Chapter 28

"What's going to happen here?" Nora asked, looking around Ares and Clare's burnt apartment.

"We'll have to renovate," Clare sighed, kicking aside the broken coffee table with her feet.

"Dad's been wanting to redo the kitchen for a while now," Cara said. "This is his chance."

"What happened to Maaz?" Nora looked at the dark marks on the wall that strangely reassembled arms and legs...as if someone had been thrown against the wall and burned.

"They retreated," Clare followed Nora's eyes. "They had the numbers on their side, but not the god of war."

"Was anyone hurt?"

"No," Clare rolled her eyes. "But Heyder will tell you otherwise."

"Was he hurt?" Nora turned to face the woman.

Clare snorted. "Nothing he couldn't handle. He's just dramatic."

Nora wished Hayden had taken her with him to visit his parents. But he was adamant about keeping her away from their house and them, just in case Maaz still had eyes lurking. Which he most likely did according to Clare.

"Don't worry," Clare said, sensing Nora's heartache. "They're all fine. Birdie will be staying with Eggs and Gemma and Hayden will be back for you and Noor soon."

"What about Cara?" Nora asked. "Will she be staying with your parents? In Juniper?"

With a heavy sigh, Clare shook her head. "As much as I would prefer her to stay with my parents or with my brother, her dad thinks it will be the safest option for her to stay with Hera on Mount Olympus."

"Oh shoot me," Cara mumbled. "I hate that place."

"Cara," Clare looked at her daughter over her shoulder. "Hera loves you and she always says you don't visit her enough."

"Why can't we stay somewhere else with grandma?" Cara whined. "I don't like the rest of them. They always say snarky things that I can't tell if it was meant to be an insult or not."

"It doesn't matter what they say," Clare reminded her. "You just be yourself and be polite. It's only for a few days."

"I would much rather be at one of dad's bases," Cara picked up a broken lamp and tossed it aside. "Surrounded by tall sexy soldiers I can order around."

Clare rolled her eyes as she turned back to Nora, "I don't know where she gets that from."

"Nora."

Nora turned towards where she had sat Noor down on the only chair in the apartment that wasn't destroyed. But as she looked, she realized the little fey had climbed out of his seat and was freely exploring the apartment.

"What do you have there?" Nora asked as she spotted Noor walking up to her with his hands cupped over one another.

"It's for you," the little boy said with a smile as he held up his hands.

"For me?" Nora laughed. "What is it?"

Slowly, Noor opened his hands to reveal a gold stopwatch. It sat on his whole palm like a heavy chuck of nugget, shimmering in the sunlight that poured in from the outside. The vines and grape leaves that were engraved on the stopwatch seemed to be done by the hands of an expert craftsman. Nora lowered herself to Noor's level and took a better look at the thing.

"Baby, thank you," she said. "But I think it belongs to Clare and Ares. We're in their house, remember?"

"No," Clare looked down at the little boy. "That's not ours."

"Are you sure?" Nora looked up. "Maybe Maya or Heyder's?"

"It doesn't seem like it," Clare said.

"I found it for you," Noor insisted.

With another gentle smile, Nora took the stopwatch and turned it over in her hand. She was surprised by how heavy it was for something so small. Her finger pressed down on the small button at the top and the cover swung open, revealing a small painting and the face of the watch.

"Birdie?" Noor asked as he pointed to the painting for the small girl with streaks of silver hair and pointy ears.

"No..." Nora bought the stopwatch closer. "I don't think it's Birdie, my love."

"May I?" Clare asked, holding out her hand.

Nodding, Nora rose to her feet and handed Clare the stopwatch. She placed her hand over Noor's head as he wrapped his arms around her leg and stood beside her. Together, they watched Clare as she examined the stopwatch front to back.

"Who is that little girl?" Nora asked. "She looks a lot like Birdie."

"No," Clare shook her head, her finger sliding over the Arabic calligraphy on the back. "It's Nura."

