Growing their Family!!
Harry sat next to Lukas and Zenith in The Pits.
They were here to watch Xander. The Air Ace had been asked to fight with a King who was trying to level up to Ace in the five months left before The Hunt started. It was a good fight.
“He isn’t going to make it,” Lukas stated and then popped a meatball into his mouth.
“Are you ever not eating?” Zenith asked with a chuckle. Lukas just shrugged and offered one to the Air Queen. Harry reached out and snagged it before Zenith could take it.
“Wait it has…” Lukas tried to warn before Harry popped it into his mouth.
“What?” Harry asked after he swallowed. “It has what? Because that was amazing, is it new?”
“Um..no,” Lukas answered and chuckled. “It had ginger. It was from that little place around the corner that you hate.”
“Oh, weird,” Harry said and shrugged as he turned back to the fight. “You know taste buds are supposed to change like every seven years or something like that. That was so good. Why don’t you think he is going to make it?”
Harry was watching Xander’s fight intensely and missed the look that Lukas and Zenith shared over his head. Harry had been eating weird things that he didn’t usually touch for about a week now.
They had been trying for a baby for a month now and a few of them had been noticing little things about Harry that made them think he might already be carrying but they were waiting because they might be making something out of nothing and they didn’t want to get Harry’s hopes up.
“Luke?” Harry asked again.
“Hmm?” Lukas acknowledged and handed Harry another meatball which he devoured before answered.
“You said that you don’t think the King is going to make it to Ace before The Hunt. Why not?” Harry asked again.
“Oh, he is putting on a good show, but his heart isn’t in it. The technique is there but the effort isn’t,” Zenith answered.
“I guess that explains why Xander looks frustrated,” Harry pointed out. “He hates to fight people who aren’t serious about it.”
“Don’t we know it,” Lukas said with a chuckle.
“You love sparing with him and you know it,” Harry stated pointedly.
“We didn’t say we didn’t,” Zenith responded. Harry reached over and took another meatball and Lukas handed him the container.
“I don’t want to take your food,” Harry said and tried to hand it back.
“Keep it, Love. I have a craving for something else,” Lukas refused and kissed Harry on the head before he stood up and stretched. “Be back in a few.”
“Thanks, Luke,” Harry said and pulled him back down for another kiss. Zenith wrapped an arm around Harry and the two of them turned back to the fight.
“So, it’s been a month since you announced that you wanted to court Xander. Why haven’t you talked to him about it yet?” Zenith asked.
“I don’t know,” Harry said with a blush. “I have never been good at this. Letting someone know that I am interested. If I hadn’t given a Soulscream, I would probably still be alone.”
Harry sighed and Zenith laughed.
“You are far too lovely to think that you would still be alone,” Zenith disagreed. “You need to be yourself, Little Warrior. Xander likes you. He has been gone on you since the day he rescued you. Just ask him.”
“And if you can’t find the words,” Hadrian stated as he claimed the seat that Lukas had vacated. “You can always give a Heartcry. Though I think Xander would appreciate your words.”
Hadrian took a meatball from the container Harry was eating out of and then looked at Harry surprised.
“This has ginger in it,” Hadrian stated in surprise.
“That’s what Lukas said,” Harry responded with a laugh. “It’s good.”
“You hate ginger,” Hadrian pointed out.
“He says that taste buds change,” Zenith answered.
“You say that like you don’t believe me,” Harry accused. “What else could it be?”
“He believes you, Little Warrior,” Hadrian assured him and kissed him on his cheek.
Harry and the two of them watched for a little longer and then Harry handed the container to Zenith. He stood up and reached his hand out for Hadrian.
“Where are we going?” Hadrian asked him.
“To Xander,” Harry said with determination. “I am doing this now.”
“You got this, Love,” Lukas called out as he sat down next to Zenith. He had just gotten back with his food.
Harry smiled and then headed down toward the ring that Xander had just finished fighting in. He had won but he was not happy about it. Xander hated empty wins. He was grumbling and venting to another Gheyo when they walked up.
