Page 137 of His Atonement

"Well, we fucking did and we did it the old fashioned way, but if you're not going to get on board with this shit—"

My hand snakes out, grips her neck firmly before I yank her to me and silence her mouth with my own.

I kiss her with so much fucking love, so much goddamn gratitude I can barely contain it. I can barely fathom the way our life has yet again changed.

Frankie has changed and complicated my life for nearly two years now and I have never been more grateful for anything ever.

First she gave me countless headaches and boners, then she gave me her heart, mated my dumb ass, then married me before she gave me an unshakable foundation in forever. A forever that included more animals than I thought I could withstand.

And now, now Frankie has given me a son as well as another young, one I already love just as much as its mummy and big brother Chet, one that completes our family, completesmein a way I had no concept of before.

"Thank you,” I mumble against her lips. "Thank you for loving me, for gifting me with two beautiful babies that I shall be the best goddamn father to, the best goddamn partner you could have in raising them.” My lips caress hers then smile against them as my mate begins to cry. "I love you, Francis Mae Toth. I love you with every bit of my heart and soul."

"I love you too, you big jerk.” Frankie wraps her arms around my neck, and presses her forehead to mine. "You could have put me out of my misery a little sooner, you know."

I smirk. "And where is the fun in that?"

My mate leans forward and bites my lower lip and tugs it a bit with a grin. "Asshole."

"You love it."

"I do.” Frankie threads her fingers through my still pink mohawk and sighs. "You're everything to me, Zan, and I cannot wait to raise our babies with you."

"Oh, my darling girl, we shall raise the most beautiful little heathens this world has ever seen.” I press one more kiss to her lips and grin like a bastard. "Now run along and allow me to get dressed in the horrible matching sweater you picked for me. Otherwise, I will strip yours off of your delicious body and make us hours late to pick up our son and spend his first Christmas with his new family."

Frankie's eyes go glassy but she smiles, smiles wide and backs away with hands raised. "I absolutely do not want that. This is going to be the best fucking Christmas ever and I will not ruin it with my out of control sex drive.” Then she winks just before she steps into the hall. "Not until you can properly ruin me later, anyway. Come on babies, let daddy get dressed. Mommy will put your Christmas sweaters on while we wait, then we can all go pick up your baby brother together."

I shake my head on a chuckle then turn my eyes back to the photo in my hand.

My young.

Mine and Frankie's young.

Akecheta's little brother or sister.

Gods, I hope it is a girl.

One of each, that would be perfect.

A protective older brother, a sweet and feisty little sister. The closest of allies, thick as thieves.

My gods, they are going to age me drastically.

Especially if we have a girl in addition to our boy.

"It's a girl, you big sap!" Frankie shouts from the living room. "Grace walked in during the ultrasound and she could scent our daughter! Next time keep your damn thoughts to yourself, so you don't force me to ruin any more surprises!"

A single silver tear drops onto the glossy paper as I smile bigger than I ever have.

I have a mate that I love more than anything in the world.

I have a son, a warrior son who I love just as much and now I have a daughter, one who will surely age me at least decades, especially if she is anything like her mother.

Never did I think this would be my life.

It is, though. It is mine and mine alone, no one can take it from me.

My mate was absolutely right, this is going to be the best fucking Christmas ever.