“Because when we marry, I want us both to wear rings.”
Fran gasped. “Marriage?”
“Yep,” Jacob confirmed happily.
“Who’s doing the asking, you or me?” Fran asked, grinning.
“Either of us, or both, we’ll have to see what happens. I mean, you’ve seen me naked, you have to marry me for that fact alone.”
“I’ve also seen you sick, covered in pee, and nearly dying,” Fran pointed out.
“And I’ve seen you caring and loving. I know Berni helped keep me alive, but so did you, sweetheart.”
Fran kissed Jacob then, how could he not? Pulling back, Fran asked, “How do you feel about children someday?”
“I’m not planning on giving birth to any if that’s what you’re asking,” Jacob said with a teasing smile.
“Nutter. Unless medicine and biology have changed over the last few days, neither of us is giving birth, but we could adopt or foster.”
Jacob sobered and looked down. “I’m not sure I’ll make a good father. I mean, look at the example I had.”
Fran used his free hand to gently raise Jacob’s head to look at him. “See now, you being a bad father never even crossed my mind, because I know that you would do the exact opposite of what your father did.”
“Yeah, our children will know only love and support.”
“That they will, babe, that they will.”
CHAPTER 39
It was later that evening, Finn, Ezzy, Joe, and Emory were sitting around the bed, with Fran and Jacob talking.
Ezzy had only just arrived as he had been out with Aubrey for the day. He’d been home long enough to change out of his suit and into jeans and t-shirt.
“How was your day?” Emory asked him, after kissing him hello.
“Boring. Mum doesn’t ask me or Rob to go with her often, so when she does, we feel we have too. I just wish these outings weren’t so boring. Today was the local WI group and then some other ladies’ group. I swear she only takes me so the old ladies can stare at me. It’s like all the old folks do is stare. You can see it on their faces, wondering which child, grandchild, or great whatever will be a good match for me,” Ezzy complained, sounding weary.
“Poor baby. Shifters will know that you’re mated,” Emory chuckled, kissing the side of his head.
“And they pinch my cheek. ‘Oh aren’t you handsome, Lord Ezmond,’ ‘My son/daughter/whatever would simply love tomeet you. Shall I give you their contact details, you darling thing, you’.”
Everyone laughed at that.
“And that’s why it’s better to be the son of a younger brother,” Fran told them, still laughing.
“Oh, you poor Lord,” Finn said, laughing at Ezzy.
“Well if I can brighten someone’s day, it’s a small price to pay.”
“How did you get on spending time with your mum, Finn?” Jacob asked.
Finn sighed and smiled. “We’re rebuilding our relationship which I am so thankful for. I didn’t mind about everyone else turning their backs on me but losing my mum and uncle were the worst. But to know you, Emory, and mum were both trying to look out for me was something.”
“Always,” Emory said. “I know your mother is happy she can build a new relationship with you, just like I am. It makes her heart happy.”
“I looked for you when you were kicked out, Finn,” Jacob said softly.
Finn looked at him in surprise. “You did?”