"Nura?" Nora arched her brow.

"Maaz's daughter," Clare said, handing the watch back.

"She has pointy ears," Noor said quietly, looking up through his long lashes.

"She was half jinn and half fey."

Nora gasped, "Like Hayden? What happened to her? Where is she now?"

Clare's gray eyes flickered to the clouds over Nora's shoulders. She took a small pause to clear her throat and push a small smile to her lips.

"She didn't make it."

Nora felt her bones chill as her heart struggled to beat. Her hand around Noor pulled him closer as the little boy's arms tightened around her leg.

"When Maya was pregnant with Hayden we had gone to speak to Maaz about it," Clare said slowly. "He revealed to us the complications of having a hybrid child....Nura was about seven. Her two sides drove her to insanity...eating up her mind until there was nothing no one could do."

"I..." Nora shook her head as if that would get her thoughts in a line. "I don't understand. If Maaz had a hybrid child with a fey....he must know what Maya and Heyder are going through with Hayden....Why is he still after them?"

"Sometimes people start to hate the things they couldn't have," Clare said. "I guess for Maaz...seeing Hayden or Birdie is a constant reminder of what he lost."

"But it's not their fault."

"No, it's not," Clare shook her head.

"But then why...."

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all knew how to control our emotions?" Cara spoke up from the back. "If we all understood our own insecurities and worked on ourselves rather than go and attack others for our own shortcomings?"

"Maaz believes Heyder took the throne wrongfully from Zubair," Clare said. "He wants to restore the government back to the way it was."

"But he's really just upset with himself because he couldn't protect his wife and daughter the way Heyder protected Maya and Hayden," Cara said.

"We don't know that," Clare looked at her daughter over her shoulder. "Remember, we don't' assume anything about others."

"I'm not assuming," Cara pointed out. "I'm dissecting his inner psyche."

"You're supposed to be packing."

"Packing what exactly?" Cara held up the ashy throw pillow from the floor. "Everything is...."

"Your room is fine," Clare said. "Nothing was touched in there."

"Damn it," Cara groaned. "Why?"

As the demigoddess began to stop up the stairs, a portal opened and Hayden walked out. His eyes looked restless and haunted until they spotted Nora standing in the middle of the apartment. He began to make his way over to her as Clare stepped out of the way and excused herself to head upstairs to Cara's room.

"Hi," Hayden smiled, placing his hand against Nora's face and leaning down for a kiss.

"Hi," Nora let out a breath and reached up to hold his wrist.

"Miss me?" Hayden's smile widened.

Nora nodded, leaning in closer for another kiss. But before she could meet Hayden's lips, a small sound caught both of their attention. Hayden looked down at the little fey wrapped around Nora's legs.

Noor was busy stomping on a tiny piece of glass he uncovered under the layer of ash over the floors. He moved his feet back and forth, creating a trail on the ash.

"Hey, buddy," Hayden leaned down and ruffled Noor's dark hair. "Did you give Nora a hard time while I was away?"

"No," Noor shook his head, forgetting all about the glass on the floor and focusing on Hayden.

"Ready to go home?"

"Yes," Noor let go of Nora's leg at once and walked into Hayden's arms. "Where's Birdie?"

"She is staying with my grandparents for a few days," Hayden stood back up with the little boy in his arms. "They live on a farm and Birdie is not too pleased about being there."

"A farm?" Noor's interest peaked. "Like in Charlotte's Web?"

"Yeah," Hayden laughed.

"Can we go to a farm?"

"Noor, no," Nora shook her head. "We have to go back home."

"I don't want to go back," Noor said, laying his head on Hayden's shoulder and looking at Nora. "I want to go see Birdie."

"Afet and everyone else is probably missing us," Nora frowned. "We can visit Birdie another day."

"Okay..." Noor frowned.

"You know," Hayden looked down at the little fey in his arms. "I think seeing you will make Birdie feel better."

"Hayden," Nora frowned with disapproval.

