So. We got back to camp on Apollo’s flaming chariot(which I had ridden onbefore). We finished the summer strong. We finally told them we couldnt stayanother year. They were all sad and Evelyn cried. But they understood why andwe assured them they could always contact us whenever. They agreed. I wasshowing by the time camp was over. and boy was I feeling it. I didnt now what Iwas having so it was all a mystery. Dev was extra nice during this and Evelynwas a big help. Cypher was too but he seemed lost nowadays. I felt bad for himfor the burden he carried. I tried to help him the best I could but there wasreally nothing I could do. I kept thinking Astraea was going to show up any daynow. She had been gone for almost three years. I wanted to ask Cole how long ittakes for an immortal to reform but I didnt want to bother him. Soon, it cametime to have the baby. Let me just say, having to deal with two teenagers whoconstantly have me on my toes is a million times better than childbirth. I wouldtake getting another scar over the pain. Gosh it was bad. I was lucky that itwas a relatively quick labor but still. but as soon as I held baby Grayson thepain was well worth it. Nika had even come in town to see him. It was nice tosee her again. She seemed to be doing alright, from what I could tell. She keptsaying ‘I‘M an aunt!’. Same old Nika. Evelyn took an special liking to him. Shewould hold him and play with him and sing to him. It was cute to watch. She’llmake a great mom. I told Dev once. He nodded. She will. He said. He hadchanged a bit since Grayson was bron. More mature and sweet. He still acted likea child sometimes but it seemed like he was growing up a bit. Once again, wefound ourselves almost at summer time for camp. We were celebrating the twinsbirthday today and I had to get everything ready. I made my famous browniesthat were their favorite. I placed candles in a 15 because they were turning 15.Wow. 15 already. I thought to myself. I grabbed my laundry basket and Iwatched Cypher try to charmspeak Grayson. Cypher its not gonna work. I tellhim and set my basket down to start folding. What do you mean? He asks me.Well you can’t charmspeak a baby… or at all. I told him. Why not? He asks. Ialmost laughed. I shook my head. We’ve been over this. Evelyn is the one whocan, you can’t. Its kinda simple. Now come here and help me fold. I tell him andhe walked over. Everytime Cypher walked over, it was like Goliath walking up tome. He was massive and jacked. He looked more and more like Cole. When Evelyngets back from school, and when Devin gets back from work, we’re going to sing Happy birthday then head to camp. Sound good? I ask him and he nods. Hesmiled at the mention of camp. We folded for a minute before he sat down andheld his hand to his eyepatch. I started to panic. What’s wrong? Is it happeningagain? I ask him. I finished quickly and sat down next to him and put a hand onhis shoulder. No…its…its just hurting again. He said weakly. I nodded andrubbed his shoulders. He may have not been my real child but to me he was.The door opened and Evelyn walked in. She threw her backpack down andlooked at Cypher. Did he tell another prophecy? She asked me. No… just pain..again. I tell her. Cypher started to relax. How was school? He asked Evelyn.Normal, and boring Mr Expelled Again. She said. He stood up and smiled. Irolled my eyes. Cypher got expelled just yesterday. Evelyn walked over toGrayson and picked him up. She started to walk off. Where are you going? Iask. Im going to play with him. She said and kept walking. I smiled and lookedback at Cypher. You can go with her you know. I tell him. He shook his head. Im
fine. He says but I know he’s not. I eyed him. You can’t always hide awayCypher. Your sister doesnt care. I tell him. He shrugged and back down next tome. I know. He said. Just then, Dev walked in. He took off his doctor badge. Ismiled as he walked over. He kissed me and looked around. Where’s Grayson? Heasks me. Evelyn has him. I tell him. Cypher rolled his eye and rubbed his face.Dev looked at him with worry and then turned back to me. Did it happen again?He asks. No, just the pain. I tell him again. He nods and looked at Cypher again.Wanna go first big shot? He asks Cypher. He shrugged and Dev pulled out hismeasuring tape. He had me hold the bottom while he pulled it up. He asked meto let go and it snapped back into place. Well, your taller than last month. Hesays and it doesnt shock me. Wow, had no clue you guys shrunk again. He saidsarcastically. Dev smirked. Dont get sarcastic with me kid. Im the king ofsarcasm. Dev says sarcastically. I rolled my eyes at both of them. Point proven.How tall? Cypher asks. 6’8. Dev says. It shouldn’t have shocked me but 6’8? Hereally was massive. Dev wanted to do more tests and I let them. I walked overto Evelyn’s room where she was playing with Grayson. She was laughing alongwith him. How cute. I think and walk in. Mind if I join yall? I ask. Sure!! Evelynsays and I sit down. Grayson was just learning to sit up and it was cute to seehim try and then fall down and laugh. I once again realized how lucky I was. Iheard Dev and Cypher arguing. I eavesdropped just a bit. TECHNICALLY! I heard Dev say and I laughed. I heard Dev come down our way. Evelyn, itsyour turn! He said with a smile. She gave Grayson to me andfollowed Dev. I stood up and rocked Grayson back and forth theway he liked. He laughed and I smiled. I did one last twirl beforetaking him with me to the kitchen to finish making lunch. Evelyn
finished her check up quickly and I sent both of the twins to pack.I finished getting ready as Cypher put all the stuff in my trunk.He was carrying Astraea’s guitar. I pang of sadness hit my heart.seeing it made me miss my sister. We all gathered around thebrownie cake and sang happy birthday. They blew out the candleand we all cheered, I grabbed Grayson while Dev cut the slices. Igrabbed my purse and walked to my car. I opened the door andgently buckled Grayson in, who was starting to fuss. Dev and thetwins came out and hopped in and we were off. We drove for awhile. It was quite a drive from Nashville to Long Island but abeautiful one. I was fortunate that Evelyn could keep Graysoncalm for the trip. Eventually Cypher and Dev started doing theirbanter which is always hilarious. We all stopped and enjoyed thedrive afterwards. Stop the car! Cypher yelled. What?! Dev said. Heslammed on the brakes and Cypher jumped out and fell to hisknees. His eye. I thought and we all got out. Grayson was cryingand I tried to calm him down. Cypher! Evelyn was trying tocharmspeak him to help. He blacked out and the familiar greenmist came out adn he recited the all to familiar new prophecy. Weall stopped to catch our breathes. Come on, lets get him to camp.Chiron will want to know. Dev said. We all nod and it takes all ofus the lift him into the car. We drive to camp and it’s totally silenttill we get there. Dev had one of his brothers take care of Cypherwhile Evelyn went to get Chiron. Starting off with a bang. I thinkas I hold Grayson