Page 46 of Fall of a Kingdom

The boys, thankfully, ceased their actions as Carys ran toward her uncle, who promptly scooped her up into his arms.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Ash said, Wee Duncan against her hip. She moved further into the room and brushed her cheek against Ramsey’s in greeting. “Way to give us a surprise, though. You didn’t even let it slip you were coming.”

“Last minute idea,” Ramsey said as he wrestled his arm underneath Carys, making his forearm a little shelf for her behind. “The idea of spending Christmas in a penthouse hotel room with nothing but a bottle of scotch and a naked—”

“Ramsey,” Ash and I intoned at the same time.

He grinned.

“As happy as I am to see Ramsey, I need to see the newest edition to the Campbell clan. Duncan told me she’s gorgeous,” Ash stated.

“And your newest god daughter,” I said with a smile.

Ash ambled over to the couch and plopped down next to me, setting Wee Duncan on her lap. She bounced him up and down even as she peered at a recently soothed Piper. “She’s perfect, of course.”

“What? No shock or disbelief that we came home with a baby?” I asked.

“I’m not sure there’s anything you can do that will surprise me. We’ve been friends for too long at this point.”

“Mam,” Hawk whined. “It’s Christmas morning. Can we open our presents now?”

Flynn answered, “Go ahead.”

The boys ran to the Christmas tree and ripped into their gifts like lions on a fresh kill.

“Cool!” Hawk shrieked as he peered into a large box and pulled out bagpipes.

Noah and Iain were equally as excited by the mini-Viking costumes Hadrian and Sterling had sent.

“Mam? Can I take Piper to school with me for show and tell?” Hawk asked.

I shot Flynn a look and then said, “We’ll see.”

“Who’s hungry?” Ash asked.

“Me,” three little voices chimed in unison.

“Da!” Carys yelled. “I’m hungry!”

“Oh good, Carys is joining in the fray,” Ash said with an eyeroll at Duncan.

“I blame the Campbell children,” Duncan stated, switching Malcolm to his other side.

“Hey,” I said, feigning offence.

“You know he’s right,” Flynn added.

I didn’t want to relinquish Piper. “How are we supposed to do this?” I asked.

Ramsey set Carys down and then rolled up his sleeves. “Lads, I need your help.”

I raised my brows. “You’regoing to cook?”

“I have more to offer than just a pretty face, Barrett.” He scooped up Noah and carried him upside down out of the den and toward the kitchen. Iain and Hawk skipped after him.

“Thank God. Isodidn’t want to cook this morning,” Ash said.

“You never want to cook,” Duncan said with amusement.