Chasing Aurora
Chapter 27

Two Years Later

When I think about the events of the past two years, it is almost doesn’t seem real. Ella and I had sent up a non-profit organization for women affected by domestic abuse called Princess Haven. While we help everyone from all backgrounds, we have a special department set up to aid women escaping supernatural creatures and supernatural women themselves.

At the helm of the foundation is Aurora. She really is the perfect person for the job with her kindness, compassion, and work ethic. She is very hands-on with our clients and they adore her. She loves it too. I think she has really found her calling.

Erika and Ariel are also involved in the foundation. Erika got together with a bunch of musicians to put on a charity concert. Not to mention that she also donated a dollar from every ticket sale to her latest concert. Ariel was able to set up a charity auction with her ballet company and was able to raise a lot of money there. Although neither of them could help us running the foundation, they used their popularity to bring attention to the foundation.

As for Aurora and me, we got married in a small ceremony three months after the night of the party. We didn’t want to wait. We had wasted enough time apart to know that we never wanted to be apart again. We decided to hyphenate our names, so we were now Aurora and Piper Jennings-Dubois. I can’t remember ever being happier in my life.

As a wedding present, Robby had my sword and shield mounted above our fireplace. I had thought they were lost, but apparently, Flora had picked them up. Aurora loved them and had me pull down the sword from time to time. My abilities with a sword have not gone away. If anything, the practice has me getting better. If anyone came after my family again, I was ready.

Flora, Fauna and Merriweather returned to the fae realm. Aurora was sad to see them go, but they promised they would visit when they could. Even though we had no way of contacting them, they still showed when we needed them. They were there at our wedding with a present from Prince Phillip. He gave us a pair of fae rings to use as our wedding bands that we wore to this day.

Today was the weekend after Mother’s Day. We were having a barbeque at our new home. All our closest family and friends were there. Robby brought his girlfriend, who just happened to be Aurora’s best friend, Briar. Ella and Andy brought their kids, Ariel and Erika brought their best friends Sebastian and Finn with their little guy. Samson was having a ball as he played with all the kids. My parents and Aurora’s parents were also here. I loved having our house so full of life. My family had gotten so much bigger since Aurora had entered my life, and I couldn’t wait to make it even bigger.

“Off in dreamland again?” Aurora’s sweet voice filled my world as she wrapped her arms around my middle. I put my arm over her shoulder and pulled her closer to me.

“I was just thinking about how much I love my life.”

“I love our life too. Now, keep an eye on what you’re doing, or we won’t have anything to eat.” She gave me a light spank on the ass before dancing away. I watched her for a moment, her blonde curls bounced in the air, her light blue sundress swishing around her. I still pinch myself to make sure that this isn’t a dream.

I turn back to the grill and finish grilling up the burgers we were having. I had some veggie burgers since Ella and Andy’s family were all vegetarians. I made sure to put them on a separate plate as I brought the burgers over to the table. We set it up buffet style with all the condiments and sides people could want. “Alright everyone! Food’s ready!” I stepped aside as the kids came swarming up to grab food.

Soon everyone was seated at the table. Conversation was lively as it always with this group. I don’t think they know the meaning of low-key. Ella had charmed the salt and pepper shakers to dance much to the delight of the children. Sebastian and Finn’s little guy, Ethan, kept trying to grab them. Ariel and Erika were discussing their latest adventure in Italy. Robby was constantly trying to steal kisses from Briar. The boy was head over heels for her; I’m waiting on the engagement that I’m sure is coming any day now. The two of us bought the ring a month ago, but he was waiting for the perfect moment.

Once dinner was over and the table was cleared, Aurora disappeared into the house. I chatted with Robby about the series of self-defence classes he was hosting at the foundation. He enjoyed it and it helped a lot of women with their confidence. I was proud of my friend. He had grown up a lot but still kept in touch with his goofy side.

Aurora came out holding two gift boxes. “So since we missed Mother’s Day, we have presents for you, but you have to open them at the same time.” She gave one box to my mom and the other to her mom. I stood up and walked over to Aurora and took her hand. She looked up at me with a beaming smile before turning back to the two women. “Alright, count of three. One... two... two and a quarter... two and a half... two and three-quarters...”

“Jesus, three!” Robby interrupted to a chorus of laughter.

