Nothing will keep them out for long.”
To prove his point, there was a knock at the door, followed by Grimbold Drake’s booming voice.
“We heard crying and a lack of swearing. When will we be permitted entry to meet the newest
Drake?”
Finch growled. He wanted to send them all away forever but knew that idea was futile. They
were dragons and they’d do what they wanted to do, everyone else be damned. It didn’t matter
that he looked a fright and all he wanted to do was cuddle in bed with his two favorite men.
Finch knew, better than most, that some things took precedence.
“Should I kill them all for you?” Calvin asked. He sounded earnest, but there was a twinkle in
his eye.
“Oh, let them in. Better to get it over with. Then can you herd them all somewhere else?”
“It would be,” Calvin said with a smile, “my pleasure.”
* * *
The next few hours went by in a Drake-shaped blur. Most of Hugh’s family stopped by to greet
Theodore, but there were a few notable absences. Namely, Sebastian and Peregrine. But the
rest were there, even Geoffrey and his mates, who’d flown in from California, and Atticus,
who’d come with Calvin. The men all cooed and made silly faces at the baby as they passed
him around. The only one who didn’t hold him was Grimbold, who had his own baby held
securely in his arms. He did smile at his grandson, however, and held his daughter in only one
arm long enough to touch Theodore’s dark, downy hair.
Finch was sad not to see Peregrine, as he rather liked the sweet omega. Hugh also seemed
puzzled as to why they hadn’t shown up, and asked Everard if he knew anything the next time
his brother passed by.
“Sebastian sends his regrets,” Everard relayed without coming to a full stop. He was on his
way over to Harrison, who was conducting science on a wide-eyed Walter and his daughter,
Joy. “He says his mate is not up to leaving the house at the moment.”
“I hope he’s not ill,” Finch said when Everard was gone. “But if he’s unwell, it’s best he stays
away. I’ll make a point to visit with him later. I’ll bring the little man with me.”
“You’ll bring the big dragon along as well,” Hugh said with a somewhat uncharacteristic huff.
“Something is brewing. Don’t know what, but my dragon senses it.”