Page 140 of The Empire and the Wolf King

Archie raised his head. “I can see him too.”

I said, “Wow, that’s cool, you guys, thank you for telling me.”

The next morning we were getting up and dressed and preparing to go. The big kids were off running and Jack was in the nursery, I said to Magnus, “Last night the kids said they ‘see’ a new baby for us.”

He chuckled and his brow went up. “Och, well, I am verra good at makin’ them, ye ken, mo reul-iuil.”

I laughed. “That’s true. I do like making them with you, and I also enjoy the practicing in between. Not sure I’m ready for another one yet, since Jack is not even one. Isla said the baby will be named Bubble Butt.”

Magnus screwed up his face while he pulled on his boot. “I daena think that sounds like something I would do at all, am I gone tae heaven or locked in a cave in this scenario?”

“She thinks it’s her turn to name the baby.”

“Isla thinks a great many things that are nae true. She believes Fraoch carries invisible giggle dust in his pockets. I told her tis likely fish guts but she believes in magic.”

“Yeah, true, she’s just imagining a new little brother, because Jack is still boring.”

“Och,thatpart is likely true, time will tell, but I hae a good feeling on it, mo reul-iuil. We are at peace. When a kingdom is at peace the bairns will come.” I was standing beside his chair where he had put on his boots. He put his arms around me and pulled me in front of him and kissed the laces up the front of my dress.

“There isn’t a baby there.”

“I ken, ye always say that, and ye are always wrong in it.”

“Probably Isla is thinking about Sophie’s baby.” I kissed the top of his head and then pulled away to put my wrap around my shoulders. “That’s definitely what it is, she’s excited about their baby and dreaming of one for us.”

Magnus stood and grinned. “Ye keep telling yerself that, mo reul-iuil.”

I said, “You ready to go home, Highlander?”

“Aye, ready.”

CHAPTER 65 - LOCHINVAR

FLORIDA - MAY 16, 2025

We got back early in the day, so I had tae wait before twas time. I dressed in a kilt and m’uniform coat. I shaved and washed and Madame Emma did my hair so that they all agreed I looked handsome enough. Fraoch said, “For a pasty pale ginger.”

But then twas early afternoon, and I was dressed way too early so I sat on a stool at the kitchen island, swinging around back and forth until Chef Zach told me I had tae go away because I was making him crazy.

I sat in the living room with Jack and Noah on my lap, readin’ them a picture book, when James came intae the living room. “Sophie needs to go to the hospital, like the ol’ gal predicted, the baby is coming.”

And everyone was rushing around, grabbing their things, preparing tae go with her.

Zach said, “Lochie, you staying with me and helping with the kids?”

“Aye, of course.” I ran my hand through my hair.

And then they were out the door, headed tae the hospital and I sat back down on the couch tae watch the boys play Fortnite.

But then Magnus stuck his head in the door, “I haena forgotten ye, Lochinvar. Fraoch and I will come back in a bit and we will drive ye over.”

“Thank ye, Magnus.”

And so I kept waitin’, growing even more nervous.

Fraoch and Magnus walked in later.

Chef Zach said, “No bairn yet?”

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