Chapter 8
Chapter
Eight
Lachlan watched the herd of children and familiar animals run about, playing tag. They were all very careful of Micah, who sat on the family room floor on a blanket, slapping the floor and squealing.
The adults were currently waiting for the huge pans of lasagna to heat up.
Little Kaden was next to Micah, jabbering and blowing bubbles, and it was adorable.
His nephew, his… Micah. The twins and Grant and little Gwynne, plus Bea’s little boy who was so tall, his laughter filling the air.
Magic.
Best of all?
Kieran was down here, sitting next to Lars, chuckling softly, a gentle smile on his face.
“You look happy,” Logan told Lachlan, coming to stand beside him, arms crossed over his chest.
“I am. This is… more than I ever expected.”
“Mating feels like that to all of us, I think.” He got a quick grin, a wink.
“Does it? Good to know. My asshole brother rarely tells me anything about it.” Not that he didn’t adore his little bro, but the guy was deep in the mate and baby love right now.
“I think he has guilt. It’s time for him to get over it, hmm?” Logan’s grin was pure wickedness. He did love that about his fellow Guardian.
“I think you’re right. I might ask him to stay for a beer after everyone else goes.”
“I bet he’d love that. Lars seems to be really getting along with Kieran. I love that. He needs a friend.”
“Kieran or Lars?” he teased. Lars was a love, and everyone adored him, but he needed more people who were genuinely his friends.
“I meant Kieran. Lars is in this wing to his bones. He’ll make sure Kieran knows everyone, if Kieran gives him the chance.
” Logan glanced at Kieran again. “Oh, I think he will. He looks happier now than he has ever since I met him. You’re doing wonderful things with him, but I would love to see him leave the house.
If he won’t come to mine, maybe he’ll go to Lars’s, which is so comfy, you know. ”
“That’s my next goal, to get him to leave the house. I think he’ll feel safer going to someone else’s home and not out to, like, the Gold Digger or whatever, but we can work with it.”
“Well, the Gold Digger may feel a way outside the wing, hmm? And I imagine he wouldn’t want to go without you. Too many humans to see you.”
“That’s my thought, too. It’s just hanging out there on the road.” He shrugged. “They do have great food, though. Bryant has brought me some. He could go with Lars.”
I want to share with you. I want to be with you, Lachlan.
We’ll order in some stuff from there maybe tomorrow. They have pizza and burgers… So yum.
You promised jalapeno toothpicks and onion rings too.
I did. So we’ll do it. He beamed across the room at Kieran, so proud to be his mate.
Kieran winked at him, and didn’t that warm him up, balls to bones?
“You are so fucked,” Logan told him.
“I know. Isn’t it grand?”
“Yeah. Absolutely. Congrats, buddy. I’m tickled for you.”
“Thanks. You want to play some cards? We could beat our brothers’ asses.”
“Sounds great. Where do you want to set up? In here?”
He nodded. He loved the idea of a big, happy group filling his castle, making memories and joy.
Suddenly, one of the kids started crying, and all of the adults went on alert. Uh-oh. Someone had fallen.
Grant popped up in front of him. “Unca! Help!”
Then the little one grabbed his hand and pulled.
“Coming. Coming, Grant.”
Lachlan went with him, and it was the twins. One had fallen, and now both were crying.
“Oh, my sweet babies. Unca is here.”
Ari had a skinned knee, and Mari was freaking out because of the blood.
Thank goodness Logan was right there to scoop Ari up, leaving him to cradle Mari.
He rocked her. “Sister will be just fine. Knees can hurt so much.” He was just crooning nonsense.
“Her knees cried!”
“Yes, but your daddy will help it. He’ll fix it.”
“Promise?”
“Promise. It’s not bad.”
“Okay.” She leaned on him. So tired. He could feel it in his own bones.
“Do you want to come let me rock you a minute?”
“Will you?”
“Always. I will always rock you.” He lifted her, wrapping his wings around her.
“Tank you.” She sighed, her tears stopping. Poor sweet baby.
“Of course.” He went to his rocking chair and cradled her, keeping her cocooned and protected until her sister felt better.
One she did, Logan brought her over to show both sisters that everything was fine. Lachlan took them both, rocking them to sleep so they could go down for a nap.
When his arms were empty, Micah demanded uppies with raised hands and a grunt.
“Hello, sweet one.” He scooped Micah up, snuggling him too. He loved that the babies didn’t care that he was malformed. They found his wings comforting.
