Chapter 26
Finally! Reading the email from Jackson, Hunter frowned. While permission was granted for a visit no longer than two weeks, it was the tone of it that caused him the most concern. Staring at the screen, he couldn’t put his finger on it, but it just didn’t sound like the Jackson he’d known.
Sticking his head in Hunter’s study, Mac asked, “Hey, you wanted to see me?”
Setting aside his concerns, Hunter smiled. “Yeah…did you have a chance to look at the motorhome, yet?”
“This morning. Mason gave me the ‘grand’ tour as he called it,” Mac said, sitting down across from his brother.
“And…will it work?”
“Yup. It’s perfect. Did you hear back yet?” asked Mac.
“Just now. Jackson approved a two week visit.”
“Only two weeks? Hunt, I’m not sure that’ll be enough time,” Mac said.
“I hear you, but it’ll have to do. Fuck, it took me long enough to get this and if I push for more, Jackson might rescind his permission. Did you read the complaint he filed against his uncle?”
“You mean the fucking asshole, right? I read it. I was trying to remember him and all I came up with was Mom telling us to stay away from him,” Mac said.
“You and Sawyer were pretty young when we left,” replied Hunter, “and Mom was right. Josiah was…is an asshole. According to Mom, he made Jackson’s life a living hell. If I remember correctly, Aunt Hope was going to send Jackson to live with us for a while.”
“Why didn’t she?”
“Don’t know,” Hunter shrugged his shoulders. “Not important now. Is there anything you need for the trip?”
“Nope, I’m fully stocked. We’re leaving in two days?”
“Yes, and I just hope we aren’t too late,” Hunter mused.
“I’ll do my best but, as you know, there’s a limit to what I can do,” Mac said.
“Let’s just hope luck is with us because otherwise this trip will end up being a colossal mistake.”
“If it’s any help, I can be ready to leave tomorrow,” Mac offered.
Nodding, Hunter responded, “Thanks, but I have no plans to change our plans. Hey, before you go, what’s with Sawyer?”
Adopting an ‘I-don’t-know-what-you’re-talking-about’ look, Mac remained silent, unwilling to say anything without his brother present.
Being identical twins, the two of them were inseparable when they were growing up and confided in each other about their dreams and goals.
Their mother always claimed they were two halves of a whole.
Nothing could divide them, even when Mac abandoned his first name, Sam and began to use his middle name, instead.
Even then, Sawyer got it, understood his need to be his own person, to be an individual and not part of the Sam/Sawyer duo.
And when the rest of his family ignored his decision and kept calling him Sam, Sawyer corrected them with “Mac” every single time until they capitulated.
So, there was no way he was going to give the 4-1-1 on what Sawyer was planning after their trip to California.
Faced with the twins’ wall of mutual protection, Hunter gave up and changed the subject; after he fulfilled his mother’s request, there’d be plenty of time to discuss each of his brothers’ plans. “How many bags you taking?”
“Bags?” Mac blinked, surprised his brother wasn’t pushing him about Sawyer, “One? I guess. Why?”
“Quin…”
“Got it…one bag.” Mac smirked. “Anything else?”
Leaning back, Hunter looked at Mac, noticing the tightness of his face, wondering how long that’d been there. Chiding himself over missing the signs, he asked his brother, softly, “Is there enough time? Will we make it?”
Fuck, just the one thing I don’t want to talk about. “Honestly? My best guess? Cause that’s all I can give you…I don’t know. Hopefully, there is.”
“Right,” Hunter murmured, not really expecting any other answer. “I know you’ll do your best, Mac.”
~/~/~/~/~/~
Now at the hotel, Reif slipped into the warm blue water of the pool, waiting for Kieran and the doctor to arrive.
Taking deep breaths, he hoped his nervousness wasn’t obvious to his mate but he had a sneaking suspicion Brian had picked up on it already.
On the way back from his mate’s cottage, Reif had come to terms with himself?at least in the abstract—that his sea dragon was pregnant, and he was going to be a parent.
But now, standing in waist high water, about to shift so a doctor could examine his beast, those thoughts had disintegrated.
“Yer goin’ to be fine,” Brian murmured to his mate, reaching out to hold his hand.
Smiling weakly, Reif appreciated his mate’s support, but he really needed answers to the many questions flying around his mind; as soon as possible, he’d call his father who he hoped would know the answers.
Hearing the door to the pool area open, Reif saw Kieran followed by three others who had been at his house.
“Hi Reif,” Kieran said brightly, “isn’t this exciting!”
