Page 123 of His Retribution

"You did it!" Cora praises. "Such a big girl! Oh my gosh, you are such a big girl!"

I blow out a breath and smile as my mate showers the young with kisses and raspberries to her neck, then glances at my best friend. "You have no idea how many lives you just saved."

His lip twitches as he gets to his feet. "Softened the blow."

"Absolutely." I nod because had anyone else greeted my angel in that exact moment, I fear there would have been an explosion of epic proportions. But then I notice an actual grin on Andrej's face. "What?"

His eyes glimmer but he just nods toward my love.

So I turn, turn and pray this isn't totally shot, in time to see Daisy digging around in her pants or maybe her diaper, Cora cracking up the whole time.

"Do you have a wedgie?" She snorts. "Here, let Auntie Cora help, sweetie. I'm sure your daddy doesn't want you picking your butt in case you're hiding more than those dimpled cheeks."

She shifts Daisy around a little, attempts to turn her but just before she can, the young produces something from the back of her britches.

Something silver.

Cora blinks, her smile falling a bit. "What's this?" She looks at Daisy, then me, and I don't have a fucking clue, then shifts to Andrej who is stone faced as ever. "Drej?"

His lip twitches. "Give Auntie her present, my flower."

Daisy smiles huge, slaps a hand on either side of Cora's face, the silver now smooshed against her cheek, then plants the loudest smacker of a kiss on my angel's lips. "Teera!" she squeals, right before she drops the silver down Cora's shirt.

She shifts the young again, then fishes down her top while almost flashing us but Cora pulls her hand free, opens her palm, furrows her brow as she examines what I now see to be a bracelet.

An actual gift.

Oh fuck.

"Drej?" She looks up at my brother, eyes shiny and wet. "What is this?"

"For you," he grunts. "A reminder."

Cora frowns harder. "Reminder?"

Andrej nods. "A reminder of where you belong, reminder of where your roots grow, reminder of who your family is. A reminder to stay, always stay."

A tear slides down Cora's cheek as she gets to her feet. "Andrej..."

He shakes his head then nods toward the bracelet. "From all of us. Your brothers, our mates, my young. Allie said it wasn't right for you to not get at least one gift that didn't come from Havok; said you deserve to receive something that represents all the good after so much bad." Andrej's eyes shift to mine briefly, mine that are definitelynotwelling with tears. "Havok gave you his ring as a physical expression of his love for you, consider this the same from your brothers."

I watch my light swallow a sob, and nod, then shoot Andrej a very watery smile. "Thank you."

And my best friend just nods, walks over, and wraps Cora and Daisy in a hug before taking his young back to the party that has continued around us.

"Angel?" I take a step toward her but get no further because Cora throws herself at me, essentially forcing me to carry her while she quietly cries against my neck. "Cora, angel, please don't cry."

"Happy tears..." She sniffles. "I promise, lovey. Happy tears."

So I just stand there with my mate wrapped around my body, ankles locked across the small of my back, arms tight around my neck, and rub her back until her tears dry up.

With one final shaky breath, Cora kisses my throat then pulls back and holds her hand between us.

It's a charm bracelet.

A simple silver chain, sturdy and formed into a small hoop. There are several charms hanging from it, all with a rather vintage flare and incredibly meaningful.

"Oh..." Cora whispers while looking down at it. "Oh my gosh."