"Come on," Hayden laughed. "Afet will send us a signal if she needs us."

"Can we go to Birdie?" Noor picked up his head.

"It's a yes from me," Hayden said. "But you need to convince Ms. Rossi here."

"Please Nora," Noor reached out and touched the edge of Nora's face just the way Hayden had earlier.

"This isn't fair," Nora shook her head.

"Say yes," Haydens tapped closer and pressed a kiss on top of her head. "We all could use the mini vacation."

"This isn't a time for vacation," Nora sighed.

"What is there to do?" Hayden asked. "Until Afet convinces the elders, what is there for us to do?"

Nora didn't have an answer for him. She felt uneasy going away with Hayden and Noor when there were people on the island who were holding onto each breath, fearful of the possibilities that it might be their last one. She felt guilty because she knew every second with Hayden would be blissful.

"Come on, Nora Bora," Hayden teased, kissing her ear. "Say yes."

"You don't play fair," Nora pushed at his chest.

"I will never be fair when it comes to you," Hayden grinned. "Say yes....for me. Please."

Nora groaned, feeling her will bend to whatever direction Hayden wanted.

"I want you to meet my grandparents," Hayden said. "I want my grandma to see the ring on your finger and for Eggs to dance with you by the fire."

"Hayden," Nora felt her heart beat faster.

"Say yes," Hayden squeezed her side. "Come on."

"Please, Nora," Noor pleaded.

"Say yes, Nora," Hayden laughed. "Say yes."

With a sigh, Nora nodded her head, "Yes."

"Damn," Hayden snapped his finger and a portal opened. "I had an easier time convincing you to marry me."

"Damn," Noor said.

"No," Hayden suddenly grew serious and looked at Noor. "Don't say that word."

"But you say it," Noor frowned. "And so does Birdie and Cara."

"You can say it when you're older like Birdie and Cara."

"When I'm a big boy?" Noor smiled as if he was realizing for the first time he had so many years to look forward to.

"Yes," Nora pushed his hair back, her heart swelling up from his smile. "When you're a big boy and you go to college and get a job and have a girlfriend."

"But I don't want a girlfriend," Noor shook his head.

"Or boyfriend," Hayden shrugged. "Whatever you want."

"I want a dog!"

Nora and Hayden began to laugh at the little boy's enthusiasm. His eyes had never been brighter. So full of possibilities.

"We'll get you a dog," Hayden promised. "But you can play with my Eggs' horses for now."

"Am I going to stay with you and Nora forever?"

Nora and Hayden stilled. They looked at each other and then at Noor. The little boy's question had caught them both off guard. Neither one knew what to say but they could see their silence was starting to dim the smile on Noor's face.

"Noor," Hayden shifted the little boy in his arms to get a better look at him. "Do you want to stay with us forever?"

Noor slowly nodded, his eyes lowered, his hand playing with the buttons on Hayden's shirt.

"Yes," his little voice said.

"I would like that very much," Hayden smiled. "But you can't say bad words, okay."

"But your baba says bad words."

"He won't anymore," Hayden shook his head. "Not around you."

"Okay," Noor nodded. "I won't say bad words anymore."

"Good job," Hayden tickled the little boy's belly, making him giggle. "Ready to go see some horses?"

As Noor nodded his head with enthusiasm, Hayden took Nora's hand and stepped towards the portal. Nora stood by him silently as they walked into the portal and emerged in front of a large farmhouse with a big red barn. The air was warm with the first hints of spring. The birds chirped in the trees as the early morning sunlight warmed Nora's face. Hayden knocked on the door and turned to look at Noor to make sure he was okay.

"Where are the horses?" Noor asked.

"They're in the barn," Hayden said. "I smell pancakes. We can go after breakfast."

"I like pancakes," Noor looked around. "Lemon trees."

Nora and Hayden turned to look in the direction the fey pointed.

