Page 29 of The Manny's Fiery Dragon Bond

Work. That was an easy one. It wasn’t a matter of clan politics or family acceptance. It was a job.

“We haven’t, but I believe that he wants to.”

And as long as it was his desire, it was mine also. I wasn’t one of those alphas who needed their omegas home doing the housework and goddess knew what. I had people for that, but even if I didn’t, we were a team, and we’d share those tasks. If that was his yearning, I’d support him, but I didn’t get that from any of the conversations we’d had.

“And if you two have a clutch...” Tavian’s brows raised. There was hope in his voice, thankfully.

I grimaced. We had not talked about that. It was yet another thing I hadn’t let myself think about. I had to stop doing that. I scrubbed a hand over my face.

“We… that hasn’t come up yet.” I’d raised my children to be open and honest with those around them, and here I was avoiding the difficult conversations at every turn

“Oh, for goodness’ sake, will the two of you sit down and communicate? Please? I can’t be your little relationship coach. I have a family and a job, I don’t need a side hustle.” He tried to lighten the blow with humor, but he was right. I was old enough to know better.

“Easy there, young one,” I said.

“Oh, you’re gonna pull out the ‘I’m your dad’ voice now, huh? I’m a dad, too.” He made a face that reminded me of when he was young and being silly, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Mal, you’re here.” Ollie came to my side and wrapped his arms around my waist.

I pressed a kiss to his lips.

“How was your day?” I asked. With him here, my son would stop his twenty questions. Did I ever learn?

“Great. The kids have learned quite a few new things. We were watching some television, and Ruby saw someone jump roping. And, well, you’ll have to see.” He linked his fingers into mine and tugged me toward the living room.

There, Ruby had a shoelace she was desperately trying to hold in both hands, fumbling in a way that only a child with very few fine motor skills could do. I held back a laugh as I watched her try to grasp it in her little hands and try to mimic the movements they had seen.

Ollie was so good with the kids. So many people tried to prevent kids from getting hurt to the point where they never got to experiment. Ollie found that balance, and moments like this highlighted how amazing he was at that.

“Are you jump roping, Ruby? Is that jumping?” I squatted down to her level.

She bounced their little legs, her feet never moving off the ground as she bent her knees. A wide grin split her face. She was having the time of her life.

“You’re doing so great,” Ollie said.

That was when I saw it—a vision for what our future could be.

I may have been old, but I wouldn’t be the first dragon to have a clutch at my age. Thanks to all of our shifter abilities, I didn’t age like humans. And at one time, I thought I’d never have any more children. I’d had that season of my life. But now, watching Ollie with the kids, it made me want that again… with him.

Ollie and I could do this—this could be us. I’d love to have one with Ollie. He’d be a fantastic father, just as he was a fantastic manny. And together, we could grow our family. But was that what he wanted? My son was right. I needed to alpha up and have the conversation already. It wasn’t fair to either of us to keep avoiding it.

“You want to keep an eye on these three? I’ll see if Tavian needs any help with dinner,” he said.

“Absolutely,” I said. “They are three of my favorite people.”

Dinner was a laid-back affair. Eryndor had also come for dinner, arriving at the same time that Kier came home. My whole family was here, except for Thalric, which was a far too common occurrence. Everyone around the table was important to me. This wasn’t work, it was so much more important than that. It was family.

“So how’s this gonna work?” Eryndor asked. “Are you gonna move in with Tavian? Is that what’s gonna happen?”

I rolled my eyes. It seemed my sons had gotten together on this one, and knowing them, they were never gonna stop pushing. That made me happy, even if it was slightly annoying. They were showing how much they loved me and wanted my happiness and didn’t want me trapped in my grief. I was such a lucky dragon.

“We haven’t discussed it.” Which I’d already told them.

“It’s early in their mating. There’s not a whole lot of talking going on,” Tavian said with a wink at his brother.

My mate looked like he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole. I got it. These were my children discussing our private time. That was awkward on a good day.

Eryndor made a face. “Gross, dude.”

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