Balfour.
That was the name of the elf who had been giving Keegan a rough time of it. He was Nik’s best friend, but he had a strong dislike for humans, especially my brother.
Ugh, why did the sexy elf that smelled like my favorite thing in the world, have to be the asshat that didn’t like my brother? Now I couldn’t like him no matter how sexy I found him, or how yummy he smelled.
Quick introductions were made, with Nik’s parents introducing themselves as Oliver and Kris, and the other elf was identified as Dr. Timmons.
He made a shooing motion with his hands. “Out. Everyone out. I’ll let some of you back in once I’ve examined my patient. Shoo.”
Keegan sagged down into the soft looking bed, giving our mom a wan smile. She looked worried, even as she gave my brother a brave smile as Oliver ushered her out of the room. Kris and my dad already seemed lost in conversation, while I turned all my attention to giving Balfour my stink eye.
“I hear you don’t like my brother, elf,” I stated, as we left the room.
“He likes me, Ken!” Keegan called to our retreating backs, “He just won’t admit it.”
As the door shut behind us, and we stood in the small hallway, I glared up at Balfour. “You and me, we aren’t going to get along.”
He gave me a look that said he clearly didn’t care. Dryly, he told me, “I think I’ll be able to sleep at night.”
“Stop being mean to my brother,” I growled.
“Or what?” he demanded, his arms once again crossed over his chest.
“I’ll make your life hell.” I promised.
He laughed. Threw his head back, shaking all that glorious silver hair of his, and laughed. In turn, I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him.
“Humans are so bothersome. I need to get back to work. Your brother has thrown my schedule completely off.”
But he didn’t leave. Instead, he frosted a cake in the kitchen. Apparently, it was Nik’s birthday and Keegan had been baking a cake when he had gone into labor. A cake Bal had saved from burning.
After frosting the cake, which he did a surprising good job at, he tidied the kitchen, then planted himself into a corner of the living room and waited with the rest of us.
Listening to my brother giving birth was a horror I could have happily lived without. I knew one thing, if I ever found an alpha and had a baby, there were no home births in my future. No way. No thanks. Drugs and hospitals were the way I wanted to do it.
I busied myself shooting Bal dirty looks, snickering when he returned with much of the same.
Hours later, Kacey Megan Kringle was wailing her little lungs out. She was pissed and not afraid to let everyone know it. She had a shock of bright red hair and blue eyes, like most babies, but I was betting they would stay that color.
And when my brother introduced Kacey to her two uncles, I knew we were both instantly besotted by the tiny infant. Soon we were fighting over who was going to hold her, and how long the other had been holding her.
Still, it didn’t matter how good the elf smelled, or how sexy all that hair of his was, as far as I was concerned, he was the enemy.
Balfour
Past…
Unknown Number:I heard you made my brother cry today, Elf. It better not happen again.
Me:Who is this and how did you get this number?
Unknown Number:You know exactly who this is. Don’t you worry about how I got this number. I have my ways.
Me:I see I need to schedule another meeting about protocols.
Fingers flying over the keys, I updated my contacts, a part of me amused and part annoyed. Nik was going to catch an earful from me when I saw him. Giving out my number to humans! Candy canes! The man had lost all sense since that little redhead had smiled at him.
Nemesis:Fuck your protocols. Don’t make my brother cry again! Or else!
