"Twins?"
"Would you please stop repeating everything I say?" Kate retorted, clearly annoyed.
"I'm sorry. I'm just-" He tried to swallow, but his throat was unbelievably dry.
"Stunned speechless?" she asked, a furrow between her brows. "You're not the only one." She stepped away from him and unbuttoned her coat, shrugging out of it before draping it across the back of a couch.
Pregnant. Kate was having a baby. Babies, he corrected, in awe. His babies. Their babies. His throat tightened with emotion, the meaning of what she was saying starting to hit home. His eyes dropped to her belly, still completely flat beneath the deep green wrap dress she wore over thick black tights and boots. He tried to imagine what she'd look like in a few months' time, her belly round and swollen, their children nestled safely beneath her heart. He was shocked at how easily his mind could conjure the appealing image, as though the idea had always been lurking in his subconscious, waiting for the right moment to reveal itself.
"How?"
"I'm pretty sure you know the story about the birds and the bees," Kate said, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. When he just stared at her, she added softly, "My birth control failed."
I'm going to be a father again, he thought, the words finally sinking in.
It was extraordinary. Jeremy had never thought he'd be a biological parent, had never imagined that he'd ever be lucky enough to have a child of his own flesh and blood, had never even hoped for it. Now, because of Kate, he was facing that exhilarating reality.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
She nodded. "I had a blood test to confirm. The twins are not a certainty though. I had an early ultrasound and there are two sacs. But we'll only know for sure if both are viable in another five to seven weeks."
A strange possessiveness crept over him, permeating every fibre of his being, the instinct to protect her even fiercer, more powerful than anything he'd ever felt before. "How are you feeling? Have you been ill? Can I get you-"
"Jeremy," she interrupted, grabbing hold of his forearms. "I'm fine. I've had some symptoms, but nothing I can't handle." She searched his eyes. "It's evident that this comes as a shock. I've had a few days' to digest the news and I'm still reeling, but…are you…?" The anxiety in her voice reached through the fog in his brain and brought him back to the present.
Slowly he drew her closer, wrapping his arms securely around her waist. "This baby, or babies if that's the case, may be unexpected, but not unwanted," he said softly, his forehead resting against hers.
Kate's chin wobbled adorably. "So, you're happy?"
His lips curled upward, unbridled joy unfurling in his chest. "Thrilled."
"Really?"
"Without a doubt." And he meant every word.
Suddenly Jeremy realised how badly he wanted this, how much he craved the sight of Kate's body changing as their babies grew within her, how excited he was at the prospect of holding them for the first time, of looking into their tiny faces trying to discern whether they favoured him or their mother. Already he loved his unborn children with a ferocity that staggered him, his desire to shield them and Kate from harm a visceral and instinctual reaction.
Their eyes glued to one another, Jeremy raised a hand and trailed the back of a finger down the softness of her cheek. His heat melted when her face angled towards his touch, her eyes fluttering at the contact. His attention became arrested by her lips, soft and pink, and utterly too tempting to ignore for a moment longer. Leaning down, he kissed her. For Jeremy, the second their lips connected, it felt like coming home. Feelings of love, of warmth and tenderness, of reverence and devotion flowed through him, his connection to Kate as deep and as tangible as it had ever been. Gradually the kiss deepened as their desire for one another mounted, their recent separation fuelling their need to get closer. Tongues tousled and breaths mingled, their mutual sighs of pleasure filling the sudden silence. Hands and mouths explored, inciting and pacifying in equal measures. How he'd missed her, missed touching her, tasting her.
When they eventually broke apart, Jeremy's lips tracked a path down her cheeks towards her neck, his teeth gently nipping at her soft skin. Kate gasped and then shivered against him, the sound of the former like music to his ears.
"Nick's somewhere around here," Jeremy breathed reluctantly, his hands running up and down her back. He couldn't stop touching her.
"Not in your bedroom, I hope?" Kate asked, her voice a husky whisper.
Jeremy glanced at her, his eyes questioning. With rosy cheeks, she nodded, laughing, when he grasped her hand and strode purposefully out of the living room and towards the staircase. Kate hurried after him, a little breathless by the time he kicked his bedroom door shut behind them.
