“Well I am. If it weren’t for you, they wouldn’t be here today. Neither would I,” Kate said, tears filling her eyes at the thought of losing the two precious bundles in her arms.
“I um, brought them toys,” Baptista said, holding up two small, old-fashioned teddy bears. Each was wearing sewn knightly armor which bore a regal crest.
“Knights?” Kate asked.
Baptista nodded. “I never had any children, but back before I was turned, before Prince Gabriel saved me, I was a knight. During those times, we would foster children and raise them to follow in our footsteps as knights of the land. This is the closestI think I’ll come to fostering.” Baptista set the bears down on the dresser.
“My sons will be truly blessed to have a godfather like you, Baptista.” Kate smiled.
“We’ll just keep them away from David and Daniel.” Baptista grinned.
“Where’s the fun in that?” Kate asked.
“What are their names?”
“Merrick and Matthew.”
“They are strong names.”
Caleb nodded to Bran and they walked over to the bed. They took the boys and passed Matthew to Nic, who instantly brought the baby to his chest. Caleb handed Merrick to Baptista, who looked like he was about to faint at any moment.
“Kate, we were going to wait, but I think this is the perfect time to give you your Christmas gift, since you just gave us two more precious sons,” Caleb said, sitting on one side of the bed. Bran joined them on the other side of the bed.
Bran handed Kate a small box. She looked from Caleb’s face to Bran’s before she opened it. When she saw what lay nestled inside she couldn’t hold back the sob that seemed to explode from her heart.
Cushioned on white satin were two more gem charms for her necklace, each in the December birthstone. The bluish-green charms wavered as her eyes filled with tears.
“I love you both so much, I don’t deserve you.” She pulled both men’s faces to hers for a three-way kiss. She pulled back to kiss first Bran and then Caleb soundly. They heard a sniffle and to everyone’s surprise, Baptista was the one wiping his eyes. Felix patted the large warrior on the back. Doc smiled at the trio of mates.
“You have a beautiful family.” Baptista leaned in and gently passed Merrick back to Caleb. Nic returned Matthew to Bran.
“Here’s your mommy and daddies,” Beverly said as she and Gina came in toting Landon and Lucas.
“Mamamama Dadadadadada!” the boys babbled.
Gina and Beverly placed them on the bed and let them crawl up to snuggle in close to Kate.
“Landon, Lucas, these are your brothers. Merrick and Matthew.” Kate introduced the boys. Bran and Caleb kneeled down so that the newborns were eye level with their older brothers. Lucas leaned in and placed a gentle but sloppy kiss on Merrick’s head. Not to be outdone, Landon did the same for Matthew.
“I think this will be the best Christmas ever,” Kate whispered.
“We all got our gifts early this year.” Bran stared down as he watched his sons meet each other for the first time.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Caleb agreed.
Chapter Three
Felix
Dec 21st- Morning
“Was that made-for-TV perfect or what! I felt like I was watching a Hallmark Christmas special.” Felix couldn’t seem to stop smiling. Claybourne was driving them back to their home after dropping off the unneeded medical supplies at the clinic. It had been a long time since he was able to celebrate Christmas. This year seemed to be kicking off wonderfully.
“You are a goof. The mother and both babies are healthy, that’s all that matters.” Claybourne yawned. The delivery had taken them into the next morning.
“Why do you think we were ambushed by Rebecca at the clinic? She wasn’t happy until she took our pictures,” Felix said, turning on the radio to a Christmas station. Seconds later in the middle of White Christmas, Claybourne turned the radio off. Felix sighed. His mate had been a huge Ebenezer Scrooge ever since Thanksgiving. If he didn’t know better he would say the man hated Christmas.
“No telling with her. I know that she was relieved to hear that everyone was okay,” Claybourne said, pulling into their driveway.
