Chapter 38: Chapter 38

“Laura, you fat hooker!” I say as I waddle. “Wait for me!” I can hear her laughing as she turns to face me, her large tummy draped in shimmering emerald green.

She eyes me with a raised brow. “If you start getting contractions from all your swaying and squawking, Apollo will be very upset.”

I wave my hand. “Pish-posh.”

Yes, we both are eight months pregnant, and ~no~, it was not planned. I am two weeks ahead of her though, which is why I almost didn’t make it to the Fairy Godmother Christmas party.

We’ve just arrived and the men have gone to see about hanging up our cloaks.

I am wearing a deep-scarlet gown with glittering diamonds under my bustline. It’s a stunning piece that Apollo surprised me with. My raven hair is piled high on my head with glittering pins.

“Hold on,” I pause, out of breath, and smile at passing people in reindeer hats. “Okay, we can go now.”

“Wow, this place is massive,” she says in awe. “And so festive.”

Fairy Godmother Headquarters is a sight to see. I am not sure how big this place is, seeing how we were beamed here—and yes, it was safe for the baby.

I can hear loud Christmas music emitting from the main hall, and it sounds like a rocking time. Silver and blue Christmas decor is draped everywhere, making the grand place look like a winter wonderland.

Everything seems to sparkle and twinkle, like it’s right out of a fantasy. There are tons of beautiful people here, elves running everywhere, and female servers dressed as slutty snowmen.

And I look like a water buffalo.

“You look stunning,” Apollo whispers in my ear, seeming to read my mind. I turn to see Apollo looking insanely handsome in his black tux, made by Pierce.

He wanted to try out some new clothing, and Apollo is such a great specimen. This man looks like every woman’s fantasy.

His glorious hair is tied back despite my wanting it down. Let me say this: when his hair is down, it gives me instant hot flashes. His dark eyes glitter down at me, his expression making my body tingle.

“And you, sir, look handsome,” I say, grinning up at him.

He rolls his eyes. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

I hit his arm and laugh. “Funny.”

Apollo winks at me. “How are you feeling?” His large hands smooth over my belly. “Is she kicking?”

“I am feeling good,” I say, and grab his hands to feel more toward the under part of my belly. “Here, do you feel it?”

Apollo looks down as he waits for a kick, then smiles at me. “She will be a feisty one, like her mother.”

I laugh as he leans down to kiss me, filling my heart. This past year has been bliss with him—he is truly an amazing man.

It took a little getting used to, living in a castle and being called the Queen of Garthorn. But my favorite thing about my new life is my family and friends, something that I have never had before.

I am gushing, feeling so lucky. I know it’s corny, mushy stuff, but I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with him, to see our kids grow and thrive.

Though I am not sure what we will say when they ask us how we met. That might be our teensy-weensy little secret.

Tarren walks up to us and pats Apollo on the back, looking dashing as well. “I’ve just seen people with green skin, scared the hell out of me in the bathroom.”

Apollo raises an eyebrow. “My wife scared the hell out of me last night with green skin, in the bathroom.” He gives me a pointed look.

I roll my eyes. “It was a face mask.”

Laura grabs my arm and points into the Great Hall. “I see Pierce and Zora.”

I look through the throng of people and see Pierce in a white and blue tux and a Santa hat, looking perfect, laughing at something someone said. The life of the party.

We all walk into the hall and see a giant Christmas tree the size of a two-story building. It’s breathtaking, glittering blue and silver with tiny hints of purple. The festive music blares and laughter rings in the air.

A waiter comes up to us in a white tux and a Santa hat. “Can I interest you in some of these?”

What’s ~these~?

We all lean over and look at the tray carrying what looks like baby poop on a cracker. I cover my nose, nausea swimming in my belly.

We all pass politely as I try to get my stomach under control. Apollo gives me a pitying look.

“There is lots of food over there that I can see. I’ll go and get you some,” he offers.

“No, I’m fine.”

Apollo shakes his head, a grin pulling at his mouth. “No way, Angel. I’ve seen you when you’re hungry and it scares me.”

Tarren is listening, and they both agree that the pregnant women need to gorge themselves, apparently. Laura shifts. “Let’s find a place to sit before my ankles swell.”

I nod, waddling over to a ton of beautiful tables with white glittering chairs. We find an empty table and sit, sighing with relief.

