“We’ll have to wait until he’s older to see if he manifests a wolf,” Cas pointed out because he couldn’tnot, “but he also has an undertone of swan, so maybe he’ll be a shifter either way.”
“Swan?” Seri repeated in a stunned whisper. “That’s… That’s…”
Words seem to fail our girl, and I leapt in to tease Ko in case she wanted a moment to process. Or cry. Or both.
“Bet you’re happy our beautiful daughter looks like you, Papa Koko. Her skin’s already turning golden, and just look at those big dark eyes and all this black hair.”
“Unlike our lil screamer here,” he teased back, “whose fireweed is just like yours.”
And it was. That vibrant red hair already stood out on his tiny head. I was absurdly proud of that. I’d have to start teaching him early how to work it to his advantage. The world wasn’t ready for another devastatingly handsome redhead with charm to spare, but it was getting one, anyway.
The little guy’s frantic suckling had eased into a more rhythmic pattern. His teeny fists, which had been clenched tight sincebeforebirth, gradually relaxed against Seri’s breast. One spread open, five miniature fingers splaying against her skin like he was claiming territory.
Smart kid. Already knows a good thing when he’s got it.
“They’re so small,” I whispered.
“They’ll grow.” Cas palmed our daughter’s head as she opened her eyes. “Faster than we’ll be ready for.”
I nodded, suddenly unable to speak past the lump in my throat.
“You okay?” Ko asked with that damn knowing look he had.
“Just got something in my eye. Probably vomit.” I glanced down at Seri, who was gazing at our babies with so much love, it mademy chest ache. “Think you can handle two mini-Cimmerians, sundrop?”
“I’ve been handling three full-sized ones until now.” Her smile was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. “I think I can handle the baby versions.”
I grinned, happier than I’d ever thought possible. Brothers who always had my back. A dire wolf best friend. A son with my hair. A tranquil daughter. A wife who could put me in my place even after pushing out twins.
This was my family. My‘ohanato love, mine to protect, mine to tease mercilessly for the rest of our lives.
I cradled Seri against me, marveling at the strength in her.
“Thank you,” I whispered into her ear, low enough that maybe my brothers wouldn’t hear the crack in my voice. “For everything.”
“Oh, Zoodle. I love you so much.”
Well, that did it.
Ugly sobs racked my body as I charted the boy’s stardust freckles and the girl’s obsidian eyes, my heart now and forever orbiting theirs.
#
Koa
Of course.
Of courseour beloved would give us not one, but two miracles. That was our Serafina. Constantly surprising us, constantly showing us new depths of love we never knew existed.
I watched as our son squirmed and sucked like a starving piglet, his tiny hands kneading Seri’s breast with surprising strength.
Definitely Zane’s genes at work, I thought with amusement.Never patient, always hungry for more.
His little face was screwed up with determination, an iron will and burning fire churning together in a tiny body that seemed too small to contain such force. This one wouldn’t be ignored; he wouldn’t be contained.
Meanwhile, our daughter latched on almost gently, blinking up at me with onyx eyes too calm for a newborn. Our boy had come roaring into the world like a volcano erupting, all fire and fury, but this quiet warrior…
Her soul was deep, ancient, steady as stone. Not brand new as I’d expected, but old, like mountains. As if she’d been waiting a long time to arrive, patient in the cosmos until the exact moment was right. Even now, there was a sense of quiet purpose, of intentional movement.Her tiny fingers resting against Seri’s skin weren’t demanding; they were connecting, anchoring, making herself known through gentle touch rather than insistent need.
