Page 169 of The Dragon's Gambit

Brody beamed proudly and motioned for Chelsie to come and stand beside him. “So, mom, did you plan ahead in case we decided to take mates, since Chelsie is now also Reiya’s guardian?”

Lita smiled sweetly. “I just added a little something extra in there in case you chose to take a mate. Something that would allow your mate to understand your connection as a guardian. What better way than to make them a guardian, too? I hope you didn’t mind.” Lita looked at Chelsie, who shook her head and smiled.

Lee walked up toward the group, and Reiya turned and smiled widely at him. She reached her hand out and he walked up to her. She scooted into his side and looked back to her parents. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me he was my mate.” Reiya shook her head, grinning as she looked at her parents.

“Sometimes it’s best to find things out on your own.” Lita smiled softly as she looked over her kids. They both seemed very happy.

“You better be taking good care of my baby girl. I don’t care if you are a deity—” Asher felt the gentle nudge of Lita’s shoulder. He looked down at her and gave her a cheesy smile. They’d already discussed on the way there that he wouldn’t give Reiya’s mate a hard time.

Lee chuckled and held his hand out to Asher. “I promise your daughter will always be well taken care of and loved unconditionally. She’s my world.” He watched as Asher nodded, and the two men exchanged a firm handshake and an understanding smile.

Asher chuckled. “She’s my baby. I can be a bit overprotective, but if I’m being honest, I know you’ll take good care of her.”

Lee looked down at Reiya and held her lovingly by his side. “My life is connected to hers. We share the same fate. Gods help me, I never knew I could love someone as much as I do her. It terrifies me. It consumes me. It's like she's become the very air I need to survive.”

“Lee.” Reiya’s eyes watered as she hugged him tighter. “I love you the same way.”

“Well? What’s the news? You asked us to come visit because you had something to tell us?” Grayson grinned, looking at Brody and Reiya.

Brody beamed proudly. “Chelsie and I are expecting.”

Lita squealed and reached for Chelsie. “Come on, let’s see how far along you are. Brody, grab my medical bag. It has my portable ultrasound machine.” Lita grabbed Chelsie. “Show me to a room, Reiya.”

Asher chuckled as he watched Lita’s excitement. She was still childlike at times.

“Does mom always carry around an ultrasound machine?” Brody asked as he grabbed the bag off the ground.

“Nope, but she guessed that someone was going to have a baby. She figured that was the news you wanted to share with us in person.” Asher chuckled.

“I’ll have to knock you around a bit later. You shouldn’t have let that hellhound get the best of you. You’re slacking.” Grayson jabbed at Brody playfully.

“Alright, Uncle Grayson.” Brody grinned. “I can’t wait to tell Hunter and Chasen. We’re planning to go and visit them in person.”

Asher smiled. “They have some news for you, too.”

“You aren’t going to tell us?” Brody lifted a brow at his dad.

“Nope. Not my stuff to tell. Now, let’s go hear your baby’s heartbeat. Or heartbeats? No surprises for you. Not like what I had. I was expecting just a little princess, but I got a prince, too.” Asher tugged on Brody as they followed the women. Asher stopped and looked over at Lee and Xander. “Are you guys coming?”

“I knew you liked me.” Xander grinned as Asher chuckled.

“You’re my daughter’s soul twin, so I guess that kind of makes you my kid, too.” Asher shrugged with a smile.

“Uh oh. Sorry guys. Dad’s rough on the boys. The only one he goes easy on is Reiya, so brace yourselves.” Brody chuckled.

“He was rougher on you boys because you were always getting into trouble,” Grayson snorted, coming to Asher’s defense.

“Oh? And my adventurous sister didn’t? How many times did you guys have to track her down?” Brody crossed his arms and looked at Grayson.

“As I recall, you were always right there with her.” Grayson smirked in triumph.

“You know better than anyone the amount of trouble you have to get into because you’re a guardian. Reiya is way tougher to handle than mom, though.”

“Are you guys coming?” Lila called out from the castle doors.

They were soon all huddled around in a room while Brody held onto Chelsie’s hand. Lita hooked her machine up to a large monitor that was already in the room and all eyes were on it. She moved her wand over Chelsie’s stomach, and then they heard it. The gentle *thump thump thump thump*. Chelsie teared up, smiling with happiness. Brody leaned down and kissed her forehead as he continued to watch the screen. A little blob appeared, and Lita looked up, smiling excitedly.

“There’s your baby. And it looks like there’s just one in there,” Lita announced to the room.