CH.49 Three

Chapter 49

Clare, Ali and Heyder materialized in the hall of the palace right in front of Maya's door. They heard her soft voice laughing from inside as they all stood around staring at each other. After a while, looking absolutely defeated, Heyder turned to Clare.

"Thanks for coming with us today," he said.

Clare nodded, "Yeah."

Heyder patted Ali's shoulder before turning the door knob and pushing the it open. His eyes fell on Maya and the bright smile on her face. Her sister, Adeline sat across from her on the bed and the two laughed about something someone said. Maya looked up as Heyder entered the room and held out her hand for him.

"Where were you?" She asked as he came to stand by her side. Heyder took her hand and kissed her forehead.

"I went to see Maaz," He said, before turning to Adeline. "Hello, Adeline."

"Hello," the blonde smiled.

"How's Ben?"

Adeline looked slightly taken back by the jinn's friendliness. She turned to her sister before looking back to Heyder.

"Ben is fine," she said.

"I haven't seen him around here much," Heyder commented. "You hardly come around here anymore either."

Adeline grew slightly uncomfortable, "We're just a little busy. Hey! Congratulations on the baby and the wedding! I can't believe I missed my sister's wedding. I was just telling her that once the baby is born and the curse is over we need to have a proper wedding."

"Is that what you want?" Heyder looked at Maya.

"I would if you ask me to marry you," Maya teased. "Ali proposed to me the first time around, remember?"

"Was he at least romantic?"

"If my memory serves me right he said something along the lines of just put on the ring woman!"

"So that means you have to ask her properly," Adeline said to Heyder. "Like ask dad for her hand and all that fun stuff."

"Fun stuff," Heyder rolled his eyes.

"I'll tell dad to be extra hard on you," Adeline teased.

"He already is!" Heyder exclaimed.

Maya began to laugh as Heyder bickered. Her cheeks had a healthy glow to them and her hair was once again back to it's golden state. She held a glass of green smoothie in her hand and her laugh was carefree. Heyder allowed himself to sigh a breath of relief for just a minute.

"Oh! Before I forget," Adeline sat up and reached for her purse on the floor. Maya leaned over to see what the girl was doing as she pulled out a small box.

"I wanted to be the first one to get a present for our baby boy," Adeline handed the box over to Maya. "Open it. I saw it and thought of Heyden."

Maya handed Heyder the green smoothie. She undid the little black bow on the box and set the ribbon aside. Slowly, she pushed aside the tissue papers and gasped.

"What is it?" Heyder asked.

"Oh my god," Maya shrieked with joy. "Where did you get these?"

Adeline beamed as Maya pulled out a pair of newborn red Vans sneakers. The little things looked as if they could be hung on a Christmas tree as ornaments. They were so dainty and precious. Maya held them up to her chest and reached out for her sister.

"Thank you!" She said.

"You're welcome," Adeline leaned into the hug.

"Look!" Maya held the shoes out for Heyder to see. "They're perfect!"

"Maya used to have a pair when she was younger," Adeline explained. "Red Vans were the only shoes she would ever wear. Dad bought her a pair in every size available."

"I think I have a pair in the closet right now," Maya laughed.

"Now you can match with your baby boy," Adeline suggested.

"Thank you," Maya held the shoes to her chest once more. "Thank you so much."

"You don't have to thank me," Adeline waved her hand.

"I.....I think for the first time I am not scared about having this baby," Maya suddenly confessed. Heyder's eyes snapped up to her as he heard her words. His heart twisted in his chest as Maaz's voice echoed in his head.

Save Maya the grief of losing a child after she has watched him grow up.....

"I am going to spoil him so much!" Adeline said gleefully. "Our little pumpkin! Oh I'm so excited."

"He's going to love you," Maya matched her twin's excitement. "You have to babysit. I won't allow anyone else."

"Of course! Do you remember how well I took care of your dolls?"

"That's why I only trust you," Maya said.

