Our family is expanding beautifully, exactly as we always dreamed it would, but more importantly, it’s growing in love, in trust, and in the unbreakable bonds that will carry us through whatever challenges lie ahead.
Chapter
Twelve
Hours later,Vaughn finally arrives at the birthing chamber after apparently reading through the avalanche of family messages that have been lighting up our family chat. His usual composure shows signs of his rushing—clothes slightly rumpled, hair still damp from what was probably a quick shower.
“Hey everyone, what’s happening?” he calls out cheerfully, then pauses dramatically in the chamber opening as he takes in the sight before him.
Mina lies fully shifted, her massive form half-reclining on her side in the comfortable nesting area she’s prepared. The sight of her transformed state, surrounded by protective children and expectant fathers, stops him dead in his tracks.
“Oh, shit...” he breathes, dropping his water bottle with a sharp crack that echoes through the chamber as plastic hits stone.
Without hesitation, he runs directly toward Mina with the desperate urgency that comes from realizing you’ve missed something monumentally important. “We have a baby?” he asks,staring up into her enormous golden eye with an expression of wonder and disbelief.
Mina nods her massive head with gentle confirmation, and the simple gesture transforms Vaughn’s entire demeanor from confusion to explosive joy.
“We’re going to be dads! Hell yeah!” he shouts with unrestrained enthusiasm, immediately tackle-hugging both Callan and Leander in a group embrace that nearly sends all three men tumbling to the ground.
Watching my friend’s unbridled happiness fills my chest with warmth that spreads through every fiber of my being. This man, who has waited so patiently for his chance at fatherhood, has shown such love to our existing children. He has proven himself worthy of this blessing through years of selfless devotion to our family.
He releases the other expectant fathers and moves around the chamber, distributing enthusiastic hugs to everyone present before finally approaching me with eyes bright with emotion and gratitude.
“Dude...” he starts, his eyebrows raised as he fixes me with a smile so radiant it could power the entire mountain stronghold.
“You’re welcome,” I reply with satisfaction, diving in for a hug before he can tackle me with the same exuberant force he showed the others.
But Vaughn has other plans. He picks me up effortlessly and spins us both in a celebratory circle that makes my head spin and my heart soar with shared joy. The physical expression of his gratitude means more to me than any words could convey.
“You’re the man, Zig,” he declares as he sets me down, following up with an enthusiastic high-five and a hearty pat on my shoulder that speaks to the deep bond between us.
“I was only doing what Mina wished of me,” I reply with genuine humility, though I can’t suppress the satisfied smile that spreads across my face.
It’s then that I notice the expressions on Leander and Callan’s faces—a mixture of amusement, mock indignation, and lingering amazement at the elaborate conspiracy they’ve been subjected to.
“This absolute menace was shifted when he abducted me,” Leander begins with theatrical accusation, gesturing toward me with exaggerated frustration. “I had no idea where he came from or how long he’d been stalking me like some kind of predator.”
He shakes his head while throwing his hands up in the air with the dramatic flair that suggests he’s enjoying the retelling despite his words. “All I know is that I heard the impact of paws hitting the ground, then felt tentacles wrapping around me like some kind of kidnapping scenario.”
Leander runs his hands through his hair with lingering disbelief. “Next thing I knew, I was in a hidden chamber with a starving and extremely fertile Mina.” He arches an eyebrow at me with mock severity. “Ziggy took safety precautions for my wellbeing and then conveniently disappeared. You could have just said‘let’s go’like a normal person.”
“I have absolutely zero regrets for anything I did,” I declare with complete conviction, crossing my arms over my chest and smiling broadly. “The results speak for themselves.”
The sight of my friends’ happiness, the knowledge that new life grows within Mina, the successful completion of months of careful planning—all of it validates every unconventional method I employed.
‘Can we help next time?’Belladonna meows softly, tilting her head from side to side as she looks at me with curious interest. Her tentacles wave gently from side to side as she awaits my response.
‘Yeah, can we help too?’Azalea asks as she moves closer to her sister, their tails wrapping around each other in a gesture of unity as they both stare at me with glowing eyes full of hope.
“Sounds like an excellent plan,” I reply with a conspiratorial wink, already imagining the possibilities of training the next generation in the fine art of ambushes.
I glance up and notice that everyone in the chamber has gone completely silent, their attention focused on our brief planning session with expressions ranging from amusement to concern.
“What exactly are you three planning now?” Balor asks with a knowing smirk, his son Orpheus coiled around his body like living armor, the young basilisk’s presence both protective and endearing.
“Whenever the next round of hatchlings happens, we’ll be ready,” I announce with confidence, motioning between myself and my daughters. “Family expansion is apparently becoming our specialty.”
Klauth clears his throat with characteristic authority and straightens his perfectly knotted tie. “How long do we have before the current clutch is laid?” He glances from me toMina with the practiced efficiency of someone accustomed to managing complex logistics.
