“Arryn,” Kali called from outside. “Come here.”
I pushed up from the kitchen table and stepped to the front door. Kali hunched outside, but I couldn’t see what she crouched in front of. I approached, the sunlight casting dappled rays on my skin. Her freshly shorn strands were glossy, coming to chin-length, and the shirt she wore showcased muscular biceps. Kali was undeniably hot. When I sank down beside her, I caught sight of what was going on.
Socks lay on her belly and Kali gave her gentle scritches, but splayed out like she was, I noticed a very clear difference. Her belly was distended, pushed out far more than before.
“Is she…”
Kali bobbed her head. “I’m no expert on pagwais, but I’m pretty sure Leonin knocked Socks up.”
“That means…” Excitement rushed through me in a fast and fierce torrent.
Kali met my gaze, her eyes shining. “Means we’re going to have a messload of pagwai babies in a week or two.”
“We?” I asked, craving the little bit of confirmation.
She placed her hand over mine. “We. I’m here for as long as you’ll let me stay.”
I leaned in and brushed my lips to hers, the kiss as sweet and gentle as these morning rays. Our meeting hadn’t been the stuff of romance, and our journey together was still new and unfolding, but I was already sure she was it for me. She was sharp edges, her perspective on life so different than mine, but we slotted into place so well. And she made me laugh, made me unravel for her every night. I knew deep in my bones, I wanted to keep her.
When I pulled back, I met her gaze unwavering. “Forever sounds good to me.”
