Epilogue
A couple weeks passed and Dannia wasn’t seen again. That didn’t mean she and those she victimized didn’t lurk at the edges of the new life Cretia and Toreen had made for themselves. It was an issue they could do nothing about, not until she came out in the open. When or if that would happen was hard to say.
Cretia had a baby bump and Torren enjoyed rubbing it and talking to the little dragonlet growing inside. It delighted her when he took the time out to do that. They talked often about the baby and went through names trying to come up with one for a female and another for a male.
“Dollia? That’s a lovely name. It was your mother’s?” Cretia asked. It wasn’t like she had anyone to name a child for. Her family meant little to her. It was like she barely knew them.
“Yes, I know you might have something else in mind especially for a girl.” Toreen said. They were all using Earth terms more and more. It was common on Draconis for the mother to name the female young and the father to name the males.
“No, I have no one to name a child for. Naming her after your mother, who was a good and caring female, would honor them both.” She observed.
Toreen moved closer pulling her into his arms. “You are too good to me, but I like it.” He kissed her with the passion that just continued to grow stronger between them.
“So what if it’s a male?” She asked when he pulled back for a moment.
“My father’s family name was Getty. He was the last of his line but because my mother’s line inherited the lordship, our last name is Fiero from her side.” He explained.
“I thought there were no last names used here.” Cretia said.
“They are rarely used. Lords, kings, and emperor’s use them for legal reasons. Others have them too, but have even less need of them. At one time, our population was much greater and there was a growing need of them. As the females disappeared and births went down, our population dropped removing the need for the names in most cases. The emperor decided someday the need might return so all would keep a surname.”
“I think that was wise. With finding the females of Earth, the population may grow again.” Cretia predicted.
“I believe you are right. They seem to have a high number of females so far. They say the female and male numbers on Earth are fairly even. Maybe the goddess has had a hand in so many females being born to Earthers.” Toreen wondered.
“That’s entirely possible. It would be amazing for our children if the numbers equaled out. There has even been more fairness to females mostly because of Davy. If we have a daughter, she’ll have choices when she grows up.” Cretia pointed out.
“I’m still not sure how I feel about that. We were raised to protect females, not be protected by them.” Toreen admitted.
Cretia laughed. “It will come to be slowly so you’ll have time to adjust.”
“True enough. Besides. Most dragons have all males.”
“You’d miss the chance to have a little female that had you wrapped around her finger.”
“That is equally true.”
Toreen headed out to work with his father. They had decided to grow the fish and so far everything looked good. He bought much of the fish food from grains that got dirty in transit or were seconds that weren’t used for foods. It was a suggestion Cretia had made after listening to Bree and Dori talking about feeding hogs such things.
A couple more weeks passed and things were better than ever. Dannia hadn’t been seen again, but she still was on the minds of those she’d effected. Toreen felt better each passing day because they were gaining prosperity and all his people were happy. Cretia had always known he was a good lord who would take of his people if nothing interfered.
Pa was recovering from his blues and growing more attached to his grandbabies. He visited them often and even watched them for brief periods of time to give Niku and Betty a break. Adoring Betty and all her relatives, he even told Garulto once that he wished Dori had a sister just like her. It looked like he was ready to begin living again in all ways.
Dori was helping Cretia to find a good female for Pa. After what he’d been through with Mabest, she’d have to be a sweet woman. Cretia went over to Dori’s at least once a week and they cooked and did crafts. They talked the whole time about the herbs in the woods, new recipes, babies, and business. Dori had a mind that was perfect for any kind of business.
Twice a month, for at least half a day, they all gathered at Betty’s cooking food for the week or more and freezing some in for emergencies. Betty had been back at work for a few weeks now and was getting into a routine. The twins were gorgeous, but already crawling and getting into trouble constantly. Selia helped watch them, but she let them do things they shouldn’t. They were wild little dragons and already showed signs they would be able to change earlier than most. Scales flashed over them sometimes giving a hint of their natural colors.
