this is the last chapter of this book...but don't worry, I have set it up for another sequel. in time I will be writing this, but I actually want to work on Equal partners as a sole project for a little while until my brain adjusts to my schedule change. The idea with the next book is to possibly layer through different pov's. focusing on the families as they start their lives and prepare for what is coming for them. So yes, more doccubus, more samsin and who knows what else! but I do promise there will be another book that will have longer chapters for each of the couples you love as they continue to navigate eternity...plus I really want to write Ayn older...so enjoy! and thank you for reading!

I found Bo in the guest room, standing by the window, looking out at the night sky cresting into early morning. I walked up behind her, sliding my arms around her, pulling her close as her hands found mine. Bo spoke as she clutched at my hands at her waist, "I never thought I would be a grandmother." Her voice was full of emotion, she leaned back in my arms, sighing. Bo was staring out in the massive back yard of the compound. "My daughter has a daughter of her own, my best friend is about to be a mother and married." I could tell Bo was just speaking out on all of the thoughts that had been packed in her head from the moment both Tamsin and Kenzi became pregnant. I held Bo tight, whispering, "Dust to dust."

Bo twisted in my arms, looking at me sideways, I smiled and kissed her softly, "It's not what you think. One of my Army friends, an old dusty chief who had seen his fair share of war, used too say dust to dust anytime things got rough. He would pick me up with a smile and just say, dust to dust, Lewis. One day after a very rough trauma run, I found him and asked him as soon as he said it, what it meant. He told me that when he was little and he was upset at a family funeral. That as the pastor spoke the usual ashes to ashes, dust to dust, it made him cry. Thinking his loved one had disappeared into the air as the pastor threw the dirt. His great grandmother told him, dust to dust is everything and everyone we love around us, they are the dust in the air, the sun in the sky, the ground underneath our feet. Grounding us, carrying us, and warming us. No matter what the ones we love will always find a way through the walls we build up in life, filling the holes." I stepped next to Bo, holding her hand, "It was a fantastical idea to ease the young mind of a sad little boy, but as I thought about it, he was right on so many levels. It was one of the few things that got me through some of the toughest days out there." I took a breath and looked at Bo, "I also never thought I would be married, a wife, a mother and now a grandmother. I had been lonely too long and not I have a growing family that I can say dust to dust and smile. Knowing I have so much to fill the small cracks that may work their way in as out lives continue." I smiled at Bo, "You are a wife, a mother, a grandmother and probably sooner than we think, an aunt to an crazy Russian offspring." I squeezed her hand, "Dust to dust."

Bo looked at me with a cocked eyebrow as I finished my diatribe, "I never thought you to be one who to old sayings and fairytales."

I laughed lightly, "I didn't, until I started living a fairytale." I turned to look out into the settling darkness of night, "I have faith injected into my science, it just might be the faith of an old, gentle war veteran's wise words." I found a constellation in the sky and let my eyes settle on it, I knew in my heart I would need the old Chief's words and I had begun to catch glimpsed into visions of the future, one that was not as happy as I wanted. "Bo, our family is spectacular and has bridged the gap in so many aspects. I would not trade it for anything in the world." I felt Bo hug me, "I know, Lauren. I can't believe that my sort of daughter in law is the Valkyrie." She sighed hard, "I have forgiven her, she is family, but it's still forever digesting."