Our moms opened their presents. Both women stood there for a second with jaws on the floor. My mom was the first to speak, “No, no way. You’re kidding!”

“What? What did you get?” My dad leaned in to look in the box and shot up. “Oh my god!” He lifted up the shirt and held it up.

There was a chorus of gasps as everyone turned to us. Aurora beamed as she turned to the side. Her hands pulling her dress tight over her stomach to reveal the tiny baby bump she was sporting. “I’m pregnant!”

My dad ran up and squeezed me in a tight hug. “Oh my god! I’m going to be a grandpa!” He cheered as he stepped back. He was absolutely beaming. Aurora’s parents already had her in a huge group hug that I was quickly yanked into.

Everyone came up to give us their congratulations. Keeping this secret the past few months was tough. We didn’t even say that we were trying. We found a sperm donor we liked a few months ago and went through with artificial insemination. We were told it may take at least a few tries given Aurora’s family history of infertility, but Aurora got pregnant the first round.

“So, I guess this means that Maleficent officially lost,” Robby said and I turned to him in confusion.

“What the hell do you mean? She’s dead, she already lost.”

“She wanted to end the Dubois line. Aurora has a little Dubois growing inside of her. I believe that means that you have officially completed your quest. Congrats.”

I looked over at Aurora and her little baby bump. I finally realized what they meant when they said pregnant woman glowed. We didn’t decide to have a baby to continue any line, or for any other reason other than our desire for a family. I still smiled at the final screw you to Maleficent. I still sported the scar she gave me. Ella offered to try to get rid of it, but I didn’t mind it. Also, Aurora found it hot, so I’m not about to get rid of it.

“I guess that means I can retire,” I smirked.

“Yeah right.” Robby snorted, “The day that you retire is the day that the earth starts turning backwards.”

“You’re probably right.” I watched as Briar and Aurora started talking. Briar had her hands resting on Aurora’s stomach. The two looked so excited. I turned back to my best friend, “So when are you finally going to put a ring on it?”

Robby sighed, running his hands through his hair, “I was going to ask her today, but you just had to steal my thunder.”

“You should still ask her. I know Aurora wouldn’t be mad, you know how much she loves the two of you. Plus, you’re surrounded by all your family and friends. When is a better time to ask?”

“You’re a hundred percent sure?”

“I’m a million percent sure. Now go move your ass.” I pushed him forward. Fuck the spotlight. Life is too short to worry about it. Knowing Robby, he’d walk around with that ring in his pocket for another month waiting for that perfect moment. The boy was a romantic.

I watched as Robby snuck behind Briar. He looked over at me and I gave him a thumbs up. He reached in his pocket, pulled out the ring box and got down on one knee. Aurora gasped raising her hands to her mouth. “What? What’s wrong?” Briar asked. Aurora just grabbed her arms and spun her around. I tried to watch Briar, but it was hard with Aurora’s beaming smile right behind her. Everyone was now focused on the scene in front of them.

“Briar Rose Martin, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you more than I ever thought possible. I totally sound like a cliché, but I don’t care. You’re the one I want to grow old with, you’re the person who I want by my side as I embarrass our kids, you’re the one I want rolling their eyes at my bad jokes. I can see my whole life with you. So will you please do me the honour of marrying me?”

Aurora had snuck up beside me during Robby’s speech. Her frame pressed into mine as we watched the tears fall from Briar’s eyes. Briar’s smile was blinding as she looked down at my best friend. You could feel the love radiating from both of them. She started nodding, “Of course I’ll marry you dummy!”

Robby stood and pressed his lips to hers as the rest of us cheered. I looked around at all our friends realizing just how much had changed in the past two years. It used to be just me and Samson alone in my apartment. The only people in my life were Robby, my parents and Erika every once in a while. Now, it felt like my family was growing every day and I couldn’t be happier.

The End

Author’s Note:

Thank you for coming with me on this journey. If you liked Chasing Aurora, be sure to follow me here and on Instagram (@EJCornish) so you can keep up to date on my new projects. I have a lot of ideas that are just waiting to be written down on paper. Also I would really appreciate it if you could leave a review if you enjoy my work.

I hope you are all having a wonderful day wherever you are. Sending everyone lots of love,

EJ Cornish