Butterscotch Souls: The Morningstar Series: Book 4
Butterscotch Souls – Chapter 18

After I had introduced myself and my son all eyes turned to me. Honestly, I figured that this was easier than waiting for everyone to come up to us. Ambrose had made it clear to take things slow with Tate and I.

Which was a bit silly, neither of us have ever taken it slow enough to even breathe. That was always my fault but still. Our life style before this was always fast.

Bright smiles appeared from down the table.

“Wow I like her already.” A blonde boy with green eyes said. “I’m Atreus, the best of all the sons.” He said with a bright smile.

Axton scoffed, Azai laughed, and Ambrose rolled his eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I said to him and then looked to the girl sitting next to him.

She has thick curly black hair and green eyes that seemed to glow.

“You must be Akeehla.” I said to her.

She beamed at me.

“Sure am.” She said. “Atreus and I had a bit of time to talk with Tate before you got here. He’s a great kid. You did a really good job raising him so far.” She told me.

I blushed at her compliment. No one has ever complimented my parenting before. I mean, we never stayed anywhere long enough for anyone to do that.

“Thank you.” I said.

“He’s also super smart. You sure you wanna start him out in kindergarten?” Atreus asked. “I know he’s five but the kid is dumb smart.” He said.

“That doesn’t make any sense.” I said to him.

“I told him the same thing Mommy.” Tate said from beside me making a few of us laugh.

“Epperly and I haven’t really talked about it but I think it would be best to start him in his age group. He might be really smart but he’s lacking in social skills. After he is settled and fitting in more we can revist what grade he is in. We’ve already spoken with the other teachers. If they think that he would be better suited for a higher grade then we will talk about it then.” Ambrose answered and then smiled at me.

I smiled back at him.

What did I do to get so lucky? I can’t believe this man as my mate.

“Uhm, no offense or anything but how did he get to be so smart with…your guys’…uh, situation?” Akeehla asked.

Ambrose gave her a hard look but I placed my hand on his leg to calm him.

“Ambrose told me that you can see into my mind.” I said to her and she nodded. “Then you should already know.” I stated.

Akeehla smirked at me.

“Alrighty then.” She said and then began to eat.

“Are you going to tell me? I want to know.” Atreus said to his twin.

“Not a chance.” Akeehla replied.

“Oh come on.” He whined.

“Hmmm.” Akeehla hummed out as she appeared to be thinking. “Tell you what, you help me with something tonight and I’ll tell you.” She offered.

Something about the look she is giving him gives me the chills. That girl has secrets. I love it.

“You better not be getting into trouble Akeehla.” Said another voice as he walked through the doors.

This man looks exactly like Azai minus the warm smile. Must be his twin Ares. He walked into the room before coming to the empty chair next to Axton. His eyes breifly scanned me before landing on my son and then snapping to Ambrose.

“You have a son?” He asked sounding angry.

“Ares get some food before you sit down.” Lydia told him.

Ares didn’t move, only stared at Ambrose.

After a moment he raised his brow expectantly. “Well?” He asked.

“I believe your mother told you to get some food.” Kasyn gritted out dangerously.

“Yeah, you listen to Grandpa and stop using that tone with my daddy.” Tate scolded the large man making me and Ambrose snort.

“That kid with the tone thing.” Azai mumbled from down the table.

“Mommy says that tone is important and you should always be nice unless someone is mean to you first. My daddy was not mean.” Tate told Ares.

Ares eyes turned to my son. After a very tense moment of me thinking I was going to have to try and take on a Morningstar because of my son’s mouth, Ares eyes softened. Thank the Gods.

Then he went and got a plate. Everyone remained silent the whole time. Then Ares returned to the table, dropped his plate on the table with a loud bang, and sat down.

“He gets his attitude from his father.” Lydia told me with an eye roll.

“I don’t have an attitude.” Ares told his mother simply, and with an angry tone.

Tate glared at him. “Grandma doesn’t deserve your tone either.” He warned Ares.

Ares looked at Tate and then at Ambrose.

“What’s with your kid?” He asked.

“Our kid,” I corrected getting his attention for the first time. “Has every right to voice his opinions on your tone. Try not having one and maybe he’ll warm up to you.” I told him with a sweet smile.

Axton snickered next to Ares earning himself a smack to the back of the head.

“Just tell him you’re his uncle.” Azai said. “Worked for me after I got on his bad side.” He said.

