Pena and Kerrie were in her bedroom. So much had changed in the last decade or so. Kerrie was going to be fifteen soon, and Pena had turned twenty-two three months ago. Life, she had figured out, had a way of just changing in a heartbeat, and for her and her little sister, it had turned out very well. Not all children that had been abused like them had had it so well.

“When is he getting here?” Pena laughed and said not until two-thirty. “I can’t wait that long. I bet he’s very handsome all dressed up in his suit.”

“I’ve not seen him in one. He’s always in jeans and a T-shirt when I see him.” Kerrie nodded. “You and I, we have one thing to do today before this happens. Are you ready for it?”

“Yes, but I don’t remember them at all. I’m glad, but I don’t.” Pena said that she remembered them well enough for the two of them. “I’m ready when you are.”

Pena had promised herself that on this day, she’d go and see the graves of her parents. They’d been dead for the same fifteen years that she’d been safe and happy. The McCades had been more than good to her. They’d been the best parents that anyone could ever hope to have. And not only did she have her little sister Kerrie, but she had two brothers now, and three sisters.

Some of them had been like her—children that had been hurt. Not all of them sexually, as she had been, but hurt all the same. And since she’d come to age, as she called it, Pena had decided that she wanted to be there for them as much as Kenton and the others had been for her. So graduating at the age of fifteen, and with the support of so many people, she’d gone to college to become a counselor as well as a pediatrician. It was her life’s dream to be the best she could, too.

They walked along the tree line. She knew that they weren’t buried in a cemetery. The McCades had left them where they were as the house, the shack really, had been burned down around them. For a long time they told her that it was gone when they got there, but when she figured out they were dragons, she had reckoned out that they were the ones that had done it. To spare her, Mom had told her. Pena was grateful for that as well.

She hadn’t been here before today. Pena had thought about it over the years, but never got up the nerve to do so until now. Her life was about to have another change in it, and she was happy to finally come here and talk to her parents.

Closure. She knew what the word meant now, and what it meant to her. Today she was going to go and tell them what she thought of them, as well as how her life was going now. Today, Pena was marrying the man of her dreams.

The ground where the house had been was dark. Nothing would grow there, she’d been told. The dragons had burned the ground deep and destroyed all that would have ever grown where the house had once set. Anger had made them do this. Anger at what she and Kerrie had lived with, and what they’d done to her as a child.

“Why did they die?” No one had ever told Kerrie what had happened to their parents. They had decided well before she was old enough to think of such things that it would hurt her and Pena to have to explain the why of it. So she told them what everyone thought—that the house caught fire while they were sleeping, and they died. “Is that true, Pena? I mean, I hear you having bad dreams. They hurt you, didn’t they?”

“Yes. They did.” She was willing to leave it at that if Kerrie would. She looked at the ground and thought of what she’d practiced to say to them. “You know, I was going to tell them about what today meant to me. What I was going to do with my life, but I don’t think I will.”

“They wouldn’t care.” No, even alive, she doubted that they’d care. “I think that when I grow up, I want to come out here and plant a tree. I don’t know if it’ll grow up or not, but I’m going to do it.”

“I think you should.”

The sky darkened above them, but neither of them moved. Pena was sure she knew who was visiting them, and she smiled when the large dragons landed nearby. Kerrie squealed in delight, and Pena made her way to the big blue dragon and hugged him tightly.

“Warrior, how are you doing today? I would have thought you’d be home, watching over your hatchlings.” He laughed and bumped his head gently to hers. “I love you too, you big softy. Are you and Prisane going to be at the wedding today?”

“We’d not miss it for the world.” Prisane lay down on the grass and Kerrie climbed up on her back. When they were soaring high, Pena looked at Warrior.

“You are well, my child?” She told him she was better for being here today, and for having him close. “You have always been so close to my heart, like one of my own. You are marrying a great man today. You know that, don’t you?”

“I do. I love him with all my heart, and I couldn’t have asked for a better man in my life.” Warrior nodded and lay down as well. “Have you talked to your son lately? I’ve heard that he is still having a wonderful time visiting places. I had hoped that he’d be here today too.”

“He would have, had he been able. But the place he is at now is remote. But they send their love to you. And a bit of magic that will be with you forever.” She and her sister had been made immortal by the magic of the McCades. It was nice to know that she’d live for a long time, but also scary. “You will have many children, won’t you? Vance and his wife, they are happy to have a grandchild soon.”

“So they’ve been telling us.” She laughed and sat down on his great claw. “I came out here to tell my parents what I thought of them. To tell them that I’m marrying today. That I’ve never been happier. But once I was here, seeing this place, I think my heart is as black as the earth that holds them. Not for anyone but them, of course. But as Kerrie pointed out, they’d not care anyway.”

“Nay, they would not.” She looked up to see her sister and Prisane having a good time. “She has needed to get out of the cave for some time now. I thought today would be a wonderful time to do so. To see you married today is a great honor for us dragons.”

