Page 29 of My Pleasure

“I know.”

She opened her mouth to keep arguing; he stood and placed a finger over her lips. “He’s my unit leader and one of my closest friends.”

“He won’t get mad?”

“I bet he will be ecstatic. No one has asked him to be an athair yet.”

“If, you’re sure.”

“I am.”

He led her back over to his large king size bed and made her lay down.

She looked toward the door. “The kids…”

“I’m not about to ravish you. You have had a lot thrown at you this afternoon. Lie down and rest for a bit,” he suggested, pulling the quilt up.

He watched as her eyelids began to droop. “Maybe for just a minute.”

He rubbed his hand over her hair until her breathing evened out.

About a half an hour later, Hunter heard the kids walking toward them.

“Kiera?” Keran asked, standing in the open doorway.

Hunter held a finger to his lips, then waved them over.

They ran in.

He lifted the blankets and both kids crawled in to lay next to their sister, their heads wrapped in towels.

When he tucked them in, he was about to leave when he heard Keran. “What about you, Dad?”

He pointed to his chest. “Me too?”

They both nodded.

“Okay, but make room, I am easily as big as the three of you put together.”

Nicol covered her mouth as she giggled.

He eased himself on the bed and pulled all three close.

“Dad, you’re warm,” Keran said, yawning.

“Feels good,” Nicol said, wrapping her arms around Kiera.

Hunter looked down at the drowsy children and his sleeping mate. He had everything he had ever wanted in his arms. He closed his eyes and was lulled to sleep by the sounds of three sets of soft snores.

*****

“I don’t want to wake them,” Hunter heard his Ma say.

“I already took a picture, Myra. I sent it to Graham and Ewan already. But we do need to leave soon for dinner,” his dad replied.

Hunter opened his eyes. Both parents were standing over them.

“Morning.”