Alistair glanced at him, baby Crispin in one arm, pen in the other hand as he signed a grant for a charity that needed books for classrooms. Crispin’s twin, Allison, seemed content to sleep in her Pack ‘N Play, but Crispin was fussy. “Is it good news?” Those bright green eyes narrowed at him.
“Yes?”
Starry set his pen down, pursing his lips and staring. “That is a vague statement.”
“I know.” He hopped up because he needed to pace, and his heartburn was so bad he might barf. “I’m pregnant.”
Alistair was up out of his chair in a heartbeat, coming to give him a one-armed hug. Baby Crispin burped. “But that’s wonderful! Congratulations.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it.”
“You don’t sound like you appreciate it.” Starry grinned at him.
“I know.” And he felt kind of awful about that. “I’m--I’m just a little freaked out.” Reed shrugged. “I want to be happy. Iamhappy. The idea of being with Hamish and having his babies makes me thrilled, actually, but what about my family?”
Now Starry frowned, lines appearing between his eyebrows. “What do you mean ‘and what about your family’?”
“I mean what if they come for me? I know that Des negotiated peace with my father when you took me from the Galandel clan, but I don’t think he’s ever been happy about it. My father, I mean. I know him too well. He’ll want to use me and the baby for political alliances.” The thought of going back to his wing made Reed sick to his stomach, and okay, so that might be morning sickness, but still he couldn’t help the nausea that rose in his throat every time he thought about his father and about subjecting his baby to that kind of hardcore dragon clan ambition.
“You’re not going to have to worry about that,” Starry said. “There’s no way that Des and Hamish will let you go back there.”
“They may not want to, but what if they have to so that can keep the clans safe?”
Starry shook his head, bouncing the baby when he squawked a little bit. Reed had a feeling that Starry’s tension was pushing itself into little Crispin. “I promise that you are part of this clan now. There is no way anyone is going to let someone hurt you or your baby. You need to relax and enjoy the process. You and Hamish. Alpha and omega.”
“I want to do that. I really do. I think Hamish is super crazy happy.” And didn’t that make his heart beat faster?
“Of course he is,” Starry said. “Why wouldn’t he be? He loves you. He’s been all over you since the moment he met you. You’re fated to be together.”
“I know. I felt the same way the moment he picked me up.” That had Reed smiling so much his cheeks stretched. “I never thought I would have anything like this. I really never did. My father always said?—”
“Nope no more about what your father used to say about you.” Little Allison started to cry, and Starry handed Crispin to Reed while he moved to her Pack ‘n Play to pick her up. “You’re better than that, Reed. Your father is a dick. He just tries to cut you down so that you won’t rise up against him, but now you don’t have to worry about that like I said. I’m so happy for you!” Starry bounced Allison until she quieted. “I can’t wait to plan all the things. Like your shower, and I want to help you with the nursery.”
“You want to do all that?” His eyes went so wide that they pulled at the corners.
“Of course I do.” Starry waved his free hand in the air. “You’re my best friend.”
“Wow.” He shifted the baby to one arm so he could use the other to give Starr a huge hug. “I knew you weremybest friend, but to hear you say that is amazing. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Starry squeezed him and then stepped back. “Okay, we have a lot of work to do on this party that we’re planning for Des. Whatever it is he’s doing. I never know he just gives me the theme, and we make the party.”
Reed chuckled, because as the leaders of their clan, Des and Starry were expected to entertain, and Starry always complained, but he loved it.
“Right. It’s for some sort of charity thing, which is weird, because usually you’re the charity person. But he gave us the entire list of guests and food preferences and all that stuff. And also a list of who should absolutely not sit near each other.”
“Well, that’s helpful, at least. Usually, he’s a lot more obscure about things.”
“I think Hamish helped. I said something to him last time about the wild instructions that Des sends to us, and Hamish said he would see if he could get Des to make more sense. And not necessarily hand write everything,” he teased.
“Now that’s wise. Come on. Let’s go do this planning meeting, and then we can eat ice cream for lunch.” Starry went to push a call button for the nanny.
“That sounds amazing.” Reed tilted his head. “You never eat ice cream for lunch, though, unless… Starry, are you pregnant too?”
His friend beamed at him. “I think so, but I haven’t taken the test yet, so I haven’t told Des. “So, keep it under your vest.”
“Oh my God!” Reed took another huge hug, and they both laughed like loons. “We’re going to be pregnant together!”
Starry just grinned at him. “We are. I can’t think of anything I would rather do than share this with you.”