I nodded, I knew Bo cared for Tamsin as family, but her underlying fear was Tamsin had been dark fae at one point, and that would be a continuing or renewed threat against the littlest one in our family. Bo held me tight, "I had a weird dream last night, Lauren. Sera was the ash, Tamsin was spattered in blood and there was a shadowy figure standing next to her. The figures hands were glowing and we were all fighting for our lives." She looked up at me with brown eyes that saw right through me from day one, "All the fae were at war." Bo took a slow breath, "When I said I never thought I would be a grandmother, I also meant, I am afraid of what my dream means, Lauren. I don't want to lose my granddaughter or any child of ours in this family." Bo met my eyes with a intensity that told me this dream of hers was real enough to incite her speaking out as she was. "A war is coming." her tone was tinged with questioning and assurance. I reached for her left hand, holding it up as I ran my fingers over the wedding rings I had placed on her hand so long ago. "Bo, for everything we have been through together, out love and strength will overcome anything out eternal life has to throw at us." I smiled as my eyes fell to the rings. I knew something was coming, I had begun to feel it more and more over the last few months as Tamsin's pregnancy progressed. Now my wife was having vivid dreams, pointing in the same direction. It was just a matter of when and exactly what was coming. "But, for now, we have a new granddaughter to welcome to the family in the morning. I am also starting to feel in a few days, Kenzi will be close behind in her own contribution to the family." I pulled Bo gently into my arms, our arms falling into familiar patterns of embrace, "Do you know how much I love you Bo?"

Bo smiled wide, her dimple showing, "I do, but I would love to hear you tell me again, Lauren." She leaned over and pressed a soft kiss on my cheeks, "The kids are all tucked in for the night, we should make the most of this exhausting day." She winked at me as she slid out of my arms, her hand dropping to catch my fingers as she tugged me to follow her to the bed. I smiled as I playfully held back, looking at her pout lightly. I took a breath, the woman before me was the one thing in the world I would live for, die for, and fight for until my last breath. My thoughts were broken as I was tugged harder by Bo.

The soft sounds of Bo's voice mixed with Ayn's pulled me from my heavy slumber. The two were singing an old song Bo used to sing to both our daughters when they were babies. I rolled over and watched as Ayn was laying back with her mother, holding onto Bo's hands that were clutched around a small book. I smiled as I watched the moment, Ayn was always running around and being crazy, it was rare for her to sit still with either of us for long. Ayn giggled when Bo tickled her at the end of the song, she rolled and saw that I was awake. Ayn grabbed my face with both her hands, staring in my eyes with a wide smile on her face, "Mummy, hi."

I reached and tickled her, pulling more of her infectious giggles out. Ayn pushed away and scooted into the protective arms of her mom. I laughed as she gripped onto Bo's arms as if they were a gate preventing me from tickling her more. I sat up in the bed, running my hand over Ayn's eternally messy hair, leaning over to kiss Bo on the cheek, "Morning you two."

Bo smiled as the little girl wiggled in her arms, "Morning, I hope we didn't wake you." I shook my head, "Not at all." Ayn played with Bo's hands, "Mummy, we were singing. Mommy was teaching me the sleepy song she sang to me when I was a tiny peanut." I smiled wider at my youngest daughters strange but clear dialogue, Ayn scrunched her face up at me, "I want to sing it too my new niece." Ayn turned to look up at Bo, "How do you say her name again, mommy?"

Bo looked down at her mini me, "Ingrid. Remember, sound it out."

Ayn nodded and looked back at me, "I want to sing Engreed the song." I laughed out loud as Ayn definitely took liberties in sounding out her nieces name. I reached out to Ayn, signaling I wanted a hug, she eagerly slid out of Bo's arms, but gave me a warning look, "No tickles mummy, just hugs." She hopped into my arms and I held her, catching Bo looking at her in a strange way, I found her hand with mine, "You okay?"

Bo nodded tightly, smiling, "Yea perfect, just another strange dream last night." she met my eyes, "Then I was woken up by a little monster who wanted to learn the sleep song and read with me." Ayn giggled as she squeezed me tight. She whispered in my ear so only I could hear, "Mommy and I had the same dream, that's why I came to sing with her." I silently asked her what she had dreamt about, she played with my hair as she whispered again, "Engreed with glowing hands, saving Fi and bringing us all back to life." Ayn leaned back, her little hands holding onto the bottom of my face, looking into my eyes. She smiled and giggled, "AK is here! Let's go show her Engreed." Ayn dropped out of my arms and rolled like a dog off the bed and ran out of the room, hollering and giggling the entire length of the hallway. I got up and out of bed, holding out my hand to Bo, "Grandma." Bo frowned at me with a half smile, "I am still younger than you." it was my turn to frown and throw a pillow at my wife.

