Seth stood at the grill, flipping burgers, when his attention was drawn to the swing set in his yard. "Shaya Susan Clearwater! Aunt Leah asked you to push the swing gently! I know Justin's laughing, but it's more important to keep him safe! He's only three, and he might not hold on tightly."
Jonah relaxed in his lawn chair. "Don't burn the burgers, Clearwater! Some of us like them to moo when we bite 'em!"
Aiyanna appeared at the back door, cradling her swollen belly with one hand. She held a pitcher of fresh lemonade in the other. "Everything okay out here?" She smiled at Seth as she set the pitcher on the table.
"We're fine, little Mama," he assured her. "Burgers are ready."
Jake took the platter from Seth and set it on the table. "Oh, did Lily tell you, Anna? We got a postcard from Sheila. They're all settled in San Diego, and they hope to come back for a visit at Thanksgiving. I told them the guest room is always available."
Aiyanna smiled. "No more problems after Jackie was born?"
Smiling at his daughter, Jacob said "Nope. Like it never happened."
"I'm so happy for you guys. I know it took the pack by surprise when Leah got pregnant, and then when Lily followed they had to revise the legends. Even Paul had to admit our wolf girls can do anything they put their minds to!" She poured a glass of lemonade and sank carefully into an adirondack chair. "Speaking of Paul, are they coming?"
"Yeah. Rach said they might be late because the twins still take naps, but they'll be here." Jacob couldn't wait to see his little niece and nephew. The pack seemed to be multiplying at an amazing rate, with nearly a dozen pups under five years old.
Jackie Black, her glossy raven curls bouncing, jumped up and down in her playpen. "Me too, Shaya! Me too!" Lily scooped the little girl up in her arms. Her ebony eyes, so like her father's, sparkled with mischief.
"How about if you swing with Mommy? Would that be fun?" The little girl clapped her chubby hands with delight.
(Special thanks to Silverfires for her unfailing support and pre-reading expertise, and to Aiyanna Clearwater for cheering me on and helping with story details. Thanks to all of you who took the time to comment and even helped me decide where this story was going!)