Irish Mist (8 page)

They’d redone the kitchen to Ippy’s standards, bringing in modern touches and appliances while keeping the original hardwood and brick intact. Caelum had done the painting and it looked pretty good if he did say so himself. The furniture had been all Hannah and it showed in the mash up of easy, comfortable pieces, accented with bright purple pillows. Neither he or Ippy minded the color, though.

His favorite part of the house by far was the bedroom. It had taken them nearly a week to remodel just that room after a contractor in the pack had told them it was okay to tear down one of the walls to expand it. The house had one less bedroom after they were done, but what was once a small master bedroom had become something beautiful and relaxing that was able to easily accommodate the three of them with a huge bed that was big enough for them to fit comfortably, even when it got too hot in the summer to cuddle and they each needed their own space.

Caelum heard a key turn in the lock and turned his body so that he could face Hannah when she came in the door. Ippy turned off the stove and came up next to him, putting his arm over Caelum’s knee and leaning into him.

“Have you two been waiting there for me?” Hannah asked them as she came inside and shut the door behind herself. The front door opened right into the kitchen, so she wasn’t too far away.

“Only for a bit,” Caelum told her, hopping off the island and giving her a hug. He stepped back so that Ippy could get one, too, but he didn’t go far. “Hey.”

“Hey. You have sauce on your chin.” Hannah grinned at him and Caelum wiped off his face. Ippy gave her a quick kiss before taking her hand and leading her into the kitchen to try the sauce, too. “Mmm. Really good. I like the garlic in it.”

Caelum smiled at the grin Ippy gave her.

Hannah came back and took their hands, leading them to the couch where she sat down between them. “Guys, I’ve got some news.”

What’s wrong?

Caelum reached around Hannah’s shoulders to touch Ippy’s arm and hopefully give him some comfort. “Anything we can help with?”

Hannah patted their knees and gave each of them a watery smile. “You’d better. I’ll need you both. Because we’re pregnant. I stopped by the doctor’s on the way home and took the test.”

Ippy was the first to grab her in a hug, but that was just because it took Caelum a moment to process what she’d said. But then he was holding her, too, and they were both taking turns kissing her and then each other.

“A baby…” Caelum whispered, his hand splaying out over Hannah’s belly.

“Yeah…A baby.”

Our baby. Our child. Our son.
Ippy met Caelum’s gaze over Hannah’s head.

She pouted. “It could be a girl. I’m already outnumbered by you boys.”

“Thank you,” Caelum told her, leaning down to place a kiss on her belly while Ippy tilted her head back to get a kiss of his own.

We’re going to be fathers,
Ippy told him.

Caelum replied into his mind,
Are you scared? I’m scared.

Terrified.

Caelum smiled up at him.
Happy though.

Ippy nodded.
So happy. It’ll be a boy. I’m sure of it.

Definitely a boy,
Caelum agreed with him before giving Ippy a wink. Caelum couldn’t believe how much his life had changed since he’d first met Hannah and Ippy, but now he couldn’t imagine life without them.

Daniel Anthony Glass was born just after eight o’clock on the morning of March third. He was surrounded by his mom and two dads. Once the doctor said it was okay to have visitors he was also able to meet a whole host of other people from grandparents to the best uncles and aunt a little boy could have. He grew up well, surrounded by people who loved him. After a few years, a little sister arrived who he wanted to name
Crying Pink Thing
, but was overruled in favor of Savannah Jane. It took a while for Daniel to warm up to the idea of having a sister when what he’d really wanted to get for Christmas was a puppy, but he always protected her, from the first time someone tried to bully her in kindergarten.

Caitlin was fortunate growing up to be surrounded by family and teachers that encouraged her love of reading. She has always been a voracious reader and that love of the written word easily morphed into a passion for writing. If she isn't writing, she can usually be found studying as she works toward her counseling degree. She comes from a military family and the men and women of the armed forces are close to her heart. She also enjoys gardening, hiking, and horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies where she calls home with her wonderful fiancé and their two dogs. Her belief that there is no one true path to happily ever after runs deeply through all of her stories.