by Leilani Love
Emily blushed and nodded, and Hope smiled before loudly saying, "Your eggs are getting cold. You really should come down and eat this breakfast my mom made you."
There was a squeak in the floorboards, and Hope grinned. "He's been waiting for a bit. Thought I would give him a break."
When Liam came downstairs and Emily saw the light flush on his cheeks, she mouthed, “Thank you.”
He winked at her before walking over. He poured two cups of coffee, putting sugar and milk into Emily’s before handing it to her. "You two are up early this morning."
Hope grinned. "My fault."
Liam grabbed his plate and stayed on the other side of the island. "I'm sure your mom was more than happy to see you."
He gave Hope a soft smile, and Emily was happy to see Hope match it. Before they could say anything, there was a knock on the door. Hope chuckled. "I bet that's Damien."
Emily started to get up but Liam said, "You two stay. I’ll let him in."
Hope leaned over and whispered, "I bet he brought donuts and some breakfast sandwiches."
Emily stood as Damien came in with Kassandra, Liam smiling behind them. Damien held up a container. "I knew you were hogging Mom and didn't want her to try to cook for all of us." Damien kissed Emily on the cheek and wrapped his arms around her for a big hug. "I saw Warrick outside. He’ll be over shortly."
With everyone around the kitchen island, Liam came up behind Emily and put a hand on her waist. Smiling up at him, she listened to her children tease each other for a minute before interrupting. “Do you think it's too early to see how Hunter’s doing?"
Liam’s hand tensed on her hip. He held still, holding his breath as he waited for an answer.
Kassandra spoke up first. "Viktor and Aithne are both probably already awake. If you’d like, I can take you up there."
Liam’s hold on her relaxed. "Why don't you finish your breakfast and then you can take me?"
Emily smiled at him. "We can also see what your other sons are up to.”
He nodded and gently squeezed her hip. Damien handed Kassandra a bagel sandwich before offering one to Liam. "Knowing Violca, she spent most the night watching over your son."
Liam didn’t do more than take a few bites of his breakfast. A knock on the door caused Damien to stand. “That’s probably for me. Why don’t you two finish getting ready and I’ll take you to Viktor’s?”
Liam kissed the top of Emily’s head. "Let me go get your socks and shoes. You stay down here."
"Thank you," Emily said, her eyes drawn to his firm ass as he walked up the stairs. Kassandra cleared her throat, and Emily quickly looked away. When her eyes met Kassandra’s, she blushed at being caught.
"He seems like a nice guy," Kassandra said, adjusting herself in the chair. She winced slightly as she put her hand on her belly. "I swear your grandchild is going to be a soccer player despite whatever your son says."
"We don't play soccer," Damien announced, giving Emily a big grin as he and Warrick entered the kitchen. "Football maybe, but soccer?" He groaned and made a face.
Emily laughed, and Kassandra’s stomach moved.
Emily asked, "Do you mind if I feel?"
Kassandra shook her head and placed Emily’s hand over the top of her belly. "At this point, I’m not sure if it’s kicking me or just trying to make more room."
Emily’s cheeks hurt from smiling so big as the baby pushed against her hand. When it fluttered, she laughed and looked up to see Liam in the doorway grinning at her. "Damien and Hope were both very active. I would watch my stomach and it seemed so unreal."
Removing her hand, she excused herself and got up to put on her shoes and socks. Once they were both ready to go, she went into the kitchen and looked at her kids and their mates. She had dreamed of this moment for so very long. When she wiped a tear from her cheek, she heard Liam behind her. "Are you okay?"
Nodding, she looked over her shoulder. "My heart is just..."
Liam wrapped his arms around her. "If you want, you can stay here and enjoy time with your kids. I understand."
Shaking her head, she reached up and cupped Liam’s cheek. "No, my kids are okay, and I'm here with them thanks to you. Let's go see how your sons are doing."
Liam smiled and gave her a quick kiss before releasing her. Taking his hand, she was surprised when Damien and Warrick stood and helped both women stand. Damien grinned. "Kassandra and Hope are going to hang out at home with Warrick while we go and check on Hunter."
