Chapter Eight #2
“Oh honey, please, rub my feet, they’re so swollen,” she feigned weakness. “Honey, I’m craving a hot fudge sundae. Would you be a doll and make me one? Get my drift?”
“I am so all over that. I have much to learn from you, oh wise one.” And I had a bestie to be for the first time.
How had I never seen how toxic my life was before?
Meandering through it, allowing others to use me, and now I had a new family who wanted me for me.
I’d merely survived all those years, hiding from love and sheltering myself from others to keep from getting hurt the way my parents had absolutely crushed me.
Our children would always know they were loved, even when they’d done something wrong.
Given the comments I’d heard so far about Kyson and his devilish youth, there was no way our two weren’t mischief bound.
And I couldn’t wait for those days to come.
No matter what mischief they brought we’d weather these challenges together as a family.
I had a family of my own and they’d not rejected me.
“I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen Kyson this happy,” Azure whispered beside me. “This is good, you’re good for him,” she nudged my shoulder with hers. “You brought the family back together.”
“Me?” I questioned and pointed at myself as if someone else stood in my place. I glanced across the clearing, beside what I’d learned was Kyson’s childhood home, at my mate. When our eyes met, he smiled and winked.
I had teased Kyson that he’d tamed the shrew, but it was me who had tamed the surly dragon in return.
“Kobalt had mentioned your first pregnancy was challenging. Is this one starting off the same way?” Nerves were hitting about mine.
“So far,” she knocked on the wood tabletop, “so good. What about you?”
“Given I didn’t even know I was pregnant it’s about the same. Hopefully it’ll stay that way. I’m a horrible sick person.”
“Most men are, Juni,” Azure laughed. “There are enough Cinders here to help though.”
Their younger sister, Kallie, and her baby, Pilot, joined us. “How old is he?”
“About three months now,” Kallie said. “Want to hold him?”
Normally this was where I’d bow out, but new leaf and all that. “Please, show me how.” Screwing this up would earn me that kick out of the clan I feared.
Kallie came around the table. “Cradle your arms like a bowl.” As soon as I did she laid Pilot in them.
“Now, always make sure you’re holding their head until they’re able to do it themselves.
Dragons are a bit different than human babies, given they grow a lot faster, but in the beginning their care is much the same. ”
Good to know. As I stared down at the sleeping angel in my arms, it hit that this would soon be me.
You’re a natural, sweetheart.
I glanced up and there was Kyson, his eyes filled with love. Had I not been sitting I’d have likely fallen over.
Pilot is such a good baby.
I can’t wait to hold ours.
Me too, Juni.
Reluctantly, when a plate of food appeared in front of me, I had to give Pilot back to his mother. Right after Uncle Kyson got in a few cutesy coos first, of course. But before we could hand him over, Nana Felicia swooped in and stole him.
Are you having fun, Juni?
I really am. Everyone has been so nice.
Told you they would be.
Can’t blame me for being skeptical. Past history and traumas take time to work through.
Understood.
Food and conversation flowed way past dark. When the crowd dissipated as they all returned home I went to help clean up and realized there was nothing left to do. Where had the time gone? I don’t remember ever having a day I didn’t glance at a clock a million times.
Sure you do, every day since you met Kyson.
Talk about an epiphany.
“You’ll soon learn, dragons don’t leave messes. We burn most of our trash and if one of us doesn’t help, the rest will call them out on it,” Kyson said.
“Wow, humans could learn a lot from dragons.”
“Too bad they turn a blind eye to everything. Come on, let’s head inside. Mom saved dessert for us.”
“Ooohhh, you had me at dessert.” Yeah, my no sugar diet went to shit when Kyson took over feeding me and I had zero complaints about that.
“Decaf?” Felicia asked when we stepped into the kitchen.
“Yes, please.” My uncaffeinated brain was slowing down and it was best to keep it that way in order to sleep tonight.
I’d peopled way past my peopling hour, and my head was due for a time out.
“Just cream.” She placed the cup along with a plate with a huge brownie in front of me.
“Thank you, this looks wonderful.” The first bite proved it was as I released the most salacious moan. “Sorry, low sugar.”
“Right,” Felicia winked. “You did well today Juni, especially given we threw the entire clan at you.”
“It was a lot, but they were all so nice to me.” Huh, when had I ever said, let alone thought that?
Never.
Kyson wandered off with his father and left Felicia and me in the kitchen. “Juni, I know this is overwhelming and we’re a lot. But you never need to fear us. We will always protect you and the babies, and you will never be without love.”
Didn’t I say those same words to myself earlier today but about our babies?
Mate, you don’t have to answer any of her nosy questions.
It’s okay, I like her. She makes me feel…I don’t know, calm, welcome, if that makes sense.
Whatever you feel comfortable with it what you should do. Heading out to the shop with dad so I’m only a few minutes away.
“I don’t know how much of my past, or my family, Kyson has shared with you, but love wasn’t celebrated or even a word that was used in our house.”
When there was no air of surprise, I assumed she already knew that.
“I’ll be a work in progress, though I’ve already seen and felt positive changes in me since mating with Kyson. I hope that doesn’t sound weird. I promise I’m not.” But wasn’t I? I mean, isn’t everyone in their own way unique?
“He shared bits and pieces and about the run in with your mother when you were packing up your place,” the protective mother snarled. “Have you heard from her since?”
“Nope, not a peep.” Nor did I expect to, but that was my burden to bear.
“We’re big, we’re nosy, and we’re in each other’s business, but always with the best of intentions. If any of us overstep, call us out on it and we’ll back off. Now, I understand cooking lessons have been requested?”
My face heated. “That would be lovely.”
“Great. Once you guys get up here, which from what I understand will be next week?” I nodded.
“Then we’ll get to it. Usually, the spouses that don’t work for Cinders hang out here, unless they have dragonets to tend to.
We feed the troops, so to speak. Me, Azure, sometimes Ashley, Kyra’s mate and Kallie now that she’s taking a bit of time off for Pilot.
She and Ashley help with the office work for the company, and all the others are the muscle on the team. ”
“I can’t wait.”
Too bad I can’t have any wine for the next few months. This felt like one of those lessons that should come with a bottle and a giant straw. Hopefully I didn’t burn the kitchen down…