Page 97 of Kodi’s Keeper

The slippery girl scowled and punched at the air with tiny, goo-covered fists, her eyes slitting open to meet Kodi’s and once more he lost his heart. “Oh Peanut, look at you, my little darlin’.”

As he looked up at Lennon, he found himself face to face with the cutest bat ever. No matter how many times he’d seen Lennon in his animal form, it was still a surprise at how adorable he looked. He was tiny, yet so playful.

It fluttered above them, the umbilical cord attaching it to the child. Kodi coughed and glanced away quickly as the bat’s sharp vampire fangs bit the cord and separated them from the child in his arms.

Kodi’s stomach lurched horribly, so he kept his head turned away. When he thought it was safe to glance back, it wasn’t.

The baby made gurgling noises but didn’t fuss at what the bat was doing. Kodi reached for a sheet off the bed when his gaze landed on where he’d left them. Conscious he needed to keep the baby warm until they could call for help, he tugged one under the baby and over his lap, though he left his legs wide with the towels spread out before him covered in gunk.

“You can let me have her now, she’ll need to feed.”

He blinked twice at Lennon who was pale and sweaty, reaching for Peanut. He used the sheet on Kodi’s legs to swaddle her the way they’d been taught, but seeing he wasn’t quite steady, Kodi shot up and slid a supportive arm around him and the baby in his arms.

A shudder ran through Lennon, and without a second thought to the mess he was in, Kodi scooped him up into his arms. Cradling them both into his chest he moved round to the end of the bed. He sat down, away from the smell coming from the floor. Lennon brought the baby to his full breast and Peanut latched on like a pro.

“Look at that,” he cooed, grinning like a besotted fool, “she knows just what to do.”

Lennon gave him a tired smile, resting his head against Kodi’s shoulder. “You need to ring the maternity unit. They’ll need to check out Peanut. I’m not sure if my bat did things the way humans would.”

Kodi fought the urge to stay exactly where he was, staring at his gorgeous girl. He helped Lennon get on the bed, ignoring the smear of blood on the covers, and grabbed for the spare sheet to cover him and the baby. He kissed Lennon’s damp hair, his heart trembling at the pair of blue eyes staring at him intently. “Daddy will be right back.”

A tired giggle came from Lennon, who shut his eyes and rested his head back, a little of his color returning. The overwhelming love made it hard to catch his breath, his chest feeling too full even for air. “I love you.”

Jade eyes opened, and the love he’d grown to know came with no boundaries was there. “Right back at you, Daddy.”

Kodi skipped down the stairs eagerly, ready for Peanut to grow up and call him that. He got his phone and called all the relevant people on the list Lennon had given him weeks ago. He debated for a few seconds who to call first out of his family, then gave in to the desire to give Jupiter this gift.

“As I’m home and Popi isn’t shouting the house down with excitement, I’m assuming you’re ringing for something else,” Jupiter said with no prelude.

“We have a beautiful baby girl,” he sobbed, overwhelmed once more with a vivid image of what Jupiter had suffered, which was never far from his subconscious when they talked.

His announcement was met with complete silence, then Kodi yanked the phone from his now ringing ear at Jupiter shouting loudly, “Popi, Lennon has a baby girl!”

“Did you really need to do that?” he groused, heading back to Lennon and Peanut. They hadn’t wanted to know the sex. He got Jupiter’s excitement, with how much he loved Emmy.

He stopped in the doorway, Jupiter’s response all static noise, and stared at the beautiful picture the pair on the bed made, cuddled together and fast asleep.

He didn’t think twice and snapped a picture.