When the front door closed and the house was silent except for Garrett and my nervous heartbeats, I eyed him and frowned. “What the hell was that?”
“Hey!” he scowled. “Language, dude.”
My eyebrows shot up, and for the first time in years, I felt heat creep into my cheeks.
“Sorry.” I wasn’t sure who I was apologizing to… him or the girls.
“Toys!” Isis squealed, pointing to the bucket filled with a variety of items. “Down. Down.” She wriggled until I gave in. Once her feet hit the ground, she took off toward the bucket, sitting down and immediately dumping its contents all over the floor.
Karly copied the toddler, and Garrett regarded me with a questioning look. The baby yelled, and he quickly put her on the floor, as well. She tottered a few steps before dropping with a plop to her bottom. It didn’t slow her down. Seconds later, she was crawling toward Isis.
“This isn’t so hard,” Garrett said, sitting down on the floor next to the girls and crossing his legs. He picked up a toy airplane and flew it around the air. Both girls clapped their hands and giggled.
I smiled. Maybe we can do this.
Only the gods knew I’d spoken to soon.
Isis got up a few minutes later and started walking around the room. She looked like she was inspecting the furniture at first, but then she went behind the rocking chair, and a very distinct smell hit my nostrils.
“Isis!” We both jumped up, and the toddler ran out from behind the chair.
Garrett caught her and held her body out away from his as she continued to scrunch up her legs and face. “Dude, she’s still going!”
“What are you telling me for?” I pointed to the hallway. “Take her to the toilet.”
He ran with her, holding her body away from his.
“Get in here and help me!” he shouted.
I glanced at Karly, who had watched the entire exchange silently, although I was quite sure there was a smile in her eyes that said we’d be doing the same thing with her momentarily. “Stay,” I said, pointing at the toys.
Darting down the hall, I turned into the bathroom and saw Garrett holding Isis above the toilet.
“Take off her pants, man. I’ve only got two arms.”
“Okay,” I grabbed the toddler’s shorts and tugged them off. The diaper was another matter.
“The tabs on the side. Bella said those were like Velcro,” he advised, wrinkling his nose.
The smell was indeed getting worse. I pulled the tabs and removed the diaper. Poop rolled from inside it and hit the bathroom floor with an ominous plop plop plop. Everywhere but inside the toilet.
“By the gods!” Garrett shouted. “Couldn’t you have at least directed it into the bowl?
A burst of female laughter from the hallway turned both our heads. Charlie was wrapped in my blue terry-cloth bathrobe and was expertly balancing Karly on a hip using only one arm. Her other arm was hanging onto the doorframe trying to keep herself from doubling over.
The laughter made her face turn red. She tried to speak, but no intelligible words came out before another roll of laughter took her over.
“I’m done,” Isis said, kicking her legs in the air.
Garrett snorted. “You think!” He pushed her toward me, and I shook my head.
“What am I supposed to do?”
“Dude, you either clean her or clean the floor.”
My eyes drifted to the formless brown globs on the bathroom floor and then back to the struggling toddler. I was less afraid of the shit.
“You keep her,” I said.
All the while Charlie continued to laugh her ass off in the hallway, trying to talk but not having any breath to do so efficiently. Her humor wasn’t annoying; the situation was probably that of a three-ring-circus in her opinion. Plus, just hearing her laugh instead of cry was worth cleaning up Isis’ poop every day of the week. Although, I rather hoped it didn’t become a habit.
Garrett groaned, but carefully stepped over a glob and exited the bathroom with the toddler held at arms’ length from his body. I turned back to the floor and swallowed down the disgust rising from my gut. It smelled worse than a decomposing animal. What in the world did this child eat?
Once the bathroom floor was cleaned up, I joined them in the nursery, formerly Garrett’s bedroom. It was hard to believe it’d had his things in it only a few hours ago. Now it was a baby kingdom.
“Use the wipes and hold her legs up with your other hand,” Charlie’s voice carried from across the room. She was hovering around the diaper table-thing. Isis was lying on top of it, and Garrett was doing his best to wrestle two weaving legs and clean her bum at the same time.
I chuckled and leaned against the doorframe. This was what life should be. Not fighting armies and crazy psychopathic lunatics. It should be about family and chasing a toddler about to poop in her diaper. These were the moments that started something new.
“Now fold the new diaper between her legs… yes… and use the tabs to hook it in place. Good!” She rubbed Garrett’s arm, and I felt her pride in him over such a small thing. His excitement over the accomplishment flooded our bond with joy. Joy over success with a diaper.