The Gheyo he was venting to grinned and pointed over Xander’s shoulder toward Harry. Xander turned quickly and smiled brightly.
“Hey, Harry,” Xander greeted and then shook hands with Hadrian. “Hadrian, good to see you. What are you two doing here? Are you sparing today?”
“Nope,” Harry answered and blushed just a little. “I came to watch you. Zen mentioned that you had a fight today.”
“You came to see me?” Xander said and frowned. “I wish you had come when I was really fighting. This King was just wasting my time. He doesn’t actually want to level up. Apparently, his Sire wants him to be an Ace but he is perfectly fine being a King .”
“That’s alright, Xander. You act like I haven’t seen you spar a thousand times,” Harry said with a chuckle.
“It’s different,” Xander responded. “I would like for you to actually see me in action someday. Three years and you have never seen me truly fight.”
“Well, if you court me, then there will be a lot of opportunities for me to see you truly fight,” Harry said pointedly.
“If I…” Xander repeated and then looked at Hadrian who was chuckling behind Harry. “Arielle, Harry did you just?”
Harry blushed brightly and covered his face with his hand.
“Sorry, that was horrible,” Harry groaned. “I am so nervous.”
He heard someone else chuckle and chirped in embarrassment. Then he felt someone grasp his hand and pulled it down. He looked up at a smiling Xander.
“Harry, are you trying to express your interest in courting?” Xander asked him gently.
“Yes,” Harry answered quietly. “If you are interested, of course. If you aren’t it’s ok.”
“Of course, I am interested,” Xander responded with confidence. “I have been interested since the day you literally plummeted into my arms. I was starting to think you would never return my feelings.”
“I like you,” Harry stated quickly and then scowled when he heard Hadrian chuckle. “Oh, stop it.”
Harry gave his Shadow Ace a pointed look. Hadrian just held up his hands and then smiled before walking away to talk to Ilsa who had just walked by. Harry turned back to Xander who was still smiling at him.
“I like you too, Harry,” Xander assured him. “And I am more than interested in courting.”
“Really?” Harry asked him and then smiled brightly. “That’s great. I am excited.”
“As am I,” Xander insisted. “Are you busy right now?”
“I don’t think so. I am starving though, wanna grab lunch with us?” Harry asked him happily.
“I would love that,” Xander agreed. “Are you sparing today?”
“Not today,” Harry answered with a shrug as they headed toward Hadrian and Ilsa. “I’ve been a bit queasy today. Quinn told me that I have to take it easy until we are sure that I am not coming down with anything.”
“Hello, Loveling,” Ilsa greeted him with a smile and pulled him into a tight hug. “How are you boys?”
“They are doing so good. Teddy spends a lot of time with Draco and Ethan right now. And Duncan prefers my Gheyo. I think they are starting to show their possible ranks,” Harry said with a grin.
“Duncan is settling in really good?” Ilsa asked.
“Perfectly, he stopped having nightmares about two weeks ago. I am so happy about it,” Harry answered.
“That’s great, I know Bahn was worried,” Ilsa responded. “I think he wants to have the boys over for a sleep over soon.”
“Oh, Teddy would love that. I don’t know how Duncan would feel, but we can talk to him about it and try it out if he is willing to try,” Harry stated.
“So, did you say yes?” Hadrian asked Xander with a grin.
“Of course I did,” Xander answered with a laugh. “As if I would have ever told him no.”
“Oh? Something I should know?” Ilsa asked them. “Have the two of you finally decided to acknowledge that you like each other?”
“We are courting now,” Harry said with a grin. Xander smiled when Harry slipped his hand into the Ace’s.
“Congratulations,” Ilsa told them with genuine happiness. “You be good to my boy, Xander.”
“I would never dream of being anything else,” Xander responded.
“So, does this mean you are Hunting? Bahn will want to know,” Ilsa asked.
