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Story: Cosmo

“You need to!”

“You have to tell us who this is.”

Little ones, mid-sized ones, big ones, all different colors. There were bubbles and bears and flying. And was that an owl?

Hawk blinked and just sort of stood there, frozen as he was absolutely and utterly surrounded in a rainbow of babies and gorgeous dragon magic.

“This is my mate; this is my mate. He is ours now. He is Corbin and Cullen’s new brother and my mate. We’re having a baby.” Cosmo danced him about.

An amazing young lady with wild red curls and the barest spattering of black and red scales came up along with a rather large young man that had a very practiced stern face. “He’s good though, yeah? You’re going to be a good dad and a good mate. Right?” the young man asked.

“Cosmo chose him, of course. He’ll be fine,” the young lady snapped.

“You didn’t even know him before now.”

“Neither did you.” Those red curls were tossed in a mass of aggravation.

“Yes, well…”

“And I’m older. I’m the eldest. I get to make the rules.” She poked the boy’s chest, making him grunt.

Another little girl moved up, riding a bear, and frowned at both of the other two who were arguing. “This ismyuncle Cosmo. He metmefirst. I am going to be the godsister of the baby, and this is going to be the godbear. Esther, tell them.”

The bear, who was not small under any stretch of the imagination, turned to the other two and roared.

That sent all the other little dragons into a tizzy as they rolled and tumbled and fought to get to Esther and love on her.

The young lady threw her hands up in the air. “Children.” Then she held her hand out. “I am Arielle Drake. I’m the eldest of the Estes Park clutch’s children. I’m very pleased to meet you.”

Hawk shook her hand, sparks traveling up his arm, but he ignored them. “It’s very nice to meet you as well. And you are?”

The young man also held out his hand. “I’m Sebastian. Everyone calls me Sebby. She’s mean.”

One of the elder dragons chuckled. “Sebby.”

“What? It’s true. She’s bossy and she always tells everyone what to do, and she always thinks she knows everybody and everything.”

“That’s because I do know everything. You were raised in a barn.”

“Arielle.” Another dragon nation was heard from. “Please be polite.”

“Fine, you were raised in a very nice barn.”

Cosmo cracked up. “Guys. He’s good, I promise. Come here and hug me. I have to take him to the house. I wanted him to meet you all first. Of course I will be back, I promise. Maybe we can all have supper. Together, a big pizza party.”

Do they have pizza here?Hawk asked.

If not, we’ll order pizza and we’ll bring it over. Trust me, they’re not worried. It’s not unusual for me to order sixty pizzas at a time.Cosmo’s eyes sparkled.

Good to know.

“Can I come with you?” the girl on the bear asked.

“No, Lia. Next time, you and Esther can walk with me as far as the casita, okay?”

She pouted but subsided quickly when Cullen made it rain a shower of illusion stars. “Make a wish!” Cullen said.

Cosmo tugged at his hand, and Hawk followed, the dragons parting like the proverbial Red Sea to let them through.