Chapter 36
Logan and Kieran were sitting in the VIP lounge, at Edinburgh Airport after they’d arrived in Scotland, waiting for Miss L, Theo, Norm, Ian and Colton to arrive.
Logan wasn’t sure when Ian’s parents were coming, but he was going to take everyone else out to dinner.
He figured it would give Ian and Colton some time alone with Ian’s parents.
Checking the time, he glanced at Kieran who was nervously jiggling his leg and, guessing why, said, “Relax, babe, Theo and Norman are not angry at you. I bet as soon as they see you they’ll come running to you, wanting to know you’re all right. ”
“Maybe. I hope so, but we had a deal about sticking together and I broke it so I’m pretty sure they’ll be mad at me.”
“That’s a possibility, but I don’t think so and I’ll tell you why.
True friends always understand and forgive.
That’s not to say they want it to happen again but if you talk to them about your reasons and why you did it, I’ll bet they’ll forgive you.
Really, babe, just be honest and that will mean a lot. ”
“Thanks, it’s just that I never had friends before and I don’t want to fuck it up. Huh, well, not any more than I already have.”
“Come here,” Logan said patting his lap.
Then, after Kieran was in his arms, he continued, “Babe, Theo and Norm are true friends and there’s a world of difference between friends and true friends.
You could easily call all the other prisoners ‘friends’ because of how you met and supported each other during a hard time but they are not true friends because they went back to their lives and you, yours.
However, Theo and Norman vowed to be there for you in good and bad times.
That’s a true friend. So yeah, they were angry when they discovered you left.
But only because they had no way of making sure you were safe.
That’s what bothered them most. Remember this, Kieran, just as you want what’s best for Theo and Norm, they want what’s best for you.
So, at the end of the day, the only thing that will matter to them is your happiness.
Once you have assured them of that, everything else will be fine. ”
Kieran thought about what his mate had said and knew it was how he felt about Theo and Norman. No matter what they wanted, if his friends were happy then he was happy. “This friend business is complicated,” Kieran said.
Chuckling, Logan agreed. “It can be, but if you treat Theo and Norman the way you want to be treated, everything will be all right. By that, I mean be honest as to why you left.”
His eyes sparkling mischievously, Kieran replied, “Okie dokie, but if there are any problems, I’m blaming you.”
“I have no problem with that because I know I’m right. Look, I think everyone has arrived,” Logan said, pointing to the door.
Kieran looked toward the door and saw Theo and Norman standing there, their eyes searching the room. Jumping up and squealing, Kieran ran to his friends, arms out stretched, anxious to hug both of them the instant his hands touched them.
Theo and Norman saw Kieran barreling toward them and ran to meet their friend halfway across the room.
“Are you all right?”
“What happened? Why did you leave us?”
“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you!”
Logan rose and walked slowly toward the three friends, knowing they needed a few minutes alone.
“Hey bro, you okay?” Colton called to his brother as he and Ian escorted Miss L over to Logan.
“Perfecto!” Logan grinned. “Is everyone okay at home?”
Colton raised an eyebrow at the lingo, then looking at his brother more closely, saw a different person.
What the fuck happened to him? I don’t ever remember him looking this happy.
When Ian had asked about Logan, Colton had described him as old before his time which confused Ian since Jackson and Logan were twins, but there wasn’t any other way to say it—Logan thought and behaved as if he were nearing the end of his life.
He’d asked Jackson about it, but his brother refused to talk about his twin.
Well, Jackson was going to be in for a big surprise when Logan returned home.
“Everyone is fine, Daniel is growing like a weed, taking his first steps and Jake and Jessica are driving Cody and Dylon crazy. Especially since Miss L is officially on vacation, right Miss L?”
Giggling, Lizzie nodded. “They’ll do just fine because my Dylon is able to handle any situation.
I always told Franklin that Dylon could be plopped in the middle of nowhere and he would be home before dinner.
He certainly can handle two very sweet babies by himself.
Though I think my Jessica has him firmly wrapped around her finger, but I know Dylon will learn to say ‘no’ one of these days,” she said, adding, “I hope.”
