Page 60 of The Monster at the End of This Molt

"We'll be back to see the babies," Tim promised.

Then, they both vanished without touching the door.

"Teleportation," Weld said. "That's one way to get around your family."

"You really think Mac will let them leave without saying goodbye?" I laughed. "They'd better wait until tomorrow to see the ruins."

Weld directed me back to the bedroom with an arm wrapped around my shoulders. He was warm and strong against my side, and exactly what I needed.

"Are you all right?" he asked once our eggs were fed.

"I … yeah, I'm all right. It's not that different from when we all went off to college." This was more permanent, but it was possible to navigate. "Besides, we both love The Meadows, and we have a little vacation cabin there already."

"Vacation cabin?" Weld grinned. "I like the sound of that."

It would be several cycles before we could plan a vacation. For now, we could dream.

ChapterTwenty-Two

Weld

Three weeksafter Clementine moved to The Meadows and became Tim's mate, she texted us with good news."I'm pregnant."

The family group chat blew up with congratulations and dick jokes, all of which she took in stride."Still don't have a dick, jerk wads. How did you manage to grow up in the same house with me and you're all so ignorant?"

"Ha - just kidding!"Ernie replied.

"Sounds a lot less fun to be you,"Robin said.

"I still have all the fun times. We have to be sexually stimulated to lay our eggs."

"Ew! TMI!"All three brothers posted at the same time.

Satisfied Robin could deal with his family on his own, I muted my notifications and went back to egg watch. The most recent coat of slick still glistened on three of the shells, which meant it would be any moment now. I swore I saw the largest egg move, but I also had been holding my eyes open for minutes at a time. I only blinked when the room spun around me, so I probably wasn't the best judge of movement.

My hearing was excellent, though.

A thick crack startled Robin, and he dropped his phone to the bed. "What was that?"

I pointed to the hairline fracture in the largest egg. "They're coming!"

He squealed and tossed the phone onto the nightstand, his family chat forgotten. We both hunkered down to watch on our hands and knees with our chins resting on the nest's pillow ledge.

A second egg cracked. I nudged Robin with my shoulder, and he leaned against me.

"It's happening!"

I wished they would hurry, but at the same time, I dreaded their arrival. Was I ready to parent four children? It was too late to wonder now.

"We're going to be great parents." Robin shoved the blanket wall out of our way and lay down, resting his chin on his arms.

"Please tell me you can't read my mind."

Mac hinted at being able to read Galen's mind through their dragon bond, but Galen was an actual fucking dragon, and we were both kobolds.

Robin laughed. "I don't need to read your mind. Your worry is all over your face."

I rolled onto my side facing away from him. He answered by tickling me until I rolled back to my stomach and rested my chin on his bicep.

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