Page 73 of Let It Snow (Eden’s Omegaverse #7)

Four Years Later

I’m sitting out on our little porch, holding Wind on my lap as he slowly drifts off to sleep.

He’s snuffling a little, and I watch him with quiet tenderness.

A few days ago, he caught a cold at preschool, and now with his stuffy little nose, it’s hard for him to fall asleep lying down.

But being in my arms helps; rocking him gently keeps his breathing easier, and my closeness always seems to work wonders for my kids.

Through the big glass doors, I can see Snow inside, moving around the kitchen as he makes us a snack.

Finally, Wind’s breathing evens out. He gives a tiny snore.

Carefully, I stand up with him in my arms, carry him inside, and lay him down in our bedroom, right in the middle of my majestic nest. I know the scent I leave there when I build its walls helps my kids sleep longer and deeper.

I lean down and press a soft kiss to his warm forehead, brushing away a few strands of his white hair.

He doesn’t stir; he’s already fallen into that deep, healing kind of sleep.

Then I quietly close the door and walk back to Snow.

He turns toward me, opens his arms, and pulls me close. Our lips meet in a soft, gentle kiss.

"He still has a little fever, but I think it’s slowly going down," I say with a small smile. "Give it two more days and he’ll be back to his usual self."

"I’m not worried," Snow replies. "But I’ll bet that Wave’s going to catch it next. You know how it is, if one gets sick, the other one’s right behind." He rolls his eyes slightly.

Our kids don’t have the benefits of True Mates’s healing like Snow and I do. We never get sick. Our bond’s magic keeps us healthy, and things like colds are no match for it.

We step out onto the porch again. I grab my keyboard, and Snow takes his harmonica.

We start to play leisurely, just the two of us having our little jam session.

For the past three years, I’ve been joining the Nolans’ family jam nights too. Lake invited me in, and we usually play the keyboards together. I mostly accompany quietly in the background, but still, it brings me so much joy. I belong. And I love being part of a family of musicians.

Nonetheless, Snow and I keep our own little tradition of private jam duets, and sometimes the twins join in with their toy instruments, making more noise than music, but it’s always so much fun.

We keep playing, and playing, lost in the rhythm, until distant, excited voices reach us.

I turn and see Lake coming toward us, holding two little hands, our Wave and Phoenix, River’s son.

Ever since Phoenix’s baby brother, Flame, was born, Lake sometimes takes him for a few hours daily to give River a little break, especially since River is pregnant—again!—and still juggling a bunch of older kids.

Even from far away, the contrast between the boys is almost comical. Wave’s a few months older, yet half a head shorter. Phoenix is a red alpha, which means he’ll grow to be massive one day, like Luca. His hair is fiery red, his eyes a molten gold.

Wave looks almost ethereal next to him, slender, with pearly white hair and soft violet eyes, just like his father’s. Both twins inherited Snow’s beauty, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier. I’ve always been a fan of that kind of look… obviously.

My heart gives a tiny flutter when Wave’s eyes find mine.

Lake steps up onto the porch, while Snow and I walk over to greet them.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Wave calls out, bouncing on his feet. "Guess what? I have wings!"

"Oh really?" I murmur with a smile tugging at my lips.

Lake gives me a playful wink as he sits down, and both boys rush over.

Wave points proudly at Phoenix. "Phoenix kept telling me he could see my wings, but I didn’t believe him. Then he told me a trick to make them visible!"

I glance at Phoenix, who looks very pleased with himself.

"It’s super easy," the redhead says, lisping a little, and he shrugs. "Go on, show them, Wave!"

Wave blushes slightly. "Just don’t laugh, okay? They’re kinda weird!"

"We won’t, I promise," I say, crouching beside him and looking into those big, earnest violet eyes.

As I watch, something in them seems to shimmer faintly for a moment.

Snow, Phoenix, and I all lean in a little.

Wave scrunches up his nose, concentrating, and suddenly something unfolds behind him.

My heart skips a beat.

Flowing in the air behind his back are delicate, translucent veils of amethyst, turquoise, and silver, like the long, graceful fins of a… betta fish.

