~/~/~/~/~
“Hey guys, need any help?” asked Steel.
Tickling Jessica’s belly, Theo grinned at her before looking up. “Nope. They both slept through the night.” Picking up his charge from the changing table, he gave her a stuffed toy before setting Jessica down in the playpen. “Pooh bear and I have everything under control.”
Glancing around, Steel grinned at the mess. “Good. Is Dakota expecting you to help him this morning, Theo?”
“Yes, I was just about to leave.” Joining his fiancé, Theo watched as Norm finished changing Jake and then helped him dress the pup in the onesie Kieran had picked out for his uniform of the day. “There you are big fella, fed, changed, and looking sharp,” Theo said, lifting Jake intohis arms, cuddling him before putting him down next to his sister.
“I’m impressed, guys,” Steel said. “You’re going to make great parents.”
Beaming in appreciation, Theo was grateful that Steel’s compliments had included pooh bear, who was still doubtful about having cubs, even though he’d agreed to it. “Pooh bear is a natural,” Theo bragged, giving his fiancé a hug and a kiss before leaving.
Watching Theo leave, Norm felt his nervousness return, stronger now that he was left alone with the twins. Trying to hide it from the Alpha Mate, he turned to the changing table, straightening it up. Suddenly, he felt Steel’s hand on his shoulder. Turning slightly, Norm looked up at him, wondering if he was doing something wrong.
“The most important thing about being a parent is making sure your cub knows he’s loved. If you do that, the rest will all fall into place.”
Shaking his head, Norm said, “I’m not sure. Honeybunch knows so much more than I do…which makes me feel dumb. How can that be? Both of us were our parents’ only children and yet, he walks in here as if he grew up doing it. Me, I’m worried all the time about making a mistake that will end up hurting Jake or Jessica.”
“I felt the same way when Jackson was pregnant.”
“Youdid?” Surprised at Steel’s confession, Norm’s face reflected his doubt.
“Yes. I was freaking out when Daniel was born and you know what a very wise person told me?”
“What?”
“My mother assured me that every new parent felt exactly the way I did…scared to death of doing something wrong.”
“That’s how I feel about the twins.”
“Been there, but I can assure you, your fear will help you get through the first few weeks by making sure you’re careful…until you gain more faith in yourself. So don’t look at it as a weakness, but nature’s way of helping you navigate parenthood.”
“That’s what happened with you?” asked Norm.
“Yup, and I know it’ll be the same for you.”
Glancing over at the twins, Norm nodded. “Yesterday, I didn’t know how to change a diaper and this morning, I did it all by myself.”
“See, babysit the twins a few more times and you’ll be an old pro when your cub arrives.”
“That’s a good idea.” For the first time, Norm could see himself as a parent.
~/~/~/~/~
Lying in bed with Dylon, Cody was enjoying the laziness of the morning as his fingers lovingly carded his mate’s thick hair. “Who do you think was on the roof?”
“Hmm, hard to tell but my guess is it was Fionn’s uncle or one of his cohorts. Not sure what he hoped to do, though.”
“Did Fionn sense any other dragons?”
“No. I asked him when we arrived and the only one he could find in Northern California was his uncle’s dragon, which makes sense since he’ll be at the hearing to make his bogus claims.”
“Do you think we should warn Hunter…about what to expect?”
“Uh-uh, not necessary. Once you do your magic, the judge won’t dare accept them.”
“True, but it pisses me off that we know the judge is crooked and we can’t do anything about it.”
