Page 30 of Fire in Cabin 27
I’m such a dork, I even took the time to carve a placard to hang next to the front door that says, Kyson & Juni, est 2025.
I’d become a full blown, head over heels in love dragon.
Major dork.
But a happy one.
“Knock, knock,” Dad called out as he stepped inside the shop. “We’re heading down the hill for lunch. The family has been given strict instructions to not allow Juni up here per your request. Come on, time to eat.”
“Juni bug, be careful,” mom scolded him as he slid across the floor in his excitement to reach my outstretched arms.
“Sorry, mom,” I love how he’d adopted calling her that.
“You just missed me, huh darlin’?” I peppered his face in kisses, basking in his giggles.
“I did and no one will let me come spy on you guys,” Juni pouted.
“That’s because we want to surprise you when it’s all done. Can you give me that, sweetheart?” My turn to pull out a pouty face.
“Yeah, I guess. I’m just excited.”
“As am I, my love, but I’d like to have some surprises to reveal.” His eyes lit up when the magic word registered. “Ah, I see how you are. Come on,” I swatted his behind. “Let’s eat.”
“I’ll have you all know, Juni made today’s lunch,” Mom announced and my sweet Juni blushed. “We directed but didn’t touch.”
Dad stepped up and grabbed the first place. “Thank you for lunch, Juni.”
It appeared to be a pasta dish of some kind, maybe lasagna. Not overly pretty by any means but it was edible. There wasn’t much a dragon wouldn’t eat, especially hungry ones who’d worked hard. Salad and bread were passed around and we devoured everything. Juni was all smiles, which was what mattered most. His and Azure’s baby bumps were much more noticeable today as they watched us from the stools they’d perched upon at the center island.
We each washed our dishes, mom didn’t have a dishwasher and always claimed that’s what her kids were for. She cooked, and we cleaned up afterward. I hated that as a kid, but as anadult I realized it was more than fair. As soon as mine were drying in the rack, I kissed Juni’s baby pooch, then him, and we trekked back up the hill.
These long days and nights had finally come to an end, touch-ups were being completed, and dad and I stood outside admiring the family’s hard work. “Dad,” I choked up, the words stuck in my throat.
He gripped my shoulder. “I know son. Patiently we waited for you to find your way back, but you had to find yourself first.”
“And my mate.”
“It’s our mates that lead us to find who we really are. They’re our core, our souls, and they hold the key to our hearts. Just don’t tell your mother I said that,” we both laughed. “Seriously, I’d be nothing without the love of that infuriating woman.”
Juni and I will have our ups and downs, just as my parents have, and I looked forward to making up after every one of them.
“Tomorrow we’ll hit the yard, grab the trucks and clean out your house?” Kobalt asked. My brother was one happy dragon having me back, as was his mate with her new bestie.
“Brother, I owe you an apology.”
“No, you don’t. You had to do what was right by you.”
“Yeah but leaving my own bestie in the dark wasn’t the way to go.”
“Well, you found your way back and that’s all that matters.” I suppose Kobalt was right, though I’d never admit that aloud. “Alright, meet you at the truck in the morning. I’ve got feet to rub.” Ah, so Juni and Azure had teamed up on us. Now I fullyunderstood where that nightly request had come from. Sneaky pregnant mates, but I’d keep their secret.
The three of us headed down the hill, Kobalt stepping off midway toward his own house. “Family son,” Dad whispered. “Family comes first no matter what.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear ya, old man.”
He chuckled. “This old man can still kick your younger ass.”
Dad was fit as hell and no doubt could knock me on mine. “True dat!” Shit, Juni was rubbing off on me and depleting the proper use of the English language in my brain.