“Warrior, I’ve been meaning to ask you—why did you choose to stay as a dragon? I thought for sure, as everyone did, that the two of you would be humans. Or at least look human like. I’m glad that you’re a dragon, but why?” He laughed a little and she felt silly. “I guess it’s none of my business.”

“Oh, but it is, my child. It’s everyone’s business that has been in love or falls in love. We decided, while we waited for the magic to consume us, that we’d be dragons for two reasons. One, I’ve been her dragon for so very long, and she was never one. It was in her heart to fly the skies with me as she once did upon my back.” She asked him what the second reason was. “To have hatchlings. We so wanted to have our own children, dragons that would be there for us when we were too old to fly. As humans we would have had children, but it meant so much more to us to bring more of our kind into the world. And to raise them to be the best that they could be. Besides, I think there are enough McCades around that we did not need to add to it.”

They were both laughing when her sister joined them. She was windblown, but in high spirits. Prisane laid down again when Kerrie got off her back and ran to the little lake that was nearby. The large dragon looked at the spot where the earth was scorched.

“Don’t.” She raised her head up to look at her, a smile there in her eyes. “Don’t make the ground better here. I like it just the way it is. I mean, if the earth doesn’t care that it’s there, then I don’t either.”

“Your sister wishes to plant a tree in their honor. Does that bother you?” Pena told her that while it did a little, she thought it better that she didn’t know. “I think she knows more than you think. She is very intelligent, your little sister.”

“She is, but I’m not going to ruin her idea of what they were.” Prisane nodded. “I’m sorry. But I don’t want her to think that she might have been hurt. I’m sure someday that she’ll come to me with questions, or to Mom or Dad. But for now, I want to not think about them and what they did. Not today.”

“I understand.” Prisane had always been her friend, ever since she’d found her near a pond near the castle. “You have only to call to me, my dear, and you know that I’ll be there for you. For any of you.”

“I know that too. I love you both so very much.” She said that she loved her as well. And had a gift for her. “Magic? I don’t need anything like that. I’m just happy to be loved by this family.”

“Yes, but you will want this. It will help you when you put good use to your studies. It will help you a great deal, as it did the others when you joined them, to be able to read what sorts of things the children have endured.” Pena nodded, thinking that would be helpful. “You need only to touch my spike upon my head and it will come to you.”

She put her finger on the razor-sharp edge and felt the small pain of it. When the blood welled up, she offered her finger to the dragon. As soon as she licked it clean, she knew that she’d gotten more than the ability to read minds and asked her about it.

“Nothing more than a little magic to help you along the way.” Prisane stood up then, and spread her wings. “We must be going now. I’d like to check on my hatchlings before the wedding. You will be a beautiful bride, and he the most handsome of grooms.”

Walking back to the house, she saw Mom sitting in the swing that had been built for her long ago. She was simply moving back and forth, but the look on her face looked like she was thinking hard on something. Calling out to her, Mom looked at her and patted the seat next to her.

“I’ve been thinking.” Pena told her that she was thinking too hard. “Yes, more than likely. But I was thinking about the life that you’re about to embark on. And I have to tell you, I’m so very proud of you. Of both of you. I never would have thought that you’d be the perfect match. He is somewhat of a serious person.”

“Yes, he is at that, but we love each other, and that’s about all that matters to me. We balance, he told me.” Mom nodded and rocked more. “Are you all right with us marrying? I mean, we sort of jumped the gun by announcing it to everyone before asking.”

“Oh my, yes, I’m so very happy. And I cannot wait to be a grandma.” Pena pulled out the scale that she’d picked up after Prisane and Warrior left. “You touched it. Do you have any idea what that means?”

“Yes. I do. And I’m sure that he’ll be just as happy for us.” Her mother nodded and hugged her. “Kerrie wants to plant a tree in the place where they died.”

She never referred to them as mom and dad. The only parents she had, as far as she was concerned, were the ones that had loved her and given her a good life. Micky and Vance had given them much more in their first year with them than she’d had her entire young life with the other couple.

“She told me. I cautioned her about things not growing there. But she’s set on it. I’ll have Vance talk to her about it after the wedding.” Mom looked at her. “Speaking of which, I think you need to get ready. You don’t have a great deal of time to help me stop crying because my baby girl is leaving me today.”

