CHAPTER 5

The boys settled on a blanket spread on the floor next to Vin's desk while Vin talked to the lawyer. Vin smiled as he watched the two fight sleep till they collapsed in a pile like puppies.

An hour later Dev woke seeing Vin still on the phone he peeked around the desk. Spotting Buck he went over and tugged on his pants leg. "You need somethin' Itty?" Buck asked. Dev tugged on his hand trying to led Buck to the door. "Ya need ta go potty?" Buck questioned. Dev nodded. "Let's wave at Vin so he knows who has ya first," Buck suggested. Vin nodded as Buck waved from the door. "Let's go Itty," Buck chuckled.

After a successful trip to the bathroom. Buck started back halting in his tracks he grinned. "Ya know Dev women just love cute kids and your one of the cutest I've ever seen. How 'bout we go make them ladies acquaintances and get ole Uncle Buck a date," Dev just tugged on his mustache. "Gentle there don't pluck them hairs the ladies like 'em say they tickle," Buck lectured.

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Women's laughter echoed down the hall following Buck Wilmington. Buck made his escape into the seven's offices. "What in the world did you do Buck?" Josiah asked.

"Kid ya got ta have more style then that. Ya got good taste though," Buck informed the baby.

"Well I know how come there wasn't any milk in that bag," Buck winked. "Ole Dev kin get a front closing bra off quicker then I can," Buck beamed proudly.

"What do ya mean?" JD looked confused.

"They were nursed not bottle fed" Nathan frowned. JD flushed crimson.

Vin flushed, "Dev tried ta suckle? Ah shit!"

"Went right after Louise that top heavy gal in accounting," Buck wiggled his eyebrows.

"They's still on the teat?" Vin said in despair The men stared at Dev in concern.

"They aren't weaned!" Buck exclaimed as the information sank in.

"Aren't they to old to be nursing?" JD asked.

"It is not uncommon to nurse children till their four or five," Josiah commented.

"Being twins they'd have started out smaller then normal. Then with food allergies it would make sense for Shannon to have nursed longer," Nathan considered.

"Well I cain't go round askin' women ta fed 'em," Vin groaned, "Buck you cain't neither".

"Dr. Jordan gave me the name of some milk substitute for them," Nathan soothed Vin. "I've got a list for Josiah to go shopping. Vin take the boys to Chris' and get 'em settled in. They need to sleep and their not getting it here," Nathan directed.

"Chris called and said he had to talk to Travis. The car seats and diapers are in your Jeep," JD forwarded the message.

"Reckon yer right Nate. I'm leavin'," Vin decided.

"I'll carry Itty out. You go grab Bitty," Buck tickled the toddler he held.

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Several hours later Chris' phone rang. "Larabee".

"Chris," Josiah Sanchez answered.

"Is something wrong? Aren't you at the house with Vin?" Chris asked.

"Everything's fine Chris. Vin is more exhausted then he knew. The three of them are taking a nap. Would you swing by Vin's place and bring him out some clothes? It would save him a trip," Josiah suggested.

"No problem. I thought he'd be taking the boys to the doctor?" Chris questioned.

"Couldn't get an appointment till tomorrow afternoon. I'll start some chili for everyone if that's all right," Josiah offered.

"Sounds good I'll tell the rest. Do we need to bring anything?" Chris asked.

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Chris arrived to chaos. JD and Buck appeared to have bought most of a toy store.

Ezra arrived carrying in four huge bags. "That was without question the most terrifying ordeal of my existence," Ezra collapsed into a chair.

"Ez you just bought some clothes. What could be scary about that?" JD asked.

"They were having a heaven forbid sale. Hordes of rude demented women in the company of screaming toddlers," Ezra gasped staring wildly about with glazed eyes. Nathan handed him a beer. "My sincere thanks Mr. Jackson," Ezra drawled.

"Ole Ez is in a bad way," Buck remarked to JD.

"How's that?" JD returned.

"He's dern near guzzling that beer. Hasn't complained once," Buck snickered. JD turned to look at Ezra.

"Buck? Is that a Coor's Ezra's drinking?" JD whispered.

"Yeah Kid he's drinking a domestic beer," Buck chortled.

"Oh my word!" Ezra exclaimed looking at the empty bottle in his hand. "I see the children are playing with their new toys," Ezra made a quick recovery. He nodded to JD and Buck stretched out on the floor assembling a train.

"Think the young'ns is ever gonna get ta play with it?" Vin asked in amusement. Ezra chuckled when Josiah lifted JD out of his way by his belt.

"Amateurs," Josiah snorted as he sank to the floor quickly assembling the track.

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"I called Dr. Jordan in Texas," Ezra began. At Vin's questioning look he explained. "The children have several food allergies according to Mr. Jackson. I was concerned they might have reactions to fabrics and detergents as well," Ezra offered.

"I didn't think about that," Vin shook his head tiredly.

"Dr. Jordan was of great assistance. I purchased laundry detergent and bath products as well as clothing. He was quite insistent that everything be washed before wearing. For future reference Mr. Tanner purchase garments that are mostly natural fibers. Dr. Jordan is faxing a list of safe products."

JD started emptying the shopping bags. Small shirts, pants, socks were piled on the coffee table. JD chuckled as he discovered the Tasmanian Devil underwear. "Ezra how'd you find these in Vin's size too?" he asked. Ezra raised an eyebrow and flashed his gold tooth. Vin glared at the grinning undercover agent.

"Junior these are sure gonna set your regular drawers ta shame," Buck teased.

Vin smiled wickedly, "I reckon not since I don't own any others".

"Vin I really didn't need to know that," Chris yelled from the kitchen.

"Lookee here!" Buck chortled as he pulled out jackets. Two brightly colored insulated jackets in different shades of blue were followed by matching fringed leather coats. Vin's pleased smile lit his face.

"Lots of denim and cotton," Nathan approved.

"They are all well made. There are hats and gloves as well as snowsuits. I decided to wait on footwear until the boys were present," Ezra explained.

"Thanks Ezra," Vin spoke seriously.

"Your most welcome Vin," Ezra returned.

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Dev crawled up in Ezra's lap. "Master Devin one should be invited before invading another's space," Ezra informed the bright eyed child. A lopsided grin was the child's only response. Carefully Ezra's hands protectively cradled the boy. Dev tugged at the bag Ezra still had. "It is proper to ask first, Devin," Ezra stopped the tugging hands. The boy stood bringing a very strained look to Standish's face.

"Watch them feet," Buck advised. Dev moved his hands.

"Yes you may open the bag," Ezra responded. Ezra smiled at the glowing face as a soft stuffed dragon with big blue eyes and bright scarlet and gold scales received a stuffing smushing hug.

Smiles were exchanged at the soft stunned look on Ezra's face as Dev carefully sat his dragon down and subjected Ezra to an equally enthusiastic hug. "Your welcome," Ezra returned the boy's sign. "When did Dev learn sign language?" Ezra asked.

"Shannon was a elementary teacher. She had any of the kids with hearing problems," Vin ruffled Dev's hair.

Beau came over to see Dev's dragon. "He'th nice," Beau told his brother. Ezra offered the bag to Beau. "For me too?" Beau smiled happily. Reaching in Beau laughed in pleasure. Cradled in his arms was a soft fuzzy black wolf with bright blue eyes. "Tank you, he lookth like teacher," Beau told Ezra. "Dragon lookth like Keeper," Beau explained.

"Ya sure made a hit, Ezra", Vin admired.