Chapter 19 #2
Hayden shrugged. “Define often? I mean, you know, if you live two thousand years, is every twenty years often? Is it every fifty years? Every decade?”
Wild. That didn’t make sense to Daniel’s soul. “Oh, you have a point, and I suppose there’s a rhythm to everything.”
“Yes. You know, sometimes it’s not that the parents died.”
Daniel frowned. “No?”
“No, maybe it’s that, for instance, if there are two human parents that are genetically magical, and they have recessive genes? Then they have this child that’s theirs, but they can’t raise it, and they don’t know why. You see what I mean?”
Daniel shuddered. “That’s horrible. Poor babies and poor parents. I can’t imagine suddenly having a child where you go, ‘this isn’t my baby’.”
“Yeah, it’s sort of like where changeling stories come from, I think. Although, I imagine there are changeling fae babies, too. Why should I not believe in other magical creatures? Look at Rita and Denise.”
“Yeah, they’re sort of intimidating, huh?” And he loved those ladies, but boy, he hoped he didn’t ever piss them off.
“They’re amazing.” Hayden’s grin was just so happy and loving, and Daniel hoped part of that was because of him because Hayden seemed so much less serious and grumpy since they had hooked up.
Daniel grabbed the soap and started washing his lover, just going over the long, smooth lines of his dragon’s skin, loving on him. “One way or the other, I’m sorry that Jacks’s parents were hurt, but I’m glad he’s here. I’m glad that he found you, and you found him. I know you two need each other.”
“And we both need you.” Hayden rubbed their noses together. “My magical mate.”
The words made Daniel beam. “Yes, love. All yours.” He kept washing, cupping Hayden’s balls, leaning down to scrub the heavy thighs. “You really think there’s a baby inside of me?”
Hayden leaned back for him. “I really do. We’ll know soon enough. You’ll be starting to show more symptoms than just being starving all the time.”
He stuck his tongue out. “Yeah, well, that could just be all of the wild exercise and, you know, crazy sex.”
Hayden chuckled, hair getting soaked from the shower, sending rivulets of water down that perfectly ripped little belly. “You know, that wouldn’t surprise me at all. We have had some amazing sex over the last few days. I’ve never been with someone in heat.”
“Is that what you call it?”
“Yes, that absolute unbearable need. It’s the solstice or the equinox, depending. It just builds the energy and we have these urges to create things—babies, I suppose. Not things. Although I did used to find myself very, very productive at those particular times of the year.”
“Yeah, I might be ruining that for you if all we’re going to do is have sex when that happens.” He had to grin at that because he felt a little naughty just saying it.
“I think if you’re pregnant, we probably won’t have heat again until after you have the baby.
But I’ve never had a mate before, so I could be wrong.
” Hayden pulled him close, their wet bodies slipping and sliding together.
This didn’t seem sexual so much as it did caring. Like Hayden just wanted to touch him.
“Oh, it’ll be interesting to see.” He was putting on a brave face, but he was really sort of concerned. He didn’t know if he could have a quarterly round of whatever had just happened between them this past week. It was exhausting and wonderful, but wildly tiring.
Hayden soaped him up, chuckling. “I don’t think we need to worry too much, okay?”
“That’s my job, love. I worry about everything.”
“I guess we all have to have a talent.” Hayden bent and kissed his nose.
“We do! Turn around. I’ll do your back.”
Hayden obliged, turning around easily and presenting him with that broad, muscled back that was just hot as hell. Daniel stroked and touched and loved on Hayden’s back, soaping up his shoulders and his butt, and just feeling good about everything.
By the time they dried off and got out of the shower, Daniel was feeling a little languid, a lot pampered, and very ready to have a good Christmas.
They went to check on Jacks, finding him playing happily in his crib, the mountain lion on the floor next to him, watching him like a hawk. “I really feel good when you’re on the job, buddy.” Hayden told the kitty.
