Chapter 464

About forty-five minutes later Jackson and I leave the bedroom with a damp and happy little girl between us, one of her hands in each of ours. She trots happily forward and we both grin down at her, I think both of us still buzzing from the happiness of bathtime.

To say that Marigold was happy with the warm bath is an understatement. In fact, the whole bathroom was a wonder to her – from the big porcelain soaking tub to the flowing warm water and the bubbles and the toys. Safe to say, I don’t think she’s ever going to growl at me when I propose bath time ever again.

“Marigold!” My dad’s voice booms out in the living room and all three of us whip our heads up in surprise.

I grin at my dad and the rest of my family already gathered around the living room, plates of breakfast in their laps, because it becomes immediately apparent that mom put together the loveliest little breakfast to welcome Marigold to the family.

But Marigold interprets things differently.

She gasps in fear and then yelps, darting behind Jackson, wrapping her arms around his right leg and peering out from behind his knee, growling ferociously.

Rafe and Mark laugh while dad grimaces, taking a step back, realizing that he…may have overdone his enthusiastic greeting.

“Dominic,” Jackson says on a sigh, going so far as to even flash a frustrated little glare at my dad. I grin at my mate, wondering if he realizes that he just did something that ninety-five percent of the population wouldn’t dare do for fear of their lives. “She’s not used to men –“

“I’m very sorry,” dad says, stepping forward again, a hand held out as a peace offering. “I should have thought –“

Marigold’s growl grows deeper and I grin when I look down and see that her little teeny tiny fangs have extended. I can’t help the little coo that breaks from my mouth as I clutch my hands to my heart.

“Why don’t you just take a few steps back, Dominic,” mom says, laughing as she crosses to us and reaches for the little girl.

“Well, I didn’t think she’d be scared!” dad says in protest, his face a bit frantic at the thought that Marigold disapproves. He takes three steps back, basically pressing himself against the wall. “Why’s she scared of me!?”

“Because you’re a huge terrifying Alpha,” Rafe murmurs, quite casual, flicking through some news on his phone as he sips at his coffee.

“So are you! So is her dad!” my father protests.

“Rude,” Mark says, frowning around, “that I am not included in this group.”

“Yes,” Rafe murmurs. “But the rest of us gave her cookies, and didn’t shout at her first thing in the morning.”

Marigold releases Jackson’s legs and runs for mom, her face still looking warily at my dad as mom sweeps her up in her arms and lifts her high in a big hug.

“What do you think, little girl?” mom murmurs, pressing a kiss to Marigold’s cheek and carrying her over to the wide buffet. “We’ve got all sorts of good things here, what do you want to try?”

Marigold looks wide-eyed at the selection, fascinated and perhaps a bit overwhelmed.

“Ella,” Jackson says, a little frustrated, moving to her side. “She won’t be used to rich foods – it will make her sick –“

“Okay, so, only half a plate of candy with breakfast?” mom asks, looking up at Jackson. I grin, laughing a little at the fact that mom’s blank face makes it impossible to know whether or not she’s kidding.

“Ella,” Jackson says, his shoulders slumping on a sigh.

“Oh, all right, all right, Jacks,” mom says, laughing and passing Marigold up to him. “You make her a plate according to your own dietary preferences. But when it comes time for dessert, I’m telling you, boy, I will not be so contained.”

Jackson gives mom a pained little look that makes me laugh because it’s very clear to me that he’s incredibly uncomfortable defying her every wish. I just pat Jacks on the arm and leave him to his work, crossing to my dad and opening my arms, wanting a hug very much.

Dad complies, wrapping me up tight, letting me rest my head against his chest. “Living up to your namesake as usual, little trouble,” dad murmurs against my hair, rocking me a little. “How are you doing with all of this?”

“I think I’m okay,” I say, closing my eyes and letting my dad take my weight for a moment, take my worries and my problems too.

“You are, baby,” dad says, stroking my hair. “The addition of one little girl is nothing this family can’t handle.”

“Thank you,” I say on a sigh, meaning it.

“Come on,” dad says after a moment, giving me a little nudge. “Let’s feed you up too. Fatherly instincts and all.”

“Can I eat junk?” I ask, grinning up at my dad as he leads me over to the buffet.

