Dre shot him an angry glare. “That’s different and you know it.”
“How is that diff—?”
“Uhm, I didn’t mind getting bitten. In fact, I’m glad Barion did it.” Jon did sound happy.
“You’re saying that now,” Sammy muttered with a wink.
“Argh, I can’t un-imagine this! My brother and his mate doing I know not what!”
“Oh, I’m pretty sure you know exactly what we did.” Barion grinned at his agitated brother.
“Dre, beloved, I think you’re overreacting. They’re both adults and, more importantly, both happy. Don’t you want our brother and our friend to be happy?” Sammy was using the quivering lips. His gorgeous bi-colored eyes were huge. Barion felt placating words forming on the tip of his tongue without conscious effort on his part. Such was the majik of seemingly helpless little humans. Dre, experienced mate that he was, beat Barion to it.
“No, mo grah thu, of course I wish them both the best, and I’m so happy for them. It’s just a shock. I mean, we wanted them to live a bit and now they’re mated.”
“The best shock ever!” Sammy announced while he flung himself on Jon again, trying to include Barion in the hug. It was awkward and so nice.
“And here I thought we would just be checking on Jon and see if you two had that talk we suggested. Seems our advice was spot on, hmm?” His brother now sounded as smug as he had been outraged only a minute ago. Barion was willing to hit him on the head right then and there.
“You were right. There, I said it. But I want to point out, very firmly, that you didn’t have the slightest clue this was going to happen.” He gestured at Jon, who was still hugged fiercely by Sammy who had finally realized his arms were too short to get them both. “So technically, you just got lucky.”
“We just got lucky? Sammy, have you heard him?”
Sammy was looking up from where he was smothering Jon. “To be honest, Dre, we just thought it would do both of them good to get some before tumbleweeds started invading their piping.”
The absolute innocence in Sammy’s tone while saying something so shocking made it very clear who the originator was. Barion shot his brother a dirty look. Dre just shrugged, completely unrepentant.
“I was right, wasn’t I?”
“Can we please talk about how wonderful it is that Jon is now my brother?” Sammy had let go of Jon and was now bouncing on the mattress like an overexcited child. “By the way, why is Matt Smith on the floor?”
“Long story.”
“Barion thinks he’s judging him.”
Dre picked up the pillow and took a long look at the eleventh doctor. “Well, he does look a bit judgmental in this picture.”
“Are you sure?” Sammy leaned forward, almost fell off the bed in his attempt to get the pillow from his mate and was saved by Dre, who simply lifted him up with one hand while holding the pillow up for inspection with the other. “Hmm, I’d say he always looks like that. And why would you think he’s judging you? It’s Jon’s pillow.”
Jon groaned. “Don’t involve me in this madness. Matt Smith approves of everything I do.”
“I like Karen Gillan better.” Dre glanced at the redhead who still had a place on the bed.
“See? I told you so.” Barion huffed.
“Let me get this straight. You argue about practically everything, but you stick together like glue when it comes to Karen Gillan?” Barion wasn’t sure if Jon’s expression conveyed more horror or disbelief.
“There are some unalterable principles one has to follow.” He tried to sound aloof. When Sammy opened his mouth, no doubt to say something that would shatter Barion’s and Dre’s reputation forever, he hurried to change the topic. “Anyway, Jon and I are very grateful for your intervention. I still can’t believe I didn’t even suspect he could be my mate.”
“We didn’t either, which makes this sooo good.” Sammy was standing on his own again, snuggled against Dre with a happy smile on his lips. “When are you going to tell Dad? Uh, can Dre and I be there as well? We could have a family dinner, perhaps get food from Zenobia and go to Milano for dessert. And when do you want to have the great announcement party? Oh my gosh, you have to tell the book club, and there’s so much to organize. But don’t worry. I’ll be there for you. I know how it all works, I still have all the numbers from caterers and florists and I’m sure Maribel and Mavis will want to contribute as well. This is so great!”
Sammy was clapping his hands; his cheeks were an adorable shade of red. Barion looked at Jon. His mate seemed stunned and his mouth was hanging open. Perhaps it was all a bit much for one morning. Barion grabbed Jon’s shoulders to tug him under his arm, where the zombie settled with a sigh.
“I think we need a little time to get used to this.” Barion smiled at Sammy in an attempt to rein him in a bit. “Besides, Jon’s Grann called this morning. She’s expecting us in New Orleans the day after tomorrow. As Jon explained to me, his family is huge, which means things are going to be exhausting.”
“Oh, I get it!” Sammy changed from overexcited puppy to understanding friend within seconds. It was a joy to watch and reminded Barion how much he loved his brother-in-law, no matter what a pest he could be. “You know what? You two enjoy your first day as mates, and Dre and I take care of everything else. We’ll inform Dad, Quirion and the book club and tell them you need some time to yourself. Once you’re back from New Orleans, we can talk about dates and location and all the rest.”
It was such a wonderful offer, exactly what Jon needed if Barion interpreted the sudden complete relaxation in his mate’s body right. Jon looked up to Sammy. “Thank you so much. This is all so sudden. I still don’t know what to think.”
