“Oh. They’re not that bad. It’s because they’re part Dragon and still learning how to use their powers,” I replied. Which was an understatement. The three had just learned recently how to shift into Dragons and now were flying and always getting into mischief. We’d had to replace several pieces of furniture, including our dining room set. Fortunately, Brekkon had built us a new one. The chairs were a bit wobbly, but he’d done a good enough job on the table itself. It leaned a little to the side, but we’d used some bricks under one of the legs to make it even.
“I don’t know how I’m going to deal with that kind of pressure. Especially, the flying.”
“Are you telling me that the father of your unborn child is a Dragon, too?” I asked, shocked.
Cleo’s eyes sparkled. “He’s a green Dragon named Zane. He’s gorgeous and,” she smiled. “So good in bed.”
“Apparently,” I said dryly. “You know, Brekkon said that green Dragons weren’t to be trusted.”
“I trust him completely,” she answered. “At least more than my usual customers. Anyway, back to being pregnant. I don’t think I can do it.”
“You’re already pregnant, so you don’t have a choice. Unless you’re thinking of…”
Her eyes widening. “Ending the pregnancy? No. Never. I was hoping maybe you’d like to add another one to your brood?”
I stared at her in shock. “You want me to adopt your baby?”
“I know it sounds cold, but I’m just not ready for this,” she replied, looking about as pale as she could for a green-skinned Meta. “I don’t know anything about kids and now I’m about to have one of my own? Gah, I just can’t do it.”
I grabbed her hand. “I was anxious and frightened too, but I think everyone is when they first learn they’re pregnant. And Zane will help you, if he’s the kind of guy you claim him to be.”
“He does want children,” she said, staring off into space. “He told me that he’d always dreamed of having a big family.”
“You know, why don’t you join us tomorrow? We’re having a picnic. You can get a feel for what it’s like to have a family of Dragons,” I said.
“Can I invite Zane?”
I chewed on my lower lip. “I suppose so,” I replied, wondering how Brekkon and Javich were going to react when they met him.
***
I didn’t tell Brekkon much about Zane. Just that he was Cleo’s boyfriend.
“So, she’s pregnant, huh?” he asked, setting two oversized picnic baskets on the large blanket we’d placed over the grass.
“Yes. And she’s bringing her boyfriend. Dante, quit blowing fire at your sister!” I hollered toward our three children. They were flying around the courtyard and causing all kinds of mischief and we’d just gotten there. The triplets were only one-and-a-half, but because they were part Dragon, they aged differently. Right now, they were more like five-year-olds, in Human years.
“Dante, listen to your mother!” said Brekkon.
Hearing his father, Dante turned and flew away.
“That boy is going to be the death of me,” I murmured, although I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Even as unruly as they were, I couldn’t imagine a life without them.
“So, back to this Zane character. How’d they meet?” he asked.
“He’s a client. I don’t really know much more about him,” I answered.
“Oren, get over here!” growled Brekkon. Oren was flapping around a Meta eating a large sandwich, hoping to get some of it. The boy had a voracious appetite and wasn’t afraid to beg for food.
“Here come Ria and Javich,” I said, nodding toward my very pregnant sister and her husband.
Camille, who adored Ria, quickly changed back into her Human form and began dressing behind a tree. “Hi, Aunt Ria! Did you bring the crystals?”
Ria stopped next to the blanket and kicked off her shoes. “Of course I did.” She took out a handful of healing crystals from the satchel she was carrying and held them up.
“Yay!” cried Camille. “I’ll be right there.”
I smiled at my daughter, who looked just like Ria, and was beginning to show the same kind of honesty and integrity. It also meant that she was quite the tattletale. “Remember, Ria gets tired easily now that she’s about to give birth to your cousins. Don’t wear her out too much, please.”
“Oh, she’s fine,” said Ria, struggling to sit down next to me on the blanket. “And I hope I deliver soon. I can’t sleep anymore and it’s driving me crazy.”
“Neither can I,” said Javich, who looked exhausted. “She tosses and turns all night, kicking me in the back and elbowing me. I can’t remember the last time I had a good night’s sleep.”
“Oh, you poor baby,” I said dryly.