“Down, down!” Isis squealed. Garrett lifted her from the table and set her on the floor. She ran back toward the toys wearing only a shirt and diaper.
“Her pants,” Garrett said, his eyes wide with embarrassment for the child who didn’t look like she had a care in the world.
“She’s fine. I’ll dress her later. Just let her play,” Charlie said. She bent over and put Karly on the floor and watched her crawl back to the toy corner.
Garrett slid an arm around Charlie’s waist and hugged her close. “Sorry we woke you.”
“It was worth it,” she answered, flashing him a smile and then me. She held out an arm, inviting me to join them.
I crossed the room and stood with them. “It was pretty funny, wasn’t it?”
“My dear brave, wonderful mates, it was the funniest thing I’ve seen in my entire life.” She leaned her head against my shoulder and sighed.
“What are we going to do when there’s another?” Garrett asked, his voice carrying more than a little fear.
I swallowed. Another one?
“They’ll equal us in numbers. And how do you hold one with one arm like you were doing? Is it even possible to hold both of them at once?” Garrett rapid-fired the questions.
Charlie moved her head from my shoulder to his and patted the front of his chest with her palm.
“I love you.”
“But what about—”
“Shhhhh,” she said, pressing a finger to his lips. “Just enjoy the moment.”
I pressed a kiss to her temple and moved across the room, sinking to the floor next to the two children. She was right.
Moments like these were for savoring.
Flashes where everything was good.
Everyone was safe and happy.
Everyone could feel the love in the room.
Isis crawled over onto my lap and leaned against my chest. She didn’t say anything. She just was there with me, sharing the magick that flowed between us. Our mate bond was growing, expanding to include the children. It wrapped around each of us like a comforting blanket. Peaceful. Calm.
Charlie and Garrett sat down next to me, and Karly crawled into Garrett’s lap and beamed up at him.
I met Charlie’s gaze and smiled.
A perfect moment, no matter how fleeting, was still perfect when it happened.
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About the Author
Krystal Shannan goes to sleep every night dreaming of mythical realms with werewolves, vampires, fae, and dragons. Occasional a fabulous, completely human story slips into the mix, but powers and abilities usually crop up without fail, twisting reality into whatever her mind can conceive.
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br /> As a child, her parents encouraged her interests in Ancient Greek and Roman mythology and all things historical and magickal. As an adult, the interests only grew. She is a child of Neverland and refuses to ever stop believing in fairies. She is guilty of indulging in and being a Buffy the Vampire Slayer groupie as well as an Angel fan. For those of you unfamiliar with the world of Joss Whedon, you are missing out!
She also makes sure to watch as many action and adventure movies as possible. The more exciting the better. Yippee-Ki-Yay..... If you don't know the end of that phrase, then you probably don't like the same movies.
She enjoys reading romance in all genres, but especially paranormal. Her favorite book is ACHERON by Sherrilyn Kenyon. But really, if it has a 'Happily Ever After', she's on board!
Krystal writes stories full of action, snark, magick, and heart-felt emotion. If you are looking for leisurely-paced sweet romance, her books are probably not for you. However, for those looking for a magickal ride, filled with adventure, passion, and just a hint of humor. Welcome home.
Krystal also writes contemporary romance under the name Emma Roman.
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Other Books By Krystal Shannan
Vegas Mates
Chasing Sam
Saving Margaret
Waking Sarah
Taking Nicole
Unwrapping Tess
Sanctuary, Texas
My Viking Vampire
My Dragon Masters
My Eternal Soldier
My Warrior Wolves (Jan 2016)
Sanctuary, Texas Mastered
Mastered: Teagan
Mastered: Kylie (coming 2016)
Mastered: Hayley (coming 2016)
Somewhere, TX
To Save A Mate
To Love A Mate
To Win A Mate
To Find A Mate (Feb 2016)
MoonBound
The Werewolf Cowboy (Jan 2016)
The Werewolf Bodyguard (Jan 2016)
The Werewolf Ranger (Jan 2016)
Pool of Souls
Open House
Finding Hope
Contemporary Romance by Krystal’s alter ego,
Emma Roman
Somewhere, TX Bachelors
Can’t Get You Off My Mind
What’s Love Got To Do With It (Feb 2016)
You’re The One That I Want (March 2016)
MacLaughlin Family
Trevor
Caiden
Harvey
Lizzy
My Warrior Wolves (A Werewolf Shifter Romance) (Sanctuary, Texas Book 4) Page 19