Page 82 of When the Angel Falls First

I froze, a jolt of energy surging through me at his words. My hand instinctively flew to my abdomen, heart pounding so loudly I was sure Caleb could hear it.

Caleb wrapped his arms securely around my waist, holding me close. I pressed my forehead against his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing as I tried to process what had just happened.

Nephilim. Angel-child.

Caleb’s eyes shone as he rested his hand over mine on my stomach.

“Our child.” He chuckled, the sound light and relaxed,sending every lingering thought of the strange shifter away. “Of courseyou’d be covered by a golden aura. How do you feel?” he whispered, his voice full of concern but tinged with the joy I felt myself.

My cheeks flushed but couldn’t help the smile that broke across my face as I turned to Caleb. “So... it’s true?”

“It is. I would have spotted it myself, if we hadn’t just been, uh, occupied.” He blushed. My eternal, sexy angelblushed. I wanted to laugh at his expression, but I smothered it behind my palm.

Gabriel didn’t seem to notice, his smile warm and genuine. “Your kid’s going to be something special—a bridge between our realms, I have no doubt.” He laughed softly, crossing his arms. “And let me tell you, this child will have some crazy talents, but that’s for another time. Right now, enjoy the moment. This is big. The whole Host is talking.”

Caleb pulled Gabriel into a big hug, clapping him on the back with a quiet, “Thank you.”

As joy bubbled up within me, Gabriel rubbed his hands together with unbridled glee. Glee that made me both suspicious and a little bit nervous. “Looks like a celebration is in order! And by the way, you’ve got company coming in three... two...”

The door tinkled as Nana Geraldine burst through with a loud whoop, streamers in hand. “Where is she? Where is she? There she is!” She rushed at me with the sprightliness of a septuagenarian, and I swore she lifted me off the floor with her hug. “I am so, so happy for you.” She kissed my cheek. “We all are.”

“Surprise!” Mom squealed as she rushed in with a cake. “My baby is having a baby!”

“And look!” Dad pointed with pride. “We were even able toget a last-minute cake! We had to make do with a Valentine’s one, but we figured you would understand.”

The cake was adorned with the most elaborate three-dimensional baby cupid I had ever seen. “It’s perfect,” I said as Caleb shook his head with a big, goofy smile on his face.

“But how did you know…” I looked at Nana.

“Let’s say a little—um—birdie told us.” She shimmied her shoulders in Gabriel’s direction. “And of course the whole family needed to come down to celebrate with you. A baby!”

Gabriel cleared his throat and whispered to Caleb, “I’ll go set up the kid’s room.” In that same instant, I heard a faint pop and Gabriel vanished, while my family wasn’t looking.

Birdie, my ass. That Gabriel can’t keep a secret to save his soul… Oh, never mind.

I was swept into a massive hug, my face smothered by red-and-blue checked flannel. “I’m so happy for you, little sis.” I hugged Fred back with all my might. If anyone had told me a year ago that this was where we’d be today, I’d have told them they were high in Wonderland.

But there we were. Caleb. Mom and Dad. Fred. And Nana.

My heart swelled with feelings that weren’t just my own. A new power now surged through my veins, coloring my view of everyone around me. My family—each of them lit up with a joy that shimmered, a swirl of elation and tenderness.

Then, there was Caleb. My love. His pride and quiet adoration, steady and fierce like an anchor in the storm.

And, of course, the life growing inside me—a blend of hope, awe, and the tiniest flicker of uncertainty that came from deep within myself. It was more than I’d ever dared to dream. The rush of emotions, both mine and those around me, overwhelmed me, leaving me breathless in the most wonderful way.

“You are everything to me, and this child already has my heart,” he whispered, his voice raw with emotion. “I love you.”

I whispered into his ear the words that had made forever a reality.

“And love conquers all.”

Our intimate moment came to an abrupt end when Nana stepped in, taking me by the shoulders. “I am so proud of you, Josie.” Her eyes misted over, but a grin quickly overtook her face. “And I know you know that no party would be complete without?—”

“Oh, no.”

“—a flashmob!” She threw her hands in the air and a parade of movement burst into the Bookish Cat. Heathcliff, Matilda, and Gatsby headed for the high shelves as we were suddenly surrounded by jazz hands, kick-ball-changes, and streamers in every color of the rainbow. “Let’s show this baby some love, girls!”

Caleb pulled me into his arms and welaughed. My life had taken a lot of twists and turns. Some of them crazy, like Nana Geraldine’s flashmobs, and others simply supernatural. But as I leaned into Caleb’s chest, I was at peace.At home.

Just an angel and his Chosen, with a baby on the way.