Pushed up against the back of the door, Jeremy kissed her senseless. His enthusiasm matched hers, both of them unable to get close enough. Kate clung to him, her knees incapable of holding her upright in the face of his determined, sensual assault. Her body was on fire, heat surging through her, every instinct screaming to rip her clothes off. Jeremy's hips pushed against hers and her thighs parted to bring them into deliciously intimate contact. Immediately his pelvis tipped against her, the evidence of his desire unmistakable. Rocking her own hips forward in counterpoint, she heard him groan, his hands tightening around the globes of her buttocks. In one swift movement, Jeremy lifted her clean off the floor, their mouths now perfectly aligned.
Twirling them around, he stalked towards his enormous bed. Wrenching his mouth from hers, he dropped her gently onto the covers, watching her through hooded eyes as he stripped off his jersey and then his shirt, his bare chest finally exposed to her roving eyes. He was all hard muscle and sinew with a spattering of hair across his torso for added masculine appeal. Jeremy was just as she remembered, just as her dreams had made it impossible to forget. Sitting up, Kate dropped her spectacles onto the nightstand before she kicked off her boots and peeled her tights down her legs. Tugging at the knot at the side of her waist, the wrap dress parted down the front to reveal her matching flesh coloured lingerie.
She was aware that her breasts were spilling out of the delicate cups, the recent discovery of her pregnancy explaining the way they'd suddenly swollen, their mass barely contained within the confines of the bra. The look of unadulterated hunger on Jeremy's face as his eyes feasted on her made her thankful for Sara's rather racy Christmas gift. Sitting on her haunches, Kate moved towards the end of the bed, heaving a sigh of relief when Jeremy took her back into his arms, his lips claiming hers in a long, drugging kiss that left her weak and needy. Deftly, Jeremy unclasped her bra and peeled it off her arms before it to fell to the floor, forgotten. His focus was completely and utterly on her, his eyes glazed over with desire, his breaths coming in pants as his gaze travelled unhindered down the length of her body. Apart from the scrap of lace that passed for panties, she was completely naked.
"So beautiful," he murmured, his hands reaching out to touch her breasts, filling his palms with her aching flesh. Slowly he shifted his grasp, his hands now cupping, his thumbs dragging across her sensitive nipples. Kate cried out, her eyes falling shut as a myriad of exquisite sensations coursed through her. She only realised his intention when she felt his hot breath on her skin, her gasp of pleasure catching in her throat when his mouth closed around one rosy bud, tugging insistently. Kate shuddered, half in pleasure, half in pain. Immediately Jeremy glanced up at her and she whispered, mildly embarrassed, "They've become so sensitive."
At the allusion to her pregnancy, his eyes drifted down her body and focused on her belly. His hands moved and spanned across her waist, one palm shifting to lie flat against her stomach. The way Jeremy was looking at her, his gaze filled with such pride, such love, made her eyes fill with tears. Bending, he placed his head against her belly as though he were listening for something before he turned to face her, raining soft kisses across her smooth skin. Too emotional to speak, she dragged him up and kissed him, pouring every ounce of affection into the embrace. He responded instantly, their lovemaking taking on an air of urgency as they sought to place the misery of their recent separation behind them.
Impatient, Kate undid his belt and unzipped his jeans, helping Jeremy shove his pants and briefs down his hips until he stepped out of them. Her legs like jelly, she fell backward against the plump pillows as Jeremy reached for her panties. Hooking his thumbs into the waist of her delicate underwear, he tugged them off in one fell swoop. Only then did his body follow her down into the bed, his weight balanced on his elbows planted on either side of her head. Their mouths crashed together in a kiss that was more a bold, lascivious mating of tongues than a sweet, gentle caress. Equally greedy, they each devoured the other, both of them caught up in the heady intoxication of the moment.