After we both were showered and dressed, Bo and I went to the kitchen to meet up with Kenzi, my mother and Sera who were all in the kitchen marveling at how big Kenzi's belly had gotten in the last few weeks, Hale had also come, his arms full of gifts for Ingrid and Ayn. I left the crowd of girls too making breakfast and giving advice to poor Hale of what to expect as he was about to become a father.

I went to go check on Tamsin who was still asleep with Ingrid. Sera wanted to give the two a little extra sleep before the family swooped in.

I walked down the hall and as I turned the corner to the room, I stopped at the doorway. Finnegan was standing near the window. Holding Ingrid in his arms as he swayed, softly whispering things to her as he pointed out the window. He turned and saw me standing in the doorway, he waved me in quietly, pointing towards the bed. I looked and saw Tamsin was dead to the world, snoring lightly and on her stomach. I walked over to my father, placing a hand on his back as I peered over his shoulder to look at the little one in his arms. I smiled as he whispered, "She is gorgeous, I know I might be a little biased."

I laughed, "Then so am I, because I whole heartedly agree with you." I pulled the edge of the blanket down to see the little girl, sleeping peacefully with a tiny smile crinkling up every so often. Finnegan looked at me, "I snuck in here to get my time in before the gaggle of Lewis women took her from me." he then looked over at Tamsin, "She will always have my protection, she is going to need it."

I glanced over at my old friend, sleeping. "What have you heard?" Finnegan knew exactly what I was asking, he sighed a little, "There are quiet rumbles in the elders on both sides that the birth of this child will be the start of a revolution. Because Sera will be the new ash in time, and has lain with a dark fae. She has disrupted the royal bloodlines in a way that upsets the elders." Finnegan drew his attention back to the small bundle in his arms, "There was a time I could understand their concerns, but as I look upon my great granddaughter, there is nothing but the simplicity of having this small wonder in my arms, and do all I can in my power to keep her and her mothers safe." I watched as my father bent close to Ingrid, kissing her softly on her forehead. He smiled and met my eyes, "Shall we wake the Valkyrie? Or allow her some more beauty sleep." he cast his eyes over to the bed. I looked in the direction and saw Tamsin snoring loudly, arms over her head still sleeping as if she had been out all night at a fraternity party. I laughed, "We should let her sleep a little longer. Let's take this one to meet the rest of her family." I reached up and kissed my father on my cheek, he smirked, "You know you were this little once, I remember holding you for a few hours right after you were born." he sighed, I could feel a twinge of sadness in him, I could feel he wished he had been more of a father too me as I grew up. I patted his back, "I can hear mom coming down the hall, she is going to steal the girl from you if we don't hurry."

Finnegan nodded and followed me out of the room. I took one last look at Tamsin as she rolled over and mumbled in her sleep, I smiled knowing this would be the last good night's sleep she would get until Ingrid was at least six or seven.

X

"I have the weirdest cravings. I feel bad that I keep sending Hale out to get jam and chocolate sauce to dip my chips in." AK was shoveling a muffin in her mouth, "IS that normal? And I am looking at all of the Dr. Lewis ladies in the room." I looked at my mum and my grams, we all had our eyebrows raised at the off-putting combination AK just rolled out, Grams spoke first, "Oh dear, it is quite normal for the body to crave strange things while pregnant, I have never heard of that particular flavor set. Usually its pickles and ice cream."

My mum added, "I never had cravings like that, I just drank a lot of that strawberry milk we used to buy Sera when she was little."

AK kept chewing, shrugging, "Whatevs. I think this baby will be a competitive eater when he/she comes out." My mom shot her a look as she laughed, "Using the little one as an excuse to eat everything? Kenz." She walked over to her best friend and half hugged her, holding her hand against AK's stomach, "Ooo, this one is getting excited to get out, I can feel it kicking around. Or it could be the hot sauce you just put on that muffin."

I laughed and handed AK another muffin, I looked up and saw my grandfather walk in to the kitchen holding my daughter. I smiled wide as he came over to me, "I think she wants to see her mother." He smiled as handed over the sleeping little one. AK even hushed up as she saw the bundle, "Is that my newest niece?"

