Page 14 of A Very Denarius Christmas
“Luna!” All three boys cheered and in wobbled our princess with a book in hand. “What do we have here, sweet girl?”
“Up, Papa,” she held her tiny arms in the air and I scooped her right up. “Tiana, Papa.”
“Ah, The Princess and the Frog tonight it is. Gather round, boys.” Alex curled up with the boys on the floor while our princess was tucked against her Papa’s chest. I loved that the boys didn’t bicker when it was Luna’s turn to pick and ourmighty Griffin sat between the twins, his way of keeping peace and order during story time.
With the excitement of the day and all the outdoor playtime, the four of them were out before we even hit the middle of the story. I took Luna and tucked her in. “Goodnight, Princess Luna,” I kissed her forehead. “Your Papa loves you.”
“Luff, Papa.”
While Alex got Kane and Hunter tucked in, I carried Griffin to his room. “Goodnight our fierce protector.”
Griffin yawned. “I protector like Papa.”
“Yes you are, and your Papa and Daddy are so proud of you. I love you.”
“Luff ew, Papa.”
Goddess, the things they did to my heart.
“Everyone tucked in here?” I whispered to Alex.
“Yes, my love. I’ll say goodnight to the other two.”
Kane and Hunter still shared a double crib, though having their own beds were on the horizon. “Goodnight, Kane, goodnight, Hunter,” I kissed their foreheads. “Papa loves you very much.”
“Luff Papa,” they said as one. More times than not I swore they shared a brain. Both frightening and interesting, to be quite honest.
When I came downstairs Alex was kicked back on the couch and Emerson laid curled up with Cade’s egg on the lounger.
“Are you two staying in?”
Alex yawned, “Yeah, we’ll nap while the kids to do, then come out with them.” I knew there was more to it than just that, Alex didn’t like leaving them inside the house without an adult nearby even though our protective wards were in place. Emerson was still healing from birthing Cade a few days ago and I was amazed he’d made it as long as he already had today, so I knew he was mere moments away from sleep.
“Alright,” I gave Alex a kiss, “I’ll just be a thought away.” After covering up my love and his BFF as he referred to Emerson, I rejoined our guests.
“Everyone down for the count?” Odem asked as he handed me a drink.
“Thank you and yes, with promises to wake them for fireworks.”
“I can’t wait to have your life,” Odem smiled. “I think I’ll make a good dad.”
“Brother, you will be a fantastic father. You’re amazing with our dragonets and you’re their favorite uncle. You never cease to amaze me, Odem.” Had I been so hard on him that he didn’t recognize his own worth?
“Thank you, coming from you that’s a hell of a compliment.”
“I only speak the truth, Odem. You’re a valuable asset to this family and our mission.” Odem nodded, at a loss for words and I understood why. I’d undervalued what my brothers meant to me. Until Alex came along and opened the door to my feelings, I’d kept them locked away which had been a mistake. Hindsight and all of that…
My brothers and I mingled until the call to wake the little ones came. “Odem, ready to grab the kids?”
“I got the twins!” Odem jogged up to the house and right up the stairs to their room.
I carried out our princess while Odem had a twin on each hip and Alex followed us out with our brave protector, Griffin. Caro strapped Cade to his chest, and I had to admit that it was one of the coolest contraptions, while at the same time it was beyond hilarious.
“Papa, ‘works?” Luna asked, her tiny hands cradled my face while she awaited my answer.
“Aye, sweet girl. Uncle Mattias and Uncle Quint are setting them up now.”
“Alright,” Mattias clapped his hands. “Let’s start. Ten.”