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“My understanding was that you had one helluva reunion.” Damian snorted at the horror dawning on his face. “Dallibragged to her sisters, and Viv tells me everything.”

“I’m going to kill her,” Trevor muttered.

Unable to help himself and prepared to take delight in the other man’s adverse reaction, Damian said, “Welcome to the family,UncleTrevor.”

He wasn’t disappointed.

Damian grinned. “I hopenowyou understand why things happened in the order they did.”

* * *

Exactly nine monthsand three hours later, Trevor and Soleil welcomed their first of three sons into the world. The instant Damon Simon Blanewas placedin his arms, Trev felt their father-son connection click into place, and he had a deeper understanding of hisownfather’s love.

Tears stung his eyes as he gazed lovingly down at the squalling, red-faced infant he held. “He has your temper, Dalli.”

“My temper?” Her laugh turned into a groan, and she pressed a hand to her swollen abdomen. “Ouch!”

“Here, hold him, and I’ll heal you,” he offered, settling Damon against her. “I suspect he’s already hungry.”

The second their son touched her, he turned his face up to meet her eyes and latch on to her breast. His color returned to normal as he sighed his contentment.

“I called it.” Trev trailed a finger over one perfect, creamy globe, and sighed. “I’m going to have to fight him for these, aren’t I?”

“You’ve had them all to yourself since you and I hooked up. I think you can share for a bit.”

“You couldbottle feedhim,” he said, not at all serious.

As expected, she grinned. “Get to healing, please.Hisabnormally large head was beyond painful.” She gave him an arch look. “He getsthatfrom you!”

Trev peeled back the swaddling to check Damon’s package.

“Notthathead.” She flicked his ear. “The other one.”

“Rude.”

“I get to be. I was in labor for half the day.”

Spreading her robe, Trevor placed his palms flat on her abdomen, tuning into his regenerated Death Dealer magic to knit any tears, calm inflammation, and help her body restore itself to pre-pregnancy health.

“Better?”

She beamed her gratitude. “Much. Thank you.”

Scootingto sitbeside her, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gazed down at their nursing son. “No, Dalli. Thank you. You’ve given me a precious gift. One I never dreamed I could have because of what I am.”

“Yours is an antiquated view.” She scowled. “I mean, I appreciate the sentiment after all that work. But having the little woman provide you with a strapping son then thanking her is?—”

He shut her up with a kiss, quickly forgetting himself as she dug her fingers into his hair and took charge. When they parted, he grinned at the stunned expression on her glowing face. Their passion would always be off the charts, and he was a happier person for it.

“I wasn’t thanking you in the way you assumed,” he said, tenderly stroking her jaw, then tucking a lock of her burnt-chestnut hair behind her ear. “By the way, I don’t think you’ve ever looked more beautiful.”

She blushed.

Her skin color reminded him of a Keira Garden Rose’s center—the perfect shade of pink and one he’d always associated with her.

He touched his nose to hers. “It was for the tough love you gave me at the Authority prison and for making me remember what was important.”

“Oh, Trev.”