I nodded as I pulled the blanket away so I could look at her, "It certainly is." I motioned for AK to come over, "Aunt Kenzi, I would like you to meet Ingrid, Ingrid this is your Aunt Kenzi. Be careful when she tries to teach you how to drive." I smiled as I hear AK huff lightly, "One time and I get a lifetime of crap." Ak bent forward, immediately issuing a hearty aww at the sight, "She is cuter than cute, hard to believe she came from that cranky old Valkyrie."

I swatted AK, "hey! That's my fiancé you are talking about." I winked at her as I held Ingrid. AK took a moment before it settled in, "Whoa, wait. Blondie wants to make it legit?"

I nodded, "Asked me last night." AK bounced in her spot, giggling, "Finally! Maybe we can have duel weddings? Kinda like they do in Vegas, maybe we should both go to Vegas? What do you think? Elvis themed wedding for you and Celine Dion for me?" AK was talking a mile a minute until I grabbed her arms and passed over my daughter, instantly shutting the hyperactivity down into gentle smiles and sighs from my Aunt. AK sat down in the chair, holding my daughter carefully and smiling wide, she looked up at me, slight tears in her eyes, "I am so happy that I could see this, you become a mom." she sniffled and I knew exactly what she meant. I leaned over giving her a small hug, "I am too. Ingrid is going to need both her aunts."

I looked up at my parents, standing next to each other, attached at the hip as they always seemed to be. My grandfather and my grams were off to the side, holding hands as they looked at the three generations of children in front of them. My life had become a complete circle of love. I folded my arms and watched AK with my daughter, already whispering to her in Russian, I felt the urge to get Tamsin so she could be a part of this. I reached for a fresh cup of coffee to take to her when I heard Ayn singing the sleep song mum and mom used to sing to me when I was small. I looked up and saw Ayn bouncing into the kitchen, holding onto Tamsins hand as she gingerly walked behind. I smiled wide as soon as I looked into her blue eyes, making the Valkyrie blush as soon as she caught me looking right at her. Ayn let go of Tamsin to climb up on the chair next to AK to look at Ingrid. Tamsin walked over to me, I held open my arms as she moved to hug me. I held her gently, I knew she would still be sore and tired, "Did she wake you up?"

Tamsin sighed as she kissed me lightly, "She did, but it's okay, she was eager to take me too see everyone." Tamsin looked up as she saw grams come to check on her and nurse her like she always did, Tamsin smiled and politely shook her head, "I am fine, I have survived much worse than childbirth." She nodded at AK, "I have never seen Moscow that quiet and still in my entire life ." She smirked as I linked my arm around her waist, "I think she is finally growing up." Tamsin laughed slightly, "I hope she never really does, our kid is going to need her carefree, loving wisdom."

I sighed as I laid my head against Tamsins shoulder, watching Ayn tell AK all about this or that. AK was nodding and listening intently as she gently swayed Ingrid in her arms. Suddenly she stopped, and her face went pale. AK took a deep breath, "Uh Bo bo, you mind grabbing the grandkid here? I think my water just broke." My mom blinked twice and moved quickly, scooping up Ingrid as mum and I rushed to AK's side. I checked her pulse, "Are you sure AK? You aren't due for another couple weeks."

AK looked at me as I saw a contraction roll through her body, "I am sure, its not like I peed my pants out of nowhere. My water broke, this kid wants the hell out of this lady cave of mine." she grabbed my hand and squeezed hard as another contraction hit. I cringed from the sharp pain from the smaller woman's clutch. My grams was issuing instructions to gramps and Hale as my mum tried to help me get AK up. I walked with her towards the hallway as AK moaned, "Oh boy, you fae babies have piss poor timing, the crib is still in the box shoved under the bed." I could not help but smile at my Aunt. All of the family worked in unison to get AK down to the hospital ward and prepped for a delivery. I ran with my mum to get scrubbed in, leaving Tamsin with Ayn and Ingrid. Ayn smiled as she stood on the chair next to Tamsin, looking in my eyes she pushed a thought into my head. I stopped and stared at my little sister and the immense amount of power she had, she would be the foundation the two newborns would rely on as the world slowly began to shift around us, she also was seeing the same things I had right before Ingrid was born. But she was full of calm, clarity at what the future was going to bring us.

