“Oh, shit, yeah,” Qylar said, leaping to his feet. He rounded the table and smiled as he moved closer, finally approved to hold the little bean. “Come here to Uncle Q, Xan.”
He lifted Xan from Alex’s arms and cradled his hand under the baby’s head. “You and I are going to be best buddies. I’m going to sneak you all the goodies Daddy and Papa say no to, let you stay up way past your bedtime, and let you go to school in your pajamas because I’m cool like that.”
“Just remember that whatever you do to my children, I can now do unto yours,” Alex said, a wicked grin on his face.
“Sorry, kid. New management’s in town and we gotta cut all that nonsense out of the contract,” Qylar said, slowly rocking Xan. “We’re gonna eat our vegetables, brush your teeth, and go straight to bed when our parents ask, okay? Okay.”
Alex rose and cleared a few more of the dinner plates away. “I thought that might change your tune.”
“What’re you doing, Papa?” Qylar asked. “You need to get off your feet.”
“I’ve been sitting for an hour,” Alex said.
“So?” Qylar asked. He walked closer to Kenji. “I gotta help your papa with the dishes before he wears himself out. You come introduce yourself to Uncle Kenji, and I’ll be back for you in a minute.”
“Oh, no, no, no,”Kenji said. “He’s too new. I might break him.”
“You’re about to have two of these,” Qylar said. “No time like the present to get some practice in.”
He laid Xan in the crook of Kenji’s arm and watched the panic form on his mate’s face.
“You got this, Kenji. Just support his head and neck and you’re golden,” Qylar said.
“Oh, god, oh god,”Kenji whispered under his breath.
Qylar watched them for a second, just in case Kenji completely freaked. The second he relaxed a bit and sat back in his chair, Qylar sensed they were good. “I’ll be right back.” He stacked a few plates together and peeked at the pair before taking them into the kitchen.
The view of Kenji cradling a newborn caused his chest to ache, his lungs burning. Shaking himself, he lifted the stack and walked into the kitchen. “Go sit, Alex. I got this.”
“I’m fine,” Alex said, loading dishes into the dishwasher.
“If you want to take the baby, I can help Qylar,” Kenji offered.
“Nah,” Alex said, rinsing another plate. “I agree with Qylar. You need some practice time.”
Qylar winked at Alex. “You reallycango sit.”
“Do you really think sitting on the hole that he just came out of is all that comfortable? In case you have doubts, let me tell you. It’s not. Trust me, walking around isnecessary.”
“If you say so,” Qylar said.
“Remember this after your mate gives birth,” Alex said.
Qylar peeked out at Kenji again. A smile came to his face. They were going to be parents.
He… the one who’d thought it would never happen… was going to have a mate and children.
Krythar appeared, carrying two platters from the table. “Where do you need these?”
Qylar was stunned the king was clearing dishes. He’d half expected the man to call in for reinforcements the second he realized there weren’t any servants around.
“You don’t need to help, Pop.”
“Well, I’m not going to let my son do all the hard work,” Krythar said. “And since he refuses to hire assistance, I suppose I need to pitch in.”
Qylar rolled his eyes. As if he wasn’t right there.
“Really, guys,” Kenji called. “If someone wants to sit down, I will help with the dishes.”