Gasping for breath, Jeremy dragged his lips from hers and trailed sensual, open mouthed kisses down her throat and chest. His lips were warm, the drag of his prickly beard tickling her sensitised skin, causing shafts of pleasure to converge in her groin. When his tongue eventually flickered out to lap at her nipples with light teasing strokes, Kate thought she'd go mad from the absolute pleasure of it. Her hands sank into his hair, her fingers holding his head hostage against her throbbing flesh. Already her hips were jerking upward, her thighs spread wide to accommodate his hips, her sex wet and ready to welcome him home. On the brink of combusting, she reached between their bodies, her hand finding his rigid length, delighting at the smooth hardness against her palm. With a groan Jeremy pushed further into her hand, his breaths coming in uncontrollable heaves as he struggled to maintain control. Guiding him towards her entrance, Kate almost wept with joy when he sank into her slick passage, his own moan of gratification matching hers.
Flipping them around, Jeremy was suddenly beneath her, his blue eyes like glittering jewels as they urged her to move above him. She tried to maintain eye contact with him but failed miserably when his thumb scraped across her clit, her mouth falling open on a sensual gasp. He continued to stimulate her as she rocked against him, her hands braced on his chest, her movements increasing in tempo the closer she got to her release. The pressure kept building, sweeping through her like a raging storm, its intensity mounting with every flick of his finger until she felt like a dam about to burst its banks. With a sob of pure delight, pleasure exploded inside of her, robbing her of breath, of thought, of time and space. Warmth spread through her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes, her skin tingling everywhere they touched. Reversing their positions until she lay beneath him, Jeremy thrust deeply into her, his grunts of satisfaction thrilling her as she wrapped herself around him. It wasn't long before he stiffened above her, his head thrown back in unashamed abandon as he orgasmed.
Collapsing beside her, he pulled her against him, pillowing her head against his chest. As their breathing returned to normal, the only sound in the room was the occasional crackle of the fire in the grate.
"That was incredible," Kate murmured, her limbs heavy. "I don't think I can move."
Jeremy tilted her chin up to kiss her, his eyes like glowing coals. "I concur."
Completely satisfied, she curled against him, sighing with contentment.
"What are your plans for Christmas?" Jeremy asked into the stillness, his fingers drawling lazy circles on her hip. There were three days to go.
"A DVD boxset of romantic classics, popcorn and loads of chocolate. Why?"
Jeremy shifted until he could see her face. It was pretty hard to miss the laughter in his eyes. "Loads of chocolate?"
"Craving," she said with a grin.
He gave her a crooked smile. "How would you feel about spending the holidays here, at Stonehaven?"
Kate grinned in surprise. "I'd love to." She leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips. Pulling back she touched the prickly hairs of his beard. "Don't ever remove this. I love it on you."
Jeremy raised a brow. "You do?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "That and the waistcoats. The first time I saw you I thought you looked incredibly sexy."
His eyes sparkled with amusement. "Believe me, the feeling was mutual."
Kate snorted. "Draped inelegantly across your front gate was sexy? I highly doubt it."
His eyes darkened. "There was nothing inelegant about the way you felt in my arms. I wanted you, I just wouldn't admit it to myself."
They kissed again, slow and deep, Jeremy's hands trailing up the sides of her legs and lingering around her waist. "I still can't believe it," he said when they eventually surfaced for air, their noses bumping together affectionately. "Twins." The way he smiled made her all warm and fuzzy on the inside. "How did you feel when you found out?"
"Shocked," she replied, seeing no reason to be dishonest. "Then scared. Still a little scared, actually."
Jeremy turned onto his side so that they lay facing each other. "Why?"
"For one, I wasn't planning on having a child right now, never mind two - potentially. I mean, I can just about afford to take care of myself. Then there was the fact that we weren't together anymore and I didn't know how you'd react; I guess I was afraid of having to do this alone," she confessed softly. "But the more I thought about it, the more I realised that I wanted this baby or babies, regardless of what happened between us."
He brought her fingers to his lips. "You won't be alone, Kate. I'm not going anywhere. Whatever you need, you can count on me. I don't want you worrying about money."
"Jeremy, I don't want you to think that all I care about is money, I don't. I already know you take your responsibilities seriously."
He smiled. "You're one of the most independent women I know. If there's one thing I'm certain about, it's that you're not interested in my money."
His words pleased her. "Well," she said in mock contemplation. "That depends…how much are we talking?"
Jeremy chuckled at her teasing, the sound sending tingles of awareness down her spine. "I've invested wisely and my art sells really well. Let's just say that my wealth is…considerable."
