Cody and Dylon walked up behind Kieran and before he could answer Theodore, Cody exclaimed, “Wow, you guys are gorgeous! Did Kieran help you pick out that outfit, Theodore?”
“Yeah, he did…he told me it brought out the green in my eyes and complimented my body, right?” asked Theodore turning to Norman for affirmation.
“That’s what he said, Theo,” answered Norman.
“Well done, Kieran. Not to rush you guys, but the plane is ready and we’re eager to go,” Cody said, adding, “you look fantastic too, Norman.” Then taking a good look at Kieran, he smiled. “I love your look, Kieran. You have great taste.”
“Thanks, I hope you don’t mind but I bought Jake and Jessica a bunch of clothes too. We went past a darling children’s clothes store and in the window were these matching outfits for a boy and a girl. Of course, they spoke to me right away and I really didn’t think you’d mind. But when I got inside, well, it was impossible to stop at just one outfit.”
By the time Kieran finished, Cody was laughing so much, he was leaning against Dylon. “Oh Kieran, you are going to get along just fine with my brother Jackson,” he finally sputtered out.
Dylon chuckled. “Okay, babe, I think it’s time we get our pups. Guys are you packed?” After receiving a chorus of yeses, Dylon pulled his still snickering mate along to pick up Jake and Jessica.
Later, Dylon shepherded everyone on board and watched with amusement as Kieran, Theodore and Norman explored the entire plane before taking their seats. Giving the signal to the pilot to take off, he breathed a sigh of relief that they were finally headed home.
Chapter 42
“Frank, come on! Cody and Dylon are on their way. Dakota told me the helicopter will be landing in five minutes. Come on!”
Scooping his papers off the desk, he stuffed them back in his briefcase, snapped it closed and locked it. The work was piling up but rather than return home he’d stayed with the Blackwood Pack to let Lizzie spend more time with Dakota. In the end, it worked out well. The new recipes Lizzie learned to make under Dakota’s tutelage were amazing and he anticipated the reaction of their friends when they got home as Lizzie showed off her new-found skills to them. Their delay in leaving was also fortunate because Dylon and Cody were coming home sooner than expected and they’d see them before leaving.
“Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go.”
Taking her mate’s hand, Lizzie quickly headed to the front door, pulling Frank along. “I can’t believe how lucky we are…Oh, there’s the helicopter!” Entering the great room, Lizzie joined Oracle, Maximus and the others gathered near the front door.
Steel finally opened the door and everyone filed outside, eager to greet Cody and Dylon. While waiting for the blades to stop rotating, he asked Jackson. “Want me to hold Daniel?”
Smiling, Jackson handed over their son. “You know me too well, babe.”
The group watched as Dylon got out of the chopper, and was handed a bundle. The scenario was repeated with Cody and then they saw three more men exit the helicopter. The pilot, Robert, was busy handing backpacks and bags to the three before the whole group walked toward the house.
“What’s Cody holding?”
“Is that a baby?”
“Look, Dylon’s got one too!”
“Who are the dudes with them?”
“What the fuck?”
“Who’s the twink in the pink top?”
“I want him.”
Jackson turned around and looked at his brothers. “What the fuck is it with you guys? Do I have to constantly remind you how to behave in front of guests? Now shut up. Honestly!” Turning back to Cody, he realized Cody and Dylon were holding babies in their arms. As the group approached the steps to the front porch, Jackson quickly sucked in a breath at the sheer radiance coming from his brother. Cody was happy—no, not happy—his brother was filled with a joy that radiated from his very soul.
“Wow! What a great welcoming committee. Hey, Jackson, meet Jake and Jessica…our pups. They’re twins.”
Before he could respond, Jackson was startled by a scream. Wheeling around, he saw Lizzie pushing her way toward Jackson, exclaiming, “Oh my gods, oh my gods, did you hear that Frank, I’m a grandmother! I’m a grandmother! Let me see my grandbabies!”
Rushing past Jackson, Lizzie ran down the porch steps and stopped in front of Cody. Gently pulling the pink blanket back, Lizzie melted when she got her first look at Jessica. “Oh my, she is beautiful!” Jessica waved her tiny hand that had been freed and smiled as she looked up at Lizzie. “Hi sweetie, welcome home. What a heartbreaker you will be! And you have a brother, do you? Well, youdon’t mind if I say hello to him, do you?” Lizzie smiled, looking tenderly at her granddaughter before giving her a soft kiss on the forehead.
Taking a step over to her son, Lizzie said, “Dylon Royd, you are in a heap of trouble for not telling me I was going to become a grandmother.” Moving the blue blanket away, Lizzie gasped, “Oh my goodness, Frank come down here, Jake looks just like Dylon did as a baby. Hi sweetie, welcome home. Oh my, aren’t you the strong one already,” Lizzie said as Jake grasped her finger and blew bubbles.
“Congratulations, guys,” said Jackson, “I can’t wait to hear how you became parents. In the meantime, Cody, would you introduce the rest of your group?”
“Sure, Theodore, Norman and Kieran, this is my brother, Jackson, Alpha of the Blackwood Pack.”
