had a lot of blessings. The first was the day you were born. We knew then you’d be special. We just didn’t have any idea how special.”
Phil’s mom stood before fluttering her wings and flying up to eye level with her son. “You were perfect from the day you took your first breath of air.” Cupping Phil’s cheeks in her hands, she leaned in and kissed his forehead.
Sedrick took a step forward. “I could not imagine a more perfect being than Phil.”
Phil’s cheeks flushed and he lowered his head, hair covering his face. “I’m far from perfect. I’m—”
“You’re perfect for me,” Sedrick reaffirmed.
“And us,” Dillon agreed. “You’re the best pixie in the whole world.”
The room had gone silent as Phil’s friends listened in, soft smiles and wet eyes on more than a few.
“I…” Phil silently shook his head. There was no point arguing. Raising his head, Phil gazed at Dillon and Ruthie. “And you are everything I ever dreamed but never thought possible.”
The weighted silence clung to the room for a precious few seconds before Burt shouted, “Is that icing on your face? Did you eat some of the cake?”
All eyes turned to Ollie as he sheepishly ducked his head, little tell-tale flecks of icing caught in his beard. “I was hungry.”
“And you couldn’t wait?” Burt stomped his booted foot.
“Everyone was busy moonin’ over Phil,” Ollie said, by way of excuse. “Not that Phil doesn’t deserve moonin’ over, but a dwarf’s gotta eat.”
