Duke sighed. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. I’m adopting you both officially. The paperwork just went through; I’m now your legal guardian.”
Both kids whooped and leaped out of their chairs. Apples went flying. They scrambled around the table to hug Duke, sobbing.
“Are you our Papa now?” Teddy asked tearfully.
“If you’d like me to be.” Duke had crouched on the floor so he could hug them, one small child in each arm.
“We do. A lot. That means we can call you Papa, right?” Mallie asked quietly.
“Yes,” Duke said as though he was holding his breath.
“Papa,” Mallie and Teddy both said.
Nat wasn’t crying, some dust had gotten in his eye.
Over the siblings’ shoulders, Duke exchanged a look with Nat, looking so pleased that Nat scooped up Wanda and went to hug them too.
“This is perfect,” Duke said, dropping a kiss on Nat’s lips. “You’re all perfect.”
The children cried harder. Nat kissed Duke sloppily; he couldn’t see through his tears.
* * *
Later,when all the kids were asleep and it was just the two of them in bed, Duke pinned Nat against the pillows.
“This was a really great day,” Nat whispered, Duke’s lips just a hairsbreadth from his own.
“You think so?” Duke grinned, nuzzling Nat and kissing him softly.
“Everything was perfect. The shelter visit, the apples, and you—” Nat teared up again, remembering Duke’s announcement. “They called you Papa.”
“Not going to lie; that might’ve been one of the best moments of my life.”
“One of?” Nat gave him a doubtful look. “Not the best?”
Duke smiled and said nothing for a moment. “I can think of some other moments that will be just as good.”
“Like what?”
Duke kissed Nat’s lips. “I’m not telling you just yet.”
Natpouted.“Is it the moment when you tell me what those trophies were for?”
“Nat Whittinger,” Duke growled, pressing his lips against Nat’s throat and blowing a raspberry.
Nat squealed. Duke pulled up Nat’s shirt, blowing a raspberry on his chest. Then he blew a raspberry on Nat’s belly too, and rubbed his face against it.
“Your dad is a naughty raccoon,” Duke rumbled to their unborn child. “I will be so mad if you’re like him.”
“Lies! You’re not mad at all.”
Duke grinned and blew another raspberry against Nat’s abdomen. He dragged down Nat’s pants too, and blew raspberries on his inner thighs.
“That tickles,” Nat squealed.
“Yeah?” Duke pressed his lips to Nat’s bulge, blowing a raspberry through his lace panties onto his cock.
Nat giggled, squirming under him. “It feels weird. But good.”
