Page 77 of Flawed Revenge

Their family had grown. A child lived there now, plus six women, it made sense that this space should be utilized. Since they’d already agreed to plant vegetable gardens, it wasn't that much more of a change to add to that. Now that the threat against them had been eliminated, and they were all free to move on, Lion got the feeling that Ariella wouldn't be the only child living there for much longer.

“Not summer-ready?” Kate asked.

“According to Cassandra, it needs a fire pit to sit around on summer nights and make s'mores and tell ghost stories,” he explained.

“I love ghost stories,” Ariella piped up from where she was kneeling on the ground, a little shovel in her hands, helping to dig the pit alongside him and the guys.

“You do not, you get scared of ghost stories,” Kate reminded their daughter with a smile.

“Not anymore,” Ariella said, and while both he and Kate flinched, knowing it was because the little girl had been immersed in death and danger the last few days, the child didn't seem at all bothered.

“Maya wants a huge wooden swing,” Lion continued, because he didn't want to dwell on the fact that his daughter had witnessed him torture and kill someone. Even if Ariella wasn't affected by it, he certainly was.

“Oh, that’s a great idea,” Kate said.

“Thunder wants to make it special for her since he knows how much she needs to be outdoors after what she’s been through. So we’re thinking of making it with a big frame, planting a vine that will grow all over it, maybe wisteria, maybe jasmine, maybe something else. Something to make it pretty, though,” he explained.

“I love it,” Kate agreed. “Are there any other plans?”

“A pool,” Ariella piped up.

“We don’t need a pool. We’re going to go swimming in the river once the weather warms up, remember?”

“Oh yeah. Swimming in the river will be so cool,” Ariella gushed. “I'm a real good swimmer, aren't I, Mom? Because I swim in Nanna and Poppy’s pool all the time. I'm the best one out of all my cousins.”

His daughter’s bragging was bittersweet. A reminder not only that he’d missed out on so much of her life already, and how uncertain her future was with a chance she wouldn't even be alive come summer, but also of how much of his family’s lives he’d missed out on.

As though sensing his spiraling thoughts, Kate stepped closer, ignored the dirt streaking his clothes and skin, and smoothed a hand down his arm before curling her fingers around his. “So, no pool, but a vegetable garden, a swing, and a fire pit. Are we planning any other garden renovations?”

“A gazebo,” Indigo piped up as the other women came out of the house. All of them were dressed in jeans and T-shirts, with hats on to protect against the spring sun, and looking like they were ready to get to work helping transform the mansion and its grounds from a place to hide out to a family home to be lived in and enjoyed. “I always thought gazebos were so pretty.”

“Then we’ll build you a gazebo,” Voodoo quickly agreed, strolling over to wrap his arms around his girl and kiss her.

“Anything you want to add, darlin’?” Blade asked Whitney. “Rose is getting a vegetable garden, Cassandra a fire pit, Indigo a gazebo, and Maya her wooden swing, so give us your suggestion.”

“Umm, well, I kind of like the idea of a pond, one with lots of lily pads, and koi. In Japanese culture, koi symbolize resilience, prosperity, and beauty, and I thought that was a great summary of us, our pasts, and what our futures are going to be. We’re all resilient, we couldn’t have survived everything we have if we weren't. And from here on out, our lives will be prosperous and beautiful. I don’t just mean financially prosperous, I mean they’re going to be full of love, laughter, and freedom. Full of life. Beautiful.” Whitney glanced around, saw everyone was looking at her, and blushed. “I was just thinking it could be a nice idea, but I don’t mind if no one else wants to.”

Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, Blade pressed a kiss to her temple as he drew her against his chest. “I love it, darlin’, and I think everyone else does too. I can't think of anything more fitting to put in our garden.”

“I can,” Ariella exclaimed.

“Oh, yeah, and what's that, squirt?” Steel asked, ruffling Ariella’s blonde braids.

“I'm not a squirt.” Ariella pouted.

“You definitely are,” Dragon agreed, his unusual deep violet eyes twinkling in a way Lion wasn't used to seeing.

“Am not.” Ariella stuck her tongue out, making Dragon throw back his head and laugh.

“You're a squirt, but you're a tough little squirt, a mini warrior,” Dragon said, and that seemed to pacify the little girl.

“I'm going to be a warrior like my daddy,” Ariella said, beaming at him with pride.

“You already are, Ari-Bear. You fought when that man found you, and that makes you a warrior already.”

“To me, you’ll always be my sweet little piece of pie,” Kate teased Ariella, making the little girl roll her eyes at her mother.

“I'm not a piece of pie,” Ariella insisted.