“Yeah, we talked about it, and I am going to Hunt. But Xander and I will have to talk about it more in detail. I am pretty sure that I am only going to Hunt for Gheyo,” Harry answered.
“Don’t be surprised if Bahn sends you something about Introductions,” Ilsa told him.
“I think Raspen, Perry, and Ethan are banging out the details of our walk. Because we have to work it in with the Royal introductions and everything,” Harry told her with a shrug. “So make sure he directs that to Ethan.”
“Our Harry doesn’t have a preference for social things. He would rather someone else work it out and point him in the right direction,” Hadrian stated with a chuckle.
“I have seen him take the lead when it comes to assignments though. He is like a completely different person then,” Xander pointed out.
“That is because most of or assignments are rescuing children and Harry doesn’t play around when it comes to children,” Hadrian stated.
“No one should play around when it comes to children,” Harry stated.
Zenith and Lukas walked up to them and Lukas wrapped himself around Harry. The Submissive smiled up at him and kissed his jaw.
“Have you asked the Ace about courting yet?” Lukas asked and then laughed when Harry elbowed him.
“I know you see us holding hands, stop teasing,” Harry snipped.
“Are you hungry?” Zenith asked him.
“Starving,” Harry answered gratefully. “Can we get food?”
“Of course we can,” Hadrian answered him. “Join us?” He asked Ilsa.
“Not this time,” Ilsa declined. “I agreed to referee a few matches today. They’ll be starting soon.”
“Well, we should all get together for dinner or to hang out sometime soon,” Harry insisted.
“Absolutely,” Ilsa said and pulled him away from Lukas and Xander and wrapped him in her arms again. “Be good and tell my son to call me.”
“I will,” Harry assured her. “See you soon.”
Harry and the other four headed out and to a restaurant not to far from The Pits. It was a great lunch and Harry invited Xander to come to the house soon so they could talk about everything more in depth together.
When Xander left, Hadrian wrapped Harry in his arms and they portaled home. Harry went looking for his children. He wanted to see what his boys had been up to today. This was the first time that he had left the house and spent so much time away from Duncan since he had come to them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Dera!!”
He turned around and grinned as both boys came running toward him. Merlin, he loved those boys. He knelt down and laughed when the three of them tumbled to the ground together.
“Hello, my Lovlies,” Harry said and kissed them both on the head.
“Dera, the dragons are back,” Teddy said excitedly. “I told Duncan that we had to wait for you, Charlie, or Alec to be home before we could go see them though.”
“I have never seen a dragon before,” Duncan added with a grin. Then he snuggled closer to Harry for a moment and seemed to just breath him in. “I missed you,” he said quietly.
“I missed you to, Darling,” Harry told him and held him tight for a few moments. Teddy just snuggled up to both of them. “I missed both of you.”
“Well, that looks fun,” George said as he came into the hall.
He laid down on his stomach and propped himself up on his elbows over Harry’s head. Harry leaned up and kissed him.
“Hi George,” Harry greeted. “Ted says the dragons are back. Wanna come with us to see them?”
“Oh, I love when they come back for nesting,” George responded with a grin. “How many came back?”
“Three,” Duncan answered.
“Are they from Lorna?” George asked.
“I don’t know,” Ted answered with a shrug. “Only Dera, Charlie, and Alec can ever tell just from looking.”
“Is there a reason you are all on the floor?” Draco asked as he leaned against the wall and looked down at the four of them.
“Exuberant six year olds,” Harry answered.
“Did the two of you tackle your Dera?” Draco asked them with a frown.
“We didn’t mean to knock him down,” Teddy answered quickly.
“Promise,” Duncan added just as quickly.
“It’s fine, Drake,” Harry insisted. “I was already kneeling anyway. Help me up boys. I wanna go see the dragons.”
“The dragons are back?” Draco asked as he held a hand out for George. “I’m coming too.”
“Come on my Darlings, lead the way,” Harry told Teddy and Duncan.
The two boys took off running and George lifted Harry into his arms before he strode quickly after the boys. Draco followed them all at a more sedate pace.
