Nathaly:

The sand burned into the backs of her legs as she watched Kodiak and Orion toss a ball around. Jaya and Roshan squealed as the surf splashed up their little legs, their laughter carrying. Yasmin rested besides her, watching the scene contently. It had been years since they had confronted the clan leaders and Nathaly couldn't have hoped for a better life. 

She adjusted on the sand, trying to move as comfortably as she could with her ever-growing belly. Yasmin glanced at her, jumping to help her move.

"How's she coming along?"

"She kicks me. All the time." Nathaly smiled. "She'll be fierce."

"Just like her mother." Nathaly leans against a dune, running her fingers through the granules of sand. She had known from the moment she felt the babe in her stomach that it would be a girl. A mother's instinct, you could say. Nathaly never imagined herself in a domestic setting, raising children and cooking. But recently, that was what had appealed to her. Ever since she had thrown away her future as a Councilor, her life felt like it was truly hers. Like it wasn't micromanaged by others. 

"How's your brother?"

"Ruling suits him." Eithan was chosen as the next lord to replace his father, who died of poison years ago. Yasmin never did mourn, saying that it was bound to happen one time or another. Nathaly sighed as the sun shifts, the warmth against her skin. 

"He says he misses you." Eithan had found a wife, a delightful woman who Nathaly adored. But he had never truly gotten over her. But she was glad that he had a good wife all the same. She watched Jaya and Roshan chase each other through the waves, weaving around Orion and Kodiak. Orion snatched up Jaya while Kodiak picked up Roshan, carrying them back towards Yasmin. 

"These little troublemakers almost tripped me," Kodiak said in mock-anger. Jaya giggled, pressing her pudgy hands to her mouth.

"Well, I have the perfect punishment in mind," Yasmin said loftily. "Tickles!" The children squealed, squirming in the mens' grasps. Yasmin leapt up, taking Roshan and walking along the beach with her husband. Kodiak plopped down next to her, rubbing a hand over her belly gently. 

"How's little Alora?" Nathaly swatted his hand away.

"We are not naming her Alora."

"Why not?"

"I already have a name in mind." Kodiak wrapped an arm around her, drawing her in close.

"Tell me."

"Saoirse. It was my mother's name." Tears welled once more in her eyes. Just recently, Calum had revealed everything he knew about their parents and Nathaly felt at peace with the tale. She could feel her mother watching over her, guiding her. 

"It's beautiful, luv. Perfect."

She leaned against his shoulder, content to watch the view. Yasmin and Orion kissed and the children shrieked in their arms. Nathaly smiled softly and snuggled closer. She had thought that love was a weakness, something to be avoided at all costs. How wrong she was. Kodiak was everything to her and her world. He had seen past her flaws and shown her how beautiful love a was. She could never go back.

"What are you thinking about in that pretty little head of yours?" He asked, tweaking her nose.

"I'm thinking about us."

Kodiak buried his face in her neck, breathing in deeply.

"What's there to think about?"

"I never thought I would fall in love. I always thought of it as something to be avoided, as a weakness. How naive I was."

He hummed, holding her closer. Like he never wanted to let her go. And that was fine with her.