Leaning against him, she murmured, "Fine. I am fairly brilliant. But you've been having a hard time, and since you were there for me when I needed it most, I'm trying to do the same."
He kissed her forehead. "I love you, Arabella MacLeod."
"I love you, too, Finlay Stewart."
They stood in silence for several minutes, watching their children sleep.
His dragon spoke up. I love Aunt Lorna, but I wish our parents could be here, too.
Aye, I know, dragon. But raising these three hellions will help keep their legacy alive.
Finn's father had been clan leader many years ago, but he and Finn's mother had died at the hands of enemies when Finn had been a teenager.
His beast replied, I think it's time to revisit Ara's idea.
I think you're right.
He whispered, "Once all of this is sorted, I want to help you make the picture family tree in the living room."
She glanced up. "Are you sure? I know having your parents' pictures on the wall won't be easy."
He squeezed her waist. "It'll be just as difficult for you, doing it with your parents, Ara, and yet you're willing to hang them up."
She ran her hand up and down his side. "My mother saved my life. The least I can do is keep her memory alive for our children. Besides, having pictures of both your mother and mine will help Freya understand why I gave her the middle names of Anne and Jocelyn."
Anne had been his mum's name and Jocelyn had been Arabella's mother's name.
He gently squeezed her shoulders. "And your father? After all, our sons each carry the names of one of their grandfathers. Can you handle having his picture on the wall, too?"
"I—" She paused and finally continued, "I hate the unknowing, but I think it's finally time to accept that my father is dead. He disappeared not long after my mum died and never returned. If Kai and Bram haven't been able to find him, then he's gone for good. Having his picture around will help me accept that fact."
"Then I suppose it's time for both of us to push past the pain so our children can better know their grandparents."
"I hope we can be around longer than either of our parents were, so that our children don't have to go through the same pain so young in life," Arabella whispered.
He pulled Arabella tighter against his side. "As I've said, I'm going to do everything within my power to ensure our three hellions have us for a very long time."
As he memorized his sleeping children's faces, a sense of peace washed over Finn. True, something could go wrong soon enough, but these were the moments he'd use to draw strength and fight for every one of his clan members' future.
Chapter Four
A baby's cry woke up Arabella. Blinking her eyes open, she tugged at Finn's arm around her waist, and he released her.
She quickly reached the crib, but stopped breathing at what she saw. Freya was awake, but her pupils were slitted.
Which meant her inner dragon was either in charge or talking with Freya.
Her dragon spoke up. That shouldn't happen yet.
Keeping her voice low and as free of panic as she should, she said, "Finn, wake up."
He grumbled, and Arabella debated whether to pick up her daughter or not. If Freya's dragon had somehow managed to take control, she didn't want to push the beast too far and possibly cause it to go rogue.
Which meant she might lose her daughter forever.
"What is it?" Finn asked on a yawn.
Arabella pointed at Freya and Finn leaned forward, clearly alert. "What the…?"