“Thank you,” Emily said as they all left the house together.
Chapter 25
It wasn't long before they pulled through the open gate to Viktor's house. Liam had been quiet the entire way as he sat in the front with Damien. He was grateful Damien just spoke to Emily, seeming to know he wasn't in a place to talk.
When they got to the front door, Damien reached for the knob, surprised when a very tall redhead pulled it open before he could.
Her hands on her hips, she shook her head and rolled her eyes. "I knew you would be coming soon and wanted to meet your mom and the bear whose children are managing to eat more food than you."
The redhead’s green eyes sparkled with mischief, and her lips curved in a smile as she teased him.
"I'm so sorry..."
"Oh, no,” she interrupted. “I am really just teasing. Seriously, my cook has been in heaven. She has complained that since Chase moved out with Violca and the girls, she hasn't had enough people to cook for." She reached out and took his hand in hers in a firm shake and smiled. "My name is Aithne. I am sorry I wasn't here yesterday to meet you."
Damien grinned. "This is Liam, and this is my mother, Emily."
It wasn't often Liam met women who were almost as tall as him. When she turned her attention to Emily, Emily tilted her head up and blinked with surprise. When their hands touched, Emily froze, her face going blank as it did when she was seeing something. He took a step closer, afraid she might pass out like she had before.
As fast as the moment hit, it seemed to disappear, and Emily’s eyes fluttered before she shook Aithne's hand. "I'm sorry. It's lovely to meet you."
A look of understanding crossed Aithne's face. "Don't apologize. Your son told me you were a seer."
Emily nodded. "I am. Aithne is a beautiful name. It fits you very well."
“Thank you. Come, let’s get out of the doorway. The doctor was here earlier, and Violca is currently upstairs with Hunter. I’m sure you want to check on him.”
“Should I ask where my other two sons are?” Liam said as he followed her deeper into the house and up the stairs.
Aithne chuckled and looked over her shoulder. “They actually checked on him and Madison earlier then decided to go into town.”
Liam let out a groan, and Aithne laughed. “They’ll be fine. Two of the guards went with them. I think they said something about needing to find some coffee to go with all the bacon they ate.”
Emily chuckled, and Liam rolled his eyes. “Great.”
Aithne was the first to reach the door and knock on it. A soft voice called for them to enter, and Aithne opened the door and stood to the side. “I’ll give you guys some time alone. If you need anything, I’ll be downstairs,” she said before closing the door after her.
Violca was standing next to the bed, and Liam felt a sense of relief at seeing his son. “He looks like he’s doing good.”
Violca’s face softened as she brushed the hair back from Hunter’s forehead. “I think so too. The doctor said he should be getting enough nutrients. We’re just waiting for him to decide to wake up.”
Liam’s hand trembled as he reached out and took his son’s. This was the best Liam had seen him look since they’d gotten him back. Hunter’s chest rose and fell steadily. His color had almost returned to normal, and there was no longer a sheen of sweat on his skin. Liam took a deep breath. He no longer smelled the sickness that worried him, but there was still a trace of something dark.
“How’s Madison?”
Emily asked Violca.
“The doctor checked her out last night. Most of her bigger injuries have healed. I asked the doctor to hold off on telling her about the baby until I talked to you both. The poor girl looks like she has been through hell and back. I was thinking it would be a good idea if you were there when we told her.”
Liam looked at Emily, who was nodding her head. “Thank you. I would like to be there.”
Violca tilted her head. “I will leave you guys alone for a bit.”
Before Violca could leave the room, Liam stopped her. “Thank you for helping my son and Madison.”
Violca took his hand and squeezed. “It’s truly my pleasure.”
With that, she stepped from the room and closed the door with a soft click. Emily walked over to the head of the bed. “He does look a lot better.”
“Even his scent has improved,” Liam said while studying her reaction as her hand gently brushed against his son’s.
Emily must have known what he was thinking. “I’m sorry. I don’t have the answers you’re looking for.”
