Page 96

Story: Cullen

Then we’ll do it.

Okay.

Are you doing all right?

I am. I am not having this baby until after I have my shower.

He chuckled.Right. No popping out the baby until after gifts.

Hey, I need to be able to have nesting. Blankets. Tiny socks.

I hear you.He did. And he hoped everyone backed off the damn stress until Cullen got what he wanted. Orion sent a plea up to the universe, in fact. He wanted Cullen to have such a happy last few weeks or month. To be ready to have their little butterfly.

Tisi stretched, his wings unfurling, and Orion held him down. He’d heard all about the bookcase.Nope. No way, buddy. Resting while Uncle Hawk cooks.

Tisi settled back down with a massive sigh. Like total drama. In his baby form, he was so helpless, but in this form, he was so like a foal. Already up and moving and thinking hard.

Cullen’s mental caress made him feel great. Orion wanted to be the one his mate knew he could count on. And it made him so happy to do it.

Lasagna smells so good.

Thanks, baby. Hawk is trying hard on the bread and salad.

He’s a good guy,Cullen said, patting his back.

He is. He really is.

They dozed together until Corbin knocked on the door, and Cullen sat up, pushing off on him.

“You don’t have to knock, Corbin,” he called, levering up.

Corbin came in, his cheeks dark green. “I wasn’t sure. I know it’s been weird.” Corbin came to Cullen and grabbed him, clinging hard, looking a little desperate if his body language had anything to do with it.

He had to be freaking out.

Orion just sat quietly with Tisi, letting the brothers bond, and soon he had Emily and Elliot while Cosmo joined the dragon-fae mind meld.

When they finally broke, Hawk handed out drinks as Orion grinned at Corbin. “Yarrow’s carrots are roasting.” Yarrow was kind of guarding the front door to the human world as well as keeping an eye on Evander.

“Oh, cool.” Corbin came to love on wee Tisi. “Hey, man. How’s it going?”

“Good. Good. How’s the dude?”

“I think better. I just wish he would wake up.”

“What does Arian say?” Cosmo asked.

“That he’ll wake up when his mind has healed from the trauma. Or healed enough.”

“Then that’s what will happen. I’m sorry it’s so hard, though.” Orion put a hand up, and Corbin grinned, pulling him to his feet.

“Making lasagna, huh?”

“Yep. Gonna go rescue Hawk.”

“Thank the goddess!” Hawk called.

He chuckled, moving into the kitchen, listening to the brothers with half an ear. Cullen sounded so happy now, and that was perfect. His love needed downtime. Family time. And he would give all that Cullen needed for as long as he could.