Page 29 of The Ruby Dragon's Unconventional Mate

“I brought some bottles of juice.” Simon put a tray down on the table just inside the door. “And some little cookies.”

“Thanks, Simon. Go be with Logan.”

“I will.”

“Oh, I think Bryant is on his way. Can I tell him to let himself in?”

“Absolutely.” Simon glanced at him, offered him a quick smile. “He’s welcome?”

Lars nodded, knowing he was blushing. “He is. He loves Logan dearly, you know that.”

“I think he has a fondness for you too.” Simon winked, then headed out. “I need to take some towels.”

“Let’s go meet Bryant, hmm? Come on, wees. We’ll each grab a juice.” Sucking would soothe these two, even if they weren’t bottle-fed anymore.

“Da?”

“Da’s having the new babies. We’re going to have a slumber party together. We’re going to make a big bed in the living room and snuggle and watch cartoons!” And Dakota was going to be fine, dammit.

“Papa.” That was Ari, wanting Logan. Lord.

He smiled and bounced. “Is helping Da.”

A knock sounded, and he went to answer the door, thanking the heavens that Bryant had brought sweats, apparently, because he was dressed.

“Did someone say party? I know how to make pancakes.”

“Cakies?”

“Oh, do you two like pancakes?”Thank you. They’re panicked. Dakota’s having trouble.

“Cakies!”Ari bounced, and her juice went flying, but Bryant caught it.

“Sometimes, we just need cakies and movies and pillows.” Bryant beamed, but he gave Lars a searching look.

The midwife is here. Simon and Logan are with him. “I think that sounds like so much fun!”

Okay. Okay, good. Lachlan wondered if it would be okay to drive over with Jarrel and bring some fun stuff and some clothes for me. He won’t stay long, but it might be a nice thing for the kids.

Please. He’s welcome here, and I don’t even have clothes on.He needed for Dakota to be all right, for these girls, for Logan.

I know.Bryant looked at the gap in his robe, up at the top of his chest. Pointedly. “Okay, let’s go, kitchen warriors. To the kitchen! March!”

“Mars!” the girls cheered. “MARS!”

Oh, that was well done. So, Lars followed along, carrying two kids and one juice, the other still clutched in Bryant’s hand. The kids had little chairs in there he could corral them in. Or the Pack ’N Play.

The girls sat together, watching them as they had their bottles.

“Thank you for coming.”

“I heard you fly.” Bryant started peeking in cabinets. “I wanted to help. And not just because you helped us, but that’s part of it, right? It’s what we do.”

“Yes. It’s our calling.” He took a quick hug. “I’m glad you’re here. This is unexpected.”

Bryant held him for a moment, making the little ones giggle. Then he smacked a kiss on each of their faces, his included.

Ari smooched him back while Mari giggled.

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