A sigh escaped him. “Should I ask what you saw when you shook Aithne’s hand?”
Emily tilted her head and blushed. “Let’s just say it’s not a coincidence her name means fire.”
Liam opened his mouth to ask her more questions, but there was a soft tap on the door. It flew open and Damien stood in the doorway, his chest heaving. “I’m sorry, but I have to go. Warrick called. Both their waters broke.”
Emily took a step forward, her eyes lighting up before she paused.
Liam couldn’t let her miss this. “We’re coming with you.” Liam squeezed his son’s hand one last time. “We’ll be back. I love you.”
Liam placed his hand on Emily’s back, and Damien gave him a nod before leading them both to where Violca was waiting for them. “I’ll call you if anything changes and let your sons and Madison know where you are.”
“Thank you,” Emily and Liam said together as Damien ushered them all out.
Emily glanced over her shoulder and winked at Liam as Damien all but shoved them out the front door. Her eyes sparkled with the laughter she held back.
As they drove to the hospital, Liam remembered that anxious feeling he had when his wife had gone into labor with his kids. He was just as much so with the third as the first.
Emily giggled from the backseat, and he glanced behind him to see her smiling. “Damien and Hope were a little competitive as children. The fact that his mate and sister are in labor at the same time is not as surprising as it should be.”
Damien’s lips twitched, and Emily leaned forward and placed her hand on her son’s arm. “I promise, you will make it in time to see both children be born. They will be healthy and full of mischief.”
Damien relaxed and chuckled. “And spoiled by their grandmother.”
“Well, that goes without saying,” Emily teased before sitting back in her seat.
It didn’t take long to reach the hospital. Liam placed his hand on Emily’s back as they followed Damien into the maternity ward. When an elderly nurse saw Damien, she placed her hands on her hips and gave an exasperated sigh. “We placed both women in the same room so the doctor could easily see them together. Warrick is already inside.” She glanced at Emily and Liam, giving them a polite smile. “I’m sorry, but only one of you will be allowed in the room.”
Liam kissed Emily’s forehead. “I’ll be in the waiting room.”
“Thank you,” she mouthed before following the nurse.
Taking a seat, he looked at the magazines sitting on different tables around the room. Grabbing the closest one to him, he flipped through it, prepared to be there as long as Emily needed him to be.
Chapter 26
Emily held her daughter’s hand, who squeezed it tightly with each contraction as the doctor and nurses took their positions. She stood between the two beds closest to Hope while Damien and Warrick both held their mates’ hands, whispering words of encouragement and wiping the sweat off their mates’ brows.
“One more good push,” both the nurse and doctor said simultaneously.
Emily held her breath as Hope gripped her hand, and both girls let out loud, painful screams just before the sound of two newborn babies letting out their first cries pierced the air.
“It’s a girl,” the doctor said just before the nurse said, “It’s a boy.”
Both fathers kissed their wives before following the nurses to watch the babies get cleaned up and swaddled. The nurses carefully placed the newborn babies into their fathers’ arms.
Emily wiped away her happy tears before kissing her daughter on the cheek. “You did good.”
Hope looked at her, the tears in her eyes making them sparkle even more than normal. “I’m so happy you were here for this.”
“Me too,” she agreed, kissing Hope’s forehead before going to check on Kassandra.
Brushing Kassandra’s blonde hair from her face, Emily smiled as Damien approached with a big grin, their daughter in his arms. He carefully placed the baby in Kassandra’s outstretched arms.
Emily smiled as she looked at the newborn baby girl, her head full of dark hair and face scrunched up. She almost instinctively calmed down as Kassandra held her to her chest.
A glance at Hope showed Warrick placing their son in her arms. His small head was full of golden-brown hair, and his face turned red at his discomfort at being passed off. His let out a cry, making the happy parents chuckle in amusement.
“Leave it to you guys to give birth at the same time,” the doctor said, shaking his head, his smile betraying his scolding tone. “I’ll give you a few moments, and then we’ll take them for a quick examination.”
