I rubbed my ankle, feeling better. I went to get up to make breakfast, forgetting that I can't sit on the floor when I'm too pregnant. I got up and began seeing stars. I started to fall over, but Sam caught me. His arm wrapped around my waist sending a chill through me. He steadied me, only removing his arm when he saw I was steady enough. "Perhaps you should sit." Sam suggested. "I am fine. Besides, I need to make breakfast." I smiled at him kindly. He didn't seem convinced by my words. He watched me attentively as I made breakfast. I could feel his eyes on me, sending a warmth through me. He would get up and reach the things he saw me struggling to get. "Thank you again, Sam." I told him as he handed me Gabriel's favorite cereal from over the fridge. I have to start storing that somewhere else if I ever want to reach it myself. "It's not a problem." His eyes still held concern for me. He was watching me carefully. I turned, making Gabriel's cereal. I didn't want to keep star

"My sunshine." Dex's sweet voice flooded my ears. I let go of Sam, running towards Dex. He caught me, letting me cry into his shoulder like always. "I'm here now, my little sun. Whatever it is, I'll make it better." He whispered. "I miss him so much. It hurts, Dex." I gripped at his shirt. "I know, Ember." He rubbed my back soothingly. "I got you now. It's okay." "I'm sorry." I could hear Sam's voice from behind me. He sounded confused and guilty all at once. I felt bad for just crying like that on him. "You're fine, Sam. Don't take it personally, you just look a lot like someone we knew." Dex was being so supportive as always. "Her dead mate." He told Dex, letting him know that he knew."She told you." I could hear Dex sigh. "Yeah. I'm not going to lie, Sam, your similarities are unnerving. I thought you were him sent from the afterlife when I saw you at the clinic. It hit me hard.""Gabriel." I finally spoke, coming to my senses and realizing that he didn't come in with Dex. "

Eric and I tried to brainstorm for a while before dinner was ready. We had come up dry. Nothing good had come from our thinking. We thought of Mom, but she really doesn't have much witch magic to be of help. Ash doesn't know any of this either. Eric didn't have the heart to tell him and neither did I. "I could smell that meat from the castle." Ash came in from the side door. He had that childish grin of his as he eyed the steaks. "Don't worry, big guy, there's one with your name on it." Dex patted Ash's shoulder. "Thanks!" Ash took a seat in front of me. "Where's Layla?" I just realized she wasn't here with him. "She's with some friends. It's one of their birthdays" Ash shrugged his shoulders, as he cut his steak. "This is delicious, Dex. Thanks. I was about to have to try to cook for myself." "Oh gods, no. You would have burned the place down." I teased him. Ash is the worst at cooking and that hasn't changed over the years. Despite his numerous attempts, Ash's cooking had only

We made it inside the wards by the skin of our teeth. I looked around seeing many people injured, crying and scared. There were people wailing in pain as they held their gashing wounds. Dex had Gabriel's head tucked in his chest. We were shielding him from what we could. Although I know these screams will haunt him, at least the images won't."Ember!" I heard Aunt Star's familiar voice from the crowd. I found her knelt down helping people. "Oh God, your little one. Take him inside with the other children. All the injured are out here." Star directed us inside. "Wait, Aunt Star." I grabbed her wrist. "Here, have people who are injured eat these. They will heal them." I handed her 5 ice marbles I was able to make quickly. "I'll keep making them if you want to come back for more when those are gone." "You're definitely your mother's daughter." She scoffed as she ran back out. I looked around inside. The children were all staring at the floor traumatized. Not a single child was playing

It was odd being home without Gabriel. Dex comforted me and kept me entertained throughout the night…in ways only he can. I am not going to lie, it was nice to sleep in for once. The sun was angrily shining into my room. Accusing me of wasting the day. I lazily got out of bed. Dex had gotten up hours ago now. I don't know how he can be such a morning person even when he gets very little sleep. I remembered to take my vitamins before leaving the room this time. "Good morning, sleepyhead." Dex smiled at me as I took my last step off the stairs. "Good morning." I flashed him a sarcastic grin. "Oh come on, Sunshine. You can't still be tired after sleeping the morning away, can you?" He grabbed my wrist pulling me towards him. Those stormy gray eyes kept me entrapped in his gaze. "I sure can." I stuck my tongue out at him, playing. Dex stuck his out at me as well. I couldn't help the smirk he caused.