I groaned, and everyone looked at me, worried something was wrong with the baby. Gods, I hadn’t told my folks I was having more than one. Maybe we could let that be a surprise.
Pops herded everyone to the table. It was only ten o’clock, but I figured if everyone was eating, they’d have less time to talk about dragons and shifters.
“The weather’s nice today for?—”
Dray cut his uncle off. “For the birds and any gardeners or golfers.”
I sat at the table stuffing food in my mouth and counting the hours till my folks left.
But after lunch, Dray herded everyone out, saying I needed time alone with my parents. I held his hand, not wanting to let him go even though I understood he was right.
“Dray’s family is interesting,” Mom began.
“They’re quirky and close-knit, but they’re kind, and they’ve welcomed me and treat me like a son.”
“I’m glad, because if they weren’t, I’d try and convince you and Dray to come home.”
Dad put an arm around my shoulder. “And now for the most important question.” He held up a finger. “Nope, not a question but a statement. You love him. I saw it in your eyes and the little glances and touches you shared. You’re in sync and head-over-heels in love.”
“Awww.” I brushed the tears away. “That’s so sweet, and yes, I adore him. He bought me pickles at two A.M. and his dragon… I mean, his beast…”
Mom put her hands over her ears. “Pax, we don’t want to hear about your sex life.”
I giggled, and Mom joined in, followed by Dad. We group hugged, and I wondered if I could convince them to move closer. But I decided it’d be better for us to visit often so we were far away from the family and any possible dragon reveals.
SIXTEEN
PAX
I wandered into the spare room that was now the nursery.
“This is wrong.” It was right for the baby but not for me. The placement of the furniture and the colors we’d painted the walls were for our little ones.
But I needed to prepare for the birth, so I had to make a nest.
“We need to move everything.” I sipped my tea as Dray cleared away the breakfast dishes.
“Move what?” He glanced around the kitchen.
“The cribs and the changing tables. It’s all in the wrong place.” We may have to repaint the walls just for the next little bit.
“I thought you were happy with the layout.”
I told him I needed a place to nest.
“Babe.” He had tears in his eyes, and he wrapped his arms around my bump and nuzzled the tattoo. “I didn’t dare believe this would happen to a human.”
We spent the rest of the morning moving the furniture and replaced the curtains with ones from a third bedroom.
But when I stood back and studied it, it still wasn’t right. That was an oops.
Heaving myself up the stairs, I wandered around the turret, my safe space when I was younger. I caught Dray’s wince when I said the turret would make a much better nest. He hefted the cribs up there and the soft furnishings, but I stopped him before he lugged up the dresser.
“I’m sorry.” I burst into tears and put both hands over my eyes. “This isn’t right for my nest either.” I put my head on his shoulder and howled. The turret should have been where our babies came into the world, and I was sad and frustrated that it wouldn’t be where I’d lay my eggs.
“It’s alright.” He kissed the top of my head. “Wherever you decide, we’ll make it the best nest in the history of dragon nests.”
But as my tears spilled onto his skin, they streamed over his tattoo with its flames and scales. Flames and scales. Those two words were in my head, trying to tell me something.
