She shrugged. "That's the goal. However, I'm not sure if a few years will be enough time to accomplish everything, especially once the baby is born."
He hitched an arm around her waist. "I'll help with our bairn, as will my whole family. Don't worry, love. You'll have all the support you need."
She smiled at him. "I'm almost afraid to tell you how amazing you are again. I don't need a dragonman with a big head so soon after our mating."
He snorted. "Don't worry, I still need to walk with a cane most of the time, which keeps my head in check."
She looped her arms around his neck. "I don't care if you always walk with one. I love you just the way you are, Alistair Boyd."
"Just as I love you, Kiyana Barnes. And as a reminder, I'm going to do this."
He closed the distance between them and took her lips in a slow, devouring kiss.
Alistair had regained his family, once again had love in his life, and even had a child coming. On top of that, his mate was helping him to make his vow and dream a reality.
None of it would've been possible without the female on his lap, and he took his time letting her know just how much he loved and appreciated her for it.
Epilogue
Years Later
Kiyana stood in front of the ruins of stone, laid out in a rectangular shape. The building was near Loch Naver, and one of the first places Alistair had shown her back at the beginning of their courtship.
Well, sort of courtship.
Still, the cottage ruins held a special place in her heart and never more so than today.
Alistair stood at her side holding a small plaque. They'd come to honor what they had accomplished together, and to have a physical reminder of how they'd fulfilled Alistair's vow to Rachel.
At that moment, the nearly full-term baby inside her womb kicked. She smiled and placed a hand over the spot. It'd taken them so many years, but their second child was on the way and eager to join their sister.
Alistair placed his hand over hers. "Are you all right? Is it the bairn? I told you we should've waited."
She shook her head. "Why? I'm perfectly capable of walking a few minutes. The baby kicked is all. I think he or she wants to honor this moment as well." She met her mate's gaze. "Now I feel guilty for leaving Serena with your mother."
Serena was their daughter, the longed-for granddaughter Meg had always wanted. Of course, she had the most energy out of all the grandchildren so far, which was saying something.
Alistair snorted. "Don't be. Serena would probably run for the loch or try to climb these walls. And while I love her adventurous spirit, this moment is for us right now, love."
She glanced down to the plaque. "I feel like we should say something, but I have no idea what."
"I think getting so many dragon clans together without any sort of war breaking out is achievement enough." Alistair removed his hand and took a few steps forward, so he could place the plaque right next to one of the crumbling stone walls.
He returned to her side and hugged her against him. A wind blew, and she cuddled into his warmth. "Even though I was there, I still can't believe we made the gathering happen."
"Aye, but you were one of the main forces behind it, so of course I knew it would happen."
She hugged him tightly. "There's no need to flatter me. I'm a sure thing by this point, Alistair."
He chuckled. "It can never hurt to butter you up a wee bit. Especially since I think both my dragon and I are going to treasure every inch of your body again whilst we still can. I'm extremely happy about our second bairn, but once they get here, it'll be chaotic for a wee while. I need to drink up as much of you as I can whilst I still have the chance."
She lifted her head up, staring in Alistair's mismatched eyes, and grinned. "If I wasn't the size of a whale, I'd suggest those trees over there."
His eyes flashed to slits and back. "You know how my dragon likes claiming you in the woods."
"I bet if we find a log or rock for me to sit on, we can find a way to make it work."
He frowned. "But I don't want you to catch a chill."