Logan had fallen in love with Lizzie from the first time he met her, and he had no doubt that a lot of Dylon’s ability to cope came from his mother.
Smiling at her comments, he said, “Glad you were able to join us, and I know as soon as my mate has peeled himself away from his friends, he’ll be happy to see you. ”
“I know, I heard about Theo and Norman’s reaction and totally understand why they acted like they did. Kieran has some ‘splainin’to do,” Lizzie giggled.
“Missss LLLLL!” squealed Kieran, rushing to hug her. “You made it!”
Returning Kieran’s hug, Lizzie grinned. “Honey, hell or high water wouldn’t keep me from having a vacation with you, Theo, and Norman.”
Logan looked at Ian. “Do you know when your parents are coming?”
“Late this afternoon. They told me to go to the hotel and they’ll meet us there, but Colton and I plan to come back to the airport to pick them up,” Ian said.
“That works out fine,” Logan said, “I thought you might want to see them alone first, so I planned on taking everyone else out to dinner.”
“Great!” said Colton. “How about we gather up our pack and head out. I assume you’ll be at the same hotel with us?”
“Yeah,” Logan grinned. “Steel used his contacts, so we have five suites reserved for us, all on the same floor.”
“Then let’s go,” Colton said, “I want Ian to rest before we meet his parents.”
“Babe, I slept on the plane, now chillax. Our baby is fine and I’m fine,” Ian said.
Colton leaned down and kissed his mate, murmuring, “I know that, but I can’t help it. I still worry and if we took a short nap before heading out for the evening, it would help me get it in my head. Besides, we’ll be alone and naked in bed.”
Ian smirked. “Well, when you put it that way, let’s get going.”
Logan grabbed a porter to take care of the luggage while he ushered everyone out to the stretch limousine waiting for them at the curb.
After they were all inside and the bags stowed, Logan gave the name of the hotel to the driver, then sat back with his arm around his mate, listening to Ian tell Lizzie what they were planning to see while they were there.
Idly watching the scenery go by, Logan didn’t care where or what they did in Scotland as long as Kieran had a good time.
He was relieved to see the enforcers they had in Ireland join up with the enforcers Jackson insisted on accompanying Ian and Colton.
He had his hands full protecting his mate and couldn’t worry about anyone else, even though it sounded selfish.
Kieran and he had decided to tell Jackson about Kieran and Logan’s gift, but they would insist on secrecy.
None of his other brothers or their mates would ever know because the risk to Kieran was too great.
The only thing they would reveal was that Kieran was a male Omega because that would be hard to hide once he was big and round with their pup.
Logan knew Kieran’s Shaman had told him to avoid all doctors because his true nature as an Omega would be discovered—which is why Kieran had told him he was going to avoid the exam Cody wanted him to have.
But that was all moot now. Logan reached over and placed his hand on Kieran’s belly, wondering if there was already a pup growing in it.
Paying only scant attention to the itinerary, Kieran had tuned into his mate’s thoughts, eager to see what was behind the tightness around Logan’s eyes.
Once he knew, he placed his hand on Logan’s thigh, sending love to him.
When Logan had placed his hand on Kieran’s belly, Kieran smiled.
Go ahead, macushla, ask our spirit your question, he said through their mind link.
What question, mo anan cara?
Rolling his eyes at Logan, he then grinned. If I’m pregnant with your pup?
Logan’s eyes widened in surprise. Really? Colton said it takes at least two weeks to find out.
I’m sure it does but we have a spirit. Go ahead, ask it. You won’t know if you don’t ask.
Is this a trick? I mean our spirit won’t zap me or something, right?
Kieran giggled at the picture in his mind before shaking his head. Ask it!
Logan looked for their spirit and when he found it, asked the question and then held his breath waiting to hear the answer.
When he heard the spirit’s answer, Logan stared at Kieran, unable to believe he was going to be a father.
With a whoop and a holler, Logan scooped Kieran up and placed him on his lap, kissing any spot he could find.
