The Cambion's Hoard
Chapter 65-Rose

The house was cleaner than it had ever been and I was still looking for things to do. I’d never let my nerves get the better of me when it came to my family. Yet, today was rattling me. Biggs was coming home, so we were throwing a party. The kicker was he wanted to announce my pregnancy.

Thatcher was upstairs putting some gifts together. Henson was picking up Biggs from the rehabilitation facility. Kelley was upstairs getting ready. We’d decided to let him live with us. It was going to be a great thing, he would get to spend time with his sons, but also get to see his grandchild grow up.

I took a deep breath, this was going to be a good thing. Everyone that cared about us was coming. My parents and brother, Sly, Lyandra, Patti and Hen’s parents. We hadn’t bothered inviting Gida because she would only cause problems. No one wanted that.

Wallace weaved around my feet, begging to be picked up. I reached down and he stretched against the counter, eager to help me. He butted his head into mine.

“Hi buddy.” I scratched behind his ears. He purred loudly.

Thatcher bounded down the stairs carrying numerous bags. He came into the kitchen and sat them all on the table. “That’s all of them. I had fun making these up.”

I went to stand beside him. He wrapped his arm around my waist, rubbing his thumb against the edge of my stomach.

“I can’t believe you made one for everyone. You’re very thoughtful Thatch.” I looked over the gifts. He and Hen had come up with the idea for the announcement. Everyone was getting a little gift that told them they’d be receiving a new moniker.

He kissed my temple and stroked Wallace with his free hand. “This is important. Our family is growing. Everyone deserves to be recognized. I was going to make one for Gida but decided against it.”

“Didn’t want to risk summoning the dragon?”

“Yep. She has a way of knowing when she’s not welcome. I’m worried she’ll catch wind from Drave and show up. I’m hoping he respects his son’s request.”

“If she ruins today I’m going to hurt her.”

“Hurt who?” I jumped out of my skin at Biggs’s voice.

Wallace jumped out of my arms and went over to where Biggs and Henson were standing. He weaved in between their legs; rubbing against both of them. Biggs bent down and tentatively reached a hand out. Wallace butted his hand then vanished with a tiny pop.

“I missed you to, you little fur ball.” Biggs yelled into the house, and we all laughed.

I walked over to them and pulled Biggs into my embrace. Inhaling his scent, it filled my nose and I hummed happily. He chuckled, tipped my head back and kissed me.

“I missed you little devil. I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands to myself today. Between you and Hen, everyone may get a show.” His smile widened.

I shook my head but let my smile fill my lips. I took his face in hand and shook his head. “Oh, behave.”

He laughed again. “I’ll do my best. Now who are we hurting?”

I pulled out of his grasp and headed for the living room. “Gida.”

“I told my parents explicitly that she was not welcome here after the shit she pulled at the hospital.” Henson sat next to me on the couch. He pulled Biggs into his lap.

“Biggs.” Kelley’s voice was gentle.

He pulled from Henson and went to his father. Biggs pulled him into a gentle embrace. “Hey, Dad.”

Kelley’s eyes filled with joy. He squeezed his eldest son tightly. I could feel the love and joy everyone was experiencing through our bonds. Biggs had come so far in the last month. He had changed drastically and this was only one of the things that was different. Losing the female part of him had balanced the aggression and anger. He was a new person and we were supporting him through the change.

Biggs turned to us. “Can we tell him first?”

We all nodded. Biggs moved to the dinning room tabel and sifted through the bags, picking Kelley’s from the group. He handed it to his father.

“What’s this?” Kelley pulled the tissue paper from the bag.

Biggs grinned ear to ear. Thatcher and Henson squeezed my hands excitedly. Kelley held up a polished money clip. Thatcher had crafted it himself.

“Grandpa?” Bemusement filled his face.

“Yeah. I mean if that’s what you want to be called.” Thatcher gave a light chuckle.

“Rose, are you pregnant?” Kelley’s eyes were round orbs filled with awe.

“Yes.”

He looked from the three of us on the couch to Biggs. “When, which one, really?”

Biggs wrapped his arm round Kelley’s shoulders. “About a month, and it doesn’t matter who’s baby they are. We’ll all be raising them. All of us belong to Rose, so any baby born from her is our child. Thatch and I are half of a whole. What’s mine is his and his is mine.”