Kate raised a brow, a smile playing around her lips. "Then I'm not going to feel guilty about making you fork out for diapers."
"It will be my pleasure," he said, his eyes dancing with mirth.
"I'm so glad you're happy about this. I wasn't sure you would be," she admitted. She honestly hadn't known how he'd react. A shadow passed across his face and Kate ran a finger down the side of his jaw. "What is it?"
His eyes locked with hers. "You mentioned that you've known about the pregnancy for a couple of days. If it wasn't for Elena, would you have told me?"
"Yes," she replied straightaway, knowing how much the answer meant to him. "I was worried about whether you'd want to take the babies from me if they were boys, but even so, I was always planning on telling you. I just needed some time to process it."
He nodded, reassured. "About that…there is a rule governing the birth of sons'. The truth is, until very recently, I was its staunchest advocate."
Kate continued to stroke the underside of his chin. "What changed your mind?"
"You," he said decisively, his eyes focussed on hers. "We have rules, Kate, very important rules. They exist for a reason and they are all valid and legitimate arguments."
"But?"
"But they don't take every set of circumstances into consideration and perhaps it's time for things to change. I'm not saying it's going to be easy; I can assure you it won't be. Kate, I'm going to receive such opposition-"
Kate placed a finger across his lips. "I love that you're willing to try and that's enough for me. It's all I can ask."
"I would never take them from you," he vowed and Kate believed him with all her heart and soul. "But you have to know that I may not be successful. And if that happens…" His voice trailed off.
She swallowed past the lump in her throat. "I know, Jeremy." She'd have to give them to him willingly, or she'd have to run. Kate knew he wouldn't threaten her or even try to stop her, but they both knew that there were things young werewolves would need to know that she couldn't possibly begin to explain.
"Let's not focus on that now," he said, kissing her forehead and tucking her chin beneath his.
Kate nodded, refusing to let any fears creep into what was essentially a very happy reunion. She was about to ask Jeremy about his gallery showing when he cocked his head to the side, staring at the door. Seconds later, Kate heard a discreet knock. "Uh…sorry to disturb," they heard Nick's voice filtering through the door. "But there's some tree decorating going on downstairs. Feel free to join whenever you're…uh…ready." His voice was laden with amusement.
Kate and Jeremy grinned broadly at one another. "What do you say? Want to join in?"
She nodded, excited. A quick shower later, they dressed and went in search of the others. "Mind if we keep the possibility of twins to ourselves until we're sure?"
With a hand at the small of her back, Jeremy guided her down the stairs. "Agreed."
Happy, Kate walked into the living room and found three pairs of eyes staring at her with open curiosity.
"They surface, at last!" Nick said in good humour.
Her cheeks flushed when she realised that they obviously knew what she and Jeremy had been up to. Self-consciously, Kate touched her spectacles and adjusted them on the bridge of her nose before sweeping a hand over the top of her hair. She'd braided it upstairs, the length hanging across one shoulder. "Hello, Nick. I hear I'm dating Dr Steve?"
He had the decency to look guilty and glanced apologetically at Jeremy. "Sorry. I thought it might give Jeremy a kick up the ass."
"Rest assured, it had the desired effect," Jeremy muttered beside her.
Elena stepped forward with a welcoming smile. "I'm so glad you're here. Come and help me decorate this tree. If we leave it to Nick and Clay, it's going to look like a first grade art project."
"That bad?" she asked Elena, allowing herself to be dragged towards the large green pine tree standing to the side of the fireplace.
Kate laughed when the two men scoffed in protest. "Oh please," Nick rebuked. "I'll have you know that I've managed some very successful clubs. I know all about what looks good."
"Right," Clay mocked. "The last club you ran into the ground. Literally."
Nick shook his head in disgust. "You're never going to let me forget that, are you?"
The two of them continued to bicker good naturedly while Kate and Elena opened a box each. Inside hers she found loads of sparkling strands of tinsel tangled together. Elena's were filled with round, delicate bright red and green ball ornaments, each hand painted with Christmas themed depictions. They were stunning. Kate reached for one.
"These are beautiful," she breathed, holding it by the round clasp at the top and turning it slowly.
