Dinner was amazing, as usual. When we were all passing the food around, Conri tried to take just a little of everything, at first. When he saw the hot-hot, he asked what it is. I said, "It's a mix of tomatoes, onion, chili peppers, salt and pepper. Grandma has always called it hot-hot." He took a big spoonful of it and passed it around. He noticed that only Gabriel and Grandpa took any of it, "It's that hot, huh?" We all laughed and nodded. When he tried it, he moaned, "This is so good! Ash, you need to tell the kitchen staff how to make this." I laughed and said, "I will, but it won't be as good. I don't know why, but it's always best when Grandma makes it." He laughed and said, "I will never doubt your word again. This is amazing." Grandma chuckled and said, "Sweetie, you may have to have a kitchen of your own and start cooking some of this yourself." I said, "We'll have to see about that." Conri stopped everything and said, "Wait; you can cook like this?" I laugh, "She's the one

I woke up this morning to the most exciting and terrifying thought of my life. Tomorrow is my wedding! I am excited and anxious and scared to death all at the same time! Conri is definitely the love of my life. He keeps telling me that he's loved me since we were ten years old, but I never have gotten to tell him that I fell in love with him at about the same age. I don't even remember when it happened or how I realized it. I just always hoped he would be my mate. Which is why I was so happy to reject Mike. The guy was a fucking idiot. My Conri, my Prince, is a thousand times better; in mind, body, looks and heart. I know there are not many men who would've stuck by me when I was paralyzed. I also know that, if they had stuck around, they wouldn't have taken the time to research ways to cater to me, without making me feel like a burden on them. Conri has always treated me as his equal and no less. I don't know how I got so lucky, but I will never take it for granted... ever.

I was so wrapped up in the moment, that Conri was able to sneak up behind me and whisper, "See something you like?" I turned around and put my arms around him and said, "You know, I never even gave children a thought before now. I knew I wanted them, eventually, but I figured it would happen on its own." He laughed, "It might help if we weren't using protection." I laughed, "Yeah, that might help. Seeing our families with Sylvie is making me want to give her a baby brother or sister." He said, "I don't mind starting on that right away. Do you?" I laugh, "Maybe after she goes to sleep tonight." He said, "You do know that until she can go in her own room, we are going to have to be quiet too." I said, "Yep. That may be an issue. We'll just have to wait and see what happens." He laughed, "You got it." A knock on the door caused us both to look warily, just in case it is someone who is looking for Sylvie. When the person was let in, she was a bloody mess and barely standing, "He

A tall, blonde woman, that I haven't seen in years, stands in the doorway. I hand Sylvie to Conri and wheel my chair to her. I hug her tightly, "How are you?" Maia replies, "I'm doing great! My life is nowhere nearly as exciting as yours lately, from what I'm hearing from dad and Aidinth! I laugh, "What can I say, Things tend to happen in my presence. It's a curse." She laughs and I find out that she found her mate in another kingdom and moved there. She now has six children, and she is over the moon happy. I smiled, "I am so happy for you! I haven't seen you since I was around six years old. I am so glad you are staying for our wedding. I want you to meet my mate and my new daughter!" Maia got excited, "That was fast! A daughter already?" I laughed, "Adopted daughter. It's definitely a story to tell." We went to Conri, and I said, "Prince Conri, please meet Princess Maia. She is Aidinth's sister!" He smiled, "It's very nice to meet you. I heard the story of the way you all

So, I'm sitting on one of our garden chairs, watching our children play. It's so hard to believe that five years ago we were handed this sweet little girl who, literally, put peace in our hearts. Today, we are going to be celebrating her fifth birthday. We have never kept her story from her. From the time she was old enough to tell her bedtime stories, I have told her the story of the beautiful and brave mother who gave birth to a child who would be a gift to all in our species. The mother was sad, because her Alpha was an evil man who would lock the child away, if he knew she existed. So, she wrapped the baby in a warm blanket and added a note, asking whoever found her to take her to the king. She knew the king was known as a kind and caring man. The king suggested the Prince and the Princess raise her as their own. They all loved her the moment they laid eyes on her. During all the celebration in finding such an amazing child, the Alpha got very angry and started searching for the