Page 105 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

“I saw the roses and realized that she was allergic to them. I asked the kids to open the windows.”

“And Henry thought he’d help you out by creating a gentle breeze,” Vaughn concluded.

Nana lost her control and started giggling. “Pretty much.”

“Oh, man.”

Natasha came out of the small bathroom on the other side of the house. Poor thing.

Vaughn gave Ollie a quick kiss and handed him over to Nana. He was still sniffling, but Nana could take it from there. “Hey, baby girl.”

“Not a baby, Dad.”

“I know. Almost eleven, right?”

She nodded pitifully.

“Come here.” Vaughn picked her up and carried her into the master bathroom. He kept a stash of meds for the kids locked up in one of the cabinets. He found some antihistamine and poured the proper dosage into the clear plastic cup. “Drink this for me.”

She did but wrinkled up her nose.

“I know. It’ll help you feel better, though.”

“Sorry we made a mess, Daddy.”

“It happens, Nat. Your brothers would do anything for you, you know it?”

She nodded. “It did help a little.”

“I bet it did. Now let’s get you upstairs. You can play in your room for a little bit while we clean up down here.”

“Daddy?”

“Yes, baby girl?”

“I don’t want my birthday to be on Valentine’s anymore. Can I pick a new one?”

Vaughn rubbed her back gently and smiled. “I don’t think we can pick another one, honey. Remember we talked about it?”

She nodded pitifully. They’d let the kids pick their own birthdays before they had official adoption paperwork drawn up. They didn’t have birth certificates on any of them, only a general age based on when they’d been brought to the house by Mrs. Foote.

Fortunately, between Vaughn and his dad, they had enough connections in the supernatural community to get the documentation they needed. Sam had made a big production of it. Every day of the year, except those that already had a pack member’s birthday, was placed into a painted bowl. The kids drew their birthday out of it to cheers and celebrations. When Nat had picked Valentine’s day, Vaughn had thought it was so cute. His beautiful red-headed daughter with a Valentine’s birthday.

He got her settled in her room before going back downstairs to deal with the disaster. Nana had herded the kids into action while he was gone. “Okay, troops. Papa’s going to be home in less than two hours. We need to get this mess cleaned up.”

“Sorry, Daddy.” Henry’s head hung low and his brothers and sister huddled around him anxiously.

“Thanks for trying to help Natasha. That was good thinking, Henry. Next time, you should ask a grown up before you start, though. Remember the rules about using your magic?”

Henry nodded miserably. “I just forgot. Nana said the breeze would help and I just wanted to give it a little boost.”

“You’re stronger now. That’s why we ask a grown up, first.”

“I will.”

“Good. Now you sweep. Emily, get the pillows back where Papa likes them. Ben, get the vacuum. Ollie, you’re in charge of dusting. Jack, use your sniffer and make sure there’s no more roses left inside. Everyone ready?”

Five heads bobbed in reply.