“Yes. Contrary to the last hair on her head. Mom treated us exactly the same… thank you Dr. Spock, and yet we are totally different people,” said Meg. Linsey was fast asleep and Ginny took her out of Meg’s arms and tucked her into a Moses basket next to Meg. “Thanks. Oh, and before they get back, I’m sorry about your hand,” said Meg.
“It’s okay. I healed. And if you don’t mind me asking, who ratted?” asked Ginny.
“No one. I felt it break. I didn’t know I was that strong,” said Meg.
“Neither did I. Patrick set it for me and it just aches a bit,” said Ginny.
The voices which had gotten a bit quite for a few minutes were getting louder. Anna came back into the living room still talking with Patrick and Luc trailing behind her. She did drop her voice to a whisper when she saw that the babies were sleeping, but she was still talking.
“Oh Meggie, they are so precious,” said Anna. “I can’t wait to see them in a few months when they’ve lost that Winston Churchill look. All babies look like him you know. Can’t help it. All that water, squished up in a ball for nine months and of course most as bald as a billiard. Now where did you pick those names from?” she asked turning back to Luc. “Luc here said something about a camping trip you went on and two mountains?”
“Yes mom. Mountains,” said Meg.
“Oh, that is just so sweet and sentimental,” said Anna. “We were going to use our initials to make yours and your sister’s names, but it just didn’t work out, so we named you after my mother and your sister after your father’s great aunt. Then again, I should have known your sister would be trouble. That aunt was a pain in the ass too.”
“Meg, Andrew’s here, and there will be others arriving,” said Patrick from the door of the living room.
“Thanks Patrick. Hello Andrew,” Meg said as the tall silversmith came into the room.
“Hello and congratulations,” said Andrew. “I have a present for you.” He handed Meg a box.
Meg carefully took the box and opened it up. Inside were two beautiful silver cups. Each one had a wolf print on it and then the baby’s name. Meg smiled and blinked back the tears. They were beautiful.
“Oh thank you Andrew,” she said and blew him a kiss.
Andrew bent over and kissed Meg on the cheek. “You are so very welcome. The babies are beautiful and deserve beauty in their lives,” he said. “Blessings on you and yours.”
“Meg, are you going to introduce me?” asked Anna.
“Oh. Yes. Mom, This is Andrew Davis. Andrew, this is my mom Anna,” said Meg.
“Very nice to meet you,” said Andrew.
“Nice to meet you and those are a very lavish gift,” said Anna.
“How could I do any less for Luc and Meg?” asked Andrew in a very soft voice.
“Oh,” was all that Anna said.
Just as Meg realized that Andrew had somehow stopped her mother’s constant jabbering cold, other people began to arrive. Ysabel came in with three very somber pups. Sara, Joe and Ivan had never been as quiet. They came in, said their hello’s and handed Meg a package.
“Its pwesents for ouwr new cuzins,” said Sara almost at a whisper.
“Thank you,” said Meg. She opened the present and found two small baby sheep and a package of peanut butter cookies.
“The sheepz iz for Lidze and Elot and da cookies is for Unky Wolfy and you,” said Sara.
“Thank you again,” said Meg with a smile. Ysabel ushered them out to the back yard and came back inside to see the babies and chat with Meg.
“What on earth did you do to them?” asked Luc munching on a cookie.
“I threatened to lock them up in a dog kennel if they misbehaved,” said Ysabel smugly.
“What?” said Anna rather aghast.
“Mom, once you get to know those three, you won’t think that is such a bad idea,” said Meg. Everyone around them laughed and nodded.
Next in were Sandy and his son Jesse. Kisses and greetings were exchanged. Marie came in with Jack, ‘Solda and a very pregnant Bitty. Standing in the doorway was a very chagrined young man who was obviously Bitty’s new mate. The teeshirt didn’t hide the hickies and teethmarks.
Cal, Peter and his wife Lisa, and Kevin were the last ones in the door. Meg watched as food was laid out and opened a steady stream of presents as they were handed to her. The babies slept on in their basket oblivious to everything.
“Have you noticed anything different in the last thirty minutes?” Patrick asked Luc as they set up the table.
“No,” said Luc after a moment.
“Ever since Andrew walked in, Anna has been nearly silent,” said Patrick.
“You’re right! Oh god, don’t let her be attracted to him,” said Luc.
“No, I don’t think it’s that. Andrew has on what I think of as his ‘preacher look’ today and I think she’s reacting to it,” said Patrick.
Luc looked and then nodded. “Wonder if I can get him to visit at least once a day while she’s here,” said Luc.
“None of us will be that lucky. However, she’s the only non-shifter who doesn’t know about us in the room,” said Patrick.
“Does everyone know that?” asked Luc.
“I think so. However, it might not be a bad idea to figure out a way to explain things. Much better now than in fifteen years when they shift for the first time,” said Patrick.
Luc nodded. That was not going to be a good discussion. He went back in to help Meg to the table.
“Luc, have you noticed Mom?” she asked before they got two feet from the couch and Anna.
“Yes. Patrick and I were discussing that. We are going to have to tell her if she is around a lot,” he said.
“I know. I’ve been trying to figure out how, but I’m stuck,” Meg said.
“Me too,” answered Luc.
*