The original area that had been sectioned off for Lorna, the blind dragon that they had rescued, had been enlarged after her eggs had hatched. They stayed around for a while before they had flown off to do whatever dragons did.
But twice a year at least one would come back to nest here. Lorna had laid another clutch of eggs that were also raised there and so it was always fun for them to bet on which ones would return to lay their eggs the next go round.
When they came up on the fenced off area, Teddy and Duncan were bouncing excitedly while watching the Dragons. It had become like a small reserve that Charlie and Alec tended to most of the time. Harry was honestly surprised that one of them wasn’t already here.
“That’s two from the first clutch of eggs and one from the second,” Harry said after George set him down on his feet.
“How can you always tell?” Draco asked him as he stepped up next to Teddy.
“I just can,” Harry answered with a shrug.
“Wow,” Duncan said with a face full of wonder. “They are so big.”
“Yeah, they are,” Teddy agreed. “When they hatch, they are smaller than Falcor, but it only takes about a week for them to get bigger than me and you.”
“Really? That’s so cool,” Duncan replied excitedly.
“Did you know that Dragons….” Draco knelt down and talked just as excitedly as the boys about the Dragons.
Harry watched the three of them and the dragons with such fondness. George wrapped his arms around Harry and held him close.
“You seem far more relaxed now than when you left this morning,” George pointed out quietly.
“Xander agreed to court me,” Harry responded as he snuggled deeper into George’s arms.
“Of course he did, Harrykins,” George said with a chuckle and kissed Harry on the neck. “He has been gone on you for years.”
“So, everyone keeps saying,” Harry grumbled out. “He is going to come over soon to talk about it more.”
“Just give us a heads up and we will make that curry he likes,” George insisted. Harry nodded and then turned to face George and press closer to him. “What’s the matter, Love?”
“Nothing,” Harry answered honestly and just nuzzled closer to his Fire Pareya. “I just wanted a cuddle, and you are always so warm.”
“Well, you know I am always down for a good cuddle,” George responded and held him closer.
They stood there pressed together with George gently running his fingers through Harry’s hair as they watched Draco, Teddy, and Duncan talk excitedly about the dragons.
“Dera?” Teddy asked after a little while.
“Hmm?” Harry responded. George was pretty sure he was half asleep.
“Do you think one of them will let us pet them? Like last time?” Teddy asked him curiously.
“They might, Tedders but why don’t we give them a day or two to settle in and lay their eggs in peace before we start messing with them like that. We want them to know they are safe here,” Charlie answered instead.
He had just gotten home and had made his way out back when Fred let him know the Dragons were back. He patted George on the arm and then leaned down to press a kiss to Harry’s lips.
Draco stood up and kissed Charlie before tucking himself under the Rheyo’s arm.
“Yeah, your right. We don’t want them to stop coming,” Teddy agreed. He held his arms up and Charlie lifted him up to sit on his shoulder on the opposite side that Draco was cuddled up to.
“I think your Dera needs a nap,” Charlie faux whispered to Teddy. The six year old nodded and Duncan turned around to look back at Harry quickly. He stepped back and closer to Harry.
“Dera?” Duncan asked quietly.
“Yeah, Dunc?” Harry responded and reached down to ruffle his hair.
“You need to go lay down if you are tired,” Duncan insisted. “That way you won’t be cranky later.”
Charlie and Draco chuckled while Teddy nodded his head in agreement.
“That’s what you always tell us when we are tired,” Teddy added.
“Both of you are right,” George agreed with a grin. “Our little Love does need to take a nap. We don’t want a cranky Dera.”
“Ok, I will take a nap if my two favorite boys take one with me,” Harry agreed.
“But I’m not tired,” Teddy complained. “Can’t I stay up and help Dad and the others with dinner? Please?”
“I’ll lay down with you, Dera,” Duncan agreed quickly. “Teddy can help with dinner.”
“I have such good, sweet boys,” Harry told them with a happy chir. “Alright, my Teddy Bear can help with dinner and my little warrior can come and protect me while I sleep.”
