Treasure Of Dragons, Royal Dragons Book 1 Chapter 55

Ria

It's twins again. Dr. Surenka told us at the appointment today. I am glad it's not 3, at least I can say that. It's still too early to tell the gender, that'll come later.

Of course with the appointment to Dr. Surenka, there was the mandatory trip to the cafe. My sweet smell of course, alerted everyone to the news of another pregnancy. I heard Drago telling Helena that it's twins, and people are losing their minds.

I am in my usual corner, and Helena brings me tea and crackers. Drago has started working with Helena and a local contractor on alterations to expand the Cafe. 

It promises to be an eventful Spring and Summer. Brand turned 1, and again we celebrated at the park. I thought of having it at home since there was only 1 kid this time, but the guys said everyone would still want to be there. I got outvoted again. 

The girl's 2nd will be here before I know it. It kind of feels like I've entered a countdown with them. Now each birthday nudges us closer to the inevitable cliff.

“Did you want to do any shopping while we're in town, Ria?” Drago is looking at me and I am barely holding back my snort. He knows better than that. 

“No, Drago, I have absolutely 0 desire to go shopping today.” Then I think of something. 

“You know we have all sorts of crap here, but one thing I've never seen is a bookstore.” 

Drago looks at me, “Actually you're right Ria. We had a library at one time, but when no children were really being born, it got rolled into the school since we don't have many children attending right now. We'll eventually have to address that as well. Right now we have only 2 teachers. One for the elementary side, and one for Jr. High and High school. Our kids will end up changing that. We've also had some new dragon families moving to town.”

I, of course, hadn't thought of all of that. I just thought it would be good for the kids to have physical books. Some of them were sensory, not just words.

“Well, I'll leave that to you. We can order some children's books online.” I just looked around the cafe.

I heard the bell above the door clang and looked over to see Officer Roman, and gritted my teeth and concentrated on my cup of tea.

“Good afternoon gentleman. I got a call from Senator Mitchell, who's taken over for Senator Keeting. He wishes to set up a time to come and meet with you.”

I didn't look up but I listened. I hadn't been aware that Senator Keeting was being replaced. This could possibly be a good thing for me. I would have to wait and see.

“Yeah, we got a notification, I'll have Dragori call his office, so he can coordinate with the Senator's security detail.” 

Officer Roman nodded and sat down, continuing to have a conversation with the guys.

Today the new Senator Mitchell will be here. He was coming in the afternoon to meet us, and have meetings with the guys. After that, he would join us for dinner. So I’m not sure if I would have an opportunity to test the waters so to speak. If anyone could get my shit reinstated and note that the previous death announcement was a mistake, surely a Senator could get that ball rolling. I’m not holding my breath, it’s just that this is the first time this has even come up, so I am curious about the dynamic. 

I am actually out in the garden with Isobel, the girls, and Brand when the Senator is introduced to me for the first time. He’s with all the guys.

“This is our mate Ria, Ria, this is Senator Mitchell, he’s taking over for Senator Keeting who retired this year.” Drago introduced us.

“Hello Senator.” I left it at that and then shook his hand.

“Yes, I had heard about you from Senator Keeting. The whole thing at Cornell with the accident and getting you here with your mates. It looks like all that has worked out with all of the little ones running around. Apparently, we will still have Royal Dragons to be able to utilize for security purposes for quite a long time yet, perhaps even get the areas evened out a bit more, huh? Sorry about the whole thing with your foster family. Damndest thing to happen so close to your accident. I just heard about your Foster Mom as well, so sorry about that, at least you have this nice wonderful family here, so nothing to bother you back in the states now.” 

I had no idea what he was talking about and I looked at Drago, “I’m sorry, Senator, but what were you referring to with my foster mother?” 

“Ah, that mess about her death not too long ago. Nothing violent like your foster sister, just a heart attack. You know these things sometimes happen. Nothing to concern you now though, that’s all the past, you have a beautiful family here now. I am very pleased to see it.” With that, he pulled Drago away, and I saw Drago look at me in a panic. I wonder if they already knew about it. 

My brain isn’t firing quite right. I watch the guys as they have to follow the Senator back into the house. They are all looking back and forth at the Senator and me, but keep following. 

I am just standing here, screaming on the inside, out in the garden, surrounded by my kids. What the hell do I do? I look down at Brand, and he has something in his hand and he’s holding it up to me, calling “Mama”. 

I lower myself down to his level, and I see he has brought me a flower, not one of the bright blossoms from the plants, but a dandelion that hadn’t been pulled yet and caught his eye. I tell him thank you and kiss his little cheek and he giggles. 

I see Isobel looking at me and she’s with the girls. I am not sure how much of any of that she heard as she’s a bit away from me, but I can tell by the look on her face that she’s at least reading the panic on mine. 

I can hear my blood rushing through my ears, and my heart is beating out of my chest. I can’t make myself think about it. My mom for all intents and purposes, is the woman who saved me and showed me love, gave me a home, and shared her family with me. The woman I loved with my whole heart.

My mom is dead, and as soon as that thought passes through my mind the whole world goes dark.