Even claws popped out on the end of one finger usually when they were opening something children shouldn’t be getting into. Betty and Niku had their hands full as did the babysitters they employed. Once those two started school, usually at the age of three, the teachers would be asking for raises.
Cretia could laugh now, but what would her little dragon be like? She worried, but maybe her baby would be calm and quiet like she had been. It made her wonder what Toreen had been like as a dragonlet. Pa told stories, but they were always of them as a family or the trouble the boys sought together. They were only separated in age by a year or so. That was as close as twins those not sharing a womb could be.
It was time to go see Bree. Her little one was busy too, but not nearly as energetic as either of the twins.
“I’m glad you could come.” Bree said.
They sat at a table where Bree was working on some pods removing the round pea like beans. Cretia picked some up and helped her with them. “So tell me how things are going with you?”
“I’ve hired some help with the farm. I’m hoping he will be like Martz. We have a hut on the edge of our property too. Romo wanted me to do this before, but I’m a tad stubborn.”
Cretia grinned. “You don’t say. Not you, Bree. I have to agree it’s a good idea. If you have extra time, you can always bake pies for Tomi.”
“You’re right. By the way, Tomi is coming too.” Bree had no sooner said this than a knock came at the door. A second later, Tomi opened it and came in.
“There you two are. Busy as always.” Tomi observed.
“No one is as busy as you. I’ve never seen such a busy place as that café you are running.” Cretia mentioned.
“I’ve not seen you there.” Tomi accused.
“Two days ago, and I even dropped off berry pies and were told you were too busy to come out front. I wasn’t offended. The line of customers was out the door and it wasn’t even the day for brats.” Cretia offered.
“It was taco Tuesday. Bratwurst day now has some competition. Earth dishes seem to be popular.” Tomi admitted.
“How is everything else going?” Bree asked.
“Just say, how are things with Erak, why don’t you?” Tomi said.
“Okay, how are things going with Erak?” Bree asked.
“Every time I think things are okay, he messes up. These dragons are hard to live with.” Tomi observed.
“Hard to live without too.” Cretia pointed out.
“We’ve not gotten to that point yet.” Tomi noted.
“What? No sex? How can you stop yourself?” Bree asked.
“He makes me too mad. I’ll not go there if I can’t stay with him. Everyone is getting babies. Betty showed us how hard being a single mother is. I’ll have sex with him when he shows me he won’t try to run my life and get his way all the time.” Tomi explained.
“I have to admit, that sounds fair enough. Have you told him that?” Bree asked.
“Shouldn’t he know?” Tomi asked.
“I see communication is not a something either you or Erak are good at.” Cretia observed.
It made her think about when she didn’t believe she and Toreen would ever be together. She’d blamed Toreen, but she hadn’t tried to tell him how she felt either and she’d left without explaining herself. Things had worked out for them, but it could have gone wrong so easily. That made her fear for Tomi and the king.
The two were fated, that was obvious. Both were wonderful friends, but stubborn beyond anything she’d ever seen. She wished she could do something to help them see what they needed to do, but what?
“I can’t do everything.” Tomi complained.
“Okay. So what have you done?” Bree asked.
“We went on a date. I’ve heard they don’t usually do that here.” Tomi admitted.
“So that’s something Erak did since it’s unfamiliar to him.” Bree said.
“Hey, I agreed to go. Doesn’t that count for me?” Tomi questioned. Bree shot her a look. “Okay, fine. Be that way. I think you’re on his side.”
“I think you two were meant to be together. That means I’m on both your sides.” Bree admitted.
“My whole family is against me.” Tomi accused.
“If your family, that loves you more than anything, thinks you’re wrong, shouldn’t that tell you something?” Cretia spoke up.
“No, not you too. What is it you guys want me to do?” Tomi asked.
Cretia and Bree looked at each other and smiled. “Just give him a chance.” Bree said.
“He’ll make you a happy woman.” Cretia added. They’d done all they could. Now it was just a matter of time.