The doctor and nurses left the room, and Emily kissed Damien on the cheek. “I’m going to tell the others we have a healthy girl and boy.”
Emily walked out into the waiting room and was surprised to see Dominic and Talon had joined Liam, along with Viktor, Aithne, Chase, and Violca. Giving them all a very bright smile, she announced, “Damien and Kassandra have a beautiful girl and Warrick and Hope a lovely little boy.”
There was a loud cheer, and Liam took Emily’s hands in his and kissed her cheek. “Good thing our house is so close to theirs. It will make it easier for you to spoil them.”
Emily’s eyes widened, but before she could ask if he was sure, the door swished open behind her. Damien and Warrick proudly entered the waiting area, babies tucked in their arms.
Damien tilted his bundle so they could see his beautiful daughter and, with a proud smile, said, “I would like you to meet Rhea Emily.”
Warrick smiled and adjusted his son in his arms. “And her cousin, Marcellas William.”
Everyone went to see the new babies. Emily felt a tear slide down her cheek as she watched the women appropriately fawn over the babies while the men stood back a little, giving the fathers proper praise for having such strong babies. The babies both scrunched up their faces and let out loud cries. Two nurses approached, saying they would take the babies to finish getting them examined.
Emily giggled as the doting fathers reluctantly relinquished their babies to the nurses. Viktor reached into his pocket, pulled out a pack of cigars, and handed each of the new dads one before doling out the rest to the men in the group. “You two have a lot to be proud of, and some traditions are worth keeping.”
Dominic smelled his cigar and grinned. “Genuine Cubans.”
Viktor scoffed. “Did you think I would get anything less to celebrate such a fine occasion?”
Aithne rolled her emerald green eyes. “Just make sure you smoke those outside.”
Viktor wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close, his blue eyes looking down at her as his lips twitched in amusement. “As you wish, my queen.”
A lovely blush that almost matched her hair touched her cheeks, making the group laugh.
Emily hugged Damien first before giving one to Warrick. Placing her hand on his scarred cheek, she smi
led softly. “Your parents are both very proud of you. You honor them greatly.”
Warrick’s brows shot up in surprise, and his voice caught as he whispered, “Thank you.”
Warrick went back into the room first, and Damien hesitated, his eyes going to Emily.
“Go take care of your mate. I’m sure we can get a ride home, and I’ll make sure the house is ready for your return,” she encouraged him.
Damien gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, Mom.”
Damien hurried to his wife, making Emily grin and shake her head.
Violca smiled. “Come. You can help me get some things at the store, and we can make sure dinner is taken care of tonight.”
Emily let Violca and Aithne lead her out of the hospital and looked over her shoulder to see Liam and his sons had been stopped by Viktor and Chase. Once the door to the hospital closed behind them, she glanced between the two women who had led her out.
“Viktor wanted to extend an offer to your mate and his sons to stay here and be part of this community,” Aithne said as she led them to a black SUV.
“We can use all the people we can get,” Violca said before smiling brightly. “Plus, I’m sure it would be nice for you to have your family close.”
With a polite smile, Emily got in the car. She had felt the shift in magic even while being held captive. Something had been building for years, and Emily hoped that whatever was coming, they would be able to handle it.
As they drove to the store, Emily wondered how much longer they could keep their growing number of enemies at bay.
“The timer just went off. Should I take the lasagna out of the oven?” Madison called out from the kitchen.
Emily eyed the banner Liam was holding and yelled back, “If the cheese is bubbling, then yes, you can take it out. Otherwise, check it after five more minutes.” Directing her attention back to Liam, she said, “Take that side up a little.”
Liam followed her instruction, and she nodded. “Perfect.”
Emily watched as he taped the sign. They had already hung up the “congratulations” sign at Hope’s, and now they were finishing up Damien’s house. Emily had made them both a pan of lasagna, which was finishing up now. They would be home in a bit, and she wanted to make sure at least for tonight the new couples could come home and relax. Well…as much as one could with their first baby.
