Fated to Be Family(6)

“Move in with the pack, Caleb. You’ll be surrounded by thirty or so bodyguards,” Bran said.

“Let me think about it,” Caleb replied. Bran nodded.

“It’s awful quiet in there,” Caleb said after a moment. Both men looked at each other then got up to go check on Kate.



* * * *



Kate walked to the back bedroom with one baby in her arms and found the other one crying in front of her. When she walked into the nursery, she stopped short. The entire house looked as though it needed to be cleaned and given a fresh coat of paint. The baseboards were old and in some places, the wallpaper was peeling off the walls. Every room still had the antique furniture that had come with the house covered with dusty sheets. Every room. Every room except the nursery.

The dark wood floor had been sanded and stained and had a fresh coat of poly on it that made it gleam like glass. The baseboards and trim had been replaced and painted crisp white. The windows had also been replaced, allowing plenty of daylight into the room, making it the most cheerful place in the house. But what caught her eye and made her want to cry were the walls. Someone had painstakingly painted a mural of what looked to be snow leopards and people’s faces on every wall. She knew that Caleb had poured every ounce of his love for these two boys into this room. She looked at the crying baby, who was standing up and looking at her from his crib. Above the crib, the teal block letters spelled out the name Lucas. The empty crib beside it had letters that read Landon. The color of the letters seemed to match their eyes perfectly.

“Okay, Landon, go sit with your brother,” she said, placing Landon down in the same crib as his brother.

Immediately Lucas stooped crying. The boys turned to each other and did the cutest version of baby gabble. Kate watched in fascination. When they finished, both looked up at her and beamed revealing toothless little smiles. Her heart turned over and she knew, without a doubt, she would never be the same again. They both had Caleb’s eye shape, nose, lips, and a head full of thick black hair. Everything about them looked like Caleb except their eye color. Caleb’s eyes were a dark brown, but the boys had bright-teal eyes, like the waters of the Caribbean. She realized that she loved them because they looked like their father. And she realized that their father was her other mate.

“Well, isn’t this a pickle?” she said out loud after staring at them for quite a bit and Landon giggled. Kate smiled.

“Do you like the word pickle?” she asked and both Landon and Lucas were chortling.

“I see that the three of you are getting along,” Caleb said.

Kate whirled around to face her mates.

“Yup, they are little angels.” She ran her hand over their soft little heads. She looked up and realized that Caleb was so tired he was about to pass out as he sagged against the doorframe.

“Caleb, why don’t you put some stuff together for the boys and come with me to the Arkadion ranch? You can catch up on some sleep and Rian, Rebecca, and I will watch the boys,” she said logically.

“I can’t ruin your day like that. You don’t realize what a handful they can be.”

Kate nodded. “That’s exactly why three adults will be perfectly fine watching over them. Plus Ma is there now,” Kate added.

“The wonderful woman who runs the diner?” Caleb asked and Kate and Bran nodded.

After Kate pointed out that he was no good to the boys exhausted, Caleb finally agreed. After getting dressed, he brought out four very full diaper bags for the boys. Bran’s eyes popped out.

“This is all for those two?” he asked, looking at the bulging bags.

“You obviously haven’t been around many children.” Caleb laughed and Bran shook his head smiling.

“Bran, you drive Caleb’s car with the boys in their car seats. Caleb is too tired to drive. I’ll follow in our car. Once we get to Rebecca’s you can take the car and head home. Rian can drive me back later if needed,” Kate said, cooing at Landon.

Bran nodded before he walked to the back of the car and began to load the trunk.

“Why are you doing this?” Caleb asked, catching Kate by the arm and looking down into her face.

She licked her lips and his eyes widened. She broke the spell by pulling away. She turned, giving Lucas a kiss on the head. When she looked back up at Caleb, the moment had passed.

“Because you need the help.” She swiftly walked to the other car.

“Ready to go?” Bran asked, shutting the trunk.





Chapter 3



“Oh. My. God! They are so freaking cute!” Rian said, leaning down and smiling at Landon.

Damian was making ridiculous faces at Lucas. Kate waved goodbye to Bran as he drove off then closed the door. She turned around to see Rian and Damian monopolizing the twins. Ashby and Nicholas sat next to Rebecca on the sofa and Ma was sitting in a rocking chair.