“You’re my uncle?” Tate asked as he looked Ares up and down.

“Tate they are all your aunts and uncles.” I told him.

“Aunt Kee said that Ares wasn’t my uncle though. She said that he is just a big bully and I already said bullys can’t be my uncles.” He stated making Akeehla burst out in laughter.

Ares turned to glare at her. Before anything else could be said the doors burst open again and in walked two women holding hands. One of them has long curly brown hair and bright blue eyes. The other has shoulder length blonde hair that matches Ambrose’s, and deep blue eyes that also match his.

That must be Ahkari.

“Axton move I wanna get to know my new sister.” She told him.

“Whatever I’m done anyways.” He said as he got up and left the room.

“Uncle Axton is grumpy.” Tate commented making the two new women snort.

Tate looked up as if just now realizing that more people entered. He stared at the girl with the long brown hair and I swear I could see him drool.

“So pretty.” He breathed out making her laugh.

“Well thank you little guy.” She said to him. “My name is Bianca, who are you?” She asked him as she sat down on top of Ahkari.

“Tate.” My son said still staring at Bianca like she’s a piece of meat.

“Awh that’s a cute name for a cute boy.” She said and Tate blushed.

Oh lordy my five year old just blushed.

“Epperly, this is my sister Ahkari and her mate Bianca.” Ambrose told me.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you. We’ve been searching all the realms for you.” Ahkari told me.

“Really?” I asked.

“Yeah I mean, among other things, like a vacation.” Bianca told me.

“Oh, I’m sorry if I came between your vacation.” I told them.

“Not at all.” Bianca waved me off. “It was about time we came home.” She said with a smile.

“Does that mean you guys are taking Tia up on the job offers?” Ambrose asked them.

“Yes, but I swear to the Goddess that if it doesn’t work out I will not continue to do it.” Bianca said defensively.

Ambrose chuckled.

“No one is forcing you to do anything B. But none of us are worried either.” He told her with a warm smile.

“Thanks Brosey.” She smiled back.

Ambrose smile fell instantly.

“Brosey?” I asked making the two girls chuckle.

“I hate that nickname. They loooove using it though.” He told me and then rolled his eyes.

“I think it’s cute.” I said.

Ambrose turned a smile to me.

“You can use it whenever you want.” He told me and I giggled.

“Wow. Disgusting.” Ahkari mumbled. “So anyways, Tate is it?” She asked him and he nodded.

“I’m your Aunt Ahkari. You can call me Auntie Kari though. It’s so cool to meet you.” She told him with a bright smile.

“Auntie Kari, do you drink b***d like me?” Tate asked her wasting no time.

Ahkari gave out a laugh.

“Uh, yeah I do.” She said.

“I will go get you some more Tate.” Lydia told him.

Kasyn rested his hand on hers.

“I’ll get it this time.” He said and then stood up.

Kari looked at Ambrose then back to Tate.

“He looks just like you.” She told her brother.

“Yeah yeah.” I grumbled out making everyone laugh.

“Don’t worry love, our next one will look like you.” Ambrose whispered to me.

“Next one what?” Tate asked and my face flushed.

“Uhm, our next, uh.” I stuttered out.

“Our next kid. You want a brother or a sister buddy?” Ambrose asked him completely unfazed.

Tate put that little finger to his chin to think about it making everyone fawn all over him.

“I think a sister as long as she is a good drawer like Clover.” Tate said earning a happy squeal from Clover. “Not a brother though.” Tate said with his nose scrunched as he stared down the table at his male cousins.

“Ha!” Azai laughed from down the table.

“Well buddy I can’t make any promises but Mommy and I will give it a try.” Ambrose told him then winked at me.

After that Bianca and Ahkari made conversation with me as I ate. Kasyn came back a few minutes later with Tate’s impossibly large cup full of b***d.

We were all enjoying the food and company when Ambrose’s uncles Nick and Liam showed up. I’ve already met Nick but not Liam. I found that I really like them both. Kee, Atreus, Amory, and Alessio all excused themselves shortly after.

We are all sitting and talking when the doors burst open and a few kids stormed in followed by a very flustered women who looks exactly like Lydia, and a tall man with dark hair behind her.

“I’m so sorry we’re late but someone just had to make sure that he had the right outfit.” The women said glaring at one of the kids that walked in.

A little boy with blonde hair and deep green eyes. He looks to be about 7 years old.