You are not malformed. You are wondrous. Kieran defended him so furiously. And your son loves you.
My son. Oh, his heart pounded at the thought, and he was so damn proud. He bent to kiss Micah’s head, because there was so much love in his heart. You’re so special, little one.
Micah trilled softly, the sound utterly filled with joy.
That’s right. My special boy — sweet one.
He loves you so.
I adore him too.
Kieran’s pleasure was a tangible thing, and he wallowed in it.
In fact, he was getting to the point where he was going to start shooing people out the door soon.
He wanted some time with his mate.
Alone.
Close.
He wanted a kiss.
Mmm. Kisses. I might be ready for more, mate.
Oh, damn.
I will give you everything you desire. Anything.
You, mate. Kieran sounded so sure.
I’m ready. He winked across the space between them. I promise.
You look good, holding Micah. He’s so happy and comfortable.
He stared down at Micah, who was babbling at him, he thought telling him about the twins and how Micah didn’t like to see them sad. He’s special.
He is. Kieran smiled as Kaden crawled into his lap for a snuggle. They are so giving with their love.
Yes. He held Kaden in his other arm, watching the two wee ones engage in a sort of patty cake.
It was adorable, and he sat back, just holding them, relaxing with them. Soon enough, Kieran had joined them, leaning against his side, small enough to fit in the space.
He smiled over at his mate. “How are you, dear one? All is well?”
“I am great. Everyone is having such a good time. You’re putting Logan to shame with your hosting skills.”
“Nonsense. They’re enjoying themselves. It’s lovely, though, to have the most child-focused house.” He loved his bouncy, safe, joyous castle.
“It is.” Kieran gave him a searching look. “Do you want children?”
“More children, you mean? Because Micah is mine. If you’re willing? Yes.” He was not the one that had to carry a child to term, though, so he would respect Kieran’s wishes.
“Oh, good. I think Micah would be such a good big brother.”
His heart stuttered at that. He wanted the whole picture with a deep, abiding passion.
“He does love other children.” It was such a milquetoast thing to say, when he really wanted this to roar and tell everyone to get out of his house so that he could love on his mate.
That wouldn’t have been very polite, though. He was a very nice, polite guardian, and he wanted Kieran to think so too.
And then it was a moot point, because his brother, Bryant, came to stand in front of him. “You got a minute, bro?”
“I do…” He frowned and stood, handing Micah to Kieran and Kaden to his father. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to… Check in?” Bryant’s cheeks went a little pink, bringing out his ruby scales. “We haven’t talked much about—stuff.”
“Stuff?” He wasn’t sure exactly what Bryant meant. He wasn’t a virgin…
“Yeah.” Bryant fidgeted, and Kieran poked him in the back, jerking his head toward Bryant when Lachlan glanced at him.
“Well, let’s go to the kitchen.”
“All right.”
He followed Bryant to the kitchen, completely unsure of what it was that they were supposed to be discussing.
He knew how to have sex. His penis still worked. He’d seen it. He’d touched it. It wasn’t a dragon-shaped penis. It wasn’t preternaturally long, and it didn’t have scales or wings, so that should be fine.
In fact, it might be hot having sex with his wings.
He assumed that Kieran would find it hot.
It is kind of hot.
His cheeks went hot. Thank you, mate. I don’t think you’re supposed to be eavesdropping.
But I want to know what Bryant wants to talk about so badly.
Oh well, in that case, eavesdrop away.
He heard Kieran’s soft mental giggle, but then he focused on his brother since they were alone finally. “What’s up?”
“So, you and Kieran have worked out… stuff?”
“You keep saying stuff. Say what you mean.”
“I’m just worried.”
He blinked. “About what?”
He was going to beat his brother to death.
“Well, we haven’t talked. You’re always talking to Lars and Logan. Are you mating with him now?”
“Lars?”
“No!”
Kieran’s giggle was adorable.
“Surely you’re not talking about Logan…”
“I’m not! I’m talking about Kieran. You ass.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my ass.” He winked at his brother. “And yes, he’s really starting to come into his own, and he seems happy.”
“I’m glad.”
“I am too.” He would have been Kieran’s one way or the other, but it was nice for Kieran to be able to come down and be a part of the wing.
“I just wanted to make sure it was all good. That you didn’t need anything. I— I miss you.”
Lachlan sobered. “I was going to pull you aside today, in fact.”
“Yeah?”