Heyder sat around quietly as the girls talked about their plans for Heyden. He liked hearing the excitement in Maya's voice. His arm wrapped around her as she leaned back against him and spoke to her sister. Her skin was warm and her pulse was strong. Heyder knew he didn't have to but out of habit he began to heal her. Maya didn't notice as her energy level began to rise.

"I have to go see Piggy," Adeline said after a while. "I'll see you two at dinner."

"Can you please see if Ella is somewhere to be found?" Maya asked. "I'm dying to have some of that brownie she makes."

"I can have the kitchen downstairs make you some," Adeline said as she gathered her purse and shoes.

"No, no," Maya shook her head. "I want the ones Ella makes for Maksim."

"I'm sure she will be more than happy to make you some," Adeline laughed. "I'll go see if I can find her. See you later, Heyder."

"Bye," Heyder held up a hand. He watched the girl exit the room before feeling Maya sink further into his arms. She cuddled up beside him and rested her head on his chest.

"Hi," she said looking up.

"Hello, birdie," Heyder smiled.

"You've been very quiet," Maya observed. "Everything okay? What did Maaz say?"

Heyder knew he couldn't lie to her. But he wasn't ready to tell her what he had learned from Maaz. She would lose that smile so fast. The light will disappear from her eyes and he was not ready for that.

"I could barely get a word in with you two chattering so much," Heyder shot for a lighter note. "Like two chickens without heads."

"Thank god we're not having a girl then," Maya poked him with her elbow. She reached for the little box and pulled out the red shoes once more. Heyder took one of the sneakers and twirled it around.

"These are so tiny," he said, slightly amazed. "Are babies really this tiny?"

"Heyder," Maya tilted her head to one side.

"Yes?"

"Have you ever held a baby?"

Heyder opened his mouth to answer but paused immediately. His brows furrowed as he pondered Maya's question.

"I know I have," he said slowly. "I just can't remember when the last time was."

Maya laughed. Her whole body shook as she held her belly and her cheeks warmed. The sound was contagious. Heyder found himself joining in as he leaned forward and kissed her shoulder.

"How are you feeling?" He asked as their laughter slowly died down.

"So much better!" Maya wiggled her toes and stretched her arms. "I want to go for a walk."

"Are you sure?" Heyder raised a brow.

"Yes," Maya nodded. "Please. My legs are sore from being in bed all day."

"Okay," Heyder said. "I'll go grab you a coat."

Maya pushed the covers off of herself as Heyder flashed in and out of the closet. He helped her into a thick black coat before bending down and tying her shoelaces for her.

"When do you think I'll start to show?" She asked as she buttoned her coat.

"I don't know," Heyder shrugged. "Ask Rye."

"I'm going to swell up like a sausage," Maya laughed. "Get a good look at me while I'm still skinny and fit."

Heyder suddenly stopped and stepped in front of her. He took her face into his hands and leaned down to kiss her silently. Maya felt her knees buckle as his warm breath tickled her lips.

"You will always be perfect to me," Heyder whispered holding her face.

"Heyder...."

"Yes, birdie?"

"We're going to be fine," Maya said with a smile in her lips. "I can feel it in my bones."

Heyder didn't speak. He rubbed her cheek with his thumb and scanned her blue eyes.

"Heyden will be fine," Maya continued. "I will be fine. He's been so good."

Despite the ugly bitter feeling in his chest, Heyder found himself smiling. A small, tired smile. He leaned his forehead down to Maya's and inhaled her scent.

"Are you okay?" Maya asked, as she felt Heyder rub circles on the base of her neck.

"When I'm next to you, I'm almost perfect."

"Almost?" Maya pulled back to look at the jinn.

"We still have the curse, birdie," Heyder sighed. "Until we get rid of that, I can't think straight."

"We will break the curse," this time Maya took the jinn's face in between her hands. "We're going to be a family. Together, all of us."