“Mom doesn’t understand me.” He mumbled to Lydia who sputtered out laughter.

“It’s okay honey I understand you.” She told him.

“And that is why you are my favorite, Grandma.” He smiled brightly at her.

Just then another couple came through the doors. This girl I recognized as Tia even though I hadn’t offically met her yet. The man that followed behind her is as tall as Ambrose. He has golden blonde hair and the same honey eyes as the young twins I met earlier.

“Sorry, we just finished-” Tia started and then stopped. She turned to face her sister and frowned at her.

The first women, who I think is Aureaila, turned and crossed her arms as well. They stared each other down and all any of us could do is watch. I’m so confused.

Do they not get along or something?

“No. That is not fair. I was going to announce mine. You’re totally stealing my thunder.” The first women said.

Tia rolled her eyes.

“You already have like five of them.” She argued as her eyes turned red.

Whoa.. That’s… Interesting.

“You have four!” The first women yelled.

“Maybe the two of you should just tell us what the f**k is going on.” I said breaking the awkward tension.

“You really are not afraid to voice anything are you?” Bianca asked amused.

I shrugged. “It’s not in my nature.” I said.

The two women turned to look at me but then the doors opened once again. A man looking exactly like Bianca with dark curly brown hair and light blue eyes, walked in. Following behind him is a girl that looks exactly like Ahkari but with much longer hair. They walked through the doors and the girl looked between her two sisters as they turned their glares on her.

“What?” The girl I assume must be Acaisia asked.

The first women threw her hands in the air. “So unfair!” She shouted.

“Totally unfair.” Tia agreed.

Acaisia narrowed her eyes at her sisters. Before she could say anything though her mate snatched her up and set her down in a chair. He kissed the top of her head before turning to go get her some food I assume.

“Is someone going to tell us what’s going on?” Kasyn said voicing my annoyance.

“Yeah why is everyone yelling?” Tate asked with equal annoyance.

“Who is that?” The first women whispered to Tia.

Tia rolled her eyes before pinching, the girl who I think is Acaisia’s arm.

“Ow.” She whined rubbing her arm.

Tia only looked at her expectantly. The girl rolled her eyes and then turned to face her parents.

“I’m pregnant.” She announced angrily.

“What?” Bianca and Ahkari asked at the same time.

“I’m gonna be a dad.” The man that walked in with her said proudly.

“Oh no that poor kid.” Bianca teased.

“Your first baby!” Lydia said as tears filled her eyes.

“That mean that you two are pregnant again too?” Ambrose asked them.

“Yes we are. This will be my last that’s for sure.” The first women said and then walked down the table to hug her parents.

At this point her kids and mate had all sat down and began eating.

“Hi.” She said to me with a bright smile. “I’m Aureaila but you can call me Relly.” She introduced herself to Tate and me.

I smiled at her.

“I’m Epperly, and this is Tate.” I told her.

Relly’s eyes fell down to Tate who gave her a warm smile.

“My my, you look just like your father.” She said and then looked at me. “Annoying isn’t it?” She asked and I could hear Olive snort from down the table.

I nodded. “Extremely.” I agreed.

“Don’t worry though. One of them is bound to look like you.” She told me with a smile.

How many kids does everyone think I’m having?

“He could have at least got my complexion.” I grumbled.

Relly laughed at that.

“Yeah that is true.” Then she looked down at Tate. “Hey there buddy, I’m your Aunt Relly. I’ll be your favoirte auntie.” She told him with a wink.

“They all said that.” Tate whispered to me making me laugh.

“Well, after my kids eat I can introduce you to your cousins and your uncle Ryce. He looks mean but he’s a big softy.” She told him with a wink.

A growl sounded from the end of the table and I looked down to see the man she walked in with glaring at her. Oh no, does he not like being called a big softy?

“Get your a*s down here now and eat.” He ordered her.

Relly rolled her eyes but complied.

After she had walked away Bianca and Ahkari walked to the end of the table to join their twins. Tia sat down in the empty chair and looked between Tate and I. Her eyes are black, like totally black, no color.

Weren’t they just red?

“It’s nice to finally meet the two of you. I’m Tia. I run the school.” She told us.

“Are you another aunt?” Tate asked her.

Tia smiled at him. “I am.” She said.

Just then Tia’s mate sat down in the chair next to her and pushed a plate of food in front of her. Tia thanked him and dug right in. I looked at her mate who was smiling brightly at Tate and I.