Daniel picked up Jacks and went to change his diaper. “Are you hungry, baby boy? Because Dan Dan is hungry.”
Jacks clapped his hands and squealed, which Daniel took to mean, “God, yes, I’m starving.” So they all trooped downstairs where the kitchen smelled like the most amazing stuff—baked goods and maybe bacon. And there was Christmas music playing as Denise and Rita danced around together.
“Merry Christmas Eve,” Rita sang. “How are my favorite boys?”
Daniel grinned because that was great. All of them were boys from Hayden down to the kitty, so they could all take that any way they wanted.
“Good morning, ladies.” Hayden kissed both their cheeks in turn. “It smells amazing in here. What are we having for breakfast?”
“We made chocolate croissants, bacon, and fruit salad. Tomorrow we’ll have cinnamon rolls and sausage.”
“Yum!” Daniel beamed. “And there’s plenty of milk, right?”
“Would we make you do without over Christmas? You know we have your back.”
Daniel patted his belly, which was rumbling like an angry tiger. “I totally do. I trust you ladies with my life.”
“It’s a good thing, too,” Denise said. “You’re stuck with us.”
“Come here, Jacks. I’ll get your bottle for you.” Rita took Jacks in her arms, but he looked back at Daniel.
Bacon, bacon, bacon, bacon.
“You can have a couple of small pieces, buddy, okay? But you have to have your bot first.” Daniel always tried to compromise these days because that way Jacks didn’t get upset.
Little Jacks rolled his eyes but nodded, going to the ladies without a fuss.
I’m so proud of you, baby boy.
Jacks glanced at him, eyes shining. Luff, Dan Dan.
“I love you too.” And he did, his heart was just full of it. “What do we have for our plans today?”
Hayden beamed at him. “I thought we could have fondue for dinner, maybe play some games?”
“Fondue, huh?” That was random.
“It’s our tradition. We’ve done melted cheese for centuries.” Rita chuckled softly. “And tomorrow is roast and Yorkshire puddings.”
“All of that is amazing,” he admitted. “Tell me what you need from me, and I’ll help. The only thing I have to do is my wrapping. That might take an hour or so.”
He had all the things he’d bought when he’d gone to town, and he was pleased to say he thought they’d all still work for everyone, even Jacks.
He had been trying to think of things that would have long-term functionality, and, well, he’d managed it.
Which was good, because Jacks was going to be a teenager in mere seconds.
“That sounds perfect.” Hayden came to him, kissing his forehead.
It did. Somehow they had managed to make this amazing space up here in the middle of the mountains and the snow. It was a little unnerving, to be honest. But it was way more wonderful.
Daniel poured a cup of coffee and then wrinkled his nose, the scent vaguely off-putting. “I think I’m going to have tea this morning. Do you want this coffee, babe?”
Babe? I like that. Hayden looked at him, arched an eyebrow, then nodded. “I’ll take it, no worries. What kind of tea do you want?”
“Oh, I think I’ll have Earl Grey with some milk and a lot of honey.” That sounded like the perfect way to start his day.
“We can do that. Thankfully, the ladies love tea.”
“I know you love coffee and hot chocolate together and separately.” Daniel winked. “You’re so decadent sometimes for such a grumpy old man.”
Hayden pinched his butt. “Calling me old. I mean, I am. But you don’t have to rub it in, my amazing, beautiful mate.”
They teased each other, and the ladies giggled at them while they put together plates of amazing croissants, bacon, and fruit. It was such a wonderful, welcoming Christmas Eve breakfast.
He’d always loved Christmas with the kids that he nannied, but he’d always been the nanny and not family, no matter how wonderful the families were to him. This was his first time feeling like he was really a part of it all.
And Daniel loved it so much.
Jacks babbled at them, ate bacon, played with his fingers and his nose. The ladies played music and worked on getting things ready for the next day so they could take the rest of the day off. They all just enjoyed the morning.
When it started to snow, Daniel thought this might be the most magical Christmas he’d ever had.