Julian was still in shock by the time the evening came, but it was easy to get distracted when the first cries of baby Scarlet echoed through the house.
He and Kaspar were in the living room, and they stayed right where they were. Julian remembered too well how he’d felt when Kari was born. This situation was nothing like the one he’d been in, but he knew Seamus and Alex would want some time alone with Scarlet. They probably wouldn’t want to see anyone until tomorrow, so he was wondering if he and Kaspar should go home when Alex appeared at the living room door.
He looked tired but also happy. He was beaming. When Kaspar rose from the couch, Alex grabbed him and wrapped his arms around him, shocking both Kaspar and Julian.
They both knew Alex, of course, but Julian wouldn’t have said they were friends with him. He was a good man, though, and Julian was more than happy to hug him and congratulate him when he released Kaspar and turned toward him. “Are they both okay?” he asked.
Alex nodded as he stepped away. “They’re both perfect. She’s so beautiful. She has all this black hair, and I swear she was smiling.”
Julian doubted that, but he didn’t say anything. Alex was a new father, and everything his daughter did would make him marvel.
“We’re happy for both of you. Tell Seamus that, will you?”
Alex frowned. “Why don’t you tell him yourself?”
“I thought we should go home. I’m sure you and Seamus want some time alone with your daughter.”
Alex blinked. “God, that sounds so weird. My daughter. I have a daughter.”
Julian laughed. “It’s going to take a while to get used to it. It’s a huge change.”
“It is. I mean, I knew it would be, but now that she’s here, it’s different.” Alex rubbed his face. He looked exhausted, but happiness shone from him. “Come on. Seamus wants to see you.”
Julian was surprised. “Are you sure?”
“I think he wants to thank you. You were there for him when he was terrified.”
Julian was humbled by the trust Seamus was showing in him. He knew Seamus and Alex would want to protect Scarlet and to keep people away from her, especially in the first few days. When he’d had Kari, he’d been lucky, since he hadn’t had anyone to barge into his little two-person family life, but they wouldn’t be as lucky. Alex was the future alpha. As soon as the news that he’d had a child spread, everyone would come to congratulate him and take a peek at baby Scarlet. These were the last few hours of peace Alex and Seamus had, yet they were inviting Julian and Kaspar to be part of them.
Julian didn’t protest. If Seamus wanted to see him, then he would. He and Kaspar followed Alex back to the bedroom in which Seamus had given birth. It was the bedroom he and Alex shared, and Julian felt slightly awkward stepping in, even though there were plenty of people there.
The bedroom was still busy. Estelle and Patrick were putting away things and cleaning, while Hope, Alex’s mother, was cooing over the baby. Seamus was holding Scarlet, and he looked tired but happy and at peace. He couldn’t seem to stop smiling, and it made Julian smile, too.
Seamus looked up when he heard them walk in, and his smile widened. “Julian. I was worried you’d already left. I’m surprised you waited so long. It’s late.”
Julian shrugged. If he was honest with himself, he hadn’t stayed because he wanted to be there when Scarlet was born. He and Kaspar had stuck around because they were still in shock over their own news. He’d wanted some time alone with Kaspar, and the Bishop House was the last place in which they could have that. It was always busy with people, so it had been good for them to have a few hours on their own, even if it had been in a house that wasn’t theirs.
“I’m going to get a snack for you,” Hope said. She was giving them some time, and Julian was grateful.
With everything that was going on, he felt especially vulnerable and emotional at the thought of meeting Scarlet for the first time. He didn’t want to start crying in front of Hope.
Estelle looked at Julian once Hope was gone. “So?”
Julian bit his lower lip. He hadn’t been planning to announce that he and Kaspar were having two babies just yet, but for whatever reason, he found it impossible to keep the secret. Besides, it wasn’t exactly a secret. He would start to show soon. He’d ignored the symptoms, but he was pretty sure he’d gotten pregnant one of the first times he and Kaspar had made love. “It was positive.”
Estelle beamed. “I’m happy for both of you. Call me tomorrow or the day after that. We’ll set up a visit. I need to keep an eye on you, especially considering your background.”
Julian laughed. “You mean my age.”
Estelle shrugged. “That, and the fact that you had Kari on your own in the forest. You’re lucky things went the way they did.”
“What’s she talking about?” Seamus asked when Julian turned his attention back to him. Julian and Kaspar exchanged a glance. Julian didn’t want to blurt out the news if Kaspar wasn’t okay with it, but Kaspar nodded, and Julian knew what it meant.
He pressed a hand to his stomach. It still looked the same, but it wouldn’t for long. “I’m pregnant.”
Seamus’ eyes widened. “Oh my God. I would hug you if I could get out of this bed. I’m sorry, but I’m not feeling up to that. But I’m so happy for you!”
Julian laughed. “Don’t worry about it and stay right where you are. I remember all too well what it was like to give birth.”
“This is great news.”
Kaspar cleared his throat. “I’m pregnant, too.”
Seamus blinked and cocked his head. “You decided to have two babies at the same time?” He snapped his mouth shut. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“You weren’t rude,” Kaspar said with a smile. “It was a surprise. We were trying to have a baby, but we didn’t think Julian could have any more kids. His pregnancy is a surprise, but we’re happy.”
“Of course you’re happy,” Alex said. “Babies always make people happy. You can’t stay at the Bishop House, though.”
Julian hadn’t expected the conversation to go that way. “We’re fine there.”
“For now, sure. But now that you can leave, you should probably have your own home, especially with two babies on the way. Who’s further along?”
“I am,” Julian said.
Alex nodded. “I see. I need to talk to my father about assigning you another bodyguard.”
“I’m sorry?” Julian had no idea what was happening.
“People in the council have accepted you so far because you weren’t pregnant and it was easy for them to ignore the fact that you’re a carrier, but I want to be sure that none of them are going to change their mind or try anything when they find out you’re pregnant, especially with what Jacqueline just tried to pull. But enough talking about that right now. Where do you want to live? How about a house close by? That way, you can have as much help as you want when the babies arrive. Besides, they won’t be much younger than Scarlet. We can have playdates when they’re older.”
Alex was rushing ahead, but Julian understood where that need came from. He’d started a new chapter of his life, and he was eager to see what would happen.
Julian felt the same way.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Julian said slowly. “I love the Bishop House, but maybe it is time for us to have our own house, since we’re starting a family.” He looked at Kaspar, but he already knew Kaspar would agree. It made sense, even though Julian was sad at the thought of leaving the Bishop House and the carriers who still lived there behind.
“I don’t know if there’s a house available. I’ll have to ask my dad,” Alex said. “But if there isn’t, we’ll build it. I want our kids to grow up together. They’re the next generation. Scarlet will be the next alpha, and you two are both carriers having babies together. We’re leaving prejudice and bigotry behind, and those kids are the symbol of that.”
He wasn’t wrong. Having these babies was the beginning of something new, something big for the entire forest. Julian wasn’t sure he liked his babies being a symbol, but there was nothing he could do about it. He would shield them and protect them, but beyond that, he didn’t know what would happen.