“Perfect,” George said and then scooped Harry into his arms bridal style. “Come along, Dunc. Let’s tuck this one into a bed.”
“I’m coming,” Duncan agreed and followed along behind them quickly.
“Ted, why don’t you head to the kitchen and start picking out what you want to help cook. I am sure Quinn is already in there,” Draco told him.
“Ok, Dad,” Teddy agreed, and Charlie put him on the ground. “Don’t take too long, or I will do all the fun stuff without you.”
“Don’t you dare,” Draco called out as the six year old took off running.
“Good day?” Charlie asked Draco as he nuzzled him.
“Yes, did you do what you needed to do?” Draco asked him.
“Yep, Rathal, Orion, and I got all of the new sets of armor ordered. Our Gheyo are going to look fantastic during our introductions,” Charlie answered him.
“Perfect,” Draco responded. “Oh, I think Harry is pregnant. Lukas and Hadrian mentioned something about him eating those ginger meatballs from that place near The Pits today.”
“He hates that place,” Charlie said with a laugh.
“Exactly, tried to blame it on his taste buds changing. So, just keep an eye out in case he tries to do something reckless before we confirm it,” Draco insisted.
“You got it,” Charlie agreed and then pulled Draco around and into his arms properly. “Now, give us a proper kiss now that the kids are gone.”
Draco blushed and let the redhead capture his lips in a searing kiss. When they pulled apart, both of them were a bit breathless.
“You will finish what you started after dinner,” Draco stated before he patted a grinning Charlie on the cheek and headed for the house.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Harry woke up from his nap with his arms wrapped around Duncan, who was still sleeping. But they weren’t alone in bed. Someone was pressed into his back with their arms wrapped around him and Mira was laying on the other side of Duncan also sleeping soundly.
The Submissive shifted around so that Duncan was in Mira’s arms and turned to see who was holding him and nuzzling the back of his neck. He smiled up at his Earth Ace.
“Hi, Rath,” Harry whispered and nuzzled the Ace.
“Hello, Love,” Rath answered and then kissed Harry gently. “Sleep well?”
“Yeah, how long have we been asleep?” Harry asked him.
“It is almost time to eat dinner. From what I understand, you have been asleep for a few hours. Did you spar in The Pits today?” Rathal asked him.
“No, I was just really tired,” Harry answered with a shrug.
“Why don’t the two of you go and talk somewhere else so that you don’t wake up Duncan,” Mira whispered from behind Harry.
“He needs to get up anyway. I was just coming up to wake you all,” Ethan responded from the doorway. “Dinner will be ready in ten minutes. That gives you all time to wake up and get downstairs.”
“Thank you, Ethan,” Harry said with a smile. He nuzzled Rathal and could hear Mira gently waking up Duncan behind him.
The four of them got up and Harry helped Duncan clean up in the bathroom before they all headed downstairs. Harry sat happily between Orion and Hadrian. He noticed that the two of them were more attentive than usual, but he didn’t mind and let them fuss.
Harry was pretty sure that he would never grow tired of the fussing. When dinner was over he sat in the sitting room with Teddy in his lap and Fred sat across from them with Duncan in his lap. They were teaching the boys how to play wizard’s chess.
Raspen and Perry came home about thirty minutes later and ate their dinner before joining the others in the sitting room. Everything was great, until Harry was hit by a horrible smell that made his stomach turn.
“What…what is that smell?” He exclaimed and stood up from the floor after carefully moving Teddy.
Alec was standing in the door way.
He had just gotten back in from tending to Gunter. He was working with the beast for The Hunt and tended to bring him home in the evenings so that he could keep working with him. Harry looked at him and covered his nose.
“What did you do, Alec roll around in a pile of rotting fish?” Harry exclaimed.
“I just got finished feeding, Gunter. It has never bothered you before,” Alec pointed out curiously.