I was pulled away by my mum, ending the moment I shared with my little sister. I swallowed hard as I pulled on gloves and rushed in behind my mum to help deliver my aunts first born.

Eight hours later and AK was holding her beautiful baby boy, he looked exactly like Hale and AK. Nikita William Santiago had the piercing blue eyes of his mother and the mixture of both Hale and AK's good looks. Hale was over the moon and never left AK's side until the little boy was delivered. I left the new family, immediately missing my own as soon as I heard the little cries of Nikita. I left my mum and grams to finish up as I jogged down the hall to find Tamsin and Ingrid. I found them sitting outside in the bright afternoon sun, sitting with Ayn as she snuggled in next to Tamsin. I smiled as I crouched next to them as they sat in an oversized chair, I kissed Tamsin, pulling a smile from her. "How is Moscow?"

"Perfectly fine, her and her son. Nikita." I smirked as Tamsin gave me a look, "I know, but it stands for unconquered and apparently it is the name of AK's favorite old uncle back in Russia, one of the few legit working family members she has."

I looked over at Ayn who was smiling at me, "I told you Fi, one boy and one girl!" she then looked up at Tamsin, "My new best friends, but I still love you Valkyrie." Ayn patted Tamsin leg as Tamsin laughed, shaking her head. I sat on the edge of the chair, throwing my arm around the back across Tamsin's shoulders, "And how are my favorite two ladies?"

Tamsin looked at Ingrid, who's eyes were open and looking around, "She opened her eyes a few minutes ago and keeps staring at me, like its hard to believe I am her mother." Tamsin ran a finger over the little girls cheek, "I think she is going to have grey eyes like my mother." Tamsin smiled as the little girl made a cooing sound as she felt the soft touch, "I still can't believe we made this tiny little girl."

I ran my hand down Tamsins arm, "But we did."

Tamsin smiled, "I dreamt of her last night, older, she was standing next to you and she was older. Like as old as you were when I found you again after Australia, she is going to be so strong, such a fierce warrior." She motioned to Ayn, "The munchkin is right, old Odin will never bother her. She is going to be stronger than he ever could think too be." Tamsin looked up and straight into my eyes, tears rimming the edges, "Our daughter will be the most powerful Valkyrie this world has ever seen, and she will bring peace." Tamsin reached for my hand, holding tightly as I felt my heart skip as Tamsin described what I had seen in my visions. I said nothing as Tamsin kissed Ingrid on the forehead, making her smile and wiggle. "Sera, you two are my life and my loves." Tamsin closed her eyes as a tear slid out. I bent forward and kissed it away, "And you two are mine." I also made a silent promise to protect them until the day I could no longer.

I sat with Tamsin, watching my daughter wiggle and figure out how the world around her now fit into her life. I was too distracted to notice Ayn slip out from our sight and run back into the compound, where she ran into my mom. Full bore running she was scooped up and caught in the strong arms of my mom, where they smiled identical smiles. Ayn giggled and grabbed mom's face, "Mommy, I will fight next to you and mummy, Fi and the Valkyrie will protect us as we go, Niki will also protect me with all of his powers, and Engreed will be my best friend and she will be the one everyone becomes scared of as the mean men come closer and closer to us." My mom raised an eyebrow, "Ayn, what are you talking about?"

Ayn looked at my mom like she was being ridiculous, "I told you mommy! And you saw it in your dreams. It's like when Santa and Fi fought over the Valkyrie, but more and more and more!" Ayn said it with a giggle like it was the simplest thing in her mind. My mom held her youngest tight against her chest to hide the fear that began to radiate through her eyes, she tried to stay calm, "Peanut, it was just a dream."

In truth it was a dream, but all of us were having the same one in sequence. It was a foretelling warning, that war was coming and we all needed too prepare for its eventual arrival.