"Jeremy painted them," Clay said, opening the ladder and placing it beside the tree.
Turning slightly, Kate was surprised to see Jeremy standing behind her. Their eyes met and her tummy fluttered. "You made these?" she asked, impressed.
He looked almost shy. "The year Elena came to Stonehaven."
"Aren't they perfect?" the blonde asked. "I look forward to unwrapping them every year."
"How about a celebratory drink, Jeremy?" Nick asked, glancing at the decanter of brandy on the sideboard.
Kate looked at Jeremy and saw the question in his eyes. She smiled and gave him a slight nod. He moved to the sideboard and poured everyone a glass before handing them out. Her glass, she was glad to note, contained water. When Nick asked why she wasn't drinking, she said she didn't like hard liquor, which wasn't necessarily a lie, although obviously not the true reason.
"We've all been through a lot over the past year. We've lost beloved members of our family," Jeremy said, glancing at Nick who bowed his head. "And we've had others return to the fold." He smiled at Elena. She leaned into Clay and linked her fingers with his. Jeremy raised his glass. "To family," he said. "Old and new." The latter he directed at Kate, his heart in his eyes.
After everyone took a sip of their drinks, he added. "I have some other news that I wish to share with all of you." Everyone's eyes returned to him. He grasped Kate's hand. "Kate is pregnant." There was a second of silence before a chorus of noise erupted, mainly from Nick and Elena.
"Jesus, Jeremy. You knocked her up?" Kate's face exploded with colour at Nick's choice of words. "Brilliant move," he teased with a cheeky grin before giving Jeremy a back-slapping hug.
Elena was still squealing with delight when she rushed forward to throw her arms around Kate. "That's wonderful!" Then she launched herself at Jeremy who laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He looked so happy, so proud. Kate hugged the memory close, wanting to freeze the moment forever.
Clay appeared the most stunned. Coming out of his stupor, a slow smile broke across his face. "Congratulations." He moved forward and enfolded his father in a bear hug. "That's one lucky kid," he said, sincerely. "I'd know."
Jeremy hugged him back, tightly, the embrace conveying a silent message that only the two men understood. "Thank you, son." Kate felt her eyes moisten at the clear emotion conveyed by both men.
Nick bumped shoulders with her playfully, distracting her before she bawled her eyes out. "I knew something was off with you that day I saw you. Low blood sugar, my ass."
Kate laughed. "I honestly didn't know for sure then, Nick. I only did a test afterward."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Would you have told me if you had known?"
"Of course not," Kate said, taking a sip of her water.
"I suppose your baby daddy deserved to hear it first."
Kate sputtered, swiping at the water dribbling down her chin. Nick was grinning devilishly. "You are unbelievable," she said, trying to keep the laughter from her voice.
"And yet everyone loves me," he replied sweetly.
Someone cleared their throat. Kate looked beyond Nick's shoulder towards Clay, who had his glass raised, his eyes on her. He smiled warmly. "To Jeremy…and Kate."
Touched, Kate swallowed the lump in her throat. Nick and Elena raised their glasses too, each of them echoing Clay's sentiments before taking a sip of their drinks. For a while Kate fielded all sorts of questions, mainly from Elena who was clearly thrilled for them.
Some time later when everyone had gone back to unpacking boxes, Jeremy turned towards her. "Are you alright?" he asked softly, cupping her cheek.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just a little overwhelmed."
He drew her closer and hugged her against him. She went willingly, melting into his embrace. "I meant what I said, you're a part of this family."
"Get a room, you two," Nick called jokingly. "Or else help us with this tree."
Kate laughed at the scowl on Jeremy's face, her fingers attempting to smooth his frown. Standing on her toes she gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Come on, Danvers. We have a tree to decorate."
His lips twitching, he reached for a box.
The evening progressed quickly with lots of laughter all around. Everyone helped place the ornaments and decorations on the tree before sitting back to admire their handiwork. Predictably, Elena and Kate seemed to enjoy the pastime the most, issuing instructions to the three men as they went along. Once done, everyone helped prepare and summarily devour a meal of steak, mashed potatoes and salad before settling down in front of the fire in the living room with mugs of steaming coffee. Conversation flowed easily as Elena talked about her new photography exhibition in Toronto in the New Year and Nick regaled them with tales of his current business venture.
