Right there. Proof that our baby is getting ready to emerge from their shell. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so excited before.
“I’ve always loved adventures and trying new things,” I say softly, reaching past our egg and placing my hand on Leo’s hip. He looks over at me, his brow raised in question. “I think being your mate and becoming a parent alongside you is my greatest adventure yet.”
“You say the sappiest things,” Leo says but there’s a warmth in his brown eyes that tells me he loves it. Maybe just as much as I love saying it. “I’m glad we’re doing this together. There’s no one else I’d rather become a father with.”
“I love you,” I say, squeezing his hip. “How long does hatching usually take?”
“Everyone is different. Could be moments could be hours. We should keep an eye on them though, just in case they need a little help.”
“I wouldn’t dream of missing this,” I tell him seriously, my eyes going back to that little crack.
I have no idea how much time passes but Leo and I talk softly, watching as that little crack slowly splinters and widens the longer we wait. I’m not sure what I was expecting but a little fiery red wing popping through the shell was not it.
I don’t know why I thought there would be a human baby inside this egg but now that I really think about it, this makes so much more sense! Our baby finally breaks free, their feathers damp from just being born. They open their little eyes, showing off red eyes that look so much like my own.
“Oh,” I breathe out, staring. “They’re beautiful. Look at them, Leo!”
“I’m looking,” Leo says, his voice thick with emotions. “I’m looking. Their feathers are already so vibrant!”
I bring my hand close, letting them rub their little face against my skin. “Aww, baby’s first scenting,” I say softly, grinning from ear to ear.
“My turn, my turn,” Leo says, holding out his hand as well. Our baby rubs their face against his wrist, instinct driving them to find and mark their parents. They’re doing such a wonderful job, I feel overwhelmed with love and pride and affection.
“When do they shift into their human skin?”
“Any moment now,” Leo tells me. He holds out his hands and our baby finally hops out of their egg, landing in Leo’s palms. He brings our little phoenix to his chest and a moment later, the air around our baby shivers and shakes. The changes washes over them until there’s a little baby human resting against Leo’s chest.
“A little boy,” I say, my voice catching. I carefully take our baby’s egg, picking up all the pieces and bringing it out of our nest to keep it safe. Then I get back into the nest, wrapping myself around my family.
“Apollo,” Leo says, his eyes watery with unshed tears. “His name. I think Apollo fits him, don’t you?”
“It’s perfect,” I tell him, kissing the side of his head. I look down at our son, taking him in. He’s got the most adorable cheeks I’ve ever seen on a baby. His hair is so fine it’s barely there, the only reason I can see it is because it’s as red as my own. I wonder if his eyes will match mine or be brown like Leo’s in this form. “I love you,” I say, kissing Leo again. “And I love you,” I say, kissing the top of Apollo’s head.
“I love you too,” Leo says with a sigh, leaning against me. We stare down at our son, drinking him in.
I didn’t know life could feel like this. I love adventure and exploring and finding new things but for the first time ever, I don’t feel a sense of wanderlust. I feel content to stay right here, lounging with my mate and my son. Maybe someday that drive for exploration will return but when that happens, I won’t be adventuring alone. I’ll have a family to drag along with me.
I never dreamed that taking a chance on a tattoo would bring me here. Although, maybe I have Raphael to thank, since I seem to recall he’s the reason I literally ran into Leo. Or maybe the universe really did know the two of us belonged together and the thing that led us here doesn’t even matter.
We stay in the nest until Apollo grows fussy, ready to eat for the first time. As I make Apollo’s first bottle, I smile. This is just another first I get to check off my list. First kisses, first times, first baby, first bottles. I get all of these experiences with my favorite people. I don’t know what I did in a past life to earn all of this, but I’ll forever be grateful. I wouldn’t trade any of this for anything.
For the first time, probably since my volcano birthed me, I’m content just to settle down and be.
Epilogue
Leo
I soar so highI can barely see anything below. The town reminds me of a toy set, so small that everyone looks like toy soldiers. I flap my wings, diving through clouds before finally angling down towards the ground.
My body has needed this. Sometimes, I just need to shift into my phoenix form and go for a fly. I need to see things from the sky and flap my wings and let myselfbe.
I twist in the air, doing a few aerial tricks before finally finding my neighborhood once more. I swoop down, landing on the back porch.
“Why hello there,” Jin says, leaning against the deck railing with a coffee in his hands. I can see the baby monitor is hanging from his pants, just in case Apollo wakes up. He’s normally up later than the two of us which has been a blessing, giving us afew moments to ourselves before we need to give him our full attention.
Apollo has been the best baby. Some people tease us that it’ll mean he’ll be a menace when he’s a teenager but I don’t care. No matter what type of person he becomes, I’ll love him with my entire heart. I can’t wait to see him grow and develop and come into himself as his own person. Nothing he could do could make me adore him any less.
I leap up from the deck, onto Jin’s shoulder. I run my face against the side of his neck, covering myself in his scent. My inner omega purrs happily which sounds very strange coming from a bird but that’s okay. It’s worth it to hear my mate coo over me.
