Page 30 of The Dragon’s Accidental Manny

“There’s something else.” Cam stretched his arms over the kids’ shoulders. I fisted my palms and studied their faces. They’d taken the news of me and Cam's relationship as something that was decided and done and there was no reason to change it. But our family was about to expand.

“You’re going to have a baby brother or sister.”

Instead of eye rolls and “We know,” there was silence, interrupted only by the water flowing from the fountain.

Isla gasped, and Bea slapped a hand over her mouth. Jack raced around the courtyard looking under the plants. “Where’s the baby?”

I patted Cam’s belly. “In here.”

“In your tummy?” Jack’s mouth gaped, and he didn’t close it.

Cam nodded.

“Is the baby a dragon or a Cam?” he asked.

“Probably a dragon, just like all of you.” I didn’t know for sure, but it was likely we’d have another dragon shifter in the family.

“That’s funny,” Bea noted. “Cam has a fire in his belly and that’s why he’s so warm.”

Our eldest was one smart kid.

“Oh, I didn’t connect the two.” Cam patted his tummy. “Look at that. The baby wants me to be like their siblings and their alpha dad.”

We’d given the children the news and now I had to approach a more important issue because I couldn’t leave it unsaid.

“Move over.” I squeezed in between Jack and Isla so the five of us were on four bean bags. “When I discovered Cam was pregnant, I was a little scared because I’ve never been a dad to a newborn.” The children were looking at me, maybe waiting for the punchline. “But I had the best teachers, so I think I’m going to do an okay job.”

Isla furrowed her brow. “What teachers?”

“You three, silly.” I tweaked her cheek. “I couldn’t have done it without you. You’ve shaped me, showed me how to parent, and you’re still guiding me and loving me every day.”

“And we give you, ummm, a passing grade.” Bea giggled.

“Only a pass? I was hoping for an A-plus.”

“You have to earn it.” Isla hugged a cushion and laughed.

“No.” Jack wailed and flung himself into my arms. “He’s the bestest daddy ever.”

“We’re joking, Jack.” Bea patted her brother’s arm, and Isla side-eyed him before kissing his head.

Our son soon forgot being upset as he rested his chin on Cam’s belly and asked if the baby could hear him.

“Not yet, but soon,” I told him.

The five of us talked about babies and TV series, violins, baby names, and pickleball. And when the children left to do their own thing, Cam wriggled his way from his bean bag to mine and sat in my lap.

“I love our children.” He nestled his head on my shoulder. “Maybe they can all help us make over the guest room into a nursery.”

“Great idea, but I warn you, they’ll want a hammock, swing, basketball hoop, TV, and other things I can’t even imagine.”

“I was expecting them to be wary, maybe even upset about the baby news.”

“They’re resilient, but I can’t guarantee that there won’t be hiccups, setbacks, and maybe jealousy.”

Cam put my hand on his cheek. “We’ll deal with it together as a family.”

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