Wait, what?

I can’t believe it.

My mouth falls open.

I just stare, stunned, unable to process what I’m seeing. I turn to Snow, who’s watching with a small, knowing smile.

"You like them?" Wave asks, pouting, a little disappointed that I’m not saying anything.

I quickly recover. "Of course I do, sweetheart. They’re beautiful, and they look a lot like mine!"

"Totally!" Wave beams, and Phoenix adds, "Wind’s got wings too, but his are totally different."

I blink, my brain stalling. What?

Lake chuckles softly.

"I have the most extraordinary grandkids," he says warmly, pulling both boys close and planting two loud kisses on their cheeks.

Tears prick at my eyes, but I don’t want the boys to see. They wouldn’t understand.

So I stand quickly and step inside. Snow follows me right away.

Upstairs, I stop by Wave’s window. Snow comes up behind me, his strong arms wrapping around my waist.

A small sob escapes my throat.

"How is this even possible, Snow?" I whisper, though deep down, I already know: Wave and Wind were always mine. Their souls found me.

They chose me.

Snow gently turns me to face him, cupping my cheeks in his hands.

"There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you, Summer," he says quietly. "Something I’ve been thinking about for a while. And I’ve already, let’s say, had some preliminary talks with the people involved, just to make sure they’d be okay with it."

"What are you talking about?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"I see how much joy being a parent brings you. You were born for it, Summer. Wind and Wave are growing so fast, they’ll be in school soon, and that chapter will end.

I often think that, in a way, Fate robbed us of part of the bigger parenting experience.

But maybe there’s a way to give that back to us. "

I blink, not following.

"I talked to Moon and Winter," he continues. "I asked if they’d consider donating their… um… genetic material."

"What?" I stare at him, dumbfounded.

"Moon’s your brother, and he looks so much like you. Winter’s the one who resembles me the most among my brothers. If we used their cells, we could be parents again. You could even carry the baby yourself, as a surrogate, if that’s what you wanted."

My breath catches. My mind is spinning. I hadn’t seen this coming.

Snow strokes my temple and cheek, his voice soft. "You’d have a child that’s part of your blood too."

"Snow," I interrupt, shaking my head. "Don’t you get it? Wind and Wave are my blood. That’s how I feel, always have. I’m their true dad. Fate didn’t take anything from me. I didn’t lose a thing, I only gained. They’re indeed mine, Snow. Don’t ever think I feel any kind of lack."

Snow’s eyes soften, and he smiles gently. "I know, love," he whispers. "I just wanted to give you an option, to open a door in case you ever want to be a dad again. To have a bigger family, if that’s what your heart wants."

I take a deep breath. My chest feels tight, full of warmth and something more profound than words. I can see it now, a bigger family, more love, more life.

"I’m not saying no," I admit. "Maybe we’ll do that. But it’ll never be because I don’t feel like a real parent. They made me one, Snow. They built me, just as I built them. It really is a symbiosis."

For the first time ever, I see it, a single tear slides down Snow’s cheek. He’s not the type to get easily moved.

"Snow," I whisper, my voice trembling. "Thank you. Against all odds, you did it. You gave me a normal life. With you, I feel normal. And that’s something I dreamed of since I was a kid."

"Oh, Summer," he murmurs, smiling through his tears. "You could never be normal. For one simple reason: you’re perfect. My perfect True Mate."

I smile, my heart overflowing. The future stretches wide open before me, full of love, choices, and possibilities.

"With you, my life is perfect. And you know what? You kept the promise you made me in that letter, years ago. Remember? You gave me a miracle."

Then we both look down through the window.

Wind’s awake now, wandered out of our bedroom, and has joined his brother.

The two of them are standing on garden stones, proudly showing off their wings to Phoenix and Lake, who are clapping and cheering.

Wave’s are like mine, and Wind’s… just like Snow’s.

I laugh through my tears, and Snow squeezes my hand.

And everything feels exactly as it should be.

Normal. But our kind of normal.

THE END

Thank you for reading my book! I hope following Summer and Snow’s story brought you some joy and excitement.