“You should know better than to go there, my friend,” said Brekkon, pouring Javich a glass of wine. “You might never sleep again if you’re not careful.”
“Exactly,” said Ria, giving him a dirty look. “Besides, there’s always the couch.”
Smiling, Javich leaned down and kissed his wife. “You know I’m only joking. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she replied.
“Wait until your children are born,” said Brekkon, handing him the glass of wine. “Even if you can’t sleep, you still have peace and quiet.”
Just then, Camille ran over and planted herself next to Ria. “When are the babies coming?” she asked as Ria handed her the crystals. We knew she was having twins, but didn’t know the sex of either yet. She wanted it to be a surprise.
“Soon, I hope,” she said, rubbing her belly. “I can’t wait to see them.”
“I can’t wait either, Auntie Ria,” said Camille, touching her belly. “I hope you have two girls.”
“Me, too,” mumbled Javich as Dante buzzed by him a couple of times, a little too closely. “Boys are too rambunctious. At least yours are, Brekkon.”
“I’m sure we were like that too,” he replied, ducking as Dante buzzed by again, this time too close to Brekkon’s head. “Settle down, son.”
“Sorry, Dad!” he called out.
“Speaking of children, here come Cleo and Zane,” I said, nodding toward the couple as they made their way toward us. Zane was tall and thin with blonde hair and green eyes. He was good looking and I could see why Cleo was attracted to him.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” murmured Brekkon, staring at Zane. From the look on his face, I knew he’d already figured out that he was a green Dragon.
The couple approached and Cleo introduced Zane to everyone.
“We’ve already met,” said Brekkon with an icy stare. “I can’t believe you have the guts to show up here, Zane Riordan.”
My smile fell. This wasn’t looking promising.
“You still holding a grudge, silver-tongue?” said Zane, looking more amused than anything. “I thought you’d be over it by now.”
“You two know each other?” asked Cleo, looking uncomfortable.
“Yeah. This guy,” said Brekkon, walking over to Zane, “really pissed me off the last time we were together.”
Listening in, Dante and Oren shifted into their Human forms.
I glanced at Javich and noticed that he wasn’t particularly worried about the situation.
“I beat you hands-down. It was a fair race,” said Zane, smirking.
“What do you say? Double or nothing? I bet I can beat you across the field with my eyes closed,” Brekkon replied, cracking a smile.
I relaxed. There was no animosity between them. It was purely all about their male egos and competition.
“You got it. We should probably make it fair though,” said Zane, pulling out a bottle of wine from the bag he’d been carrying. “I’ll need to be drunk if you have any kind of chance of beating me.”
“He’s got you there,” said Javich, smiling. He walked over to Zane and held out his hand. “We didn’t know you were staying here. It’s good to see you.”
“You too, cousin,” said Zan
e, shaking his hand and then pulling him in for a hug.
“You two are cousins?” asked Ria, shocked.
“Yeah. His mother was a green Dragon and mated with my uncle. That’s why he’s tolerable,” said Javich, winking.
“For you, maybe,” said Brekkon. “I’m still on the fence about that.”
Zane walked over and held out the bottle of wine. “Peace offering?”
Brekkon stared at him for a few seconds and then grinned warmly. “You know I’m just messing with you. I know you beat me fair and square, booger-boy.”
Dante and Oren laughed at the ‘booger’ remark.
“So, you don’t want to race again?” asked Zane, smiling back.
“Nah. I’m here to rest. Besides, we don’t want you losing in front of Cleo,” Brekkon joked.
“No worries there,” said Zane. “Well, how about a raincheck then?”
“We’ll see,” said Brekkon. “Are you hungry? We should have brought more food. Green Dragons are notoriously gluttonous.”
“And had I known you were here, I’d have brought a shovel for all of the shit you’re dishing out,” replied Zane.
We all laughed.
The guys began reminiscing.
Looking relieved, Cleo walked over to Ria and me.
“I was a little worried there for a moment,” she said.
“You and me both,” I said, patting the blanket next to me. “Sit down and take a load off.”
“Why did Daddy call Zane booger-boy?” asked Camille as Cleo sat down on.
“Because he’s immature,” I said, before anyone else could respond.