Kate, seated beside Jeremy on the couch, had her legs curled up under her, sipping her tea. She seemed completely relaxed and at ease with his family, contributing generously to the stream of chatter and laughing spontaneously whenever something amused her. It seemed to him as though she'd always been a part of his world; she fit into it so seamlessly. He loved having her there, loved hearing her talk and laugh, loved seeing her so happy and carefree. He knew they had challenges ahead, very real, very dangerous challenges, but at that moment he didn't want to think about them. He just wanted to spend time with his family, with Kate, celebrating the passing of another year without worrying about what came next. The time for that would soon be upon them.
Before too long, Kate had to leave. "I have work in the morning," she explained with an endearing pout while buttoning her coat in the foyer.
"You could always leave a little earlier tomorrow?" he coaxed feeling selfish for wanting to spend a full night with her in his arms.
Kate looked at him longingly before shaking her head regrettably. "I can't. If I stay, we both know that there won't be much sleeping going on," she whispered, aware that the others were in the next room. "As a result, I won't be up in time to make the fifty mile drive back into town without running horribly late for work."
She had a point. "What if I promised not to touch you?"
Grinning, Kate draped her arms around his neck. "Your plan is flawed."
Holding her lightly against him, Jeremy raised a brow. "How so?"
"Because I can't promise to keep my hands off you."
Chuckling, he leaned down to kiss her. Mindful of their proximity to the rest of his family, it wasn't more than a fleeting caress. "I don't have any objections to that."
Kate rolled her eyes, her cheeks warm with pleasure. "I'll be back in three days. The practice closes between Christmas and New Year, so I can stay without having to make the daily commute."
"Are you sure you're alright to drive back yourself? I don't mind taking you." He didn't trust that her car was reliable enough but didn't want to verbalise what he was sure she already knew.
She shook her head. "I'll be fine."
Jeremy knew she'd say that. "Then at least take my car." When Kate started to protest, he interjected, "Indulge me. Please." Slipping a hand inside her jacket, he placed it over her belly. Kate stilled immediately. "You've got some precious cargo on board. I just want to be sure that you'll get home safe."
Kate's eyes softened as she looked at him. "Aren't you going to need your car though?"
"I don't think so, but I'll make a plan if I do."
She sighed in defeat. "Alright, you win."
"Thank you." Their eyes lingered before Jeremy reluctantly let her go. "Call me when you get home?"
"I promise."
Satisfied, he watched as she pulled her gloves on. Zipping up his own jacket, he grabbed the keys to the Land Rover and followed her out into the cold night. "I'll pick you up on Wednesday, after work. We can swap vehicles then."
"I'll be ready," she said, throwing her purse onto the passenger seat before turning towards him. It was freezing, a cold gust of wind whipping strands of her dark hair that had come loose from its braid across her face.
Jeremy pushed them back before raising her chin. "I love you," he whispered, his eyes burning into hers.
Kate smiled. "I love you, too."
He hugged her close one last time, then placed a soft kiss on her lips before bundling her into her car. "I'll talk to you later."
After waving her goodbye, Jeremy remained outside for a while, his mind occupied, his heart full to bursting. Since meeting Kate his life had changed in innumerable ways, none of which he would ever have predicted. He'd fallen in love; something he'd never imagined would ever happen to him. Now, he was going to be a father. Again. Since he'd found Clay as a boy and raised him into adulthood, Jeremy had thought of him as his own, had never made the distinction. He loved his adoptive son as much as he'd love any children of his own flesh and blood. But this….this was going to be different from his experience raising Clay.
Jeremy smiled at the thought, excited and curiously anxious all at the same time. Soon, Stonehaven would once more come alive with the sound of little feet running around, of laughter and play. He hadn't thought it would happen for a while yet, at least not until Logan brought his son to Stonehaven or Clay and Elena decided to have a family of their own. Jeremy could never have guessed that he would be the source of the injection of new life that would inhabit his ancestral fortress in the months to come.
Turning back towards the house, he Jeremy couldn't help feeling as though change was upon them. He just hoped that they would all be ready for the repercussions.