Pat straightened and blinked up at him. “Why not? It’s your favorite holiday.”
“I know, and I’ve loved our family dinners to celebrate it. But this time, I’m not the only father in the group. I want it to be about the boys and their babies, too. Not just me.”
“But we could do that at dinner,” Pat pleaded.
He shook his head. “I want Kade and Jasper to enjoy themselves and make their own traditions. Plus, I’ve seen the way Adam watches those babies, and I know he’s thinking about that baby he lost. I don’t want to cause him any more pain than he’s already dealing with.”
Pat’s eyes filled and she buried her face in his neck, the collar of his shirt damp with her tears.
“I just want to spend the day with my mate, cuddle, and make love.”
She sighed and kissed his jaw. “That sounds perfect.”
“You think the kids will mind?”
“Oh, I think they’ll like some time to themselves. We can always do a family dinner another night.”
“Really?”
“Uh huh … though, I think I could use some planning and practice for our day.”
His wolf growled and his eyes grew gold. She shifted on his lap, and he moved so she could wrap her legs around his waist.
“Bedroom?”
She nipped at his lip. “I’m thinking the patio. The den can’t see us from here. We’re completely alone.”
He growled and crushed his mouth to hers.
She pulled back and laughed. “Careful, big boy, we need to make sure we get some protection or we’ll make another baby.”
“It would be a nice father’s day gift ….” He smiled, knowing she’d know he was only kidding.
“Oh really? Baby number eight? Maybe she’ll be just like our Cailin?”
He groaned. “I don’t think I can take another Cailin.”
She giggled and kissed his ear. “I love you, my Alpha.”
“Not as much as I love you.”
He picked her up and pulled her down to the porch so he could show her just how much he loved his mate. He’d raised seven children with this woman and loved every inch of her. Now he got to show her just how grateful he was for his children … and the other half of his heart.
Babysitting Finn and Brie
A Redwood Pack Short Story
Author Note: This is a special Edward and Pat short story from The Redwood Pack. This takes place sometime after Enforcer’s Redemption (Redwood Pack Book 4). You technically don’t have to read the other books before you read this, but it might help.
Edward Jamenson braced himself as the small creature wiggled in his arms. He looked down at his six-month-old granddaughter, Brie, and smiled. She stopped her wiggling, looked up at him, and grinned.
Well, maybe it was just gas. Either way, he’d take it.
Then she moved again, twisting and moving her body so he had to move fast not to drop her.
“Edward! Hold her correctly!” his wife of over a century, Pat, admonished. She sat on the floor and played with blocks with their grandson, Finn, and shook her head. “You raised seven children with me, what is wrong with you?”
“Were they ever this small?” he asked as Brie scrunched up her nose and looked about ready to cry.
“Of course, they were. Cailin was only a baby a couple decades ago. How could you have forgotten so quickly?”
Brie wailed, and he held her to his chest, rubbing small circles on her back. He didn’t think she liked being called little, though he could sense the submissive wolf within her. It was obvious because he was Alpha. It would be evident to others eventually. For now, this was his baby granddaughter and she needed pampering.
“I’m sorry, darling. You’re big and bad. A fearsome wolf. I promise.”
Brie settled down with a whimper, and he knew he’d been played.
Oh, yes, Jasper’s daughter would be a heartbreaker, all right.
He lowered her to his lap and looked down at her bright little face.
“You just wanted to prove you’re tough, didn’t you?”
She smiled and blinked up at him.
Yep, not gas this time.
Finn toddled up to him and grinned. “Play?”
His grandson and future Alpha could only speak a few words at a time, but would be a damned heartbreaker, as well. Edward smiled at the thought of his dominant sons trying to tone these two down. He couldn’t quite picture it happening easily.
Thankfully, they had their wives to corral the kids. The women were much better at it. Edward scrunched his nose as a putrid smell assaulted his senses. He looked down at his granddaughter and groaned.
“Don’t even think about it, Edward,” Pat said as she picked up Finn to play airplane.
“What?”
“You were going to ask me to change Brie. Not going to happen.”
“But I hadn’t even thought it.” Yet.
“I know you well enough that it would have been your next thought. Now go clean her up. Don’t worry, you won’t die.”
“But Pat … “
“Don’t whine. You’re an Alpha. Act like it.”
“But she’s not an enemy. It’s a dirty diaper.”
“Far more treacherous. Now show me how big and bad you can be and change a diaper.”
He growled, held Brie away from his chest, and carried her to the changing table Pat had put in the spare room as soon as their children started having kids of their own.
He laid Brie on the table, and she looked up at him expectantly.
“Fine, I’ll do it. But really? You couldn’t have waited twenty minutes for your mom to come pick you up?” Brie let out a giggle and picked up her legs for him.
Damn. There was no getting out of this.
He unsnapped her onesie and undid the strips on her diaper. He gagged at the smell but put the offensive diaper in the genie.
Brie giggled again, and his shirt started to feel wet. He looked down and groaned. His little granddaughter had decided to pee on him. Damn, her aim was good. People thought boys were the only ones to do that, but little did they know.
