Amends at the Farewell Party

**Aileen POV**

Devon was gripping my hand tightly while we walked up the driveway to the Hemmer Household. We could already guess what kind of day this was going to be. Right outside the house were balloons wrapped around the mailbox. Beyond the fence that Trevor and I had hopped so many times in our teenage years would be wishing us all a safe trip. Knowing my adoptive family, there would be food, drinks, lots of streamers, party hats, and old pictures rotating on a large screen. They never did any celebrations half assed.
I was so nervous to go in and have to say goodbye to all my incredible friends; the people I looked at as family for so long. My fingers were already fidgeting with the charms around my neck. How was I supposed to leave them all?
Beside me, I knew Devon would be nervous for a completely different reason. Soon, he would have to get accustomed to his new role as Lord of Vernen. There was a lot he would need to learn from my Father; which also meant being alone with his mostly cold hearted Father in law. Devon would be seeing a new side to my Father. In front of others, he was strict and cold. That included when his family was present. No one in Lutz, besides the late Kalum, knew how deeply he loved me. Until Mother died, I didn't even know myself.
Then there was Demon Lord Kuzon who would be gracing us with his presence today. Devon and him had some kind of rocky history. I knew it was somehow tied to when Squad Leader Nye was killed in battle. If I hadn't been so distracted with my sexy demon flaunting his hot body in front of me the last three days, I probably would have asked. Well, maybe. I had wanted to ask him several times before what happened, but there was always something else going on. Whether that be, Jacob's betrayal, Shiuku's taunts, fighting with the DSS, a baby, or sex; there was never a time that felt right. Guess I would find out today.
Silently I wondered which he was more nervous about; Father, or Demon Lord Kuzon.
"Ready my love?" Devon kissed my cheeks. I swear he hasn't stopped kissing and touching on me since we started our honeymoon. We only left the room a few times to go get food. Most of the time we just had it delivered.
I took a large gulp. "Do I have to say goodbye?"
"I bet Trevor balls like a baby." Devon smirked.
"I'll tell him you enjoyed eating little dicks if you dare make fun of any of us. My Father and maybe the squad leaders will be the only dry faces in there."
Devon let go of me and held both his hands up to his heart. "I thought that was our little secret. And just so you know love; I was making a joke about liking them. Those candies tasted like chalk. I just wanted to hear your adorable laugh."
I shoved him forward, heading to the backyard. Sure enough once Mrs. Hemmer opened the fence, there was a loud applause. Our family was scattered all around the yard, as were farewell decorations. The only people I didn't see were the squad leaders and Demon Lord Kuzon.
Just as I predicted, there were several large tables. One had drinks, one had sweets, and the other was a chips and hotdog station. Standing in at the far end of the yard was the screen displaying pictures of Trevor and I. Off to one side of the screen was a tree I used to run around. On the other side was a small area dedicated to Kalum. The same engraving found on his grave was typed on a banister hanging on tree branches above his sword.
Father was standing just left of the sword. His fingertips brushed gently along the hilt while being lost in own thoughts. I may have loved Kalum like a Father, but sometimes I forgot just how close they were. Kalum was one of my Father's only friends. I could stab my Grandfather if he was still alive. He's the one who taught my Father to be a King, you can't love, or show weakness to anyone. I heard rumors about how cruel and unloving the previous King was.
I walked over to my Father who still did not turn away from his friend's sword. Devon didn't follow me. He wandered over to Sekai and started a conversation with her. Good, they can finish clearing up any left over resentment. "This must be hard for you... Being around all this. Is that why you didn't look when the other's cheered?"
"Certainly not the way I was raised. My own Father never once called me son, or said he loved me. I thought that was what made me strong. That was why I was so unstoppable on the road and how I conquered so much land as King. Kalum was the only one to tell me I was going about everything all wrong. He would love to see the support system you've got here."
I hated hearing my Father vulnerable, but we all had to let it out sometimes. "Did Kalum ever sit with you and talk about anything?"
"Yes. Normally when I was drunk. Most of the rogues I was on the road with have seen me drunk and declaring my love for them. They knew better than to say a word about it; unless they so wish to lose a tongue."
I smiled, placing a hand on my Father's shoulder. "Still weird being with a big family event like this huh? I'm a bit uncomfortable myself and I consider all these odd people my family!"
"I want to be alone." Father said.
No way. He was hurting and I wouldn't abandon him now that he's begun opening up to me. "Why isn't Sekai with you?"
"I told her to leave me alone. She listened."
My grin widened. "Well, it is my job to annoy you old man." I pointed to our true loves. "At least they can spend some time making up."
"They did already. Sekai went with him to some sex store before you two's honeymoon. As long as she didn't tell me what the hell that demon was going to do to you; I didn't care. Had she told me, I may have stormed into your hotel room and beaten him."
Yeah, I could see that happening. My Father was never afraid to fight someone and if he had any clue how Devon had bound and fucked his sweet princess; there would have been blood shed.
"I was also watching the slideshow of photos. You and Trevor fought quite often huh? But you can see the love you all share." As he spoke an image of us throwing food at each other played on the screen. I'd like to say that I remember that day, but it happened so often I couldn't pinpoint the memory. "Yet in so many letters you wrote to me, you wanted to come home. I don't understand."
"You and Kalum were what kept me strong and sane. Yes, Trevor became a rock for me, but I never got to say goodbye to you two. I love you both more than you can imagine... Besides, I want to become an amazing Queen and take what I learned here, for our people. I was serious about the public education part. I've already brainstormed some test run ideas."