"Wow," Nora's eyes widened at the row and rows of short lemon trees with hundreds of yellow lemons hanging on the branches. "I'm surprised to see them with lemons during the winter."

"My grandma," Hayden said. "There's a greenhouse-like shield around the orchard."

Suddenly, the door opened and a tall man with short curly hair stepped out. Nora was stunned by his dark green eyes that wrinkled at the corners. He smiled widely as the wind tossed around his black and silver hair.

"I never thought I would live long enough to see this at my doorsteps," the man said, his eyes observing Hayden, Nora and Noor.

"Good morning, Eggs," Hayden shifted Noor in his arms to make sure the boy was visible.

"Morning, kid," Exton stepped aside. "Let's save the introductions for the inside. It's chilly out here."

Hayden ushered Nora into the warm home as Exton followed them all inside and closed the door. He cleared his throat and began to call his wife.

"Gemma! Look who's here."

"Birdie, watch the pancakes on the stove my dear," Gemma wiped her hands on her apron and rushed into the foyer.

Her blue eyes widened as she spotted the guest before her lips pulled back into a wild smile.

"Hey, angel," Hayden smiled. "I have some people here I want you both to meet."

Nora began to feel her cheeks heat up as Hayden placed his hand on her lower back and gently pushed her forward to stand beside him.

"This is Nora, my fiance," he said, smiling down at her red cheeks. "And this is Noor. Our....."

Nora's eyes flickered up as Hayden paused.

"Our little boy," Hayden finished.

"Oh my baby," Gemma placed her hands over her heart and stepped forward. "Look at you guys. Hi, Nora. It's so wonderful to finally meet you. Maya has been telling me so much about you. And Noor! Hi, my love. Birdie has not stopped talking about you since she arrived this morning."

"Hi," Noor said timidly as he began to blush like Nora.

"Nora, this is my grandmother, Gemma. We call her angel," Hayden said. "And this is my grandfather, Exton. But everyone calls him Eggs."

"Hello," Nora took a small step forward as Gemma pulled her into a hug.

"I remember you," Exton said, waiting for his turn to welcome Nora. "You were with Clare helping to find Kiara."

"Yes," Nora nodded. "We met before. But very briefly."

"But this guy is all brand new," Exton turned to Noor. "Hey, big man."

"Hi," Noor said once more, trying to hide his face in Hayden's shoulder.

"Come here, baby," Gemma held out her hands.

Noor looked at Nora and waited for her to tell him it was okay before he pulled away from Hayden and leaned towards Gemma.

"You're so little, my goodness," Gemma laughed as she placed Noor on her hips and held his hand. "Do you like pancakes? With chocolate chips?"

"The boy will never be able to walk properly if you all keep carrying him."

Everyone turned as Birdie appeared out of the kitchen.

"Don't worry," she said. "All the pancakes are done."

"Birdie!" Noor squirmed out of Gemma's arms and ran towards the girl.

"Ugh, get away from me!" Birdie teased as she tried to step away. "Why are you so obsessed with me?"

"I missed you," Noor laughed as he tried to find a way to jump on her.

"Get it together," Birdie swooped in and lifted the boy off the floor.

"Be careful," Hayden said, watching his sister swing the boy around.

"You want to lick the chocolate batter?" Birdie ignored Hayden and disappeared with Noor into the kitchen.

"We're so happy to have you here, Nora," Gemma turned back. "Show me the ring."

Nora held up her hand as Gemma stepped closer. The woman gasped as she brought Nora's hand closer and examined the ring.

"It's beautiful," Gemma cooed. "Absolutely perfect."

"Thank you," Nora smiled, her heart fluttering.

"Heyder said you made it," Exton said as he looked over his wife's shoulder to look at the ring.

"Yes," Hayden nodded.

"I'm so proud of you," Gemma held out her hand. "And I'm so happy for the both of you."

"Thank you, angel," Hayden let his grandmother kiss his cheeks before she stepped back and adjusted her apron.

"Really," Gemma nodded. "I mean it. I am so happy to see you both so in love."