“I guess so,” Reif mumbled, still not wholly convinced.
Kieran pointed to his mate. “You know Logan, and this is Ian and Colton.”
“Yer Majesty,” Brian said, bowing his head.
Reif looked at the slender man Brian was bowing to. At his side was a large wolf shifter he figured was Colton. Turning to Ian, he said, “Doc, my mate told me you want to examine my beast.”
“That’s right. I’ll need you to shift. How’s your sea dragon? Relaxed or aggressive?” asked Ian.
Reif knew the answer without having to check with his beast. “Definitely aggressive.”
“Figured that,” said Ian. Turning to Brian, he said, “After Reif shifts, I want you to shift and wrap your sea serpent around your mate. Try to hold him still, but don’t cover up his belly as that’s the area I need to look at.”
“Babe,” Colton asked Ian, trying not to sound too over protective, “is there a chance Reif’s animal could hurt you?”
“Yes, but with Brian holding him…”
Stripping his jeans off, Kieran slipped into the water. “Don’t worry Colton, I’m going to help. Ian will be safe.”
“What?” asked Logan, alarmed his mate was going to be anywhere near a pregnant serpent. “Babe, wait a minute. What about you? Are you in danger?”
“Of course not, macushla,” grinned Kieran.
“Go ahead and shift, Reif,” Ian ordered, slipping off his sweatpants.
Within seconds, Logan saw a huge green sea serpent wrapped around a sleek black sea dragon, both floating in the pool, their bodies displacing water over the edge, drenching his shoes. “Fuck,” yelped Logan, hopping out of the way.
“You should’ve worn flip flops like me,” Colton smirked.
“Fuck off,” growled Logan, removing his wet shoes.
“Kieran, how’s Reif’s sea dragon?” asked Ian.
Wrapping his arm around the sea dragon’s neck, Kieran said, “He’s good, but do what you need to do quickly. Pregnant sea dragons don’t particularly appreciate touchy-feely.”
“Will do,” Ian acknowledged, lowering himself into the pool, careful not to make any sudden movements Reif’s animal might view as a threat.
“Babe, what do you want first? A stethoscope?” asked Colton.
Keeping his voice low and calm, Ian murmured, “Nothing for now.” Moving so Reif’s sea dragon could see him, Ian reached out, placing his hand under his nose.
“That’s it, go ahead and take a good sniff,” he crooned.
After a minute, he placed his hand on the sea dragon’s forehead, slowly moving it in a tiny circle while murmuring reassuring words.
Then, after not seeing any fear reflected in the beast’s eyes, Ian moved to the side, his hand remaining in contact as he slid it along the sea dragon’s length, pausing occasionally, before continuing his examination.
When he finally reached the belly, Ian said, “Brian, please turn Reif on his side, his belly facing me.”
Colton tensed, biting his lip in an effort to keep silent, barely controlling his protective instincts toward his mate.
After several attempts, Brian was able to wrestle Reif on his side, watching as Ian’s hand slid over the sea dragon’s belly, pressing in at several points.
He soon realized what the doctor was looking for, hoping nothing would be said until they had shifted back because he knew Reif would freak the fuck out.
Finished with his probing, Ian said, “Okay, Brian, Reif, everything is looking good. Kieran, get out of the water, please.” Then, after the Shaman was standing next to Logan, Ian moved over to the pool ladder and climbed out, taking a towel from his mate.
“Is the baby all right?” asked Colton.
“Guys, please shift so we can talk,” Ian said.
After uncurling himself from the sea dragon, Brian shifted with Reif quickly following him, then, wrapping his arms around his mate, made no move to leave the pool. He knew Reif would be safer in the water when he heard the news.
Feeling the tension in his mate’s body, Reif was confused. Didn’t the doc say everything was fine? “Is our son okay, Ian?” he asked, figuring that was what Nessie was worried about.
“The short answer is ‘yes’.” Ian smiled. “Your sea dragon has five eggs in him…all are developing as…”
“Wait a fucking minute! Did you say ‘five’ like the number five,” asked Reif, holding up five fingers.
“Yes, your sea dragon has five fertile eggs in him and I expect him to lay them in about three months, give or take a few days.” Glancing at Kieran, Ian said, “Does that sound about right?”
“Yes. Reif’s sea dragon will lay his eggs in about 90 days, and they’ll hatch in another three months. Then you’ll have five little Nessies, isn’t that wonderful?” asked Kieran, his face alight with joy.
Shaking his head, Reif couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Five babies…five water rats…no…make that five baby sea dragons all wanting his attention…I can’t do this…one, maybe, but five…all at once…nononono…not possible.
