Treasure Of Dragons, Royal Dragons Book 1 Chapter 58

Ria

As I walk into the tower room and close the door behind me my body is shaking. Tears run in rivers down my face. I barely make it to the side of the bed before I collapse. 

I bury my face in the mattress and scream out my pain. My mom, the woman I loved, and who I knew beyond all doubt loved me, is gone. He said it was a heart attack, but I think it was more of a broken heart. For her to basically lose her whole family was too much.

I think about that first day when I met her Jennifer had told me she had the perfect place for me. Jennifer seemed different from other CPS workers I had met, but I wasn't sure.

Elizabeth had come out to the porch to meet us. Her whole persona had screamed mom to me, but I had still been leery. Then, she hugged me with no hesitation. I stared at it and stiffened up, but she didn't care. She acted like she didn't notice my reaction.

By the end of that visit, I knew this woman was supposed to be my mom. Then the next day when I came back to stay I had met Cin. I knew she was a kindred spirit and within a week I was calling her sis and Beth mom.

She gave me what I'd never had, love. She never asked for one single thing in return. She didn't want anything from me, she never used me, she just showered me with as much love as she could.

I recognized that I had modeled my being a mom a lot after her. I never got to see her with a baby at our house, but I'd seen her go nuts over them and just want to love on them. 

It was like she was made of pure love. She just sprinkled a little bit of that out to everyone she encountered. Those of us who got to live with her, she sprinkled it on us constantly. 

I don't know how long I've been up here actually, but right now I don't have nursing babies, so I'm not as constrained with time. 

I am crying out, and feel like shit. I'm not sure but I'd bet I look horrible too. I know I'll never stop grieving my mom, and I'll never get over losing her the way I did. Someday I'll tell my kids about the grandmother they never got to know.

Since I am sure it's very evident I've been crying I don't go to the kids, instead I go take a hot shower. I hope by the time I get out I'll look more human and like normal. 

When I go to the nursery Isobel hugs me and the kids are ecstatic to see me. I can still get myself on the floor for right now, so I just spend time with my kids.

Drago

I know that Ria has been struggling all week as she was on bed rest and around the children the majority of the time. I have seen the sadness in her eyes and the tears she was keeping at bay by sheer determination. 

I go check on the kids and I see her sitting on the floor with all of them and Isobel. I just stand there and watch my mate interact with my kids, and I have to smile at the way they cling to her.

She looks up and catches me here and she tilts her head like she’s asking me what’s up, “I was just checking in with everyone. We have a mission coming up in a couple of days, so we are probably going to be really busy, so I like to make sure everyone is good and check in.” 

“We’re okay Drago. Is Arabella going to be here for this one?” I can hear so many different emotions layered in that question.

“No, Arabella actually put in for a transfer, so she won’t be working with us anymore. We will be assigned a new witch liaison the next time we need one, so we’ll find out then who that is. They tend to like the liaison to live close by in case they are needed on a sudden notice situation, so the house Arabella was living in about 25 miles from here will be where they’re assigned. If you would like, I can make sure and introduce you to whoever they are.”

I watch her face but she gives nothing away, “Sure, that would be good. That way if someone pops up in the garden they won’t scare the shit out of me, especially if the kids are out there with me.” I just nod in agreement. 

“Do you guys use witches often, I guess I never thought about what other species you would work with. We never really talked about that. We went over you guys and your extra abilities and such, and that there were others. I started studying that book about other species, but I don’t know much about the missions you do or who you might work with other than the dragon families I have already met.” 

I ran my hand through my hair, “Well, as it affects your life and possibly the lives of our kids going forward, we should take you in and let you see more of everything, and check everything out. That way you know more about what's going on and what we actually do. Who knows, maybe you would like to help someone one day.” I watch her face, but she is one damn good poker player. 

“That would be good.” She simply says. 

“Then tomorrow I will take you to the headquarters of our operation and show you what we do and the whole kit and kaboodle.” 

She smiles, “I look forward to it.” So, tomorrow it is.