______________________

For the rest of the afternoon Maya and Heyder took their time walking the grounds of the palace. They were joined by Gemma after some time and together they watched the deers in the snow covered forests or the little hares hopping around. Maya had her arm looped with her mother and Heyder followed not too far behind. Every now and then, she would look over her shoulder and Heyder would smile at her to tell her he would always be just one step behind.

"Xavier and Caspian found some aphros," Gemma said as they began to head back.

Maya paused, "They did?"

"Not enough to fill anything. But it's better than nothing, right?"

"Where is Paws?"

"He's with Basil," Gemma said. "They took the royal yacht. Caspian is navigating them."

Maya nodded slowly.

"Maya," Gemma reached up and placed her hand against her daughter's cheek. "We're not going to let anything happen to you.....or to your baby."

Maya felt her chest tighten. She placed her hand over her mother's and placed a kiss upon her palm.

"Thank you," she said, in a small voice.

Heyder hovered by the door as he listened to the conversation. The pain in his chest and the madness in his head made him feel as if he was on the burge of insanity. His magic fizzled inside of him restlessly and if he weren't for Maya, Heyder knew he would have done something stupid by now. He hated feeling helpless, especially when it came to people he loved. There weren't many and he wasn't about to let that number decrease.

"Gemma," Heyder spoke up slowly. "Thank you. For everything you and Exton are doing for her."

Gemma gave a small nod, "We're doing it for you too, Heyder."

Heyder didn't respond. He looked away as Gemma turned her attention back to her daughter. If it weren't for the horrifying feeling in his chest, Heyder would have laughed at how strange life was.

As the three stood around talking, Maksim rounded the corner of the hall. His tall figure approached them as his eyes tried to calculate the situation he was walking into.

"Maya," he called. "I've been looking for you."

"What's wrong?" Maya asked.

"Nothing," Maksim pointed over his shoulder. "Ella is getting the brownies out of the oven. She asked if you wanted ice cream with it."

"Oh yes!" Maya almost jumped up. "Vanilla, please."

Gemma excused herself as Maya took Heyder's hand and began to head towards the kitchen. The jinn tried to hold his wife back and ask her to slow down, but Maya was a ball of raw energy. By the time they followed Maksim into the kitchen, Heyder was exhausted. He sank into the stool beside Maya and pulled her in between his legs.

"Which one is mine?" Maya asked as she examined the brownie pans.

"The one with the peanut butter," Ella pointed.

"Let's get that far away from you," Maksim mumbled under his breath as he moved the pan closer to Maya and as far away from Ella as possible.

"Ella has a peanut allergy," Maya explained to Heyder. "He almost killed her when he first kissed her."

"He didn't," Ella tried to defend her mate.

"She went into anaphylactic shock," Maksim said as he picked up the tub of ice cream and scooped some out. "Babe, do you want ice cream?"

"No, thank you," Ella shook her head, pulling off her oven mitts.

"We'll take it," Maya held up her spoon.

"Birdie, that's a lot of sugar," Heyder frowned.

"Piggy told me you once ate a dozen chocolate cupcakes in one go," Maya looked over at him.

"Yeah, so?" Heyder raised a brow.

"Like father like son," Maya pointed to her belly. "I need chocolate. We need chocolate."

"That's still a lo-"

"Heyder," Maya frowned. "Mimzy said I could eat whatever I want. And I want sugar."

"It's not her," Ella spoke up. "She's growing a jinn. Don't jinns love sweets?"

"She's right," Maya took a big bite of her warm brownie. She held up the rest of the piece for Heyder as he shook his head at her.

"This is the only one you're getting," Maya teased as Heyder leaned in and took a bit of the brownie. "The rest are for me."

"You can't live off of brownies," Heyder said, reaching into the pan and taking a piece.

"I can if that's what Heyden wants," Maya grabbed the ice cream tub. "It's whatever he wants right now."

