It'll Be An Adventure (Masters of the Shadowlands #15)(107)
Author: Cherise Sinclair

 

But Master Z’s advice…it was so hard.

 

Gabi squeezed her hand. Rainie glared at the phone as if she was ready to stomp it into pieces. From their expressions, Dugan and Farran would help.

 

A few feet away, Ghost crossed his arms over his chest, giving her a very drill sergeant-type stare. You can do this.

 

And behind her, she felt warmth and love pouring from Saxon. I got your back.

 

Support indeed. “Pa, our relationship is a toxic one, and I won’t put up with it any longer. I’m calling a timeout between us. No contact whatsoever for a year.”

 

“What do you mean, no contact? There’s no way—”

 

“I mean—don’t call me, don’t come to my house. I don’t want to see you, and I won’t speak to you for a year. After that time, if you apologize for the harm you caused and promise to respect the boundaries that I will have, then we can try to have a father-daughter relationship again. Don’t call me before November 4th of next year.”

 

Her voice shook as she added, “I’m going to get counseling, and Pa—you should too. You need it.”

 

Tears were hot on her cheeks as she ended the call with a trembling hand. Turning, she shoved the phone at Saxon. “Can you block him?”

 

“I will.” He took the phone and pulled her against him with his other hand, letting her burrow like a frightened mouse. “That was tough, my heart, but you did it.”

 

“Parents.” The pat on her back came from Gabi. “They know just how to mess you up. You did good.”

 

“For fuck’s sake.” Dugan blew out a breath and turned to Farran. “We’re going to tell him the same thing. And stick to it.”

 

“Yeah.” Farran added with a sheepish smile, “I just started seeing a therapist. Through the university health center. It helps—especially when I start to backslide into being a self-centered asshole like Pa. So, yeah, I’m on board with the plan, sis.”

 

Dugan touched her shoulder. “You did good. We’re with you all the way.”

 

As love and support simply radiated from her brothers, she blinked back tears and smiled at them. At her family.

 

Ghost’s phone rang. “Finn.” He listened, then nodded. “I’m with Marcus, Jake, and Saxon, and the women. I’ll let them know.”

 

Everyone had turned to look at him.

 

“Both Andrea and Sally are getting close. Who wants to head over to the birthing center?”

 

 

 

 

 

The birthing center was far less institutional than a hospital, Saxon decided. Nice place. And it thankfully had a big family lounge, which was filling rapidly.

 

Although Andrea’s parents were deceased, her grandmother, aunt, and a couple of cousins were there. Sally’s brother and family were still in Iowa.

 

Galen wouldn’t invite his unbearable mother, and Vance’s parents would show up as soon as he let them off the leash. Cullen’s huge family would undoubtedly fly down from Chicago the minute he said the word.

 

In the meantime, the Masters and Shadowkittens would make sure the new moms and dads had all the support they could want.

 

“What news?” Saxon called as Z came into the room from the other direction.

 

Z’s eyes were alight. “Sally, Galen, and Vance have a son.”

 

Bouncing on her toes, Murphy cheered, and it was echoed by everyone else until the whole room rang.

 

Saxon couldn’t stop smiling. “Our Sally will be an amazing mother.”

 

A chorus of agreement went around the room.

 

He lowered his voice and said to the Masters around him, “And two fathers should be able to keep up with her boy. Hopefully.”

 

A few snorts sounded. Because Sally had energy to spare. If her son was like her, he was going to need two fathers to rein him in.

 

“How’s Andrea doing?” Murphy asked when Jessica joined Z.

 

“Well.” Jessica half laughed. “She’s now cursing Cullen in Spanish, and it didn’t sound good.”

 

Valerie nodded knowledgeably. “Transition. It shouldn’t be much longer.”

 

With a grin, Uzuri said, “Andrea was walking around out here earlier, so mad that Sally’s labor started after hers and then finished first.”

 

“I cannot believe they’re both here at the same time. What are the odds?” Jake said.

 

“Blame Cullen.” Rainie grinned. “Remember that beach party he threw last winter? Seems everyone had a remarkably good time. And that’s why our preggie girls’ due dates ended up so close together.”

 

Ah yes. Saxon nodded. The party had lasted all weekend. Cullen knew how to throw a party.

 

“Oh, their being here together isn’t all accidental either.” Jessica snickered. “After starting labor, Andrea called Sally to gloat. And our competitive Sally used what she’d heard about stimulating—so she went for a hard exercise bout, then dragged Galen and Vance to bed.”

 

The air filled with laughter.

 

Still grinning, people found seats and settled in for the wait. Joining Jake and Rainie, Saxon pulled Murphy down on a couch next to him.

 

Since it was Sunday, some of them were off work—and the Shadowlands was closed. Holt, though, had a hospital shift. Linda was at her beach store, and Sam had a harvest at his orange groves. Max was finishing up paperwork for a homicide he and Dan had worked on. Ben was doing some photography in the Everglades and had Anne and the baby with him, as well as Olivia and Natalia. Nolan, Beth, and the kids were camping somewhere with Kari, Dan, and their children. Raoul had a contract in Brazil and had Kim with him.

 

Yet the room was still full of Shadowlands people.

 

“Remind you of watching puppies being born?” Saxon murmured to Jake.

 

His partner snorted a laugh. “Labor’s a lot longer for humans.”

 

“And worse.” Rainie widened her eyes. “Remember that Rottweiler last week. She had ten puppies.”

 

Murphy’s mouth dropped open. “Ten. That poor dog.”

 

Saxon had to agree…and be grateful Sherlock was male. Then again, puppies were adorable.

 

He put his arm around Murphy, feeling her warmth against his side.