“It’s a Dragon thing,” added Ria. “A male Dragon thing, I should say. You’re probably safe.”
Camille smiled and then stuck her tongue out at her brothers.
“Or maybe not,” said Ria, winking at me.
I chuckled.
Cleo let out a long, happy sigh. “So, who would have thought we’d end up in this situation when we first arrived at the Complex?” she said softly, watching as the boys began to raid the picnic baskets.
“Certainly not me,” said Ria, staring at Javich. “But, I’m glad everything turned out the way that it did. I couldn’t be happier.”
“I’m actually starting to appreciate monogamy,” said Cleo, putting a hand on her stomach. “I can’t imagine being with anyone else, now that I have Zane.”
“Congratulations,” said Ria. “Natalya told me the big news.”
She smiled. “Thank you. It’s taking some time to get used to.”
“I bet,” she replied. “But, don’t worry. Everyone goes through a time of uncertainty. It will all work out.”
“Yeah. That’s what everyone keeps telling me,” answered Cleo.
“How did Zane react to the news?” I asked softly.
Her face lit up. “He’s excited. He wants to get married.”
“What about you?” I asked, staring down at my own wedding ring. Brekkon and I had gotten married even before Ria and Javich had tied the knot.
“Honestly, I’m nervous. I don’t think his family will approve,” she replied.
“You might be surprised,” said Ria. “Javich and I sent word to his parents and they answered back that they were very happy for us.”
Cleo looked at me. “What about Brekkon’s?”
I shrugged. “They are apparently tolerant about it, but I think it’s only because of Camille, Dante, and Oren. They were happy to learn the children were able to shift into Dragons and are excited to meet them. As for me, they didn’t say much or offer too many words of encouragement.”
“Eh, I’m sure once they meet you, they’ll accept you into their family, too,” said Ria.
“Maybe,” I said. “I’m not going to hold my breath, though.”
Ria sighed. “You have to quit deciding how others are going to act before they have the chance to. Just like when we first arrived and I kept telling you to talk to Brekkon, but you wouldn’t. Remember how that went?”
I knew she was right. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m kind of a pessimist, aren’t I?”
She grinned. “Yes, but you’re getting better.”
I reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “Thank goodness I have a sister who can set me straight.”
“And I have a sister who risked everything to save my life,” she replied softly. “I will never forget that.”
Camille, who was playing with the crystals, looked over at us. “What does she mean, Mommy?”
“That’s a story for another day, pumpkin,” I said, winking at her. “And believe me, it’s an interesting one.”
“It sure is,” said Ria. “It’s how we met your father and Javich.”
Camille’s eyes lit up. “Can’t we hear it now?”
The boys came over and sat down next to us.
“Tell us, please?” asked Dante.
“I want to know how you met Daddy,” said Oren. “Please tell us.”
I looked over at Brekkon, who was in deep conversation with Zane and Javich. He must have felt my gaze because he glanced over at me and smiled. There was so much love in his eyes, it made my heart swell.
“Okay. If you really want to know. I’ll tell you. But only if you promise to behave yourselves for the rest of the day,” I said.
“Yes. We promise,” they answered in unison.
“Okay. It all started with a piece of pie,” I said, watching as Javich pulled out the one I’d baked for Ria. She’d been craving it all week and I’d wanted to surprise her.
“Pie? Who made it?” asked Oren, licking his lips. “Did you?”
“No. A man from our village,” I replied.
“Was he a friend?” asked Camille.
I laughed dryly. “No. He was someone we didn’t really know.”
Camille gave me a stern look. “Daddy always says that you should never accept food from strangers.”
I smiled and squeezed her knee. “He’s very right and thus begins our story…”
The End
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my novella from THE COMPLEX!
All reviews are appreciated.
If you would like to read more from THE COMPLEX series, please click on the link below:
The Complex Website
About The Author
Kristen Middleton is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and children. Since 2011 she has published over thirty-two stories, in many different genres, including horror, fantasy, and romance. She also writes under the name K.L. Middleton and Cassie Alexandra. When she isn't at her computer, Kristen enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.
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Blood of Brekkon (The Complex Book 0) Page 15
