He was perfect. The most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.
A torrent of love poured through her, along with a fierce wave of protectiveness. “Hi, Rory.” They’d picked the name out months ago, and it suited him perfectly. She pushed back the edge of his little knit hat. “Oh, wow, look at all this dark hair!”
“He’s gorgeous, healthy, and has quite a set of lungs on him. He’ll definitely let you know when he wants something,” the doctor said.
“Oh my God, I love him so much already.” She tore her attention from him for a moment, remembering it wasn’t just them involved in this process, and spoke to the doctor. “How’s the birth mom doing?”
“Great. The delivery was tough, but she’ll be fine, and will feel a whole lot better after a well-earned sleep.” Her eyes sparkled at them. “I’ll leave you three to get acquainted.”
Trinity was already back to staring at their son, completely absorbed, then realized how selfish she was being and turned toward her husband. “Here, you need to introduce yourself properly.”
Brody took him, naturally holding him in the crook of one muscular arm, Rory’s fragile little body tucked to his broad chest. “Hey, little man. I’m your daddy.”
The awe and love shining on her husband’s face as he smiled down at their tiny son almost burst Trinity’s heart. This was everything she’d ever secretly dreamed of and been afraid to hope for.
It seemed that sometimes dreams really could come true.
****
Ten days later
Marcus paused just inside the door of his study, and listened.
Quiet. Blessed, wonderful quiet.
Karas nudged his hand with her nose, impatient to leave. “Right,” he said, mentally gearing up before exiting his private sanctum, ready to be social and play host once again.
Hard to believe a week and a half had passed since the day of the ops. He was back to being able to use his cane now, the pain in his hip bearable again, but he wouldn’t be going on a hike anytime soon.
Trinity had made it home in time for the birth of her son. The baby boy was healthy, the adoption finalization had all gone smoothly, and Trinity and Brody were both over the moon to be parents.
Most of the others had left the day after Ivy’s sudden arrival, with the exception of Chloe and Heath, since he hadn’t been in any kind of shape to travel yet. Ivy and her cat were staying with them for a while longer yet, until she figured out where to go and what to do with her newly found freedom. Kiyomi had been there herself not too long ago, so she was helping guide Ivy through the process.
While he was looking forward to having his quiet life, house, and wife all to himself again, he didn’t begrudge her more time with Ivy. It warmed his heart to see Kiyomi so happy. He knew she’d been lonely without her fellow Valkyries around, even if she wouldn’t admit it and had never said it to him.
He opened the study door just as Chloe came down the stairs with Ivy and Kiyomi helping her carry the luggage. His wife no longer wore her sling, but still couldn’t use her left hand much. The doctors and physical therapists on her rehab team were all hopeful that she would be able to regain most, if not all function in the coming months. He was diligent about making her do her exercises and getting her to rest.
Heath was a few stairs behind them, slowly making his way to the foyer. He no longer looked like he would keel over and die at any moment. His face had better color, and he was moving with far less pain. He still had a long way to go in terms of recovery, however.
Marcus hoped Chloe made a concerted effort to curb the impulsive part of her nature and took it really easy on him in the months ahead.
Though that was likely a tall order where she was concerned.
Chloe looked up at him and set her suitcase down on the stone floor. “I know, I know, you’re devastated to see me leaving and missing me already. But don’t worry, I’ll come back to stay with you and Kiyomi again someday.”
One side of his mouth lifted. The cheek on this one. “I’m glad to hear it. Because I want to invite you both and all the others back here for Christmas this year.”
Chloe and the others all stopped and stared at him in surprise. “For real?” Chloe asked, eyebrows hiked up.
“Aye.” He glanced at his wife, and her face broke into the most gorgeous smile. It was like watching the sun break through the clouds on a cold, stormy day, bathing him in instant warmth. “I’d like us all to celebrate the holiday together when we can make the dates work.” That would be the best Christmas gift he could ever give his wife. And it was more than enough reason to give up his peaceful existence here for a few days more.
Chloe narrowed her eyes, pretending to consider the offer. “Will you make Yorkshires?”
He grinned. “More Yorkshires than you can eat.”
A wicked smile spread across her lips. “Ooh, I’ll take that as a personal challenge.” On impulse she flung her arms around his neck and hugged him. “We’ll be here. And I knew you’d warm up to me eventually.”
He patted her back, shooting a grin at Kiyomi. “You wore me down.” He couldn’t forget that Chloe had stuck around to watch their backs on the op after she’d heard about Heath. For someone who struggled with impulse control, that would have been even harder for her. He respected her discipline and integrity a lot.
Heath finally made it to the bottom of the stairs and paused to catch his breath. Marcus shook his hand. “You take care of yourself.” He shot Chloe a hard look. “Go easy on him.”
“Of course I will,” she replied in a tone that said he was ridiculous, hooking an arm around Heath’s neck and gave him a smacking kiss on the cheek. “He’s my everything. Oh, and by the way,” she added to Marcus, “business has been sloooow. So if you hear of anyone needing something blown up, send ‘em my way.”
Heath groaned and shook his head, mouthing the words please no to him.
Marcus smothered a smile and opened the door for them. Heath paused on the way out and gave him a rueful look. “Wanna make a bet now that next time you see me, I’ll have more gray hair than you? Might even be a silver fox just like Rycroft,” he added, making him and Kiyomi chuckle.
After they’d left, Chloe waving a hand out the driver’s side window and a trail of dust coming from under the speeding car’s tires, Marcus shut the door. Ivy was nowhere to be seen, but Kiyomi was leaning against the newel post at the bottom of the stairs, head cocked as she watched him.
“What?” he asked.
She straightened and walked toward him with that sexy, sensual stride that made him wish they had no more houseguests so they had absolute privacy and could be as loud and sexually creative as they wanted. “I can’t believe you invited them here for Christmas.”
She wound her good arm around the back of his neck, her scent teasing him, her breasts pressed to his chest and the look in her dark eyes making it hard to concentrate on what she was saying. He caught her by the hips. “I thought you’d be happy.”
“Oh, I am. But I’m always happy when I’m with you.” She lifted on tiptoe to settle her lips against his.
Marcus sank a hand into her hair and kissed her slow and tender, then deeper, the need she always ignited in him bursting into flame. She was a bundle of contradictions, and sometimes he thought he would never be able to peel all her layers back in this lifetime. But one thing was certain.