Seeing his mate begin to panic, Brian tightened his hold as he murmured assurances in his mate’s ear. “Mate, twill be fine…dinna fret…everythin’ will be all right…I will be with ye all the way.”
It was too much for Reif. Breaking free, he backed away from Brian.
“No. You’re wrong!” Pointing to Ian, Reif said, “He’s wrong.
Sea Dragons only have one offspring at a time.
He doesn’t know what he’s saying! Five eggs!
What the fuck? Ask my father…ONE sea dragon…
only one at a time.” Swimming to the far end of the pool, Reif turned and shouted, “Your doctor doesn’t know anything about sea dragons and you are risking our son’s life with a quack.
I thought you wanted a child but you don’t. FIVE EGGS!!! Are you fucking insane?”
“Hey, you’re wro…” Colton objected but stopped when Ian laid his hand on him.
“No, babe!” Logan cautioned, as Kieran jumped into the pool.
Ignoring his mate, Kieran headed for Reif, knowing his friend needed him. When he was close, but still at a safe distance, he asked, “Reif…do you trust me?”
Glancing between his mate and Kieran, his eyes wild with fear, Reif shouted, “Don’t come closer.”
“I won’t…do you trust me?” Kieran asked again, his voice low and soothing.
Shaking his head, Reif was torn. Seeing the hurt on Brian’s face, knowing his words put it there—it wasn’t something he couldn’t face right now. “I-I-I-I don’t know. Did you hear what he said? Five freaking babies? That’s impossible!”
“Reif…do you trust me?”
Such a simple question…why can’t I answer it?
“Reif…will you ask your sea dragon if he trusts me?”
I can do that. Seeking out his beast, Reif listened, calming down as his sea dragon reassured him about Kieran. Knowing his sea dragon never lied to him, Reif looked at Kieran and sputtered, “Yes, he does…I do too.”
“May I come closer?” asked Kieran. After Reif nodded, Kieran moved closer, reaching out and placing his hand on his friend’s arm, drawing out his fear. When most of it had been replaced with calm, Kieran asked, “Will you come upstairs with us? Oracle wants to speak to you and Brian.”
“Oracle? You know an Oracle?” Reif was incredulous. The elders told them Oracles had died off, leaving his people without a direct link to the Fates.
“I do…and my spirit told me she’s waiting to speak to you. Will you come?” asked Kieran.
Glancing at Nessie, Reif still saw the hurt his words had caused. Chastising himself, he said, “I promised the gods I’d never hurt my mate again but I did…just now… Nessie won’t forgive me again.”
“Righto…Brian, would you please come here?” called Kieran, while keeping his hand in contact with Reif. Then he whispered, “He will, trust me.”
Brian swam over to join the Shaman and his mate. “Ay, I’m here,” he said, gazing at his mate, glad to see he looked better, lessening his worries about their babies.
“Reif has something he wants to say,” Kieran said, sending waves of love through his hand to the sea dragon.
Looking at his mate, Reif saw the hurt but the love Brian had for him shone through. “Nessie, I’m sorry for what I said…my words hurt you and that’s the last thing I ever wanted to do…I’m really sorry.”
Brian reached out, pulling his mate to him. Then wrapping him in his arms, murmured, “Mate, there’s nothin’ to forgive. I was just as freaked as ye.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t say…”
“Does nae matter. We’re in this together.” Brian replied. Nipping at his mate’s earlobe, he continued, “I love ye and always will…naw matter how many little sea dragons we have.”
Reif chuckled, “Good to know considering we’re starting out with five. I don’t think your sea serpent will be fucking my sea dragon again any time soon.”
“Ay…ready to see what the Oracle has to say?”
“Yeah…hopefully she can explain how this happened,” Reif replied.
“Ahh…I see the problem…ye dinna know how babies are made?”
“Wha…” Reif stared at his mate, then laughed. “My Nessie is a comedian, huh?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Brian smirked. “Only tryin’ to help ye with the birds and the bees.”
“Uh-huh, sure you were,” Reif smiled. Then, leaning in so only Brian could hear him, whispered, “I love you Nessie, with every part of me, now and forever.”
“Hey guys,” Logan called, “we need to leave in a few minutes cause the time is almost up for us to have the pool to ourselves.”
“Okay, we’re coming,” Reif said as he and Brian swam over to the ladder. Once they were dried and dressed, Reif, grasped Nessie’s hand and whispered, “I hope the Oracle isn’t going to tell us my sea dragon has more eggs in him.”