Chapter 14

Misty was curled up in a fetal position, ironic as that seemed. She was occupying Gabe’s old room on the third floor. There were still trophies from his football days. A few pennants. They must’ve been from college teams he supported. As far as she knew, he never went to college himself. There was so much she didn’t know about him.

A knock at her door made her stop ruminating and sit up. “Come in.”

Gabe opened the door. “Am I allowed in here?”

Misty smiled sadly. “It’s your room, Gabe.”

He entered and sat beside her on the bed. He took her hand and seemed to be studying it. He kissed her palm and then laced his fingers with hers. Looking at her intently, he said, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left you at the coffee shop.”

Misty squeezed his hand. “I understand. You needed a few minutes. I needed that too, but I had time to think at the hospital and later at Julie’s, and I still didn’t know what to say to you.”

Gabe looked at her, concerned. “About the hospital… I’m not sure that’s the best place for the birth of our child.”

Misty skipped over the part where he wanted to avoid the hospital and was just thrilled that he said “our child.” When she’d caught up to the whole sentence, she asked, “Why? I would have thought you’d be more comfortable with the doctors and all the emergency equipment right there if anything were to go wrong.”

“I guess we can talk about that later. But there’s something we really need to talk about now.”

She waited.

“I’m glad you’re sitting down. What I have to tell you may come as a shock. There’s a family secret that you have to know. Now, not later. It’s part of why I didn’t know what to say or do.”

He had her attention, so she just said, “Go on.”

He scratched his head. “I don’t quite know how to say this, so I guess I’ll just spit it out and then answer the hundred questions you’ll have after that.”

Her brow furrowed. What could they possibly have as a family secret?

He cleared his throat. “We’re shape-shifters, Misty. All of us, except my mother. We can take the shape of a bird called the phoenix. We have very long lives, unless we spend a lot of time in bird years. Then we age faster.”

She leaned back and stared at him. He seemed to be sincere. Had he lost it? Had he gone around the bend due to the shock of her situation? She patted his arm. “It’s okay, Gabe.”

His eyes rounded. “It’s okay?”

Misty shrugged. “Yeah, well… I’m sure there are doctors who can help you. I wish I knew what to do, but I don’t. All I can say is”—she glanced at her lap then up at him again—“I love you, anyway.”

Gabe fell back on his elbows. “I’ll be damned. I never thought it would be that easy. But what did you mean about doctors? This isn’t something we’re infected with.”

“Oh, I know that. I’m sure there’s a perfectly good explanation for why you believe this whole phoenix story. Maybe it’s just the stress.”

Gabe dropped down the rest of the way till he was lying flat and covered his face with his hands, mumbling through them, “Shit.” Then he started laughing.

He sat up and shook his head at her. “It’s not that you accept me or don’t. You just think I’m crazy. Is that right?”

Misty worried her lip. “I don’t think the word crazy is exactly right. I think there might be some psychological thing…a kind of delusional escape from the stress of reality or something.”

“If my parents back up my story, would you believe it then? We can’t all be delusional, right?”

Misty just stared at him. Either the whole family believed this nonsense, or they were just humoring him. It was probably best to find out which it was. “Okay. Let’s go talk to your parents.”

“Wait. Before that.” Gabe slid down onto one knee. “There’s something else I have to say.”

Misty jumped up. “Oh, no. No, don’t do that yet. I need to know more about what you just told me first.”

Gabe rose. “Of course. I understand. Let’s go downstairs and find my parents.”

“No need,” Antonio said, and the door opened wider. “We’re right here.”

Gabe frowned. “You were eavesdropping?”

“We just thought you might need some help, dear,” Gabriella said. “I remember when Antonio first shared the family secret with me. I doubted his sanity too. I think it’s probably best if we all talk about it together.”

“Is it okay with you if they come in?” Gabe asked Misty.

What could she say? It was their house. She had nowhere else to go. Unless she moved back to the suburbs to hide from the baby’s crazy family. “Of course. Come in.” She rose.

Gabriella crossed over to her and took her hands in both of hers. “I know what you’re thinking. You probably think the whole shifter story is crazy. And that I’m crazy for believing it. But they can prove it, if you want them to.”

Misty was scared now. Either all of these people were nuts, or she was about to witness something so bizarre, she never would have believed it otherwise. But she had to know—one way or the other. She gulped and straightened her shoulders. “I think I need a demonstration.”