"Thank you," Nora said as Hayden put his arm around her and pulled her closer.

"Nora, I want to know all about how he proposed," Gemma said. "But over breakfast. Come on."

Hayden and Nora followed the old couple into the grand open kitchen attached to the family room. They found Noor sitting on a counter as Birdie flipped a pancake and handed him a spoonful of Nutella.

"Do feys get sugar rush?" Nora asked, eyeing Noor lick the spread.

"I have no idea," Hayden shrugged. "If he does, we'll send him outside to burn it off."

"Noor..." Nora stepped forward. "No more Nutella, okay?"

"Okay," Noor said with the spoon in his mouth. "But there's nutella in the pancakes."

"He never had Nutella before," Birdie said. "Let him have some fun."

"Nora, can I have syrup on my pancakes?" Noor asked. "And bananas!"

"Bananas are healthy," Birdie nodded.

"Not too many," Nora said. "Just a little syrup at a time."

"She means a lot of syrup," Birdie whispered, making Noor giggle in secrecy with her.

"It's fine," Hayden said, coming up behind Nora and wrapping his arms around her. "It's just for today."

Nora didn't say anything as she watched the little boy on the counter chatting away with Birdie. She moved away to where Gemma was setting up the table and began to help. Once the pancakes were done, Noor climbed down from the counter and followed Birdie around as they served the breakfast and gathered around.

"What's that?" Noor pointed to the various objects around the house asking a million questions as Exton followed him around, providing a million answers.

Everyone was amazed by how intriguing Noor found everything. Growing up on an island secluded from the rest of the world made the little fey curious about everything he saw. Over breakfast he began to ask Gemma about all her spell books in the library and what it meant to be a witch supreme.

"Can you teach me how to do magic?" Noor asked, his mouth covered in syrup and nutella.

"Of course, I can," Gemma said, taking a napkin and wiping his face. "Would you like another pancake?"

Noor nodded eagerly.

For the rest of the morning, everyone around the table focused on the little boy. After he had decided he could no longer have any more pancakes, he made Nora pack him some for when they went back.

"Ready to see the horses?" Exton asked as Hayden cleared the table with a snap.

"I'll come with you guys," Birdie said, rising from her heat. "Nora, do you want to come along?"

"We have some work, actually," Hayden cut in before Nora could answer. "You guys go ahead. We'll join you in a bit."

"Come find us when you guys are done," Gemma said. "If we're not at the stable then we might be in the garden."

"Okay," Hayden nodded.

Nora hovered behind her chair as everyone left through the back door and headed for the red barn. The house suddenly grew very quiet and still without Noor's innocent energy and Birdie's chatter.

"Come here," Hayden held out his hand from where he stood by the entrance of the kitchen.

Nora quietly walked over and took his hand, letting him lead her up the stairs to the second floor.

"Where are we going?" Nora asked.

"This used to be my room when I would come stay here with Eggs and Angel," Hayden pushed open the door to a small bedroom.

There were sports posters on the wall along with superheroes and cars. A writing desk was placed in front of the window. The attic-like ceiling was high above their head as Nora looked around and Hayden closed the door with the back of his heels.

"This is very cute," Nora smiled, her eyes finding their way back to Hayden.

"What's on your mind?" Hayden asked, walking over to the desk and leaning against it.

"What do you mean?" Nora asked.

"You've been very quiet," Hayden observed. "Ever since we got here."

"I...." Nora shrugged. "I'm just trying to roll with the punches."

"What's wrong?" Hayden asked, his eyes growing concerned.

Nora looked down at the floor and then out the window over Hayden's shoulder. She took her time settling down the dust storm of emotions in her head before opening her mouth.

"Don't you think we should have spoken to each other first before you told Noor he will be staying with us forever?"

Hayden frowned, "I thought that's what you would have wanted.....don't you want Noor to be with us?"

