Chapter 43 #2
“Thank the fucking gods. I don’t think I can take many more days like yesterday.”
“Dinna worry,” Brian said, “ye have all day to rest up for tonight.”
“Tonight? No way. A day isn’t enough time for me to recover. I think I need at least a year and that may be pushing it,” Reif groaned, turning over to face his gorgeous sea serpent. “Honestly, Nessie, I can’t do a repeat of last night.”
“Ay, that’s guid because the Shaman has something else in mind.”
“No drinking or dancing? That would work. What are we doing this evening?”
“Everyone’s comin’ here for dinner. The Shaman’s havin’ it catered by my guid friend, Morgan,” said Brian. “I’m eager for ye to meet him.”
“Me, too,” Reif mumbled. Then, yawning, closed his eyes before asking, “Did you check on the eggs?”
“Ay, everything’s guid,” replied Brian, snuggling against his mate. “Very, very, guid.”
~/~/~/~/~
Logan stood at the steps leading up to the plane’s cabin, taking one more look around, knowing he was going to miss Scotland even though he was eager to get home to see his brothers.
Last night’s dinner was the perfect way to end their stay—by sharing a meal with family and friends.
The evening was filled with stories and laughter, making it hard to bring it to an end, but they all had to be up early in the morning.
After singing Auld Lang Syne and having a last look at the eggs, good-byes were said, with promises to return.
“Macushla,” Kieran murmured, trying to get his mate’s attention.
“Yeah, babe?”
“I’m going to miss it, too, but the best thing about leaving is knowing we are going to be back to do the sea dragons’ nursery,” Kieran said, smiling.
“And don’t forget the stuff we’re designing for the Scottish Wolves,” Logan said, just as Groose approached with Queenie’s covered cage, gingerly holding it out to him at arm’s length.
“Oh yes, the wolves, too. I have so many ideas,” Kieran said, climbing the plane’s steps. “C’mon, macushla, let’s go home. Our work is finished here…for now.”
~/~/~/~/~
Following the GPS instructions to the town of Blackwood, Hunter pulled into a gas station that time forgot, with faded yellow paint covering a Spanish mission-style store and two antiquated red gas pumps out front.
Climbing out of the motorhome, he stretched his body, cramped by so many hours of driving. Looking around, he spied a small, white, Victorian house nestled among the trees, then, hearing footsteps to his left, shifted his gaze.
“Hi, I’m Bobby. Fill’er up?”
“Yeah, that’d be great,” Hunter answered.
“Where you from?” he asked, flipping open the cover to the fuel tank.
“Back east.”
“Oh, on vacation,” Bobby said.
“That, and visiting family,” replied Hunter, noticing a dirt road leading up the mountain side, wondering where it led.
“Sounds like fun.”
“Hey, Bobby, do you think anyone would mind if I parked over there?” Hunter asked, pointing to the dirt road. “Just for an hour or so.”
“No, go ahead. Nobody uses it anymore.”
“Thanks,” Hunter said, handing over his charge card.
~/~/~/~/~
Hearing the helicopters approaching, Jackson left his study, heading for the great room where Steel and Daniel waited for him. “Where’s everyone else?” he asked, reaching for Daniel.
“Out on the porch, waiting for us,” Steel said, following his mate outside.
“Have you spotted them yet?” Jackson asked.
“No, but they should be coming into view soon,” replied Dylon.
“How many helicopters?” Carson asked.
“Three,” replied Steel.
“Why so many?” asked Cody.
“Well, there’s Mom, Dad, Lizzie, Sofia, Ian’s parents, Logan and Kieran, Colton and Ian, Dakota and Slate, Zane and David, Theo and Norm, and Fionn and Adam,” Steel answered.
“Holy Sh…eet!” Carson exclaimed.
“Look, there they are,” Jackson said, pointing up and to the west. “Daniel, look.”
Clapping his hands, Daniel babbled, “Gaga, gaga.”
“That’s right, your grandparents,” said Steel, kissing his son’s head.
Looking over at Jake and Jessica, Jackson smirked as his brother and Dylon were trying to hold their two wriggling pups who clearly wanted to be on the ground. “Having problems, bro?” he asked.
“Uh, no…maybe,” Cody said, repositioning Jake in his arms. “I have no idea what got into these two today, but I swear someone spiked their milk. Look Jake, Grandma’s here.”
Shifting his gaze, Jackson watched as the three helicopters landed, finally feeling a great sense of relief.
He wasn’t kidding when he’d told Fionn the house was too lonely with more than half his brothers gone.
And it wasn’t just the teasing and joking that spiced up their lives; he also missed the camaraderie that had been forged in the aftermath of their parents’ and siblings’ death.
During those bleak years when they were all facing death, a special bond had evolved, growing stronger as each obstacle was overcome.
Suddenly, the helicopter doors opened, and Jackson saw his twin emerge holding a… bird cage? What the fuck!
“Is that what I think it is?” asked Carson.
“Did Logan tell you about acquiring a bird?” asked Cody.
“Ah, that would be a big ‘no,’” mumbled Jackson, watching impatiently as everyone debarked from the helicopters, making their way to the front porch.
“Yo, Alpha, we’re home,” grinned Kieran.
“Luckily we had lots of food on the plane so you don’t have to worry about feeding us which is probably a good thing since there are a few more of us so let me introduce you to the newest members of the Blackwood Pack starting with my pink talking bird, Queenie.
I would take the cover off but macushla told me if I valued his life, which I do very much, the cover had to stay on at least until he is up in our studio and then you can come and meet him.
Over there is David and his pet Móndaslu, who’s a Sheltie guinea pig, which means he comes from the Shetland Islands because David wanted a Scottish pet since everything good that ever happened to him, happened in Scotland.
His friend Brian, who’s a sea serpent, named him so if you’re wondering, it’s a Scottish name.
This is Sofia, David’s mother and a very nice lady, over here is Adam, he’s here to help David and I think you met Fionn but I’m not sure you met Ian’s parents, Samuel and Lili.
Maxie and Oracle met Mystia at the airport so they’ll be along eventually cause I know they are eager to see their grandpup.
Miss L will be joining us shortly but Frankie flew out to meet her at the airport because he missed her so I’m pretty sure they are doing some hanky panky by now. ”
“Dude!” Dylon said, his cheeks turning red. “That’s my mother and father you’re talking about.”
“Duh, I know that but what’s the problem? How do you think you were made? Anyway, I think it’s beautiful to see how much love they have for each other. So, what else is new?”