A pup, babe, we’re going to have a pup. Our very own pup to love forever.
I know! Oh my gods, we have to do some shopping in Scotland for our pup. They have some great baby stores here. Oops, your brother is looking at you weirdly.
So, he is. I’m not going to tell him about our pup yet because if I know Colton he’ll want to do an immediate exam and then he’ll be worrying about you along with Ian the entire time he is here.
No problemo!
“Hey bro,” Colton said, “want to explain what that was all about?”
“Nope, it’s something my mate told me…privately…and it doesn’t have anything to do with anyone else,” said Logan. “Hey, we’re here.”
Ian glanced out, shocked at where the car had stopped. “We’re staying here?”
“Yup, this is the only place Steel could reserve five suites for us. Is there a problem? He assured me it was a good place to stay.”
Kieran was busily googling and after finding their hotel, said, “Holy fucking shit balls! Do you know how much this will cost each night?”
“No, but Steel said not to worry because it’s his and Jackson’s mating gift for us and Colton and Ian,” said Logan.
“What about us?” asked Norman. “This doesn’t look like a place we can afford to stay in.”
“Steel said you shouldn’t worry because this is his and Jackson’s ‘welcome to the Blackwood Pack’ gift and before you say a word, Miss L, Franklin is paying for you because he said you deserve it given all the crap…
his words…you had to put up with during years of High Council affairs,” Logan said, laughing.
“Oh. My. Gods! Miss L,” exclaimed Kieran. “There’s a world class spa right in the hotel! Holy shit balls, we must spend a day there at least.”
“Ki, what are we going to do while you’re in the spa?” asked Theo.
“You and Norm are coming with us. By the end of the day, we’re all going to look and feel fabulous,” Kieran said.
“Let’s go everyone! We’re holding up traffic!
Chop, chop! I want to see our suite!” Scrambling off his mate, Kieran proceeded to push Theo and Norm out the door while tugging at Logan’s arm.
Once everyone was out, a gentleman wearing a black suit walked up to Logan, introducing himself as the manager of the hotel and told him they’d all been checked in.
Then he turned and instructed the bellmen who was standing at attention behind him to take their luggage up to the top floor.
Once that was done, he said, “If everyone would please follow me…”
Once they reached their floor, the manager handed out keys to the rooms and the private elevator.
Then he showed them the public sitting room that was exclusive to the guests staying on that floor and introduced the concierge staff who, he explained, would be available 24/7 to handle their every need.
From there, he led them to their individual suites, each with a welcome basket including a bottle of champagne.
After making sure Theo, Norman and Lizzie would meet him and Kieran in the sitting room at six that evening, Logan finally led his mate into their suite and shut the door, grateful to be alone.
Leaning against it, Logan smiled as he watched Kieran check everything out from the working fireplace to the Jacuzzi tub, big enough for two, sitting in their marbled bathroom.
Plopping himself on the sofa, Logan sat and listened with half an ear to Kieran’s running monologue about all of his discoveries.
But his mind was really on the pup Kieran had in his belly.
A pup! Mine! Something I always wanted, but that was before my life became hell on earth.
Could I ever do what my father did? Disown my own flesh and blood!
Did I get those genes? What if I did? What if my pup made me so angry I end up becoming my father?
Suddenly Kieran was in his lap, holding his face so he had nowhere to look except at his mate.
“You better listen to me, my mate. First, you are not your father so stop with that crap. Second, do you honestly think our spirit and wolves would ever let you hurt our pup that way? Well in case you don’t know, let me make it fucking clear…
no fucking way. Third, I know you, I am inside of you and I can see your heart, soul and mind and you don’t have a fucking mean bone in your body.
So, no, you won’t hurt our pup, no way, no how.
So, stop with the pity party and start with the ‘I think you’re the cutest thing ever, Kieran’ party’ because I’m expecting, and I expect more of that for the rest of my pregnancy. Got it?”
Grinning at his mate, Logan said, “Yup, got it. So, what do we do first at the ‘I think you’re the cutest thing ever, Kieran’ party?”