“Well, it bothers me now….” Harry answered and then he seemed to heave, before running quickly from the room. Duncan stood up and moved toward Teddy. They watched their Dera with concern.
“It’s alright, boys,” Orion assured them. “How about we go up for a bath and your Dera will come up to read to you when we are finished.”
“But…” Teddy started.
“No, buts,” Magnus cut in.
“Papa, Dera has never been sick before,” Teddy pointed out.
“Is he going to die?” Duncan asked completely devastated. “I don’t want him to die.”
“Oh, sweet boy,” Mira exclaimed and pulled Duncan in to her arms. “Of course he isn’t. He is just a little sick from the smell. He is going to be perfectly fine.”
“Promise?” Duncan asked quietly and locked eyes with Arran and Blaise.
“We promise,” the two Gheyo responded quickly.
“How about this? Instead of a bath, we will go and run around the training area for a bit? When we come back in, Dera will feel better, and you can see for yourself. Alpha?” Arran asked Orion.
“That’s fine,” Orion agreed. “Ted do you want to go with them?”
“No thanks, I will stay with Papa,” Teddy answered and climbed up into Magnus’ lap. Arran took Duncan from Mira, then he and Blaise took the distressed boy outside for a bit.
“Go make sure the smell is off of you before Harry comes back in here, please,” Ariki asked Alec.
“Yeah, is he?” Alec asked.
“Looks like it,” Hadrian said with a grin.
Mira cast a quick spell to clear the air. Draco, Ethan, and Quinn had followed Harry out of the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Are you alright, Love?
Harry nodded and sat back against Ethan who had been sitting on the floor behind him. Draco handed him a glass of water. He rinsed and then spit it into the commode a few times before actually taking a drink.
“That was awful? Was I really the only one that was bothered by it?” Harry asked the other three.
“I didn’t smell anything apart from the normal way Alec smells after tending to that sea dragon of Alcandor’s,” Draco answered him with a smile.
“Why are you smiling?” Harry asked him with a frown. “I don’t think it’s funny. I hate getting sick.”
“You are never sick,” Ethan pointed out. “I think that may be one of your perks that Lady Death mentioned when she said you would gain things from being her Childe.”
“I didn’t think about that,” Harry agreed as Ethan nuzzled him gently and rubbed his hands over Harry’s abdomen. “Doesn’t answer why you are smiling though.”
I believe we are all a little excited.
Quinn stated with soft smile. Harry looked up at him confused.
“Because I got sick? Why would that be exciting?” Harry insisted.
“And you suddenly like ginger,” Draco added.
“And are more tired than usual,” Ethan continued.
And incredibly affectionate Quinn pointed out.
“I am always affectionate,” Harry stated offendedly. “Taste buds change all the time and we have been busy getting ready for The Hunt and playing with the children.”
“Of course, you are affectionate,” Ethan soothed him. “He means that you have been more affectionate like back when you first gave your scream and was always touching someone.”
“Oh, is bothering you guys?” Harry asked them quickly. “I’ll stop.”
“You will do no such thing,” Draco snipped at him with a frown. “Are you not getting it?”
“Getting what?” Harry asked the blonde.
“Throwing up from a smell that has never bothered you before, eating things that you have never liked before, instincts making you a bit clingy, and being more tired than usual,” Draco ticked off.
Harry sat there for a moment and then looked at the three of his mates that were grinning at him. Then it hit him.
Like a freight train.
He put his hands over where Ethan’s were still caressing him lovingly. Draco laughed and Quinn reached out and kissed him gently on the cheek.
“You think?” Harry asked quietly.
“We do,” Ethan answered.
Wanna gather the troops and head to my clinic room?
Quinn asked him with a gentle smile.
“We can confirm it with a simple exam,” Draco assured him.
“I am nervous,” Harry whispered.
“We all are,” Ethan responded.
“Ready?” Draco asked him.
“Yeah,” Harry answered and let Quinn pull him to his feet.
He hugged his Healer and stayed tucked under his arm as they made their way back to the sitting room. Quinn gently nudged him toward their Alpha. Orion wrapped his arms around Harry and hugged him tight.
