Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

The pool wasn't terribly crowded, which was good. In fact, it was Lake and part of his brood, along with Dex, who occupied one end of the decking, their towels and toys spread about on chairs.

"Elowyn! It's good to see you." Lake waved at them as they brought Leilani into the humid space. "Well met."

"Hello! We came to help our girl learn to love the water." Elowyn blinked up toward the panes of glass surrounding the pool. "Is that snow?"

"It is! It just started. And soon it will get all steamy up there and look like a wonderland." Lake twirled in a circle.

"This is amazing!" He held Leilani as his mates stripped down to their trunks.

"It is." Cerran held out his hands for Leilani so he could get out of his outside clothes as well. They had all brought towels and robes so they could sit on the side of the pool and be warm, but it was lovely in the building.

He eased down into the water, then reached up for the baby. She stared at the liquid, frowning deeply.

"It's okay, baby girl. You're good."

She blew a series of sparks, expressing her worry very clearly.

"We're natural swimmers." Cerran stayed plenty far enough away, but he ran at the pool and jumped, bobbing up immediately and paddling around for Leilani to see.

"It's just like a big bath, silly girl." Elowyn held her gently, easing her into the warm water as she stared at Cerran.

Triton moved into the water slowly, glaring at Cerran, who laughed, the sound merry as heck.

"Listen to your silly soffaren. Being so funny…" Elowyn danced her around, bobbing her up and down.

She stopped scowling and blowing sparks, but when the other kids splashed in, she actually began to laugh.

"See? Look how much fun! We can pretend to be fishes!"

She splashed at the water with her hands when he lowered her enough to touch it, giggling madly.

"That's my girl," Triton murmured.

"Your girl?" Cerran growled it.

"I am the one named after the sea…"

"I'm the one that held her first."

"I'm the one?—"

Elowyn chuckled and swam her around, letting her relax and enjoy herself while her fathers played.

"They look happy," Lake told him, paddling up with one of the little ones in his arms.

"They're teasing. It's cute, isn't it?"

"It's lovely. You've been very good for them. They worried so about Leilani and her stone…"

"I know. It was a terrible situation, and they sacrificed their whole lives." Just to do what was right.

"They were better out of that keep," Lake said fiercely. "Those old places with all their crazy rules are poison."

"I don't understand why they want everyone to be so unhappy…" He never would. It was stupid, one way or the other. Just stupid.

"I don't either. But I think it's control, when it comes right down to it." Lake sighed. "But enough about that. This is for celebrating, and it's snowing!"

"It is! It's snowing and we're in the water, all warm and toasty!"

Leilani splashed and laughed for him.

"That's it. And one of the attendants said they'd be bringing hot chocolate around. How awesome is that?" Lake bounced the baby.

This life was amazing—so much bigger, more full than he'd ever imagined. And he had his mates to share it with. And their baby, with one on the way.

"I know that expression." Dex came close. "I see it in the mirror."

"I know. I'm so happy, my friends."

"Come to me, kaiinaa!" Triton swooped Leilani out of his hands and danced her away at the same time Cerran grabbed him and held him tight.

He laughed, throwing his arms around Cerran's neck. "Do you need attention?"

"I do!" Cerran offered him the cutest little pout. It should have appeared completely out of place on this huge warrior, but it was adorable and made him offer a kiss.

Cerran hid him from the children, kissing him thoroughly. They slid beneath the water, the bubbles rising up.

He knew Triton was watching them, but he felt nothing but joy from their mate.

They floated back up, and he stayed in the deeper water until his erection faded. He didn't want to startle anyone. This was about fun. About snow and swimming and…he sniffed. "Hot chocolate. It actually smells good."

"Doesn't it? It's so decadent—creamy, rich."

"I want to try it."

"You can have a sip of mine, hailee," Cerran said. "If it sits well, I'll get you more."

"With extra whipped cream?"

"Absolutely."

"You spoil me." He took a sip of Cerran's and moaned. Oh, that was yummy.

"I'll bring you a cup," Dex said, swimming off. So sweet, all of them.

Triton came over with Lei. "It's good, hmm?"

"It's amazing." He smiled at their little one. "Are you swimming with your soffaren?"

She threw her head back and squealed.

Triton's warm chuckle flowed over them like the water. "Yes, kaiinaa. You are so brave."

"She so is. Our little swimming warrior," Cerran cheered, and it was so sweet.

"Such a good girl," he added.

She burped like a warrior who had drunk too much ale, and everyone laughed. He drank two cups of hot chocolate, but then he was sleepy.

He didn't want to be a party pooper, but he was so tired that he couldn't keep his head up.

"Do you want to wrap up and go lie down on a chaise, hailee? Or do you want to go home?" Cerran lifted him against that wide chest.

"Oh, I could watch all of you swim. That's a wonderful idea." He let Cerran take him to a seat at the side of the pool, bundling him into a big robe and a towel and some socks. He was so dozy, and he drifted, listening to laughter and happy splashing.

This was a lovely idea.

Swimming and children and snow and hot cocoa.

And babies.

A tiny motion danced in his belly, and his eyes flew open.

Whoa.

Elowyn put hand to his stomach. "I hear you. Or I feel you at least. Hello, my little one. Oh, hello." He was…amazed. Overjoyed.

He could barely believe this was happening. His baby was awake, moving.

Are you all right, hailee? He looked up to find Triton watching him from the pool. All is well?

The baby moved. I felt it move. Like a flutter in my belly.

Oh. Triton stared at him, eyes glowing. Hailee! Cerran, the baby moved!

"What?" Cerran came out of the water like some sort of an amazing god, droplets sluicing off him. "Our baby?"

"Yes. They moved. I felt it, deep inside." He would never forget it either.

Triton came too, and he had to look for Leilani. Oh, she was with Lake. Whew. Okay.

"I would not just drop her in the water," Triton teased, walking over to kiss him. He felt that too, all the way to his toes. Then Cerran was kissing him, and he was laughing, breathless.

Elowyn nodded. "I felt it."

He stroked his belly. I felt you. I love you, little one. I love you.

There was another little flutter of movement, and he felt joy flow through him. Oh, he knew the little one wasn't talking to him. Not yet. But it would happen soon.

It didn't happen to everyone, he knew, but he wanted it to happen to him.

He leaned on Triton and grinned as Cerran pulled another lounge over to sit next to him. They all watched Leilani play with Lake and Dex and the other children, their friends kind enough to hold her.

Cerran and Triton's hands were clasped over his belly, warm and solid. He hummed, feeling protected and loved, and when Lake dropped a sleeping Leilani off with them, they were a complete circle. Perfect.

He didn't need anything more. Not a thing.

Well, maybe a little more whipped cream.