Page 218 of As The Shifter World Turns

“Whatever you want. Neil is fine.”

We held hands and hauled Martin to his feet. The three of us jumped up and down as Toby chanted, “Mated. Mated. Mated.”

I wasn’t the leaping up and down type and eventually I let go and collapsed onto the mattress. Martin and Toby joined me and we made what Toby always called a Neil sandwich with me in the middle and Toby and Martin either side.

“I suppose you want the Sunshine Manor family there,” Martin mumbled into my hair. “Like what Daire and Nate did.”

Theirs was an elaborate affair at Daire’s parents place. We couldn’t afford that and I doubted Martin wanted that, based on the way he said it. “Not if we do it tonight.”

“What? Right here in the bed?”

I sat up. “Are you happy for it to be just the four of us?” I had to make sure because if his plan was to mate in front of a large group of people, what I was about to suggest would be a big disappointment.

“Absolutely. You, me, Toby and Charlie.”

“But not here.”

“I thought you said.”

I shook my head and put a finger to his lips. “Toby, where did we first meet? The three of us.”

“At soccer. You were a little upset about something.”

Right. I thought Martin recognized me from my work and then he turned up at the manor and really freaked me out. A lot had happened in our lives since then.

“Is that where you want to go? The soccer pitch where we met?”

I thought it might bring us full circle but if Martin didn’t agree, we could go out into the garden.

“I love that idea,” my soon-to-be-mate said. “Let’s get dressed.”

“Nah, why not go in our PJs?”

Toby giggled. “I like that idea, but what about Charlie?”

Of course our second son would be there. I carefully picked him up and when we got to the car, I strapped him into his seat. He slept the entire time.

As we drove through the streets to the place where I used to teach kids how to play soccer, I glanced over my shoulder at my two boys. One sleeping peacefully, the other pointing out landmarks as Martin drove. My little family.

The wide open space was in darkness and Martin and I used the flashlights on our phones to find our way into the middle. I held Toby’s hand while Martin carried Charlie.

“We should say a few words before we do this.”

“Wait, because Third is human, how are you going to do it?” Toby asked.

Both Martin and I stared at our son. “Did I hear you right?” Martin asked. “Did you call Neil, Third?”

Toby shrugged. “Yeah, I thought I’d try out different names and see which one I like best. He said he was my third dad so that’s how I came up with Third. But I’ll try other names too.” He scratched his chin like an old man. “I’ll keep thinking.”

“Good to know,” Martin noted with a big old smile on his face. “But he has a point. How do we do this?”

“You mean you don’t know what you’re doing?” I quipped.

Martin pulled me to him. “I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m mating with the man who stole my heart, almost from the first day I met him right here. That’s you, Neil, and I promise to love you always.”

Toby clapped. “Wow. That was a pretty good speech, Dad. Didn’t know you had it in you.”

“Why thank you, son.” Martin bowed.

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