“I should have waited to put the new diaper under you and ready to go, then take off the old one. It’s been too long since I’ve done this.”
“I’d say,” Pat said from the doorway, Finn in her hands.
“Help me, woman.”
“Oh, no, you’re the big bad Alpha, you can manage.”
He growled and picked up Brie’s bottom, holding her ankles in one hand. He quickly wiped her until she was clean, powered her little butt, then put on the diaper. His granddaughter gave him an indulgent smile and lowered her legs so he could fix her onesie.
“There. Now you’re clean.”
“And you’re not, Grandpa.” Pat laughed. “Hand me Brie and go change. I can handle it.”
He growled again and kissed his wife softly on the lips. “They’re lucky they’re so cute.”
“You love them.”
“Yes, and I love you.”
“Ah, there’s my big bad Alpha.”
He walked away with a laugh and shook his head. Yeah, he was the big bad Alpha, all right. But his grandkids could take him every time.
And there was nothing wrong with that.
On the Other Side
A Redwood Pack Short Story
Author Note: This is a special Edward and Pat short story from the Redwood Pack, set after Shattered Emotions (Redwood Pack Book 5). There are a few spoilers throughout, but for those who have read the Redwood Pack, this is perfect for you.
Edward Jamenson was getting old. The creaks in his bones and the heaviness on his heart didn’t stop with each new breath. No, as the years progressed, his age showed in everything he did.
At least to him.
He was way too goddamn old, and yet only looked twenty-five. Sometimes he cursed the way his werewolf nature took root and made him appear younger than he was. He wanted the world to know how much he’d been through; as m
uch as he’d like for it all to be hidden away as it needed to be.
His family, his Pack, were dying all around him, and there was nothing he could do about it. The war with the Centrals wasn’t going away with a prayer to the goddess and the strength of his back.
No, he’d used his strength and it had proved lacking.
Not that he’d tell the other members of his Pack that.
He was the Alpha for the goddess’s sake. He had to be strong and never have a moment’s doubt. That was his role. To show the others that he could take care of them, to show them and teach them how to take care of themselves.
Too bad he was just about out of ideas.
Thank the goddess for his sons and daughter. His six sons and baby girl were his future. His Pack’s future.
Edward laughed, thinking of his baby girl, Cailin. She was in her mid-twenties, that wasn’t quite a baby anymore. No, she was a full-grown woman and would soon find her own mate.
Of that, he was sure.
Just as he felt it in his bones, he felt the goddess in his children’s futures. Each of them was falling fast for their mates, and Cailin, Maddox, and North would be soon. He couldn’t know for sure when, or with whom, but it would be before the war was over.
He’d always had the ability to sense when things like that were coming. The ability to just know his family would continue on.
What that meant, he didn’t know. But at least his children and his children’s children would live.
That was if the Redwoods could defeat the Centrals … and the demon Caym. That fucking demon. Because of Caym, the Redwoods were on the defense, not the offense where they should be.
Edward’s youngest, Cailin, had once asked why they didn’t use dark magic. Well, that was easy. Because they couldn’t fight in the black. Only the grey. Otherwise, the white would fade away into nothingness.
“Edward?” his wife, Alpha-female and the love of his life, Pat, asked as she wrapped her arms around his middle.
He ran his hands up and down her arms then twisted in her hold so he faced her. Her head was at chest level, her wise eyes filled with worry.
“I’m fine,” he said, even as his voice roughened. He could be himself with her. He could break apart and know the world wouldn’t know that he’d fallen. She’d piece him together the same way he’d piece her if she needed it.
Mates were special like that.
“You’re lying,” she said as she rose on her tiptoes and kissed under his chin. He could still remember the first time his wolf had sensed her across the Pack, the way she’d smiled at him and laughed. Even though they’d grown up together, their wolves hadn’t known they were mates until they’d reached adulthood. Fate knew what it had been doing in their case.
He let out a sigh then brushed his lips across hers. Even after over a hundred years with his mate and fathering seven children with her, he loved the way she tasted.
When he pulled back, he led her to the front porch so they could snuggle on the porch swing. They’d made love countless times out there, the perk of living with no neighbors.
“I’m worried.”
“You always worry, Edward. That’s what makes you a good Alpha.”
Pride slid through him, but he knew he had to say more. He didn’t like words of no consequence, not when the power of them could be used for a greater good.
“We need to do more. The blood bond and the trinity bond are good. I know that. Our sons were blessed with mates that could help us. I know that’s the goddess’s doing. But we’re not done. We need to find a way to break The Centrals at the core.”
Pat curled her legs under her and leaned into him. “Yes, I know. We can’t use magic the way they do or we’d be no better than them. We’ve defended ourselves to the best of our abilities, Edward. Caym can’t even come to the Redwoods anymore. That’s huge.”
He kissed the top of her head, even as the worry didn’t go away. “Physically, we’re stronger than the wolves, even with the demon taint running in their blood. But we’re not stronger than Caym. Not yet.”
“We will be. We have to be.”
“Thank you for the confidence, my mate.”
“I know you, baby, you can do it all.”
“Dad?” Jasper asked as he walked up to the house. “What’s wrong?”