"I do," Nora sighed. "He has no one else. But Hayden you can't just make a decision like that so quickly. You're talking about adopting him. Adopting a child. That's a huge responsibility."

"I know," Hayden said. "I'm sorry I didn't ask you but I figured we were on the same page. I couldn't say no to him, Nora."

"How are we going to raise a child?" Nora's heart began to fill with worry and stress. "We're not even married yet. There's still so much left to do. How will it even work? He's a fey and you're a half jinn."

"We're going to make it work," Hayden promised.

"Are you ready to be a father?" Nora asked.

"Yes."

"You couldn't even call him our son," Nora shook her head. "You said he was our little boy."

"That doesn't mean I'm not ready to be a father," Hayden said, taking in a deep breath. "Look, Nora. I know we're way too young and having a child is a huge responsibility. And I'm so sorry for not asking you first but I meant what I said to Noor. I want him to stay with us. I am ready to be a father. I want a family with you."

"We don't even know the first thing about being a parent," Nora closed her eyes and shook her head. "How will we...."

"I think you're already a great mother to Noor," Hayden pushed away from the desk and walked towards Nora. "No one is ever ready for a child. My parents weren't, Kiara and Killian weren't. But they figured it all out. And so will we."

"You really believe that, don't you?" Nora opened her eyes and looked into his green eyes.

"I do," Hayden nodded. "I can feel it in my bones. We're going to be great parents for him. You're going to be a wonderful mother."

"What if I'm not?" Nora shivered from the way Hayden touched her.

"Then we have my mom and angel and Clare and so many others to help us out," Hayden lowered his forehead to her. "We're not alone."

"I...." Nora's heart hummed. "Everything is happening so fast."

"I know," Hayden filled his lungs with her scent. "But I can't complain."

"Why not?"

"Because I found you," Hayden said, placing his hands around her face and pulling her closer. "And we're going to have a little family."

Nora pushed to her tippy toe and brushed her lips over Hayden's.

"I used to think I would never have this," Hayden said, his voice suddenly very quiet. "You....Noor...."

"You have us," Nora felt her heart contract. "Forever."

"We're going to be okay," Hayden said. "And I'm not just saying that. For the first time in my life I can say with confidence that we are going to be okay. I promise you."

"I'll hold you to your promise," Nora smiled.

"I never break a promise to a pretty girl," Hayden leaned forward and kissed her full lips.

"I love you," Nora said, looping her arms around Hayden's neck and pulling him towards her.

"I love you so much," Hayden poured his heart out into the kiss.

After several minutes, when Hayden pulled back to allow Nora air, they stayed still in the middle of the room listening to Noor's laughter outside. Nora felt her heart hum along with Hayden as she pulled back and looked into his eyes.

"You know..." she began slowly. "Noor probably thought he would never have a family either."

Hayden's chest tightened, "I know."

"I don't even know if he remembers his parents," Nora's voice shook. "The infirmary was all he had."

"We're going to give him the world," Hayden promised. "All the love he will ever need."

"This is what I always wanted," Nora couldn't hold back the tears in her eyes anymore.

"Why are you crying?" Hayden asked, catching the fire tear that rolled down her face.

"Because I didn't think I would ever have this either," Nora wiped her eyes and sniffled. "After my mom died and my dad left....I wish every night I had a family. A whole family with parents and grandparents and siblings."

Hayden wrapped his arms around Noor and held her tightly as he kissed her head and soothed her back.

"And then as I got older I started to think that I would never have a family like that of my own," Nora continued.

"But you do," Hayden leaned down and kissed her ear. "You have me and Noor. And we have you."

Nora nodded, burying her face deeper into Hayden's chest.

"Don't cry," Hayden kissed her continuously. "I hate seeing your cry."

"I'm okay," Nora turned her face and placed her cheek over his heart.

"I'll give you five more minutes," Hayden teased.

"And then what?"

"And then we will go outside and watch our son ride horses with his aunt," Hayden smiled.  

Hope you liked it :)