Page 35 of Leif

Over the last six months, we’d grown together into a seamless family. Hitch turned seventeen, but he was such an easygoing teenager, he was no trouble at all. Of course, we had minor issues, but all in all, we couldn’t have asked for a better kid than him.

He and Leif had been working on their dragon stuff while I watched and learned. Leif was big about teaching him how to use his skills and pushing him to do better. He’d even had some friends out; Ryker and Draco and their lovely wives Kat and Luna.

It was like having extended family around, we all got along so well. I’d learned Draco was a dragon, and so was Ryker, but their wives were not.

“Have fun, Hitch.” I smiled at him and gave a little wave. He grinned back and opened the door. The second it closed behind him, I turned to Leif.

“Was I too hard on him?” He stared after the teenager.

I shook my head. “Nope. I think it just reinforces that we care about him. We want to know where he’s going, who he’ll be with, when he’ll be home. All things parents need to know to keep their kids safe.” I hugged myself. Being a stand-in parent for a teenager who’d lost his parents didn’t come with an instruction manual, but I couldn’t help but think we were doing the best job we could.

And Hitch was flourishing. We’d gotten him back into school, straightened up the troubles caused when he ran away after losing both parents. We were in the process of formally adopting him because he’d asked us to. And we’d both been touched he wanted to make it official.

His grades were all As, and he’d fallen into a group of friends that we actually liked. He’d told us that he found a passion playing Dungeons & Dragons. Leif and I both laughed and even sat in on a few games.

It was fun, too. And his friends were shy, yet kind and good influences for him. Things were fantastic as far as he was concerned.

“What are you thinking about?” Leif turned his full attention to me.

“Just how well he’s doing.” I nodded after Hitch. “It’s pretty amazing, huh?”

Leif nodded. “Yeah, it is. Now, are you going to tell me why you’re not going back to work yet?”

I’d postponed my start date after my suspension, but only because I’d been warned I needed to do so by a doctor Luna had recommended I see. “Maybe. But first,” I handed him the little box. He stared at it, then at me.

“I feel bad. I didn’t get you anything. But I think I’m forgetting the special occasion.” The very real worry in his eyes brought a smile to my lips. He was such a good man. He was perfect for me in every way.

“This one is just because.” I folded my legs under me and straightened my favorite throw over them. One of the first things Leif had insisted on was going house-hunting for our own place. And we’d found one, not far from Draco and Luna. Over the last couple of months, we’d all grown as close as family.

Unlike Leif’s family, who still didn’t seem to accept me. But that was fine. Leif had assured me they were the ones missing out, and now I could only agree. Especially with what I knew now.

“Are you cold?” Leif eyed me with concern.

“A tiny bit. But I’m fine.” I put a hand on his shoulder to stop him from standing up from his favorite seat. “I’m fine,” I said with all the seriousness I could muster.

He studied me, clearly not convinced. “I can just build up the fire.”

“Okay, if you don’t open it, I’ll throw it in the fire. Come on!” I smacked his shoulder playfully, and he glanced down at the box. My heart slammed painfully hard in my chest as he studied my gift.

“What is it?” he asked, a slightly suspicious look in his eyes as he glanced at me.

“It’s a pony,” I joked, and his eyes crinkled at the corners. “Just freaking open it!”

He lifted the top off of it very carefully, and his eyes widened. I tried to hold back my absolute terror and excitement while waiting for him to respond. He blinked, staring at it for a second before looking up at me.

“Luna gave me the name of a doctor that deals with you guys. I’m checking in with him tomorrow, but he told me not to go back to work in the meantime.” I nodded my head, realizing how bad it sounded. “I mean, until he could check me out. Just in case, you know?”

But Leif seemed stuck on the box. “We’re… going to have a baby?”

Joy exploded in my chest, and I wiggled in my seat. “Yes! I just found out this morning. Got everything taken care of, but wanted to tell you when it was just us.” My heart sank. Would Hitch feel like he was being pushed out of the way for the new baby? Would our perfect lives crack under pressure?

As if my thoughts conjured him, Hitch walked in the front door. “Forgot my headphones.” He ran up the stairs, then froze and backed down them, watching us. “I missed something. What did I miss?”

“You’re going to be a big brother.” Terror welled up in me as I watched for any disappointment or anger in his features. But he lit up with excitement instead.

“Really? Congratulations, guys!” A grin crossed his lips. “Want me to stay in so we can celebrate? Or want me out of your hair?”

I glanced at Leif as Hitch added, “Not gonna hurt my feelings either way.”

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