“Feel better?” The Alpha asked.
“I don’t know yet,” Harry answered honestly. “Where are the boys?”
“Here Dera,” Teddy answered from where he was sitting in Magnus’ lap still. “Duncan went outside.”
Harry tugged on his bonds to Arran and Blaise. He knew they were the ones that had most likely taken Duncan outside.
“Are you ok, Dera?” Duncan asked as he came flying into the room ahead of the two Gheyo.
“I’m ok, Love,” Harry answered and nuzzled the boy when Orion lifted him into his arms.
“I was scared,” Duncan told him quietly. “I don’t want you to die.”
“I was just a little sick, no need to worry,” Harry assured him with a smile and cuddle. “I am all better now. But we are all going to go down to Quinn’s exam room for a few minutes and he is going to show everyone just to be safe.”
“Ok, that’s good. Quinn is the best healer,” Duncan agreed. “He will make sure you aren’t going to die.”
“Yes, he will,” Harry agreed.
“You heard him. Everybody up. We are going to do a quick diagnostic. No one is going to want to miss this,” Draco insisted.
Harry could feel the excitement coming from his bonded as they made their way down the hall. Orion passed Duncan to Arran and then helped Harry up onto the table. Quinn smiled down at him.
Ready?
“More than,” Harry answered and nodded.
They watched closely as Quinn did a quick spell that made the Healer grin and then he did another. The second one he cast was like an ultrasound but it was large enough for everyone to see.
He moved it around and then grinned even wider. He pointed to two tiny little points on the projection.
“Is that?” Harry asked quickly in awe.
“Twins,” Fred and George answered him excitedly.
Two new little lives growing in there. That is why you are already having symptoms. Your HCG levels will be much higher since there are two.
Quinn explained to him.
“How far along?” Orion asked as he watched those two little spots.
‘Three weeks’ Quinn answered with bright writing in the air for everyone to see.
“Can we tell who their Sire and Third are yet?” Ariki asked curiously.
“Not yet,” Draco answered.
He had been talking with Quinn about it a lot since they had started trying for a baby. He wanted to be able to help even when Quinn was busy. He wanted to know what was going on with Harry at all times.
“We have to wait until I am about five or six months along, right?” Harry asked. He had been talking to Bahn and Briar about it. The two Submissives had been offering him all kinds of advice since he told them they were trying for a baby.
‘That’s right’ Quinn answered in the large writing.
“The babies magic won’t start manifesting until around then,” Draco added.
“We are going to be big brothers?” Duncan asked as he watched the ultrasound. “They don’t look like babies.”
“That’s because they are still too small right now. But in a few months, they will start to look like babies,” Orion answered.
“So, we looked like little beans before we looked like babies?” Teddy asked curiously. “Bit weird.”
“Yes,” Draco choked out with a laugh. “We all looked like little beans before we looked like babies.”
“Are they boys or girls?” Duncan asked. “I think I would like to have a little sister.”
“They are too small to tell right now. We will have to wait for them to grow,” Ethan answered.
“I don’t care if they are boys or girls. I am just excited,” Teddy exclaimed and giggled with Magnus tickled him.
“Us too, Kiddo,” Magnus answered.
“Me too,” Duncan added. “I was just curious. I like being around Everly. I think having a little sister would be fun.”
“Oh, I didn’t think about that. I hope they are girls too,” Teddy exclaimed. “Everly is really fun to play with.”
Everly’s family circle had gotten into contact with Harry about two weeks ago and had let them know that they all felt settled enough that they would love to start having them over for visits. The boys had loved getting to play with Everly again.
Harry laughed and let Ariki help him sit up. He knew his bonded were going to be instinctively more protective and fussier now that they knew he was pregnant. He was going to let them fuss all they wanted. He was just really excited to be pregnant.
“I think perhaps ice cream to celebrate and then it’s time for the two of you to get into bed,” Mira suggested.
