Tameka sat with Xelan while he talked it out with Tumu. This situation fit perfectly under her Transparency Decree, enacted earlier in the day. By now, it shouldn’t surprise them the old Primary had founded his species through some twist of Aegis machinations. Lucas had run off into the trees with Andrew, or they’d subject him to twenty-one questions, too. But the couple had a point.

“Xelan, leave Tumu to enjoy his evening and watch the sunset with me and Pax.”

Tameka loved Xelan for how he transformed at her suggestion. That trademark grin spread across his lips, and the midnight ring around his eyes sparkled with joy.

On Xelan’s palm device, Tumu said, “Peaches. You’re always the voice of reason. We’ll pick this up tomorrow, Wingmaster. Good night.”

“Good night, old friend.” Xelan disconnected the call and stood with his hand out for Tameka. “M’lady, would you care to join me for a wondrous sight?”

Tameka beamed. “I’m already looking at one.”

A gagging sound alerted them to Pax, with a finger mockingly down his throat. The eight-year-old said, “Mom. Dad. You’re so mushy.”

Beside them, Korac cough-laughed into his ice cream cone.

Sagan nudged him. “Don’t tease. We have no room to talk.”

Meanwhile, Rayne hid her snickering against Nox’s chest. Tameka had to admit, she was becoming accustomed to the gigantic Icarus’ presence. When he was around, Rayne’s demeanor shone like a beacon. Tameka also noticed Rayne wore a black tank and cargo pants over her swimsuit. Same as Xelan. Both of them had smoothed their soaked hair back from their faces after a day in the water. There wasn’t much resemblance which Tameka could see, but their smiles shared the same wattage.

Xelan knelt and let Pax climb onto his back. The father opened his wings to the son’s delight. Pax asked, “Ready, mom?”

She detracted her wings. “Ready.”

They flew up above the trees to admire the yellows, purples, and reds melting together at the end of a perfect day. Tameka hugged herself, hoping their little girl shared in the moment.

“Maybe Harmony?” As she suggested the name, she looked over at Xelan to gauge his reaction.

Already so much the proud father, he beamed. “I love it. Harmony.”

Pax glanced between his parents, asking, “Will that be my new sister’s name?”

Tameka hovered closer and kissed her son on his red curls. “Yeah. Do you like it?”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

In answer, Pax stretched the slight distance between Xelan and Tameka and spoke to her abdomen. “Hello, Harmony. I can’t wait to meet you.”

It tugged at Tameka’s heartstrings until a tear fell from her lashes. A happy one. Even Xelan’s eyes glistened as the Earth’s sun sank beyond the horizon and swept the forest in the softness of dusk.

Tameka took Xelan’s hand, saying, “Let’s get back down there before chaos breaks out.”

The group had started some music, and dancing ensued as the stars glittered in the darkening sky. Silence and Kyle waded out toward the waterfall together for some alone time. Sagan and Korac left for their errand. And the others spread out playing volleyball, Marco polo, or card games.

Nearby, Devis said to Andrius, “Go fish.”

T.a.o. played with her cards facing out, still not grasping the concept. Or perhaps she was, and this way made her happy.

Beside Jack and Ross, Bethany stared at the sky.

It was time.

After Xelan set Pax down in the water with Andrew, Tameka gestured over at Bethany. Xelan took the hint and followed Tameka over to Jack and Ross, who noticed their approach.

Ross mouthed, “Now?” At Tameka’s nod, Kyle’s middle sibling said, “Bethany, I want to talk to you about something.”

The quiet girl looked at her sister with a smile and shared it with Tameka and Xelan as they sat down beside her.

This task seemed to pain Ross. As her words failed her, she looked to Jack. Rayne’s brother’s reassuring smile was identical to his sister’s. He said, “We know you would be happier if the situation with Matt and Lucy was permanent. So, Xelan and Tameka came up with a solution.”

Ross squeezed Jack’s hand in gratitude, while Tameka explained to the young girl, “We’d like for you to go out on jobs with Matt and Lucy. Every job, in fact.”

Bethany lit up, and it was sad to see how much this broke Ross’ heart.

Xelan continued, “But we want to be up front. Razor is profiling their cases now. He may even go on missions with them. Will you be okay with that?”

Ross shuddered. Jack frowned. And Tameka worried that even though they’d discussed this in advance, they hadn’t quite prepared the young couple for the full picture.

Bethany did not mind one bit. “Yes.” There was a secret glint in her honey-brown eyes, and Tameka wondered if she was plotting revenge. After a moment of thought, a warmth replaced the cold light, and Bethany threw her arms around her sister. “Thank you.”

Ross looked ready to cry as Bethany thanked her for setting her free in the galaxy, but she squeezed her baby sister with all her might. “I love you.”

“I love you.”

Tameka took the hint and nudged Xelan to leave them alone. As they stood and walked toward the water, she said, “I’m impressed Ross could do this for Bethany’s sake. Ground rules. Matt and Lucy will need some ground rules. We’ll give them the details later.”

“You handled that well.” Xelan was always full of compliments about Tameka’s competency. And they were most welcome.

Tameka grinned at him. “You, too, hot stuff.”

They sat down in the sand near Lucas, Andrew, Pax, Aria, and Torch in the water. From across the water, sitting beside Nox, Rayne waved at them.

Tameka caught the tail-end of some ridiculous story Lucas was sharing with Rayne. “It’s true. The Thailean Mystics evolved into birds. Fat ones that make an awful sound.”

Nox and Rayne glanced at one another before she asked, “Like ‘wallop’?”

Lucas’ rich laughter echoed off the canyon walls. “That’s exactly it.”

Rayne blinked at him, and Nox chuckled at some joke Tameka didn’t get.

Xelan laughed as Pax launched out of the water and onto Andrew’s back. Andrew sank into the water, shouting, “Oh no! The Kraken!”

Aria peeled Pax off Andrew’s back before he drowned and ruffled the grinning boy’s curls. Torch took Pax and threw him into the air so he splashed everyone when he fell into the water.

Tameka smiled and basked.

Harmony would fit in perfectly.