Going into the house, Pena was excited. She was going to be married today, and there wasn’t a thing in this world that could dampen her happiness. Pulling on her mom’s wedding gown, it all came to her; she was going to be Mrs. Gavin McCade soon.

~~~

Gavin adjusted his tie twice before he pulled it off. Dad came over, took it from him, and put it around his neck. He was nervous and excited, but dad seemed to understand.

“One thing you can be thankful for, she won’t have to change her last name.” He glared at his dad when he laughed. “Nor will she have to try and get along with her in-laws. There’s a lot to be said for marrying someone that you’ve known for a long time too.”

“You’re not helping. And we both know that even though we’re both McCades, we aren’t blood related, not even by marriage.” Dad nodded. “Why do I have to wear a tie?”

“Because your bride-to-be is wearing her mom’s wedding dress, and you’re wearing a tux. Once you are truly wed, then you can toss this off and have fun. But serious stuff has to be done first.” Gavin thought of something that had been nagging at his mind for several weeks now. “Don’t say it. It doesn’t matter.”

“I’m over ten years older than her. When she came here, I was already seventeen.” Dad said that she’d always be younger than him, but they had lifetimes to be together. “She’s so special to me, Dad. I don’t want her to regret marrying such an old man.”

“Old man? Gavin, you’re only thirty-three, not such an old man. And do you have any idea how old Raven is? Or Micky?” He said he was afraid to ask. “Yes, me too. But they’re old. Long before we were born they were roaming the earth in search of us. But don’t tell them I said they were old. I’m afraid of both of them.”

When his tie was fixed, his dad stood next to him in front of the mirror. His dad didn’t look that much older than him. He was still as handsome as he was in his wedding pictures that were taken on his wedding day. And his mom, more beautiful than ever before because she loved his dad.

“I have a painting for you and Pena. I took some pictures of the two of you when you joined the family. I painted them side by side like you’d find in a locket. And there is enough room on it for me to add your children when you have some.” Gavin told him that they were going to have children soon. “Good. I’ve never been a grandfather before, and I’m excited about being one. And I don’t have to tell you how excited your grandma is. It was nice of Pena to ask her to give her away.”

“Grandma has been my best friend and co-conspirator since I was a kid. I think we got into more trouble than kids half my age.” Dad laughed and said he thought that was true. “She’s going to come and live with us. Did she tell you? Uncle Vance is happy that she’s coming to stay. I was sure that he’d be upset.”

“Why? Everyone knows what she means to the two of you, especially you. She’ll love it there, and you two can get into more trouble with your wife tagging along. Or, maybe she’ll just stand back with bail money. Could be that is what she’ll do.” He laughed, and Dad hugged him. “I’m so very proud of you, Gavin. And so is your mom. You’re a fine attorney now. Have a nice house and money in the bank. You’ve taken on projects that most would just let go. And now you’re marrying a woman that we all love as much as we do you.”

“You guys done bonding? Me, I would have thought you’d done that long ago, but that’s just me.” Uncle Vance hugged him too. “Christ, where did the years go? You’re all grown up, and it only seems like yesterday that you were tugging on my gun belt and asking me to show you how to toss a knife.”

“You explained to me when I had the terminology right, then you’d show me.” Gavin laughed. “I think it took me about a week to figure out what you meant. I’m thankful all the time that you finally did show me how to throw a knife. Some of my clients can be pretty impressed when I do it for them.”

The wedding march sounded, and he made his way out to wait on his bride. Pena was his world, and he was excited to be starting this new phase of his life with her. When the bridesmaids finished their walk, he saw her. Pena was the most beautiful creature in the world as far as he was concerned.

Everyone was there. Family, of course, but the dragons had come as well, leaving their hosts, if necessary, to see him getting married. Prisane and Warrior were there as their dragons, providing a beautiful backdrop to the outside wedding.

Faeries and brownies were flittering all over, dropping petals of flowers as Pena and Grandma made their way to him. When he reached for her, Grandma hugged them both tightly, then started to sit. But when she came back, Gavin could hear a few sobs of joy. Grandma told them that she loved them both so much.

Their vows were said to each other, and Gavin realized that his words to her—devotion to her and that he’d love her forever—were sort of lame. Pena cried when he slipped the ring over her finger and he kissed her hand when he did. The minister performing the ceremony said he was just like his father, and they all laughed.

In less time than it took for him to get ready, he was married. And turning his wonderful wife to the crowd of well-wishers, he invited them all to his home for food and fun. Gavin and Pena walked hand in hand to the festivities just as someone called out his name.

“Hello, young man.” He hugged Caelin and told him that he didn’t think he’d make it. “Miss my own godson’s wedding? Never. Besides, your grandma threatened me, so I came. She’d very protective of you, isn’t she?”

“She is at that. And I am of her.”

They moved with Pena to the party, and Caelin was welcomed like he’d only been away for a few days rather than the last decade. There were many festivities today, and Gavin felt like it was complete. That everyone that he had ever loved was with him on this special day.

Gavin said a small prayer to his grandma, the woman who had cared for him when his mom worked. The faeries had brought her to them and buried her in the most beautiful faerie circle, which he visited weekly.

Someday, he thought, he’d write a book about the dragon warrior and his jewelry. As he walked around, talking to family, he knew he was going to do it. It might not sell well, or not at all, but he was going to write it, because no one would believe what they’d gone through to be a family.