Calix and Hayden had been one hundred percent correct. Soleil was indeed pregnant. When I didn’t think I could be shaken any further than the day we found out her brother was alive, I found myself staring at a positive pregnancy test.
But I didn’t regret that day one bit. I grinned to myself at the memory of Soleil and I staring at that little screen that repeatedly flashed “pregnant” over and over.
“Hello, handsome,” Soleil cooed as she approached, pulling me from my revery. I grinned, but it quickly fell into a pout when I realized she was talking to our son in my lap. He grinned and pulled the toy keys he’d been gnawing out of his mouth. Drool poured out of his mouth and ran over my forearm that was wrapped around his chubby middle. I didn’t care one iota.
“Mamamamama,” he prattled as he reached for her with his slobber-covered hands. The moment her hands moved toward him, he waved the teether, slinging baby spit everywhere. That had me grimacing because I’d sat in a pool of his drool before. I made a mental note to wipe down the couch.
“Aww, my little prince. Should we go give you a bath so you smell nice and fresh for your uncle Hayden?”
“I should’ve known it was too good to be true to think you were calling me handsome,” I teased with a mock sob before I covered my face with both hands. Then I remembered I had my son’s slobber all over them.
Soleil laughed until I was certain she’d peed herself.
“That was not funny, Mrs. Denali,” I muttered, using his flannel blanket to wipe myself dry. Except I couldn’t help the way the corner of my mouth kicked up.
“It totally was, Mr. Denali,” she snickered.
I laughingly rolled my eyes and shook my head. When my wife walked off, softly talking to our seven-month-old son, I shamelessly stared at her ass. With the help of Calix and Hayden, we’d procured a birth certificate, and all the necessary paperwork that made Soleil official. With that came a marriage certificate that listed the union of Aros Roscoe Denali and Soleil Rose Castile.
We still had a few hours before Hayden arrived, but I knew Soleil was going to clean after she bathed Ashton and laid him down for a nap. She would start to freak out if the place wasn’t spotless an hour before he got here. Heaving my ass up off the couch, I grabbed the basket she kept all his toys in and made a sweep of the living room.
As I tossed baby toys in the basket, I also tried to straighten the ridiculous pillows she had on all the furniture. Since she was not only being a mom full-time, but interning with Chains at RB, Ink., I helped out as much as I could.
When I turned around, I dropped the basket and reached for the pistol I kept in the back of my pants, only to realize it wasn’t there. Of course it wasn’t. I had been playing with my son, so I’d placed it up on the top of the grandfather clock.
“Relax, Aros. I’m not here to harm you or your family.” Though I hadn’t recognized the man, I immediately knew his voice.
“What are you doing here, Zeus?” It was difficult to keep the snarl from my tone.
He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he quietly studied me. When he stood, my back went straight, and I was instantly wary.
He sighed and shook his head. “Is that any way to speak to your creator?”
I scoffed. “My creator that left me to languish alone for years, thinking I would forever be alone? You expect me to believe you suddenly give a shit about me?”
“Did I not keep you alive? Despite what you may believe, that was my small bit of mercy. Aphrodite wanted you cast to the stars for all eternity. She doesn’t like her playthings to stray.” He smirked as he lounged on my couch with an arm thrown carelessly along the back.
“We had no agreement,” I clarified. Aphrodite had been fun to dally with, but she was married to Hephaistos and had a long history of infidelity. From Ares to Poseidon and lesser gods, demigods, and eudaemons—I certainly wasn’t her only lover. It had been years since I’d even seen her, let alone fucked her. Not since being with Soleil and then getting eternally imprisoned on Earth.
“I know you didn’t, but she never sees it that way. And Odo pushed for your soul to be banished.”
Confused, I cocked my head. “Odo?”
“The cacodaemon you killed. Guess you beat him at his own game.”
I snorted in disgust. “He manipulated the system.”
“True. He did. But you broke the rules too. As a eudaemon, you were supposed to be above that—a good spirit—a guardian angel. You had to be punished for your transgressions, but I didn’t believe it should be permanent, despite his protests. After all, even the gods succumb to lust and love. Regardless,” he waved the discussion away. “I’ve come to bring you back.”
“What?” I was sure I hadn’t heard him correctly, because I was having a hard time understanding what he was getting at. All I could do was stand there like I was frozen to the floor.
“Shall I spell it out? I decided your punishment has been fulfilled. To Hades with whoever disagrees with me. I’m tired of the petty bullshit of the gods right now. You are free to take your place with the eudaemons again.” He said it like I should fall at his feet and thank him for this gracious blessing.
Dumbfounded, I glanced over my shoulder to where I could hear the murmur of Soleil’s voice and the splash of water in the bathroom. My son’s laughter and more splashing carried down the hall.
My family.
Then I thought of the club.