And today, Dad and Daddo were hosting a huge family party, using the roof and the community floor so everyone could fit.
It was something I’d been looking forward to since we usually got together at the Ellwoods’ place. It was really nice having another space to hang out together in.
Hours later, Reef and the other kids had worn Rome and me out, so we climbed out of the pool—ignoring all the boos coming from the kids—and found a lounge chair big enough for us both.
Keryth and Anton were in the chair beside us because they’d jumped out a few minutes before us. I honestly couldn’t blame them.
“Who knew how tiring that’d be?” Ker said, leaning his head back against Anton’s chest.
“Holy shit,” I panted out. “I can’t believe how many times they wanted to play Marco Polo. I can barely catch my breath.”
Mostly from laughing so hard for so long—that game was hilarious, especially when little Salina jumped in with a huge beach ball and proceeded to throw it at anyone playing Marcosince their eyes were closed. Somehow, she had perfect aim every time, knocking them right in the head.
She was a riot, and I had no idea how any of the Ellwoods could keep up with the little half witch.
Rome chuckled and kissed the side of my head since I was leaning against his chest in the chair. “Same here, babe.”
Keryth stretched and stood, asking Rome and me, “Do you guys want some water? I’m dying of thirst.”
“Yes,” I said desperately. “Please.”
Ker nodded, poked me in the cheek for some reason, pulled Anton to his feet, and started to walk away. “Be back in a minute.”
“Thanks, babes.”
Rome and I laced our fingers together, watching the kids race around the pool.
I said, “Rome?”
“Yeah, babydoll?”
“Do you… do you think you want to have kids someday?”
He was quiet for a long time before he hugged his arms around me and kissed my hair again. “Yeah, I’d really like that.” He squeezed me tighter. “But I’d like to spend a few years enjoying just the two of us first, if that’s okay?”
My body relaxed, and I melted into him. “Yeah, I like the sound of that.” I watched Salina use a spell to aim perfectly at her older brother’s head—she was so skilled already that I hadn’t even realized she was using magic when I was in the water. She nearly knocked the poor witch off his feet.
I winced and added, “Um… but maybe when we adopt kids we should, uh, avoid any witches.”
That made Roman crack up. “Deal.”
I laughed and snuggled in, happy and content in my viramore’s arms, surrounded by my wonderful, huge, amazing, magical, and seriously wild family.
Thank you so much for reading Oak and Rome’s story. I really hope you enjoyed it as much as I loved writing it!
This series is over, but there’s still so much more to explore in the Brinnswick world.
We’re going back to Brinnswick for a few books to finish Zaos and Hugo’s story in The Human’s Heart.
And then we’ll be back in Gauhala for The Vampires of Gauhala… Phaeron, Beshiro, Jed, Tray, and maybe even another vamp will be getting their own love stories. First up is Beshiro inThe Hunter & His Vampire.
