Epilogue
“We’re ready!” Sixteen-year-old Mallie led her siblings to the mansion’s front door.
“Did you check on everyone?” Nat teased, bouncing three-month-old Pebbles on his hip.
Pebbles was a nickname—his actual name was Preston, but he loved grabbing his colorful toy pebbles whenever someone brought them close. Right now, he was looking around, a little thumb tucked in his mouth.
“Of course I did,” Mallie said indignantly. She patted fourteen-year-old Teddy on the shoulder, hugged six-year-old Wanda quickly, and dropped a kiss on five-year-old Amelie’s head. The three-year-old twins, Petey and Timmy, were running in circles around the shoe rack; Mallie caught them both and checked that their laces were tied. Then she caught the two dogs that came running up: both mutts, and both from the animal shelter. The dogs panted excitedly when she rubbed their necks.
Nat wouldn’t usually ask her to do all this, but it was part of Mallie’s test to prove that she was ready for a third dog.
“Looking good,” Duke said, striding in.
Six years after they’d met, he still looked as amazing as ever. Nat’s body had slowed down with aging, too, as a side effect of bonding with Duke.
Nat sighed and watched his mate kiss all their children, before ushering them to the car.
“Make sure your seatbelts are on,” Duke said. Then he turned to Nat and gave him a toe-curling smile.
“My husband,” Nat said, patting What Cart as it came skidding around the mansion to join them on this trip. “I think everyone knows you’re the best husband ever.”
“I don’t think I’ve done anything noteworthy this morning,” Duke said, frowning adorably.
“You don’t need to do anything. You’re just amazing.”
Duke laughed and wrapped his arm around Nat’s waist, dropping a kiss on his head. Then he kissed Nat on the lips, sharing a soft, intimate nuzzle with him. “Or is this about this morning?”
Duke had sucked and fingered him this morning, until Nat was all but clawing at the bed, begging for release. Then he’d filled Nat and knotted him, until Nat came so many times, he couldn’t speak at all.
“Maybe it is about this morning.” Nat blushed and smiled. “It was amazing.”
“Papa and Daddy are full of cooties again,” Amelie said, making a face.
Duke chuckled, ruffling her hair. “C’mon, who wants to go play with dogs?”
“Me! Me!” Everyone jumped and raised their hands.
“So get in the car,” Duke said.
All of them scrambled in. Duke stayed behind to make sure Pebbles was in his car seat. Then he tucked Nat into the front passenger seat, and rubbed his belly.
Nat laughed. “Another?”
Duke grinned. “Maybe.”
What Cart skidded around the car, flipping its wheels excitedly. Hubrie waved them off with a handkerchief and blew his nose loudly.
As Duke began the drive, What Cart followed, all the way to the animal shelter where everyone got out, eager to start helping.
“Mallie,” Duke said when the kids were on their way in. Mallie perked up. “Pick a dog.”
Mallie whooped, holding the leashes of her two dogs as they all but dragged her into the shelter. “Yeah! Go team!”
Her siblings cheered. “Another dog!”
Nat shook his head, still smiling. “One of these days, we’re going to find the house overrun with dogs and children.”
“It already is.” Duke kissed his head. “But I’m loving it.”
Nat squinted suspiciously. “Did you just quote a fast food chain?”
“Nope!” Duke sneakily squeezed Nat’s ass, then pulled him against his side. “C’mon, let’s see how many times they’ll try to sneak a fourth dog home.”
Nat laughed, his heart full as they followed their children into the shelter.
* * *