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Marina-Lynne was already wearing her period dress - a light purple number when Gavin and Arlana walked in the door.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're back and just in time. Adelaide has called several times looking for you, Arlana. I had no idea what to say so told her you are out of town. You guys look wonderful! I can't wait to hear all about the honeymoon," Marina-Lynne winked as she paused to catch her breath.
Arlana couldn't help but laugh at her cousin's enthusiasm.
"You look wonderful as well - the dress really suits you."
"Thank you! Oh, that reminds me. I set your package on your bed - I hope you don't mind. The boys are playing outside so I'll get them to change at the last minute so they still look decent when your family arrives."
"Perfect," Gavin smiled "I'm just going to change then go pick up Addy and the kids. Their sister is coming as well - Jaira."
"We have plenty so that'll be fine. I'm looking forward to meeting your sister."
"I'll leave your dress on the bed, but I want to see you in it when I return," Gavin winked before brushing a tender kiss on Arlana's lips - a kiss filled with promise.
Arlana flushed when Gavin returned ten minutes later, freshly showered and dressed as a dapper gentleman - a man of means for the time period.
"Wow," Arlana breathed, trailing her hands up Gavin’s chest beneath his suit vest. "you look so..."
"Handsome?" Gavin winked at Arlana’s loss of words.
"Yes, that as well," Arlana blushed before stepping out of his arms. "If you don't go now..."
Gavin laughed as he kissed his wife before reaching for his car keys.
"I'll be back in a couple of hours. I'm looking forward to seeing you in that dress."
"You're back!" Zek squealed with delight as he came running through the front door, immediately wrapping his arms around his mother's gently rounded stomach.
Gavin smiled at mother and son before he stepped out of the door.
"Did you have fun while I was away? I missed you, you know."
"I missed you too - but only for a little bit. Aziel and I played together and then Deklan came to visit too. Marina-Lynne said my cousins will be here today. I can't wait!"
"Well, I'm glad you had fun. I'm just going to help Marina-Lynne in the kitchen and then we will have our showers and change into the special clothes Gavin brought us."
***
"I'M SORRY I'M RUNNING late," Gavin greeted his family as he walked in the door. "If we leave immediately, we should be there by 10 am."
Adelaide mirrored her sister's scowl as she glanced up at the clock in the living room before motioning toward the wrapped platters of food they'd prepared the night before - it was enough to feed an army.
"Wow, you have been busy!" Gavin attempted to lighten the mood as he reached for two platters before bringing them out to the waiting vehicle.
"Where were you, Daddy?" Isabella asked as she carried a container of baked goods.
"I had an assignment in Nova Scotia that took longer than I had expected. Your mother and I have to talk, but next time I go away, I'm hoping you guys can come with me."
"I'd love that!" Isabella couldn't contain her excitement as she climbed into the back of the car, her siblings taking a seat on either side of her.
The sisters stood side by side, both wearing green period dresses, although Jaira's was more of a mint hue compared with Adelaide's deep hunter green dress.
"You ladies look lovely," Gavin smiled as he held the back door open for Jaira before opening the passenger door for Adelaide.
The tension was heavy in the vehicle on the long drive back to the ranch. Glancing in his rearview mirror, Gavin couldn't help but wonder if Jaira's presence was adding fuel to the fire, her scowl not wavering after over an hour of being on the road. He really needed time alone with Adelaide if he had any hope of convincing her to join him in Nova Scotia.
"Maybe this wasn't such a great idea," Adelaide murmured as they approached the ranch, suddenly shy.
"You'll be just fine," Gavin reached over, gently squeezing Adelaide's fingers. "You know Arlana and Zek and Orania and her husband, Arthur. Marina-Lynne is a distant cousin and you'll just love her. She has a son, Aziel. Then there are the Kirkpatrick men - they are all related one way or another. James is also a Kirkpatrick and his wife, Mollie is wonderful. They are both elderly. From what I've heard, it was Mollie who purchased the ranch. Their vision is to have a place for single mothers and their children - a refuge.
Currently, they have two women staying there, Ann and Roxanne. I don't really know them as they were recently brought to the house, but I'm sure they will be nice to talk with. They are both pregnant. It's a completely different experience, Addy. We are like one big family and I really want you to not only experience it but hopefully be a part of the mission. There's no pressure, but I am sure you will fit in well. Everyone is looking forward to meeting you and the kids."
Adelaide sighed, her relief visible.
"So this is going to be pretty much like a family reunion?"
"That's a good way of putting it," Gavin smiled as he merged lanes before taking the exit.
***
THE DRESS WAS BEAUTIFUL - stunning, really. It was unlike anything Adelaide had worn at the fort which was just as well as she would have stood out like a peacock amid Canada Geese. Arlana flushed, tugging at the bodice in a futile attempt to pull it up higher, but the gown's square neckline was cut low in a popular fashion seen in the European courts. Although flushed, Arlana looked every bit like a highborn woman, perfectly matched to the outfit Gavin was wearing.
"Oh my word," Mollie breathed as she came to stand in the bedroom doorway. "I was just coming up to let you know the others have just arrived. We are just waiting for Gavin and his family. You're stunning, Love. Here, let me help you with the laces."
Mollie didn't wait for a response, crossing the room before reaching for the ribbons at the back of the dress.
"I've been eagerly awaiting your return. How did it go? I was so worried about the baby when they told me you'd taken a small group back...well, I'm glad to see you look well and the baby is just fine, I see," Mollie glanced at Arlana's baby bulge in the full-length mirror.
"It was incredible," Arlana's eyes sparkled. "Gavin is hoping to head back soon but has to talk with the others of course. He is going to try to persuade Addy to join us this time... Here, I brought something for you."
Arlana turned away from the mirror the moment Mollie finished lacing up the back of her dress. Crossing the room, she reached into the folds of the dress she had been wearing, pulling out a small glass vial with a creamy liquid in it.
"Is it?" Mollie's eyes widened.
"Yes."
"Oh, my Dear Girl! Hold on, I need to have this sent over to the surgeon. James! James!"
Arlana smiled as Mollie all but ran from the room.
Voices sounding like low rumbling thunder floated up from the bottom of the stairs, suddenly growing silent as Arlana came into view.
"Welcome home, Love," Patrick smiled, holding out his hand to Arlana who slipped her hand within his a moment before she was surrounded by the wolf clan, all expressing their joy at her return.
"And the baby?" Shay spoke from closer to the back of the group.
Arlana smoothed her hands over the soft pink fabric revealing her pronounced baby bump, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
"He is well. Now that I am into my second trimester, we can travel more frequently..."
Arlana didn't finish her train of thought, the crunching of gravel announcing her sisters' arrival.