“As you wish,” Gabriella said. She turned to her husband and son as she put her arm around Misty, grasping her tightly. Part of Misty was uncomfortable, and yet part of her thought it was a good idea to keep from falling if she fainted.

“Are you ready?” Gabe asked.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Misty said.

In the blink of an eye, the man she loved shrank, shifted into a colorful bird, and flapped its wings to get free of his clothes.

She gasped and recoiled. Gabriella tightened her grip on Misty’s waist and arm. Then Antonio followed suit but let his sleeves drape over extended wings. The bird that was Gabe shifted again and became the man she thought she knew.

He asked her to turn around so his father could shift and yank up his sweat pants. Meanwhile, he put on his jeans again.

When they were dressed, Gabe asked, “Are you okay?”

She turned back and faced them. “I…I think I am.”

Antonio nodded sagely. “You’re a strong, brave woman, Misty. I give you a lot of credit for not fainting away. We need women like you in this family.”

Gabriella placed her hands on each side of Misty’s face, then kissed her on both cheeks. “I knew you’d be all right. That you’d understand.”

“Oh, I understand nothing. How do you do this? Why did this happen? Where do you come from?”

“It’s time for a brief history lesson,” Antonio said.

Misty’s mouth was suddenly dry. “Can I have a drink of water or something?”

Gabriella nodded. “I’ll go get you something, dear. You’d probably like something stronger than a glass of milk or a cup of coffee, but…”

Misty snorted. “You got that right. No, it wouldn’t be good for the baby. You don’t have to get it for me. I can go downstairs.”

Gabe took her hand and smiled. “I’ll lead the way.”

She wasn’t afraid of him. She had just witnessed something she’d believed he couldn’t make happen. But he did. And according to him, everyone in his family except his mother could shift like that. All six brothers. She had grown up knowing every one of the Fierros and was never afraid of any of them. She liked them all.

Come to think of it, Sandra had married Miguel years ago. She must have known. Ryan and Jayce were married too, although she didn’t know their wives. So it wasn’t just Gabriella and Antonio who’d had to navigate the revelation of a major secret. This was startling.

When they were all settled around the dining room table, Antonio began his story.

“The first reference to a firebird was in ancient Rome. However, the legend has roots in different cultures around the world. That should tell you there’s something more than legend to it. The Native Americans never met the ancient Romans, but both cultures believed strongly in a bird that can rise from the ashes after it’s engulfed in flames.”

“And as you can see,” Gabriella added, “it isn’t a legend at all. This is the family I married into. They were kind enough to tell me before Antonio proposed. I had some time to think it over and come to my own conclusions and decisions. Gabe can give you that time too.”

* * *

Gabe watched Misty sipping her water when she abruptly set her glass on the dining table. “Wait! The baby… Will he or she be a phoenix and able to do that shifting thing too?”

“We don’t know for sure,” Gabe said. “If it’s a boy, probably. But we haven’t had a girl born in the family for generations. No one can remember if the last girl shifted into a phoenix or not.”

Misty paused for a few moments, then shrugged. “Well, if he or she can fly, that might come in handy with my MS. Maybe I can teach the baby to fly where I want him to go instead of worrying about my unsteadiness.”

Gabe leaned back and laughed. “Always looking on the bright side. I love that about you, Misty.” Quietly, he added, “I love a lot of things about you.”

They gazed at each other. He could tell he’d surprised her. Hell, he’d surprised himself. His parents smiled at each other. He hadn’t said, “I love you.” And he wouldn’t just tell her what she wanted to hear. He hoped everybody would understand that and not force the issue.

After a respectful pause, Antonio cleared his throat. “That brings up an important point. We’re not supposed to shift in front of humans. Ever. It’s a general rule of paranormal beings that they never display their powers to unsuspecting mortals, and that rule is hard and fast.”

“Well, except for spouses,” Gabriella was quick to add.

“Paranormal beings?” Misty repeated with a shaky voice. “Are there more than just phoenixes?”

Gabe, Antonio, and Gabriella all took turns glancing at each other. At last, Antonio spoke. “We’re not at liberty to say, Misty. At least not at this point. I could see if you married into our family, there might be a little more information we could give you—”

“In other words, yes,” she said.

