Page 27 of Fated Redemption
Duncan punched Emmett in the arm. “Ma said she would be working with Lachlan to get any more family members transferred to Arkadia that request it,” Duncan said.
“How long were they gone?” Peyton asked.
“Fifteen years. The entire pride moved fifteen years ago. Bethy and Asling were about six at the time. Those girls worshipped their brothers. They must have been heartbroken all this time.” Emmett’s eyes hardened.
“Rian was devastated when they left. He was fifteen when Asling was born. He was both mother and father to her before he left for college. Damian was the same with Bethy. A year later Dylan was born. It was nothing to see Rian walking around town, hanging out with a baby on his hip.” Duncan laughed.
“I learned how to change diapers from helping to watch Bethy and Asling. I can’t wait to see Gavin’s reaction to them moving back to town.” Emmett smiled at the memory.
“All of us helped to raise those kids, But Gavin was closest in age to them. Asling, Bethy, Cecelia and Gina haunted his every step.” Duncan laughed.
“He’s just so easy to tease.” Cecelia admitted.
“When they left, all of us missed them so much. I once heard Ma on the phone asking them to come back.” Duncan shook his head.
“They’re home now. Soon, we’ll have baby Dylan back too.” Emmett grinned.
“He’s not a baby anymore, he’s what…?” Duncan counted on his fingers and looked up at the ceiling.
“Twenty? That can’t be right. Baby Dylan is almost old enough to drink legally?” Duncan looked a little spooked.
“Man, we’re getting old.” Emmett sighed.
Rhys, David and Daniel laughed out loud.
“We have you beat.” Daniel cackled.
Emmett brightened. “That’s right! I don’t feel so bad now. I’m just a young man in my prime.” He puffed out his chest.
“Come on, guys. One more round and then we’re heading home,” Daniel said, waving a controller.
“Yes!” Peyton jumped up and ran over to his chair and picked up the controller.
David looked at Daniel. “I think we’ve created a monster.” Daniel smiled. David jerked his head over to the Xbox and raised an eyebrow. Daniel nodded. Rhys felt his heart melt. He knew what they were about to do and he loved them more for it.
“Hey Peyton, is it okay if we leave this here with you?” David asked.
Peyton looked at David as if he had lost his mind. “Don’t you need it?” Peyton asked.
Daniel shook his head. “Nah, we have another one at home. You keep this one and practice. We can log in from the covenhouse and we can play together. We could really use you on our team,” Daniel explained.
Peyton looked over to Moe, his huge liquid brown eyes begging. Rhys had to turn his head to hide his grin. As if his softie of a mate would say no.
“You know, Peyton, this might actually be good for business. Looks like everyone had fun tonight.” Moe indicated Duncan and Emmett.
“We sure did. It’s hard to find good players anymore,” Duncan said.
“That would be so cool!” Peyton put the headset on and beamed at Daniel. Rhys almost laughed when Daniel had to clear his throat. The little vampire’s eyes had begun to get teary.
“Okay men. Time to kill shit.” David grinned at Peyton bumping shoulders with the smaller man.
“Let’s kill some fucking zombies!” Peyton exclaimed.
David, Daniel, Emmett and Duncan’s eyes widened and they busted out laughing.
“Y’all are a bad influence.” Rhys laughed.
“We know,” they said together.