Heyder felt his insides warm up. The kitchen light overhead made the top of Maya's hair glow like a halo. Her cheeks were still red from the cold wind outside and the smile on her lips was to die for. He put the piece of brownie down and pulled her closer to himself. Maya happily slid over as she reached for his half eaten brownie.

"You're so beautiful," Heyder whispered into her ear.

Maya placed her head on his shoulder and savored his heat. Across the table Ella smiled at them as she cut off the rest of the brownies and packed them away.

"Max," She turned to her mate. "I forgot something in the apartment."

"I'll go get it," Maksim pushed off the counter he was leaning against.

"I'll come with you," Ella grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the kitchen. Heyder laughed at the girl's "subtleness."

"That boy would be so lost without her," Maya shook her head.

"Like I would be without you," Heyder kissed her ear.

"You're very romantic today."

"Am I?" Heyder raised a brow.

"Yes," Maya nodded.

"I don't think so," Heyder pulled back slightly. "I think if I was being romantic, I would bring you flowers like these."

Suddenly, a bouquet of red roses appeared on Maya's lap. She laughed as she picked them up and inhaled their sweet scent.

"I was thinking we should go out and do something today," Heyder reached out and twirled a stange of her golden hair around his ling finger.

"Like what?" Maya placed the flowers back on her lap.

"Maybe get a new tattoo," Heyder shrugged.

"What?" Maya gave a laugh.

"Yeah......I've been thinking about it," Heyder smiled. "I want one for you."

"What are you getting?"

"I'll let you be in charge of that," Heyder pushed his stool back and stood up. "Ready?"

"Right now?" Maya raised a brow.

"Yes."

Maya picked up her flowers as Heyder pulled her into his arm. She felt him hold onto her a little tighter than usual as he snapped his fingers and they vanished out of the warm kitchen and into the snow covered streets of downtown New York. Before letting go of her, Heyder pulled Maya's coat and buttoned her up. She smiled as he kissed her forehead and took her hand.

The tattoo parlor was a hipster's dream. The exposed brick walls were adorned with large posters of black and white photography of different body parts and their intricate ink. Maya's boots clicked against the shiny hardwood floors as Heyder led her to the back, passing a young woman cleaning up a tray of instruments Maya could not name.

"Jiminy in the back?" The jinn asked as they passed the woman.

"Yes, sir," she said, without looking up from her work.

"Who's Jiminy?" Maya asked curiously.

"And old friend of mine," Heyder said. "He's done 90% of my tattoos."

"And Willow did the other 10?"

"Yeah," Heyder chuckled.

They passed a metal staircase before Heyder opened a door that led down a flight of stairs. He carefully helped Maya down before turning around and calling out.

"Jiminy!"

"Is that who I think it is?" A deep voice came from somewhere. "What in the hell?"

Maya looked over Heyder's shoulder as a large black man with a velvet top hat stepped out from behind a curtain. He wore a purple silk vest and tight dark jeans. The many silver bangles he wore around his wrists jingled as he moved.

"Look what the cat dragged in," Jiminy shook his head. "Motherfuckin' Heyder."

"Nice to see you too," Heyder held out his hand.

"It's never a pleasure to see you," Jiminy sassed. His eyes landed on Maya. "Who is that?"

"That's my wife," Heyder said looking over his shoulder.

Suddenly, Jiminy burst into laughter. A hardy, loud, child like laugh that made even Maya giggle.

"I'm sorry, I misheard you," the man grabbed his chest. "I thought you said she was your wife."

"I am," Maya laughed. "His wife."

"Oh," Jiminy stopped laughing at once. His hand remained on his chest as he looked from Maya to Heyder.

"This is Maya," Heyder pulled Maya to his side. "My wife."

"Did he trick you?" Jiminy asked Maya.

"No, not exactly," Maya shook her head.

"Did he threaten you?"

"Jiminy," Heyder's eyes darkened.

"Like that!" Jiminy pointed to Heyder's face.