Kelley beamed. “I’m so happy.”

I smiled. “We are too.”

—————-

Our family was spread throughout the garden, enjoying the flowers Patti maintains and enjoying each other’s company. Henson sat in one of the lawn chairs, with Biggs pulled protectively in his lap. Thatcher and my brother stood at the grill talking about geology.

I jumped when a pair of cool hands touched my bare shoulders.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Linus kissed the top of my head.

“Its OK. I was deep in thought. Are you doing OK?” My father looked a little distracted.

He looked down and smiled. He seemed different. “Hmm, oh looking for your mother.”

“She’s inside with Norman, they’re getting the fruit trays. Should be back out in minute.” I squeezed his hand. “Its OK if you don’t want to be near her. I understand. It was important that you were both here today.”

He chuckled. “Oh no, its perfectly fine. Your mother and I, we’ve come to an understanding about things.”

I let out the breath I’d been holding. “I’m so glad. It would be wonderful if you guys could have some sort of relationship.”

My mother and stepfather came out of the house. Mom’s face filled with the brightest grin I’d seen in a long time. Dad raised his hand, I couldn’t read his expression as well as my mother’s. He seemed almost shy about waving at Linus.

“We’ll talk more about everything later. For now, understand that things are changing.” Linus squeezed my shoulders then headed for my parents.

I almost dropped my drink when my mother pulled Linus in for a kiss. Not a peck on the cheek or even the lips, but a passionate, full of emotion kiss. I looked at Dad and he was blushing. Norman Cormorant blushing. My dad was not, a man that showed that level of emotion. I looked at my brother to replace him gaping at them as well. At least I wasn’t the only one.

When Linus reached for Norman and kissed him softly on the lips, I almost squealed. Norman placed a hand on Linus’s chest, pressing his head close and whispering. I looked back at my brother who was looking at me and we both shared in our bewilderment. Never for an instance did I think Dad would kiss a man, he’d always been so over the moon for my mother. Even from a distance though, I could tell Linus wasn’t using any of his gifts on him. He was right, so many things were changing.

Henson cleared his throat. “Well now that everyone is here. Nice of you to finally join us Linus.” He winked at my father. “We have some news we’d like to share with all of you. If you’d all be so kind as to replace the gifts with your names on them. On the count of three we’ll have you all open them.”

My mates came to surround me. Biggs stood behind me, cradling me against his body. “They didn’t still our thunder did they?”

I sighed happily. “Nah, it is going to make this announcement so much better.”

“OK, everyone have their gift?” Hen looked around the group. Everyone was staring at us expectantly.

“Rose, would you do the honors love?” He took my hand, he was shaking with nervousness.

“One. Two. Three!” Tissue paper went flying as everyone pulled opened their bags.

Thatcher had made gifts for each person with unique monikers for them. He’d sneakily asked everyone what they would want to be called if we ever had children. Claiming Biggs would want to start a family once he could convince me to give in. The only one that didn’t believe him had been Patti. Damn psychic.

We watched as everyone examined the contents of their bags. Sly was the first to put it together. She dropped her bag, ran, arms wide,and flung herself at us.

“I am going to be the best fucking aunt ever! I’m so happy for you Rose. Oh my god, you’re going to have a baby!” She held onto me tightly as she jumped up and down.

Once Sly calmed down, everyone came of and embraced us. Excited reactions in turn.

Henson pulled his parents aside, explaining to them that this child was his biologically. He’d wanted them to know that, as they’d always feared he’d never get to father children being Biggs’s mate. Miori grabbed her son and pulled him into a bone crushing hug. Drave had to pry his wife of their son so he could hug him as well.

My parents, all three of them, surrounded me. Joy radiated from them. This feeling of completeness with them was a welcome balm I didn’t know I had needed from them. My mother kissed my cheeks, leaving streaks of tears behind from her own. Linus and Norman beamed but let my mother do the talking , hugging and kissing.

“You found your true mate sweetheart. This is the best news. I get to be a Grammy!” She squeezed me again.

In turn our family congratulated us, each expressing their excitement and love. My mates looked overjoyed and content for the first time since I’d moved in. I knew they had finally found the love and acceptance they’d always wanted.