Antonio chuckled. “You’ve always been a smart kid. The only reason that’s not a problem is your ability to respect people’s boundaries. Just accept that you’re perfectly safe. Paranormal beings have some very good reasons for staying under the radar.”

Misty bit her lip. “Are you afraid of scientists trying to experiment on you? Maybe the government finding secrets they can use in war?”

“Yes. That’s a major threat,” Antonio said. “Believe me, nobody wants that.”

“Well, that’s a lot to take in,” Gabriella said. “I’m glad you’re staying with us. If you ever have any questions, anything at all, you can come to me.”

“I have one question right now.”

“Go ahead.”

“Well, since everyone in the family has these powers or whatever, except for you, why do they obey you?”

Antonio laughed. “Apparently, it hasn’t escaped Misty’s notice that my little spitfire of a wife rules the roost. Pun intended.”

Gabriella smiled. “I have to be honest, dear. They don’t always listen to me—but if they want a big piece of tiramisu instead of the first little one that crumbles on its way out of the dish, they behave.”

Misty gaped at her. “Really? You control them with food?”

The men laughed.

“I was just being silly. No, darling, our boys are taught to respect their elders from the cradle. And there’s no mistaking who rules this family. It’s Antonio.”

Gabe smiled. “Dad lays down the law, and then we complain to Mom.”

“Does it help?” Misty asked.

“Sometimes she gets him to lighten up. Be reasonable.”

“Hey, I’m always reasonable,” Antonio protested.

“And if I can’t get him to listen, he gets the crappy piece of cake,” Gabriella joked.

Antonio wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. “Her cooking is worth behaving myself for.”

“Do you like to cook, dear?” Gabriella asked.

“I—I never really learned how. I mean, I can put together something simple without poisoning anyone, but that’s about it.”

Gabe groaned.

“Maybe while you’re here, you can learn to cook,” Antonio offered. “You couldn’t find a better school than the Fierro kitchen. Not even in Paris or Rome. Even Gabe has learned a thing or two.”

Misty gave Gabriella a grateful smile. “I think I’d like that. My own mother didn’t have a chance to teach me anything more than how to use the microwave. This is one of those times when your generosity—” Her voice cracked, and she couldn’t finish her thought.

Gabriella reached over and squeezed Misty’s hand. “We’re here for everything and anything you need. Remember that, sweetheart. Just let us know when you’re ready to plan the wedding, and we’ll arrange to pay for whatever you’d like. A big church wedding or a small family gathering. It’s up to you two.”

“One problem,” Misty said.

Gabriella tipped her head. “What’s that?”

“Gabe hasn’t proposed.”

“I was about to.”

Misty straightened her spine. “Well, don’t. I’m not sure I can accept right now.”

Gabe’s brows shot up. “Is it because I left you at the coffee shop? I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t have done that, I know.”

Misty shook her head. “That didn’t help, but no. That’s not all of it.” She faced Gabe’s parents. “I don’t want Gabe to ask just because ‘it’s the right thing,’ according to everyone else.” She used air quotes to indicate it might not be the right thing at all. “I don’t think he’d be proposing if I weren’t pregnant. Even if I am a catch.” She winked at him.

He grinned. “You are that, and more.”

“Yeah, but my more comes with major drawbacks.”

“Do you mean your MS?”

“Well, yeah. I don’t know what’s in store for me. You watched those videos. This disease can be devastating.”

“I feel bad for you, but I’m looking at it philosophically. Sometimes life slaps you in the face. It’s how you react that matters. I hope I can always behave like a good person, even though I’m far from perfect. I promise to make sure you get the care you need.”

“Yeah, medical care.”

“If you’re talking about moral support, I seem to remember holding you while you cried. I imagine it won’t be the last time.”

She worried her lip and was quiet for so long, he felt the need to fill the silence.

“Why don’t we see how it goes? I understand your reluctance. I can do better. I will do better.” He stood and moved behind her chair. “I can give you killer massages.” He kneaded her neck and shoulders while she sighed, and everyone watched the tension melt away.

After a few moments, Misty said, “I’m exhausted. Would you mind if I go upstairs and take a nap?”

“Of course not,” Gabriella said right away. “I remember how tired I got during my pregnancies. It’s been a stressful day.”

Misty snorted, excused herself, put her water glass in the dishwasher, then left.

