Everyone including Darian and Keelan had to kiss Penny goodnight. Penny, blinking sleepily, pointed to where Felix was snuggled close to Meryn. Rheia walked over and Penny kissed the tip of her finger and held it out to Felix. Felix kissed his finger and reached up slowly to touch finger tips with Penny. Satisfied that she had said goodnight to her friend Penny relaxed against Rheia.
"That was too precious for words." Rheia heard Beth say as she and Colton walked into the foyer towards the stairs. She had only gone up three steps when Colton lifted Penny's drowsy body out of her arms. "Let me carry her up the stairs, honey."
Rheia looped her arm through his and they walked together to their room. Since Penny was already in her pajamas they simply lay her down in the center of their bed. Rheia stared down at her daughter and the reality that she'd almost lost her began to sink in.
Colton came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I know."
She didn't have to explain why she was upset or defend her irrational fears, because he did know. The tremors she felt behind her told her more than any words that he knew exactly how she felt.
"Let's get some sleep. I don't know about you, but I can't wait for this horrid day to end," Colton whispered. Rheia nodded and quietly they both changed into their pajamas. Before they climbed into bed, Colton took his time holding her against his body and sharing tender kisses. They both needed the simple touch of the other to chase the fear away.
Kissing her softly on the forehead, Colton stepped away and turned off the light. They got into bed on either side of Penny. From the moonlight coming through the window they both stared down at their daughter. Penny frowned in her sleep and turned her head. Immediately she and Colton reached out and each took one of the girl's hands. Penny smiled and calmed down and they fell asleep connected to one another.
*****
Rheia woke the next morning when she heard the door shut. When she looked up Colton was walking in with a hot cup of coffee. She sat up and looked around.
"Penny?"
Colton placed the cup on the nightstand. "She's having breakfast with everyone downstairs, I thought you might need just a bit more rest."
Rheia scooted up and sat with her back against the headboard. "Any news?"
Colton sat on the edge of the bed. "No, we're still running patrols, there's been no sign of them."
Rheia sipped her coffee and then climbed past Colton to get out of bed. Instead of her normal scrubs she pulled on a pair of jeans and a cowl neck fleece top, it was one of her favorites for keeping her warm. To keep the hair out of her face she pulled her hair back in a ponytail. Since she wanted to get downstairs to Penny as soon as she could, she didn't even bother with makeup. She slipped on her sneakers and turned back to face Colton who was watching her with a contented smile on his face.
"What?"
He shook his head. "Nothing, you're just the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
Rheia saw the adoration on his face and knew that he meant it. "Let's go see our girl. I'd like to get to know her grandparents more as well, since it looks like they'll be a part of our lives."
Colton stood and picked up her coffee cup. She took his hand and they headed downstairs. Colton laughed as she practically dragged him forward, she was desperate to see her daughter, to hold her and know that she really was back.
"Good morning, Pumpkin Dumpling," Rheia said and scooped Penny up out of her chair. Penny wrapped her arms around her neck and kissed her cheek. She smelled like syrup, Rheia was so happy to see her, that she didn't even mind the stickiness she felt on the back of her neck.
She sat her back down and Colton and Rheia took their seats on either side.
Ryuu set a fresh platter of pancakes shaped like small animals down on the table. When Ryuu caught her staring, he blushed and cleared his throat. "I thought we would all appreciate the levity this morning." He kept moving around the table refreshing the platters. Ryuu had missed her daughter as well.
Rheia turned to Meryn. "How's Felix this morning?"
Meryn looked down at the soft fabric sling across her chest. "He's sleeping, but his color looks better today. He was so grey yesterday I thought we'd lost him." Her hand cradled the small bundle carefully.
Colton looked at Meryn oddly. "How did you know to send Felix with Penny?"
Gavriel nodded. "I've been wondering that myself since yesterday."
Meryn's shrugged, head turning from one man to the other. "It just seemed like a good idea at the time."
"Fate works in mysterious ways" Mina said, sipping her orange juice. Both she and her mate were seated next to Keelan, looking much better after a good night's rest.
"Whatever the reason, I'm grateful for his help. Despite his size he fought like a true warrior," Gerard said commending Felix.
"If the two of you are up to it, I did have a few questions." Aiden said putting his fork down.
Gerard nodded. "Of course, Commander, anything we can do to help."
"Did the ferals say anything to you before going after Penny?" Aiden asked.
Mina shook her head. "I don't think they were specifically after Penny, they were reaching for all of us, and no, they didn't say anything."
Gerard thought about it for a moment. "I have to agree, Commander. They tried to pull me out the door before I was able to break away to stand with Mina and Penny, I don't think they were after her specifically."