“You know it. We should hang out. Lars and Kieran won’t mind, and I’d love to fly with you for a while.”
“That would rock.” Bryant’s whole body relaxed. “Cool. I don’t want us to get all awkward again.”
“No, I don’t want that either of course.” Lachlan reached over and snagged his brother, wrapping an arm and a wing around him. “It’s just been so busy here and I’ve been concentrating on my mate. I don’t want him to feel like he has to worry about anything right now. It’s been so hard for him.”
“Micah looks like he’s really blossoming.” Bryant hugged him back. “I’m proud of you brother.”
“Are you?” Lachlan teased “I thought you were worried about stuff.” He waved his free hand in the air like Bryant had.
“Well I know you’re no virgin, but I’m not sure how much sex you’ve had since your body changed so much.
I know Kieran had a really rough time before he came here, and I wasn’t sure how he would feel about being intimate.
” Bryant shrugged against him, his expression slightly uncomfortable, which was good because really Lachlan’s “intimate” life was none of his business.
But he got it. His brother was actually being really sweet and concerned and not mean at all.
“I think we’ll do pretty well together. We’ll take it slow and not do anything he doesn’t want to do but I’m ready, for sure.”
So am I-iiiii, Kieran sing-songed in his head.
His cheeks went hot and smoke blew from his nose.
Bryant arched an eyebrow and grinned. “It’s like that, is it?”
“It so is. I— I’m all in, brother.”
“Good.” Bryant clapped him on the arm. “That’s the best.”
“It is. I’m—thank you for bringing him to me.”
“I’m just glad he’s where he needs to be.”
Lachlan was too. This was his lover. His mate. The dragon who had his son.
“So, let’s fly soon. Pick a time.”
“How about tomorrow morning?” Bryant said, glancing at Kieran. “After you two have some alone time.”
“That sounds perfect. Will we go have breakfast at the coffee shop?” He felt comfortable enough, especially if they went at a non-busy time, to stop by the coffee shop in the bookstore, and then he could bring something home for Kieran and Micah.
Oh, a book for Micah would be fun
“That sounds amazing. I’ll pop over in the morning.”
“Cool.” He bumped Bryant’s shoulder. “Next time, if you’re worried, you don’t have to wait. You can just tell me.”
Bryant nodded, gaze knowing. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? We’ve created new families.”
Lachlan nodded, because it was true on so many levels.
He had a mate, he had a son, he had his brother and Lars and little Kaden, but then beyond that he had both sets of twins and Grant and Gwyn, Bea’s little boy, the wing.
His world had exploded exponentially.
And there was Alban, who he’d honestly never believed for a second he would have in his home, making his life easier.
“I’m a lucky dragon.”
“You are.” Bryant glanced over at Lars, his expression softening. “So am I.”
“You so are, brother. You are owned in the most deep personal way.” Lachlan winked at Bryant, who didn’t even bother to argue.
His brother just nodded. “I think it’s about time for me to take everybody home. Kaden needs his supper and then bedtime.”
Oh, he was so ready for everyone to go home so he could love on his mate. “He was great today.”
“He loves Micah. He’s his very best buddy. You should see him light up when we say we’re coming over to visit.”
“I have faith that soon we’ll be coming over to visit you as well.”
“Little steps, right?” Bryant understood, and he loved that about his brother. They all had their things that required little steps instead of great leaps. And he had more than most.
But Bryant loved him fiercely no matter what.
“So. I will gather up my mate and kid and get everyone moving out, okay?”
“I appreciate you, Bryant. I love having everybody over but I’m ready to be with my mate.” He squeezed Bryant one more time, giving him a good hard hug. Then he kind of gave him a little push. “Off you go.”
Bryant laughed and swept off to murmur something to Lars before the two of them were picking up children and casserole dishes and shooing dragons toward the door.
It took maybe a half an hour, but soon enough the silence rang out in the house.
Sure it was weird to have it so suddenly empty but, at the same time, now he could focus on Kieran.
“Should we see if Michah will go down for a little nap, love?” he asked.
“Oh I think he’s totally ready.” Kieran’s soft expression and hot gaze made his body harden.
“Well then.” Lachlan spread his wings a little and ruffled them. “Let’s do that then.”
Kieran laughed, but he dutifully picked Micah up, and they started toward the upstairs. Even if nothing more came of it than some snuggling and talking for them in bed, it would be worth it.
Lachlan felt like it was time to be intimate, and he was ready. He had a feeling Kieran was as well.