“Look at this place, it’s enormous!” I say, and laugh.

“Look at all of the hot people,” she says, looking around with a wide stare. “I wonder if all these people were once on missions.”

“I bet a lot of them were.”

Pierce’s voice startles us. “There are my two pregnant mamas!”

“Pierce!” we both say, and try to stand up.

“No, no!” He laughs. “Stay seated. I do not want to deliver a baby tonight—I am in my favorite suit.”

Laura and I exchange ~yeah, right~ looks.

He sits down at the table and is all smiles. “I cannot believe you both are having girls—and pregnant at the same time, no less.”

We both laugh and agree.

“Well, before you leave, I have gifts for you both.” Pierce beams.

“That’s so sweet! This place is amazing, by the way,” I say, meaning it.

“Isn’t it though?” he agrees, and flags a waiter for another drink.

“Where is Mort? I have to say hi to her,” I ask, looking around.

“Oh,” Pierce sighs and points at the stage at the far end of the hall. “She’s been at the karaoke all evening. Apparently she’s drunk off champagne.

“She really likes the bubbles. I had to hear all about the bubbles for twenty minutes.” He looks pained.

I place a hand over my mouth to stifle a laugh. “Is she singing to someone?”

I see Mort looking like her cute Sailor Moon self and wearing some sort of large Grinch hat that is about to fall off. Oh dear.

“Yes,” Pierce confirms as he squints in her direction. “I think that’s Phil from accounting.”

“I think he looks uncomfortable,” Laura says with a raised eyebrow.

“Most likely. I’ll grab her in a minute.” Pierce laughs. “Wait, too late, she sees us.”

Mort beelines it for us with a big smile and champagne in hand, hat fallen off somewhere. “My human!” she slurs, and wraps her arms around me.

“Mort!” I laugh. “That was some nice singing up there.”

“Yeah, I just gave what the audience wanted.” She stumbles to the left.

“Have a seat, Mort,” Pierce says.

“I’ll be back. I have to tell Phil how I feeeeel.” Then she is gone.

Pierce winces. “She will regret that. She despises that guy.”

I laugh. Only Mort.

Apollo and Tarren arrive with plates of food like we weigh two hundred pounds. Now that I think about it, we might. But who cares. It looks and smells delicious.

Pierce stands and shakes hands with the men.

“Thank you. I hope some of this is for you?” I smile as Apollo sits next to me.

“Just a little.” He winks.

Pierce takes a sip of his drink. “I’ll let you guys eat. I have to prepare for our next mission.”

I take a bite of shrimp and bacon with zero guilt. “What’s this mission?”

Pierce leans forward. “A hard one. So hard in fact that we have just gotten clearance that if we fail, it will not count against us.”

Apollo clicks his tongue. “I feel sorry for the man in question.”

I kick him under the table. “How? Is he super evil?”

“It’s not that. It’s quite complicated. I am dealing with a race of people who think of themselves superior to anyone who is not them,” he says with another drink.

“Can’t you just make the agents their race then?”

“No, because that’s the problem. Fairy Godmother thinks they need to be put in their place by a human. Their ego needs altering. They have this whole ~Hunger Games~ thing going on there that needs to be fixed.”

“~Hunger Games~?” Laura frowns. “I love that movie.”

“Not if you’re in it,” Pierce says. “I am scared too many lifelines will be used to complete the mission. I am asking for more, but I am not confident the council will agree.”

He reaches for some shrimp off my plate. “I am going to personally find a girl myself. I need a girl who will not back down and has an ego to match theirs.

“I get to throw a wild card in with Fate’s picking. So that’s fun,” he says, chewing.

Laura laughs. “Find a celebrity.”

“Right.” He nods, pointing at her. “I just have to find one that is willing to do it, and I’ve got a week to pull it off.” He points at the shrimp. “Those are legit.”

“That’s exciting though,” I say, wishing I could get updates on the mission. “Will you tell me how it goes?”

“Of course.” Pierce winks and stands up. “Don’t forget to take pics in the funny picture booth.” He bows and leaves in a hurry.

Apollo kisses my neck. “I would hate to have his job.”

I look at him. “I think he loves it though.”

I am just hoping whoever he picks knows what she is getting herself into.

It’s one hell of a ride.

~But oh-so worth it.~