“Antonio, would you excuse us for a couple of minutes? I’d like to talk to Gabe alone.”

Gabe’s father rose and pushed in his chair. “Have at it. I’ll be in the man cave downstairs.”

In a few moments, Gabe was alone with his mother, who looked over at him and smiled sweetly. Oh no. That smile could mean a number of things. Not all of them good.

“Gabriel, dear, do you remember my telling you that someday I would sit down and introduce you to yourself?”

Gabe chuckled. “Yeah. Something about my being your most sensitive son or that kind of bull—I mean, baloney.”

She reached over and patted his hand. “That’s right. You may not believe it, but I do know my sons.”

Gabe leaned back in his chair. “Why wouldn’t I believe it? Dad’s the one who gets us mixed up.”

She chuckled. “That’s not what I meant. All of my sons are special—and not just paranormally. Ryan is rebuilding a castle in Ireland with his wife, Miguel and Sandra are preparing to take over as heads of the family along with Jayce and Kristine. In some ways, you’re the one I worry about the most and the least.”

“Now I’m even more confused.”

Gabriella sighed. “Listen to me carefully. I don’t need to worry about you, because you’re content to be who you are. And I’m worried about you, because you’re content as you are. Think about this. Right now, you’re happy living in a studio in downtown Boston and working as a firefighter. But is that what you want to do for the next five years?”

He shrugged.

“How about five hundred?”

Gabe sat upright. “Five hundred? I think the fire service might catch on after a couple hundred years or so. I know I’ll have to do something different eventually.”

“Okay. Let’s just advance five years, then. You and I both know you have a lot of long-term goals to think about.”

Gabe shrugged. “Well, in five years, I might be a lieutenant or at least studying for and going after a promotion.”

Gabriella nodded. “And that’s a fine goal. So, what else will you be doing?”

Gabe squirmed in his chair. “I don’t know, Mom. Do I have to decide right now?”

“No, you don’t. But if you just drift along and wait for something to happen, you’re letting fate decide where you’ll go, what you’ll do, and who you will be. I want you to be happy.”

“I am happy.”

“You could’ve fooled me.”

Gabe leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. He stared at his hands, turning them over and then clasping them in front of him. “I think I know what you’re saying, but look at what’s happening right now. Life is throwing something at me that I didn’t ask for.”

“Consider yourself lucky. You could have had a lot worse things come your way.”

He sighed. “I know, I know. I’m lucky I have shoes on my feet. I’m lucky I have feet to walk on. And right now, I feel like walking right out the door. Maybe you could just say what you’re trying to say without all the subtle messages.”

“If I tell you what to do, it won’t mean anything. You need to examine your own life, look at the possible outcomes, and choose a path. The sensitive boy I know is probably scared, going around and around in his own mind, trying to figure out what he should do and what other people think he should do. And you’re thinking of things in terms of avoiding the worst.”

He just stared at his hands.

“And there’s nothing wrong with that. A couple of my sons take too many risks. They just dive in, barely looking to see if there’s water in the pool. You, on the other hand, stand beside the pool, watching everyone else. I don’t know what you’re thinking half the time, but I do know what you’re doing. Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada.”

Gabe held up his hands. “Okay, okay. I get it. I need to make a decision about my future.”

“And it should be a decision you feel good about. If you can follow that plan, I think you’ll find your way into at least the shallow end of the pool. Who knows? You might even have some fun. But I guess you’ll have to learn to splash before you can swim.”

“Or sink.” He smirked.

She leaned back and swatted his arm. “Now you’re just mocking me.”

“Yeah. I am.” He looked over at his mother shyly. She was a beautiful example of someone who made good decisions and traveled a happy path. But she couldn’t have guessed at the circumstances that would touch her life.

“How did you do it, Mom?”

“Do what?”

“Deal with all this? Us? Did you really want seven sons? Seven paranormal sons?”

She laughed. “Sometimes you don’t get what you want, you get what you need. Isn’t there some song about that?”

“Who the hell needs seven kids?”

They both laughed.

His forehead wrinkled. “So, are you satisfied?”

She smiled broadly. “If I were any more satisfied, it would probably kill me.”

The two of them smiled.

Gabe rose. “Good talk, Mom.” He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

She reached up and stroked his face. “I love you, you know.”

“Well, duh. I’m going to go home now to make some decisions and plans.”