“As much as you want, darling,” dad says, stroking a hand over his hair. “You’ve already been spoiled rotten so there’s nothing that a few more bits of chocolate won’t do. I don’t mind playing the role of the much more indulgent father now that you’re all grown up and ending wars.”

I burst out laughing and pick up a plate, my stomach rolling over with hunger as I do as my father suggests, picking out a rather indulgent breakfast.

Breakfast passes quite calmly with all of us scattered around the living room eating off our knees. I mean, there are several dining rooms all over the palace, but when it comes to our personal meals? This always seemed to suit us more. Mom gets Marigold a little tray and sets it up before a pillow so that she has space to work, and Jackson and I sit on either side of Marigold as she digs into the plate of eggs and sausage and toast that Jackson made for her.

My family chats calmly but Jackson mostly watches his girl, and I watch him, pleased and entertained.

“She eats like you,” I murmur, reaching out and tucking some of his hair behind his ear.

“What do you mean?” he asks, lifting his eyes to mine.

“Endlessly,” I say, dry, nodding down to Marigold’s empty plate as my mom brings her over a little bowl of fruit. Marigold reaches for it, eager.

Jackson laughs, full and rich, and nods to Ella, giving his permission for Marigold to have it. She digs in with gusto, her eyes wide, and I realize that she’s eating things and experiencing flavors that she may have never had before.

“Yes, I suppose I can take credit for the appetite,” Jackson says on a sigh, stroking his hand down over her hair. “Though I wonder…”

“What?” I ask, leaning closer, dropping my voice, intuiting that he doesn’t want others to hear.

He turns to me, likewise dropping his voice. “Well, is she just making up for lost time? Or does she have…”

My eyebrows shoot up as I consider it for the first time – that Marigold might have magic, might have magic to match Jackson’s own -

“Oh wow,” I whisper, looking down at Marigold’s dark head. “How would we…know?”

Jackson just shrugs, shaking his head at me with a wondering little frown.

Mark comes over then and we both turn to him with a smile as he stretches out on the floor in front of Marigold, propping himself up on his elbow and sipping from his mug. “Hey Marigold, good morning,” he says, easy and fun as my Markie always is.

Marigold drags her attention away from the fruit bowl for just a moment to meet his eyes. “Mark,” she says, quite definitive, giving a nod.

Mark’s face bursts into a handsome smile. “Yup, that’s me.”

Marigold wordlessly turns her attention back to the fruit but then goes still, her nose working, and then her eyes move directly for Mark’s mug. A little whine sounds in the back of her throat.

“She can’t possibly want coffee,” I murmur, frowning down at her and then glancing down at my own mug next to me.

“Nah it’s hot chocolate,” Mark says, holding it out to Marigold. “Here, you can have mine –“

“Mark,” Jacks says on a sigh, reaching out to block the cup. Marigold snaps her head up to her father, her adorable little whine sounding again. My heart clenches at the sound and I’m made aware, quite suddenly, of why it’s so hard for my mother to not indulge our every whim.

God, dad sure did have his work laid out for him throughout our childhoods, keeping her in line.

“Oh, come on,” Mark says, his tone wheedling, giving Jacks a charming Sinclair smile. “Watching a little girl try hot chocolate for the first time? How can you take this opportunity away from us?”

Jackson sighs, defeated again, and gives in. “Just a sip, okay? If it’s not too hot.”

“Nah, it’s cooled, no worries,” Mark says, leaning further over towards Marigold.

Mom, dad, and Rafe all peer over, delighted and curious, as Marigold takes Mark’s big cup and lifts it to her mouth, taking a little sip.

Her eyes go wide as soon as the liquid hits her mouth and she eagerly yanks the cup up, spilling chocolate down the sides of her cheeks, taking big glugging sips.

“Oh my god,” Jackson groans, grabbing for the cup, but Marigold whips her face away towards me, chugging down the drink. I burst out laughing as Jackson finally gets the cup away from her, especially when I see that there’s only the tiniest bit left at the bottom.

We all laugh, and Jackson joins in a bit too, shaking his head at Marigold, as Mark takes back his cup and makes a big show of being appalled that she drank it all. To all of our delight, Marigold laughs too at Mark’s antics, and the atmosphere overall is very happy and cheerful.

That is, until the door to the room opens, and Jackson snarls, clutching Marigold to his chest.