Out of all the people I was to meet today, this one was the one that had me the most scared. Max. Who is a God. Just like the ones after me.

“Hi, I’m Max, Tia’s mate.” He told us.

I stared at him for a moment inspecting him. He isn’t what I thought a God would be like. First of all he has the same hair style as my Ambrose. And he doesn’t seem menacing or evil at all. In fact, he seems kind of… warm. Like he radiates comfort.

“I’m Epperly and this is Tate.” I told him.

Ambrose squeezed my thigh and I looked up at him. He gave me a reassuring smile and I relaxed a bit. If Ambrose trusts this guy then I should too. After all he is mated to the women who has done nothing but help us since we got here.

“You’re Gatlin’s daddy.” Tate said angrily.

Tia snapped her eyes down the table at her sons. “I told the two of you to behave yourselves.” She scolded them.

“We did Momma honest.” Gatlin replied.

Tia rolled her eyes. “Then why does your cousin already not like you?” She asked him.

Gatlin didn’t seem to want to answer so Tate did for him.

“He’s bossy and rude.” Tate said.

“Just like his mother.” Max said amused.

“I’m sorry that my sons don’t know how to behave themselves.” Tia apologized to Tate.

“It’s okay Auntie Tia. Genesis was nice.” He told her and she smiled to him.

“Where is your other set of twins at?” Lydia asked Tia.

“Robby and Belle have them. We are going to pick them up after this.” She answered.

Damn, they have more?

“So, Epperly, we heard about your situation.” Max said.

I nodded to him and then looked at Ambrose. He gave me a nod and squeezed my thigh again. Then I turned back for the table that now has their attention on me.

“I understand if any of you don’t want us here or to help us at all. Just say the word and we’ll go.” I said to them all.

“I don’t wanna leave Momma.” Tate whined.

“Good, cause you’re not.” Tia stated to him.

“Yeah, you guys are family now and we protect our family.” Ahkari said from down the table.

“We aren’t afraid of Gods.” Ares stated. “Bastards should be afraid of us.” He grumbled.

“They are afraid of us.” Tia said to him.

“The Gods are afraid of you?” I asked.

Ambrose chuckled.

“It’s only going to take you hearing it from every single one of us to believe me huh?” He asked.

My face heated.

“Don’t worry Epperly, they won’t get either of you here. And once you’re marked and Tate learns how to use his power the two of you can go outside the territory whenever you like.” Max told me.

I stared at him for a moment and he just smiled at me.

“You’re really not afraid at all?” I asked in complete awe.

Max shook his head.

“None of us are. Trust me Epperly. They wouldn’t be the first Gods that Tia and I went up against. I understand that you don’t know how this world really works but I guarantee you that they will give up trying to get to you once they figure out who your mate is.” He said.

“Even though I’m a Djin?” I asked.

Kiah told me that Djin’s were used by Gods and that is why I was being saught out. I’m the last one.

Would they really stop out of fear of my mate? Is Ambrose really that powerful?

“Did you just say Djin?” Kasyn asked.

I turned to him and nodded.

“What’s a Djin?” Tia asked.

“A very powerful and dangerous creature.” Kasyn answered her while staring at me. “I’m going to have to talk to my father about you. I don’t think that they’ll stop looking for you, just because you are the last of your kind.” He said.

“What do you know Kasyn?” Lydia asked him.

Kasyn shrugged.

“I don’t know much but I know that the Gods used to use them in wars. They were killed out because of their power. I thought they had died out centuries ago.” He said.

“But Pops will know a lot more. I’ll go see him tomorrow but I’m sure he’ll want to come meet you himself.” He told me.

I gulped. “Meet the Devil?” I asked.

Lydia chuckled.

“Don’t worry he is a hoot.” She told me. “And as sweet as can be to his grandchildren and their mates. Just wait until he finds out what the Gods put you through. Ha!” She let out a loud laugh.

“He’ll probably hold a meeting with some of them and threaten them all.” She said.

“He would do that for someone he doesn’t even know?” I asked.

Lydia nodded.

“Oh yeah. I mean, you are Ambrose’s mate. He doesn’t need to know more than that.” She said.

I turned my head to Ambrose who just smiled lovingly at me. Those were his words too. Just being his mate was enough for all of them. Tate and I would really be safe here.