"No, no," Maya shook her head. She elbowed Heyder and his eyes snapped back. "He didn't do anything like that. I love him and he loves me."

"Am I dreaming?" Jiminy looked around. "Tabatha! Tabatha!"

"What?" Came the voice of the woman from upstairs.

"I think I'm dreaming!" Jiminy called. Heyder shook his head as Maya turned to him.

"Are all of your friends so.....eccentric?" She asked.

Jiminy dropped his eyes back to the couple, "He told you I was his friend?"

"Yes," Maya said, before Heyder could stop her.

"Oh you little bitch!" Jiminy pushed Heyder's shoulder. "You really do like me."

"Can we skip all this?" Heyder asked, irritated at being the center of attention. "I'm here to get some new work done."

"Oh for your wifey?" Jiminy wiggled his brows.

"Yes," Heyder said. "She gets to decide."

"Fun!" Jiminy gasped. He moved to the curtain and pulled it back to reveal a leather chair and an identical set of all the machines Tabatha was cleaning upstairs. "What will it be, Mrs. Heyder?"

"I don't know yet," Maya cleared her throat. "Do you have a book I can look in?"

"Heyder doesn't like getting anything from the books."

"Give her the books," Heyder said. "It's her call."

Jiminy held back a smile. He snapped his fingers and a stack of books appeared on the coffee table. Maya removed her coat and sank into the comfortable couch. She began to immediately flip through the pages as Heyder made his way to the leather chair.

The books were filled with hundreds of ideas. Maya checked each and every picture but nothing pleased her. She ran her fingers over matching couple tattoos and wondered if it would be safe for her to get a tattoo in her condition. As she sat deciding, Jiminy and Heyder began to talk about touching up some of the old ink on his body.

Maya lifted her gaze to find Heyder standing shirtless in front of the mirror. He turned his body as Jiminy, who had put on a pair of glasses, observed the tattoos on the jinn's body. He pointed out a few pieces that needed some touch up and scribbled it down on his little notepad.

As Maya watched her husband, her heart began to beat faster. Her eyes ran over his perfect body. He was such a work of art. His movements were so flawless and fluent. Graceful, yet deadly. Maya knew if she was allowed to, she would watch him all day long.

"Any ideas yet, Mrs. Heyder?" Jiminy raised a brow.

Maya smiled, "Do you have a pen?"

"I like where this is going," Jiminy laughed. He got off the stool he was sitting on and walked over to hand Maya a ink pen. She thanked him before moving her eyes to Heyder.

"Come here," she said.

Heyder compiled without hesitation. He watched her curiously as she took his left forearm and began to write. When she was done, she turned his hand around and took his ring finger.

"Two tattoos?" Heyder asked.

"Yes," Maya nodded. "One for me and one for Heyden."

"Who's Heyden?" Jiminy asked, as he began to take out all the materials.

Heyder looked over his shoulder at his friend. Jiminy narrowed his eyes before catching on quickly. His eyes fell on Maya's belly and he gasped.

"Are you kidding me?" The man gasped. "Who are you? I never thought I would live to see the day when a married Heyder walked in through the door and told me she's about to be a father."

Maya laughed as she finished the sketch on Heyder's ring finger. She capped the pen and sighed with contentment.

"What do you think?" She asked. Heyder looked down at the neat cursive on his forearm first.

"My one and only," he smiled as he read the words aloud. Next, he turned his hand around to look at the other idea Maya had drawn on the inside of his ring finger.

"3?" Heyder raised a brow.

"I think that's our number," Maya said quietly so Jiminy wouldn't hear. "Our baby. Part Jinn, part fey, part witch."

A wide smile spread across Heyder's face. He looked up at Maya and pulled her in to kiss her sweet lips.

"Do you like it?" Maya asked. "If you don't then it'll be on you forever."

"I love it," Heyder beamed. "I want it with me forever."

I thought they deserved a little sweet moment.......