Page 43 of The Claiming Series: Collection 1

“How did we manage to make not one, but two, perfect little human beings?” she asks in wonder, lifting tired eyes to mine.

“You did the hard part carrying them around for nine months, Angel. My part lasted about nine seconds,” I chuckle.

“I’m so sleepy,” she murmurs, her eyelids fluttering.

“Here, let me take him,” I say, standing to scoop our son up in my arms. I sit back down in the chair I vacated, cuddling Daniel close and smoothing a hand over his tiny head.

“Where’s Elsie?” Lily mumbles, unable to rest until she knows her baby girl is okay.

“She’s fine. She’s at home with Alison,” I reassure her, referring to the childminder. “I called her earlier, and Alison is going to bring her in later so she can meet her baby brother.”

“Good,” Lily sighs, letting sleep take her.

I settle back in the chair with Daniel, rocking him gently as he stirs andraises a tiny fist in the air. I wrap my hand around his and bend to place a kiss on his forehead. He opens his eyes, and they fix on mine, unblinking.

“Welcome to the world, Son. Let me tell you about the day Daddy met his Angel…”