Edward didn’t move but made sure he only showed his normal emotion—confidence. His son couldn’t see every point, even though Jasper was the Beta of the Pack and knew more than most.
“Jasper, son, we’re just talking. What can I do for you?”
Jasper gave him a hard look. No, he couldn’t lie to his son anymore, but thankfully, Jasper left it be. “I was out for a run and stopped by to ask you over for dinner.”
Edward’s mouth watered at the thought of his daughter-in-law, Willow’s food. His Pat could cook like a goddess, but Willow was even better.
Pat gave a playful growl. Damn, his sexy wolf. “You’re lucky I love you,” she whispered. Never could hide anything from her. “Yes, Jasper, we’ll walk with you.”
Jasper nodded but stood below the porch, knowing his parents would need a moment alone. His children knew their parents well.
As Pat and he walked back into the house to get their shoes, Pat grabbed his butt.
Edward barked out a laugh and spun his bride around the house. “You’re asking for it, woman.”
“Oh, really? I guess we’ll just have to see when we get home.” She raised a brow then sauntered back to put on her sweater.
Edward growled. “You’re really asking for it.”
“I love you, my Alpha.” His mate kissed him softly and he sank into her.
“I love you, my mate, my life.”
“Let’s go eat. When we get back, you can prove how Alpha you are.” She giggled like a much younger wolf, and Edward laughed as he chased her out the door to their waiting son.
No matter what happened within the Redwood Pack, he’d have his mate and his family. The Alpha in him needed to remember that.
They would persevere. They were Redwoods.
Bewitching
A Holiday, Montana Short Story
Author Note: This is a Holiday, Montana story about Matt and Jordan from Charmed Spirits (Holiday, Montana Book 1). This takes place after Her Lucky Love (Holiday, Montana Book 3)
“I’m a witch. I’m a lover...”
Matt Cooper lowered his head as he tried not to laugh as his wife, Jordan, danced around her office, singing off key while dusting.
“…I do not feel ashamed!”
She turned on her last word and screamed.
“Holy shit, Matt! How long have you been standing there?” Her green eyes were wide, her long brown hair in a ponytail.
“Since you started with hating the world today.”
She blushed that pretty blush he knew went all over her body. The blush he loved to follow with his tongue.
“Oh no, you don’t, Matt Cooper. Don’t look at me with those bedroom eyes and get all broody and sexy when you’re in trouble.”
He strolled toward her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m in trouble, am I?”
“You just stood there while I made an ass out of myself.”
He leaned down and kissed her softly, loving her taste. “It’s such a cute ass,” he said as he pulled back.
“You’re not getting any right now. Cameron is coming over to hang out.”
Cameron was Brayden and Allison’s middle son. Well, technically he was Allison’s son. Brayden was his new stepdad, but that distinction didn’t really matter with the Coopers.
“Why aren’t Aiden and Lacy coming too?”
“Aiden is with Tyler and Abby; since Aiden is in love with Tyler being a Sheriff. And Lacy is with Jackson.”
Matt snorted. “Jackson?”
Jordan grinned and kissed his chin. “Oh, yes, that little girl has all you Cooper men wrapped around your finger and you know it. He’s taking her out for tea.”
&nb
sp; “Tea?”
“Yes, tea. He’s at the Inn with Connie, having a tea party. She promised to take pictures.”
Matt threw his head back and laughed. “Oh my God. Please, can we take Cameron and go see this?”
Jordan shook her head and led him downstairs. “Nope. This is all for Lacy, to show her that the Coopers are her family. If you go in and mess with Jackson, it might make her feel bad about it. You know Jackson is a softie under all that gruff and brood.”
“I just really want to see him in a feather boa and tiara.” The image would make anything better for years.
“I never said he’d dress up. Well, he might if Lacy asked, but I think she knows she’s pushing her luck. Now, Cameron is coming over because he wants to play catch with you, and he’s going to watch me make some soap with a recipe I found in my spellbook.”
“That boy really does like to try everything, doesn’t he?”
“Yep. I really, really hope our kids are as good as Brayden and Allison’s.”
Matt swallowed hard and thought about Jordan swollen with his child. “Knowing us, they’ll be hellions, but we’d manage.”
Jordan smiled. “I think we’d manage quite well.”
He looked at the woman he’d loved for so long and thought he’d lost. “You know, if we hurry, we can practice making one right now.”
Jordan rolled her eyes. “Really? That’s like the worst line ever.” The doorbell rang, and she raised a brow. “That would have been a record even for you.”
She flounced away, and he pulled his gaze from her ass as her words caught up to him.
“Even? Really? Well, just wait for tonight. I’ll show you ‘even.’”
“Aunt Jordan!”
Matt followed Jordan and smiled as his wife hugged Cameron close. Allison and Brayden stood in the doorway, leaning on one another as they smiled at their son. Hell, his brother looked damned happy. It was about time. He’d pined for Allison for years, and now the two of them were finally together.
“Thank you so much for watching him,” Allison said as she ran a hand through Cameron’s hair. Cameron immediately fixed it back the way he wanted. “We should be back after dinner.”
Flame and Ink: An Anthology Page 4