Jackson studied Cody, noticing the lines around his brother’s mouth and the haunted look in his eyes. “Is everything okay?” he asked softly, while the others were taking turns holding Daniel.
“Yeah, just tired. You know, after all the stuff that happened.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.”
“Not your fault. I’ll be okay now.”
“You can always talk to me, you know that, right?”
“Thanks, but really, I’m okay.”
“Hey Cody, do you want to hold Daniel?” asked Zane.
“Yeah, pass him over. You’ve had him long enough.”
“Hey, Ian,” Jackson said, “can I get up now?”
Ian smiled at Colton, squeezing his hand. “Sure, Daniel is fine and you, well, you’re a miracle. So yes, you can get up and go upstairs, if you want to.”
Steel asked. “Are you sure, Ian? Don’t you think Jackson should stay in the hospital until we’re sure?”
“Nope, Jackson is fine. He reminds me of Colton in Mexico and how quickly he healed.”
Steel’s eyes narrowed when Ian reminded him of Colton’s miraculous recovery. He glanced at his mate and saw him trading looks with Colton. There was a definite connection and Jackson knew about it. Of that, he was certain. “Okay. Let’s go,” he said.
Steel gave the orders as daylight began to filter into the room and soon everything fell into place with each brother given an assignment. Dakota headed up to get breakfast started, Carson and Zane gathered up baby supplies and left, dropping off the formula and bottles in the kitchen. Cody and Logan left to bring the bassinet, baby seat and swing to the great room and Jackson got dressed while Steel took the pup from Oracle. “Mom, I’m going to carry Daniel, but would you and Dad stay behind us in case Jackson needs steadying?”
Then he turned to Ian and Colton. “Ian, Colton,” Steel choked up, and stopped to get hold of his emotions, “I know Jackson is so thankful to you, but I want to add my gratitude and thanks for giving my pup and my mate back to me. They are my life and anything I can ever do for you, please let me know.”
“And that goes for us too,” added Maximus, his arms around Oracle.
Ian snuggled up against Colton’s body and said, “You’re all welcome. But, you know doctors and nurses are always happy when the outcome is good.”
Jackson said, “Let’s go eat the great breakfast Dakota is making. I’m starved.”
As laughter rang out, Steel shifted Daniel to one arm, holding his son tightly, while reaching out with the other for Jackson’s hand. “Come on babe, let’s go.”
~/~/~/~/~
Mystia and Jimmy arrived right after breakfast and were enthralled with Daniel. Steel chuckled as he watched everyone pushing to hold his son. Hell, at this rate, the only time he’d see his son was when a diaper needed changing. Sitting next to his mate on the couch, he marveled at the joy he saw in his parents’ faces. “Oh shit, did anyone call Slate?” he asked.
“I did,” said Oracle. “He wants you to call him later today.”
“Sure, this afternoon.”
Jackson watched Jimmy and Mystia play peek-a-boo with Daniel. He reflected on how far he and his brothers had come and he owed this bright moment to them. Nestling into Steel’s side, he looked around the great room and realized it finally felt like home.
Mystia left Daniel with Jimmy and walked over to congratulate Colton and Ian on their mating. After hugging both, Mystia was startled when Ian asked her for a favor. “Anything,mon petit loulou.”
Giving a sidelong glance at his mate, Ian asked, “Could you remove the spell on Colton so my wolf can smell him? It’s been driving him crazy about Colton not having a scent.”
Colton’s cheeks pinked and he berated himself for failing to think of that earlier. “Oh babe, I’m sorry. Of course, she can do that, right?” he asked, looking at Mystia.
She nodded, “Should I do it now?”
“Yes, please,” Colton said.
Mystia raised her hands, held them over Colton’s chest and chanted. Ian and Colton saw her lips move but even with their wolf’s hearing they couldn’t make out her words. Mystia stepped back and smiled at them. “It is done.”
