Loving a Fairy Godmother (12 page)

“You are going to marry me,” he said, pulling
his mouth away slightly.

“I am?”

“You are making an honest man out of me, or
no more nookie for you.”

Her grin was so wide he almost thought he saw
the shadow of dimples on her face. “Fine, but I’m only doing it for
the nookie.”

He nodded. “Understood. After we get married,
we are not returning to the compound for a month, and during that
month, you aren’t allowed to put on clothing.”

“That seems fair.”

“Also, I no longer wish to be a Fairy
Godfather.”

That caught her attention, and her smile
vanished. “After all this to keep you?”

He shrugged. “The Elf King can’t touch me
now, so with that worry gone, we can do what is best for us. Think
about it, Reina, just me with all the other Godmothers…”

Reina shook her head. “Tiernan, I trust
you.”

“I know you do. I just don’t want that for
our life, because it will always be that.” His hand cupped her
face, following the arch of her eyebrow, the bridge of her nose,
those wonderful lips that he’d never get enough of. Finally, she
was his to touch. She was his. “I’ve been thinking about it, since
we’ve been here. I don’t know why I made that wish, but I’m glad I
did. Even with that, it’s not something I feel I must do. It’s not
a calling for me. As long as I can help people, I’ll be happy.
Besides, don’t tell me you wouldn’t hate it with everything in
you.”

She sighed in relief at his words. “I’d hate
it passionately.”

“Promise me you’ll love me forever,
Reina.”

“Only if you promise me to keep your sword
skills sharp.”

“Fairy Godfather Tiernan, so good to see you
again. It has been a long month without you here! I see many
congratulations are in order. A HEA, fully attributable to you so
not even the Elf King can dispute it, and a marriage in our FG
ranks! It’s been a very exciting time.”

Tiernan and Reina stood in front of Sara,
having been directed to her office as soon as they arrived back in
the FG Compound. No debrief seemed to be needed, as Sara had
started reviewing all that had happened almost as soon as they
entered. He inclined his head to the elder Godmother. “Thank you,
Godmother Sara.”

“Yes, yes,” she said, waving her hand. “As
you two grew quite close to Cinderella, I am pleased to share with
you the news that she is currently expecting her first child.”

“So soon?” Reina asked in shock.

“Well, Prince Henry had been in love with her
for years. It seems that as soon as the woman he loved accepted
him, suddenly he was no longer seen outside of his bedchamber. Does
this sound like something you two can relate to?”

Reina’s face burned as she looked anywhere
but at Sara. Tiernan, damn him, merely got a smug grin on his
face.

However, the delight and the embarrassment
faded all too soon and only the weight of telling their decision to
Sara remained.

“Uh-oh,” said Sara, showing once again why
she was the one in charge, as she immediately sensed something
unpleasant was about to unfold. “What am I not going to like?”

Reina wrapped her hand with Tiernan’s, taking
strength from his touch. “We can’t remain FGs,” she said, deciding
the blunt approach was the best way to break the news.

Sara blinked once, twice, then nodded her
head in a sharp, decisive movement. “Hmm, can’t say I’m surprised
at that. Let’s face it, Tiernan is catnip here, and you will
constantly be beating down the other FGs. You’re right, it is
probably best you two leave.” Sara looked up at Reina and saw
Reina’s eyebrows furrowing together. “What is it? Something else
wrong?”

Reina shook her head. “No, no. This sounds
very immature, but I am strangely disappointed at how easily you
took that news.”

“I can throw myself on the floor and start
wailing if it will make you feel any better.”

“That’s quite alright.”

Sara shook her head in bemusement. “I will
miss you both, because of your professional abilities, and because
I enjoy you so much. Just because you won’t be FGs anymore doesn’t
mean you can’t come and visit.” Sara’s eyes brightened noticeably,
and she said, “I know exactly what you two need to do. There’s this
new guy up north, works incredibly hard a few months at the end of
the year, otherwise your time is your own. Deals with peace on
earth, goodwill towards men, you’ll love working with him.”

“Up north, huh?” Reina said, and promised
herself she wouldn’t cry as she had this last goodbye with
Sara.

“Beautiful country,” Sara reassured her.

Reina looked at Tiernan. “What do you
think?”

“Summers off? Sounds good to me.” Tiernan
leaned close and whispered into Reina’s ear. “Remember, we have to
get started on that decade in a bedchamber to make up for our lost
time.”

* * *

Several hours later, long after Reina and
Tiernan left the FG Compound for their newest assignment, Irene
found her way to Sara’s office. “What have you decided to do in
regards to the Elf King, Fairy Godmother Sara?”

Sara looked up, a pleasant smile on her face,
and a downright demonic light coming from her eyes. “You mean that
Elf King who thought he was so sneaky with his handling of the
Cinderella situation? Let’s just say I’ve had a discussion with the
Green Man, and you just truly might see a pig or two flying
overhead.”

Irene threw back her head and laughed.
“Perfect.” She settled into a chair, her gaiety fading. “I am going
to miss that boy so much. Not to mention the girls are going to be
nothing but bundles of depressed moping wrapped in pink tulle.”

“Maybe it is time to reassess our policy on
males joining. That is one side effect I never thought would happen
when I took on this case.” Sara looked down at the open file in her
hands. Two pictures dotted the file, on one side Tiernan in his
knightly armor, the other a picture of Tiernan and Reina together,
their smiles so full of love, secret smiles meant only for the
other. She closed the folder, and in big red block letters stamped
HEA – CLOSED over the cover. “I guess both Reina and I were
short-sighted in that way.”

“Suggesting he wish to be a Fairy Godfather,
pure genius. That boy has a way of stirring things up, I give him
full credit. Moreover, I give you full credit. I’m sure that was
the longest time for a HEA ending in FG history, over thirty years.
The Green Man sends his congratulations.”

Sara clucked her tongue. “You can’t rush
events, Irene. Precision is key.”

“I am going to miss Reina, though. That girl
was so good at her job. I’m not sure how long it will take to find
another one like her.”

“Yes, well, when all is done, only the
Happily Ever After matters.” Sara stood and grabbed a bottle along
with two glasses hidden behind a door. “Ambrosia?”

“Oooh, please.”

Sara poured the thick liquid, handing a glass
to Irene. She lifted her glass in a toast. “To Happily Ever
Afters.”

Irene clinked the glasses together. “Happily
Ever Afters. May we all have one.”

The End