He bonked the top of my head. "There is a lot to do back home. We have to slowly introduce demons to our dimension. Not to mention the three of you need to train up."
The three of us?
Father grabbed my shoulders and pushed me back towards the center of the party. Lena and Tom joined my family at some point. They were mingling with the Hemmer's. They most likely knew them well from when Mr. Hemmer was a squad leader. He had only just retired when I got flung into this strange and beautiful dimension.
Lena saw us and waved my Father and I over. Again, I fingered at my necklace. This time, I was toying with the dragon charm. We still hadn't cleared the air between us. I couldn't forget the flaming blade at my throat.
When Tom turned towards me, I noticed my son in his arms. Rage burned in me brighter than any fire he had ever conjured. The boy he was so willing to sacrifice was now napping in his arms. Like hell was I going to allow that!
I marched over, stomping my feet heavily on the ground. Lena took a few steps back, Tom stayed where he was, and my precious innocent child giggled up at his almost killer.
"He got lucky."
Huh?
"Your baby looks just like you. He even has your sweet reassuring smile." Tom tickled the corner of Shion's lips. He laughed and tried to grab Tom's fingers. After several failed attempts, he began wailing. I was about to take back my child, when a slight flicker crossed my son's eyes. Silver? In the next second, wind blew Shion's little hairs up and away from his forehead.
I frantically searched for Devon around me. He was the only wind user around with the exception of the final guardian. One glance at her and her wide opened jaw told me she hadn't done it.
Shion started giggling more and that silver flashed again. This time a small burst of wind blew out from under his shirt. A whisp escaped out the top of his onesie and blew on his cheeks. Now he was really excited and started throwing his arms in the air in pure joy. He was squealing with his eyes closed right as a tiny circle of wind danced around his finger. His laughing was cut short when he couldn't keep it going, or figure out how it was happening.
"Look at that! No control over his powers, yet he already knows wind is the best!" Devon came over. Out of the corner of my vision, I saw Sekai rejoin my Father by the drink table.
Tom scowled at Devon. "Until he learns the passion and warmth of fire. Nothing better than watching the flames burn off your Daddy's hair."
"Tom." Lena gave her warning tone.
Without any hesitation he apologized and hugged his wife. "Anyway, I want to talk to Aileen alone. We have some things to clear up before she leaves for half a decade."
As angry as I was with Tom, I was happy he trusted Devon. He didn't seem the slightest bit distressed at his woman mingling with the man who tried to steal her years ago. Not that I would ever let Lena take him. That sexy demon was all mine.
Like he was handing me a delicate piece of expensive china, Tom passed Shion back to me. It took my child no time to stop crying and coo up at me. At least he forgot temporarily about his uncontrollable tiny amount of wind he conjured. I kissed all over his head. Three days was far too long away from my little man. I had called my family several times to speak with him, but it wasn't the same.
Prior to Tom and I talking, Shion tugged at the top of my shirt. He fussed, moving his mouth like a fish. I made my way over to a lawn chair with Tom damn near on my heels. I pulled my low cut shirt down and unsnapped my nursing bra. Shion latched onto my breast greedily. I missed this too. There's a beautiful connection made when feeding him and holding him close.
"What did you want to talk about Tom?"
To him and Lena's credit, he didn't so much as peek downwards. "I wouldn't have really killed him. I needed Shiuku to believe it. Every time he used his mind ability to watch you, I saw his aura. That's why I originally brought up what to do about the baby. So Shiuku would think I'm okay with murdering you two's unborn child. I would never..."
"You were damn convincing. Never would have thought you would use the same tactic Devon and I did at the beginning of that day. Guess the saying is true. Smart minds think similarly."
"Close enough." Tom leaned back in his chair. "I've been dying to talk to you, but every time I looked at you; there was a blizzard blocking me in your gaze. The same eyes your Father gets."
I copied him and leaned back as well. "I don't trust easy. You broke it, but I suppose I could blame it all on my hormones. I should have realized your plan, especially with me having a similar one. Anyway, Trevor would have fought you if you had been serious."
"Are we okay then? Because Lena is really going to kick my ass if we don't hug it out."
"Only if you want a demon baby mad at you. You'll squish him if we hug and he's a hungry boy."
He placed his hands behind his head. "I'll wait, but your love over there is seething with jealousy. I think he wants to replace his son right now. Demons aren't known for their exceptional sharing skills."
For the longest time we stayed silent. The only sounds were from our friends chatting and Shion slurping.
This was peaceful. Relaxed in a lawn chair beside the man I had considered family for years and soaking in the summer rays was bliss. I stretched out my body while readjusting my son to the other boob.
A shame life always has to come crashing back.
From inside the house, a tall and muscular sun-kissed man strolled through the yard like he owned the land. His eyes were a stunning violet shade. He had thin lips above a square jaw.Already I could feel pricks of his aura. This demon was very powerful. Just like Shiuku, he radiated authority, respect, and strength. I would wager my inheritance that he could wipe the floor with Demon Lord Darren.
Tom stood up and bowed for the demon lord. Devon raced over to us. My love flung himself in front of Shion and I before the demon lord could get close.
Demon Lord Kuzon; our final obstacle.
"Ah Devon. I have been waiting for our reunion." He stopped in front of us. "Act all brave now, but your life is in my hands no Devon. And I believe Ms. Aileen and Shion will be better off without you."