Chapter 321

Tessa’s POV

“Are you sure you want to go to work today?” Joseph asked, standing behind me as I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror.

We returned to our home last night and after greeting the rest of the coven, we went straight to bed. I was exhausted after the last few days. We found out so much information I thought my head was going to explode.

I ran my fingers down the length of my belly; I wasn’t showing yet, but inside of me was a baby that I swore to protect with my life. Joseph and I created life from our love and the very thought sent warmth throughout my entire body.

I leaned into him, basking in the warmth he provided me with as he wrapped his arms around me and held me close to his front. His lips traced the nape of my neck, featuring kisses along my newly formed goosebumps.

I didn’t want to leave; I wanted to spend the day in the arms of my love. I wanted to figure out how we would stop Ruby’s vision from coming through. My father wouldn’t listen to me, and it broke my heart that he thought I only wanted to get rid of Penny. If only he understood the severity of the situation. If only he knew how much danger he was truly in.

“I have to,” I eventually sighed, meeting his eyes in the mirror. “If I don’t, I could lose my job and I’ve worked too hard to back down now.”

Joseph nodded as he put his chin on the top of my head.

“You’re right,” he said, defeated.

After we finished getting dressed, we went down the stairs. As soon as I reached the bottom step, the smell of food baking in the kitchen made my mouth water and my stomach growl.

I walked into the kitchen to see Patty and Claira hard at work cooking breakfast. I was surprised to see Austin setting the table. He’s usually locked away in his room and avoiding everybody else unless necessary. But he looked a lot brighter today than he did all the other days.

Claira turned when we entered, and she gave me a small smile.

“Coffee is just about done if you’d like a cup,” she told me. “And breakfast will be done shortly.”

“Thanks,” I said to her as I walked over to the coffee. I could get used to having my coven around if coffee and breakfast were going to be a normal thing. “You really didn’t have to do all of this,” I told her like I tell her every time she cooks breakfast.

“We enjoy it,” Patty was the one who answered. “I miss cooking and baking.”

There was some sadness in her voice when she said that; Patty had a bakery for a long time and I’m sure she missed it. When she didn’t have her memories for the last couple of decades, she had no idea she was the owner of a very popular bakery in a small town. But since getting her memories back, I’m sure there’s a void in her heart.

I made a mental note to look into any bakeries or buildings for purchase in the area.

After Joseph made himself a coffee, he kissed me sweetly on the lips.

“I have to go to the academy today,” he told me. “I’ll see you this evening.”

“I love you,” I said, kissing him one last time.

To my surprise, Joseph bent and placed his lips against my belly. I chuckled and ran my fingers through his hair.

“I’m not even showing yet,” I giggled.

“Doesn’t mean I can’t kiss our baby,” he replied before kissing me one last time on the lips.

He waved goodbye to the others, giving Austin a fist bump, before retreating from the kitchen. He passed Luara on the way who gave him a quick, “hello and goodbye.”

Laura had her glasses on this morning and her blonde hair was pulled up in a messy bun. I only saw Laura with her glasses on once; she usually wears contacts.

“Another headache?” Austin asked, making her freeze in her tracks.

Her cheeks grew impossibly red when Austin addressed her, and I had to bite my lip to keep from grinning. I grabbed a tea bag from the cupboard and started to make myself tea with the boiling water Claira made.

I couldn’t wait for this pregnancy to be over so I could have coffee; not sure how I’m going to survive 8 more months of this.

“Uh, yeah…” Laura said as she hurried to the coffee maker. “I have an interview at the library this morning,” she added.

“Good luck,” Austin said, leaning back in his seat and watching her, a curious look in his eyes.

I knew that Luara had a little crush on Austin, it was obvious when they first got here and after they got their memories back. But Austin was so closed off and absent, I didn’t think he noticed. Getting a read on Austin was difficult, but now that he’s out of his room and in front of me, I’m starting to think the feeling might be mutual.

“Thanks,” she said, her voice soft. She refused to look at him, which I found funny.

I glanced at Claira and Patty who I noticed gave one another knowing looks, each of them having grins on their faces as they focused on cooking. I wasn’t the only one who noticed this small love connection going on between the two of them.

I leaned my back against the coffee as I took in the sweet aroma of the tea, feeling it relax my body before I even took a sip. My eyes volleyed as I watched Laura and Austin’s interaction even further.

“I’m so nervous,” Laura admitted. “I hope I don’t screw it up.”

“There are other jobs if you,” Austin assured her. “Want me to go with you? I could always force them to hire you.”

His eyes showed humor.

Laura bit back a smile of her own and shook her head.

“No, it’s okay,” she breathed.

He gave her a playful gleam.

“Well, if you change your mind…” he said.

Her face turned 12 shades of red before she let out a giggle and then she turned and walked out of the kitchen.

That girl is crushing hard.

I opened my mouth to say something to him because he was still staring at the door she had walked through, but then Hannah and Amy walked in. They were in the middle of their own conversation when they noticed us standing in the kitchen.

Hannah’s eyes flashed ot Austin and I could see the affection in them as she sat beside him. She started toying with the ends of his shaggy hair and giggling.

“Hey handsome,” she flirted.

“Oh, uh… hey,” he said, looking a bit awkward.

“So, have you thought about what I asked last night? I’m free tonight. There’s a really nice restaurant in the city I really wanted to check out.” Her voice was smooth and a bit sultry as she spoke to him.

I raised my brows.

Amy just laughed and shook her head as she made herself a cup of coffee.

Claira and Patty began plating all the food and motioning for Austin to help put it on the table. He quickly stood and took the plates from them.

“I’m actually busy tonight,” he said, not meeting her disappointed gaze.

“Doing what? You hardly ever leave the house,” she pouted, folding her arms across her chest.

“I made other plans,” he said shrugging.

She opened her mouth to protest, but Amy nudged her shoulder.

“Have self-respect, Hannah. He’s saying no,” she teased. “Accept the rejection and move on.”

Hannah’s face grew red, and it took everything I had not to burst out laughing. They were too much; they were acting so much younger than me when in reality, we were all around the same age.

“Eat your breakfast,” Patty ordered, motioning for them to take a plate of food.

The kitchen soon filled with the others, and we ate and talked just like a normal family.

“So, what’s the plan for today?” Cole asked as he shoved a piece of bacon in his mouth.

“Patty is coming over this afternoon. I thought we could do some magic practice,” Patty answered.

“That’s a good plan because for what’s coming, I fear we might need to be as strong as possible,” I murmur, biting into a piece of toast.

They all stop eating to look at me.

“What does that mean?” Bennet asked, his brows pinched together. “What exactly is coming?”

I never got a chance to actually update them on anything. They have no idea about Penny or Eevee, whatever her name is.

I glance at the clock as I shove the last of the food in my mouth.

“I’ll explain later. I have to before I’m late,” I told them as I grabbed my purpose off the counter island.

The last thing I needed was to be reprimanded by Megan Huxley… again.