Epilogue
“You were going too fast,” Faye grumbled as she waddled down the sidewalk towards the horse and pony that had come to a dusty halt by the fence.
“Define too fast,” Zantar laughed, walking over to lift four-year-old Shanta off of her pony. The energetic toddler was already halfway to the ground, but her father lifted her up and gave her a tickle on her tummy.
Faye shook her head but couldn’t stop smiling at the two. Father and daughter were too much alike. Shanta loved her daddy and tried to keep up with everything he did. She even sat in on council meetings at times, her tiny features wrinkled with concentration as she tried to understand everything that was being discussed.
At the moment though, she was wiggling to get down and Zantar lowered her tiny, boot covered feet to the ground. Moments later, Shanta rushed over, placing both of her hands on Faye’s rounded tummy. “Is he awake, Momma?” she asked, then pressed her ear against Faye’s stomach. “Are you awake, little brother?”
Her face squinched up into a frown when she didn’t hear anything or feel her unborn brother move around in Faye’s stomach.
“He’s sleeping,” Shanta announced, then moved back, reaching her arms up in a silent command to her father to lift her into his arms. Of course, Zantar lifted Shanta up because…well, because he adored her and spoiled his sweet daughter.
“How are you?” he asked Faye, reaching down with his free hand to cover her belly. “You didn’t sleep well last night.”
Faye sighed, nodding her head. “I know.” She lifted her face up. “I love you. But if you don’t stop racing across the desert with our daughter, I’m going to have to hurt you.”
He laughed, obviously not worried about her dire threat. “You should be in bed.”
“I’m bored in bed. I want chocolate chip cookies.”
Zantar rolled his eyes, but Shanta clapped her hands.
“Let’s go then,” he said, restraining their daughter from flying over to her mother. “Kitchen it is!”
“I love Momma’s cravings!” Shanta called out.
Zantar put an arm around her waist, kissing her neck. “I do too!”
Faye smiled, leaning her head against his shoulder. “My cravings,” she teased, “are what got us into this predicament,” she said, referring to her bulging belly.
“I know. Have I mentioned that I love you?”
Faye smiled, her irritation at his speed on their horses gone. “I love you too!”