Chapter 19

Chapter

Nineteen

H awk prowled his library, searching for just the right tome. He needed a book on dragon lore or fae law or something that would assure him his child would be able to be like Cosmo and go out into all the worlds his father might inhabit.

Just in case.

He had averted the crisis with Cosmo, which had been his own foolish fault. There had been intense loving, cookies, and movies, and Cosmo seemed his happy-go-lucky self again. Which was how Hawk wanted him.

But he needed answers.

He needed to know what options he had. There were so many questions—and he didn't know who to ask, but he knew he needed books.

So he gathered and stacked and wished there was a dragon librarian on call somewhere… Or a dial-a-fae. Oh, that was funny.

Maybe he needed to speak to Cosmo's mother. Surely, she would know how this worked…

Could he put in a call to her without Cosmo knowing? Not electronically, of course, but… Maybe through Bakli?

He wondered if his friend could help out.

"I do not have the answers you seek, friend." Bakli popped out of a book as if it were a door. "I am sorry."

"I've upset my mate, and it hurts my heart, you know?"

"I do." Bakli sat on the edge of the table, legs swinging. "Do you have any cheese?"

"It just so happens, I made a charcuterie plate." He offered the plate to his friend. "Please, make yourself at home. Have you heard the news? My mate is with child."

"Congratulations, my friend dragon! I am so pleased for you." Bakli smiled, his eyelines wrinkling up.

"Thank you, I couldn't be happier." Of course, that was a lie because he could be. He wanted to know how to fix this thing that he'd somehow, oddly, messed up.

Bakli took a piece of cheese in hand, looking almost meditative. "You worry quite a lot. It's not good for you, and it's not good for babies."

"I have the sinking suspicion there's a lot of worrying that comes with babies. Perhaps even more than just a little bit."

Bakli bobbed his head. "Yes, yes, yes, I understand, but…" He tilted his head, his hat almost falling off. "It seems a mistake to miss all of the wondrous magic that is happening for something as mundane as worry. Of course, it could just be me." Those bright eyes twinkled. Then Hawk knew he was being made fun of.

"Are you suggesting that perhaps I should be spending time with my mate instead of going over all these dusty books?"

"Yes." Bakli settled in, cheese in hand. "After we eat, of course. Sharing the meal with a friend is also very important."

He took a piece of cured, peppered meat, snapping it out of the air. "I do believe you have a point, my friend."

Suddenly, his mouth was on fire, the heat both sharp and smoky enough his eyes crossed. A hint of smoke curled from his nostrils. "It's so good."

"What's good?" Cosmo came wandering in, wearing a huge puffy robe. "Oh, good day, Bakli. How are you?"

"Enjoying a snack with your mate. He was very generous to offer."

"And you were very generous to ask," Hawk teased. "Would you like some meat? The meat is very spicy," he warned.

"I don't mind spicy. The cheese, though—that smells good." Cosmo stole a piece of cheddar for himself, then he went to sit on Hawk's lap.

"Mmm. Hello, love." He was so relieved that Cosmo seemed to have forgiven him for making such a mess of things. He hated that he'd made his mate unhappy with his words and deeds.

"Hello." Cosmo munched his cheese. "Yum. This was a good idea."

"I agree." Bakli nibbled, sounding like a mouse, almost.

"Did Hawk give you our news? I'm going to have a baby. My mother came, and she let us know for sure. There's going to be a bouncing baby dragon—with a little bit of fae—bouncing around the house."

"I think that's glorious news. And he did. He shared. Hawk's very excited." Bakli chuckled. "I look forward very much to meeting your new child and to becoming his friend as I am his father's."

Cosmo nodded and leaned into Hawk, munching away. "It's going to be amazing. He's going to be amazing."

Bakli's smile was fond and barely amused. "Is it a boy?"

"I don't know. I don't know that he's decided, yet. I just say ‘he' because it's easier. And ‘it' just seems very impersonal. I suppose I could use ‘they'."

"Whatever makes you happy. I will love the baby no matter what," Hawk said.

Bakli nodded. "As it should be. Do you know which room is going to be the nursery?"

"I think we're going to make the sitting room the nursery. You know the little room upstairs in our bedroom? When the baby's older, they'll take the next floor down. That's where the children's rooms could be."

"Could be?" Hawk felt his one eyebrow raised as if it had a mind of its own. "The children's."

"Well, yes." His dear Cosmo looked very sure of himself. "I can't imagine growing up alone. It's unfathomable."

Now that made total sense. Of course Cosmo couldn't imagine it. He'd never been alone for one moment, pre-birth or after.

Hawk had been alone so long that sometimes he forgot to talk for hours. Cosmo would poke him, and in his head, he would think he'd said everything that was in his head, only to find out he hadn't even moved in an hour or more.

"I like that idea," Hawk said. "Children."

"Well, sure. Alphas love kids." Cosmo said that as if it made all the sense in the world as well. Maybe he was speaking from his recent experience with the clutches who had gone through the veil. "You don't have to have them. You just have to put up with pregnant omegas."

"I want to have all the children with you, my love." He grinned. They would figure things out. That was his job as the alpha. And for now, Hawk was certain Bakli was correct.

It seemed ridiculous to borrow trouble and to not be able to enjoy his time with Cosmo, watching his mate's body change and enjoying the process. It was something he'd never done in all his long life, after all.

He was ready to have a new life, new experiences, a new family in every sense of the word.

Cosmo leaned on him, holding his hand. Are you okay?

I am amazing. So is the cheese.

Cosmo laughed, and Bakli gave him a broad wink, and Hawk felt… better. More centered. Less worried. Fate would give him what it would, and if he never got more than this family and this house?

He could be the happiest dragon who ever lived.