“Ice cream sounds amazing,” Harry agreed. He was not surprised when Raspen lifted him into his arms and carried him to the dining room.
“Congratulations, My Love,” Raspen told him as he cuddled him. “How do you feel?”
“Over the moon,” Harry responded with a happy chir. “Happy that it only took us, what? Two weeks to actually get pregnant?”
“One,” Perry corrected with a chuckle. “Though it isn’t at all surprising considering how enthusiastically we have been trying.”
“Right,” Harry said with a blush and buried his face in Raspen’s neck.
They all sat down at the table and talked excitedly as they ate their ice cream. Then Harry and Draco took Teddy and Duncan up for their baths and then to read to them before tucking them in and heading back down to the sitting room.
Hadrian pulled Harry down into his lap as soon as he was close enough and nuzzled him before breathing in his scent.
“When do we tell our families?” Harry asked.
“I say we wager on who figures it out first,” Fred called out.
“Oh, I like that,” George agreed.
“Cethin will figure it out first,” Charlie offered.
“We call Xander,” Fred and George called out.
“Sirius,” Orion countered.
“Aiden,” Hadrian stated.
“Why him?” Ariki asked curiously.
“Because he pays way too much attention to Harry when he comes to visit. I think he secretly casts diagnostics to make sure we are treating him well,” Hadrian answered with a chuckle.
“Really?” Harry asked his Shadow Ace. Hadrian chuckled and kissed Harry’s cheek.
“There is a running bet in Mariana’s circle,” Hadrian insisted.
“About what?” Harry insisted.
“Half of them think that The Hound fancies you and the other half think he sees you as a child to take care of,” Wikhn answered with a smile.
“He does not fancy me,” Harry insisted. “I would know if he did.”
“Would you, My Love?” Raspen asked pointedly.
“Of course I would,” Harry repeated.
“I guess we will see what happens when he learns that you are planning to Hunt,” Hadrian said with a shrug. “Personally, I am with the half that thinks he sees you as someone to protect. He doesn’t want our Lady to get upset if something happens to you.”
“That I agree with,” Harry responded.
“Ok, so is that everyone’s votes?” Fred asked.
Orion conjured their betting board to the sitting room. Fred and George both stood up and grabbed markers. Fred wrote ‘Who figures out Harry is Pregnant first!’ across the top and George started writing names across the top row.
Cethin, Xander, Sirius, and Aiden were written across the top with columns under each name.
“Add, Bahn,” Harry spoke up.
George added Bahn and then wrote Harry’s name in the column beneath it.
“Put me down for my Dera as well,” Ariki spoke up.
Then they spent the next few minutes adding names under who they thought would notice first of those five.
“Ok, the votes have been cast,” George spoke up.
“What is the reward and what is the punishment for losing?” Fred asked.
“I say the people who win get to tell their families first,” Harry offered.
“Oh, like it,” Draco agreed. “And I think we should do something for the people who figure it out second as well and the other three groups suffer punishment.”
“Yes,” Harry agreed.
“Ok, second person to figure out, their voters get to find out the baby’s genders before everyone else,” Lukas offered.
“Perfect,” Fred agreed and wrote it down. “Now, punishment.”
“I say the ones that lose have to tend to the Dragon’s enclosure,” Charlie spoke up with a chuckle. “Keeping it all cleaned up especially once the new clutches hatch.”
“Yes!!!!” George agreed and wrote it down.
“No one is allowed to give hints,” Harry spoke up. “If you do, you automatically lose even if your person figures it out first or second.”
“This is going to be awesome,” Fred and George exclaimed as their ‘Betting Board’ was banished back to the twins room.
The two of them always kept track of their current bets. They had gotten the board when Orion realized betting was going to be a common thing in their circle. It was something that they all enjoyed doing and it was always harmless fun when someone lost a bet.
Harry snuggled close to Hadrian and looked around as everyone talked happily together. He loved his bonded. He loved his life. He was so excited to be growing their family in more ways than one.