Chapter 996

"Yeah," I say, petting his hair softly, smiling at him. "We can do it. We've got this. We've already got one to practice on for a couple of months - we'll be totally prepared by the time these two come along."

"Totally prepared," he murmurs, nodding slowly, clinging to the hope.

We stare at each other for a long moment before he groans again, tugging me close, cradling me against him in that way I really, really love. He snarls a little, protective and possessive, and a great deal of happiness spreads all throughout me. We take a few more minutes there, together, checking in with each other and adjusting to this wild new reality.

"God, I can't believe it," Jackson whispers, shaking his head and running a hand across my stomach. "I - I'm not ready for this."

"But you will be," I whisper, biting my lip a bit, hoping that...that it's just shock. That he's going to be happy about this soon, that he might even...like it.

He looks up at me, sensing my emotions.

I just stay very still, not wanting him to feel pressured to like it if he doesn't.

"Ariel, of course I like it," he whispers, shaking his head at me. "I'm...fucking terrified, and I definitely need a computer as soon as possible - I have so much research to do – but the idea of having a little kid? Two of them? That's...me and you, both?"

He shakes his head, holding my gaze...I think a bit lost for words.

"You like it?" I whisper, raising my hand and pressing it to his cheek.

"Ariel, you and the rest of the insane people you're related to have long sold me on the concept of family," he whispers. "If we can have that - if we can add to it... then yeah, I want that. I want that a lot."

"Plus they're going to be really cute," I whisper, starting to smile.

"Are they?" He asks, frowning a bit.

I gasp, immediately offended. "Jackson!"

"Well, how do you know," he says, leaning forward and laughing a little, winding his arms around me, pulling me closer. "You don't know what they'll look like —"noveldrama

"Yes, I do!" I snap. "They're going to look like me! And you!"

He wrinkles his nose, dubious. "I don't know, Ariel, you'd better hope that these kids get my genetics - you Sinclairs are -"

"How dare you!" I gasp, pressing a hand to my heart and leaning away. "We are a beautiful family -"

"You're all right," he concedes,

grinning at me, holding me tight as

much as I squeak, livid, trying to wiggle away in my protest and making him roar with laughter. He haul me closer to press kiss after kiss to my cheeks and mouth. "I'm kidding. They're going to be gorgeous. Of course they are."

"Damn right," I grumble, letting myself relax against him.

The door creeks open a bit. "I hear laughter," mom says, peering in. "Which suggests the great trauma is over. Which means you need to come outside so I can -"

"Yeah, yeah," I say, starting to stand up. "We get it, mom, you can't even let me have a minute alone with the father of my children -"

But before I can get to my feet Jackson sweeps me up into his arms, making me gasp a little at the suddenness with which I have reached dizzying new heights. I whip my head up, glaring at him.

"You'd better not be carrying me because it's too dangerous for me to walk pregnant."

"I'm carrying you because I love you,” Jackson says, very seriously, looking down into my face as mom grins and pushes the door open fully. "But yes, also because I am feeling very I protective right now and might not let you walk for the next six months

"What!?" I shriek.

Little footsteps ring out in the living room then and Jackson and I turn our heads towards the door. I burst into a smile when I see Marigold trotting forward with a very expensive bottle of champagne clutched in her arms.

"Champin!" Marigold says, quite proud.

"Bring that back here, mongrel!" Jesse calls after her, laughing.

But even as I start to laugh I glance around into the living room and see another figure standing there - one who I haven't seen yet today. His face is very serious, his hands sunk deep into his pockets, his eyes

fastened on me.

My face goes a bit pale as I lock eyes with my father, who clearly already knows.

"Dad," I whisper.

He holds my eyes for a moment, just the tiniest smile curling at the left side of his mouth. But then he moves his eyes to Jackson's face, that smile disappearing.

"Go ahead and put her down, Jacks," dad says, very serious and firm. "She won't break. And you and I need to have...a talk."

I grimace a little, looking up at my mate as he sighs and bends to put me on my feet.