“Well, we are going to go home since I have a surprise there waiting for my mate and son.” Ambrose said as he stood up. He walked over to Tate and scooped him up in his arms.

“Surprise?” I asked as I stood up.

Ambrose nodded and smiled at me.

“Rel, can you and Ryce stop by in a couple hours? There is something I need to speak with you about.” He asked his sister on the way to the door.

“Sure thing.” She answered him. “It was so lovely to meet you both. Keep being a good boy Tate!” She said to us.

“I will!” Tate said back to her.

“Let me know if you need anything else Ambrose.” Tia said.

“Alright. Thanks again.” He said to her and then we walked through the door.

“So, what’s this surprise?” I asked as we walked out of the mansion towards our house.

Ambrose smile grew.

“You’ll see. It’s for the both of you.” He told Tate.

Tate and I tried to guess what our surprise would be the whole walk back to our home. Ambrose laughed as he shot down all of our guesses. Although, when Tate mentioned ice cream Ambrose said that he could make that happen. Ice cream sounds so good. I wonder if I can get popcorn too.

We are standing on the porch and Ambrose had just set Tate down on his feet. Ambrose put his hand on the door knob and turned to us. The giddiness was almost too much, my insides tickle.

“Ugh! Let us in already!” I said impatiently.

“Yeah Dad let us in!” Tate echoed me.

Ambrose chuckled at us.

“Okay okay.” He said and then opened the door.

At first we didn’t really see anything different. Once we entered and started taking our shoes off I noticed a few new pairs of shoes sitting on the shoe rack that was once empty. Brand new women’s sneakers, sandals, heeled boots, and few others lined the first rack.

The bottom rack had a few different pairs of sneakers for Tate, along with crocs, and a pair of boots that matches his fathers perfectly. I frowned then rolled my eyes.

“New shoes huh?” I turned to ask Ambrose.

“Wait ’til you see the bedrooms.” He said.

Tate gasped and then took off in the direction of his room. I raised a brow at Ambrose who gestured for me to follow our son. With pure excitement I followed our son back to his room. When I got to the door I gasped.

“Mommy! Look at all of this stuff!” Tate shouted. “Daddy is it all mine?” He asked Ambrose.

“Sure is buddy.” Ambrose answered.

The room that was once a plain white is now a bright green. All kinds of stickers of trucks and dinasours were on the walls. The king sized bed was traded out for a full sized loft bed with a slide. His bedding has little cartoons on it that Tate loved.

A desk sat in another corner of the room and was decked out in everything he could possibly need to draw or write. There’s a blue dresser between the bed and desk with a large TV sitting on top of it. And tons of toys everywhere.

“Mommy I have my own TV!” Tate told me.

Ambrose moved around me to enter the room since I was still too stunned to move.

“You have a Wii too. I can show you how to work it later.” Ambrose told Tate. “And, you have an entire new wardrobe. There are new clothes in your closet and dresser. You let me know if you don’t like anything though and we can give it to Gatlin.” He said amused.

“He has new clothes?” I asked as tears filled my eyes.

Ambrose turned to me and nodded before turning back to Tate.

“This TV is just like the one in the living room. Here is the remote. I’m gonna take Momma to look at our new room okay?” He told Tate.

“Okay.” He said as he started turning the TV on.

Ambrose walked to me and grabbed my hand. He gently pulled me across the hall and stopped in front of our door. I stared up and him as he smiled down at me. Then he opened the door.

“Welcome home my love.” He whispered and then kissed the side of my head.

Another gasp fell from my lips. Our room is now painted a deep purple that I love. The bedding is a teal color and looks even fluffier than the previous one. The same bedside tables were next to the bed but now had a lamp on each one and a monitor screen on one. I can see Tate in his room on it.

“Go look at the closet.” Ambrose whispered in my ear.

I walked over to the first door and opened it to find it full of Ambrose’s clothes. Then I walked to the other closet and opened it to find it full of womens clothes. I ran my hands along them all. There is a tall dresser inside the closet full of underwear, socks, and bras.

“Tia kind of guessed your style based off of what you had already. Let me know if there is anything you don’t like though.” Ambrose told me.

I turned to see him standing in the doorway.

“You guys did all of this for us?” I asked.

Ambrose nodded. “Of course.” He said.

“Thank you.” I whispered.

Ambrose wrapped his arms around my waist and tilted my chin to look into my eyes.

“Wait until you see the bathroom.”