Rourk (Keegan's Chronicles Series Book 4) (15 page)
Read Rourk (Keegan's Chronicles Series Book 4) Online
Authors: Julia Crane
Rourk pulled his brother- in- law into a hug. “Happy birthday.”
Keegan nudged Rourk aside and reached up to hug her brother. She laughed when her belly bounced off him. Thaddeus lowered his hand to her stomach. “These two are very special.”
Keegan narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t even start. We don’t want any hints or pressure. We just want them to have a happy childhood. Like we did.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything.” Thaddeus looked over her shoulder and sniffed the air. “Is that lasagna I smell?”
He veered off to the kitchen. The noise level rose considerably with everyone trying to talk at once and catching up. It was great to have the whole family back together. The doorbell rang, and Rourk let his father in. They nodded at each other, and Keegan practically bowled everyone over to throw her arms around her father-in-law. They had formed a special bond. It was nice to see his father so happy. He was really looking forward to being a grandfather.
They sat around the table and stuffed themselves. After they ate, Keegan stood up and shooed them all outside. “Go run and play, burn off some of that food before we have cake and ice cream.” They didn’t have to be told twice.
Rourk couldn’t keep his eyes off his wife. She was literally glowing and had never looked more beautiful. She thought he was just saying it to make her feel better, but it was true.
She reached over to turn on the kettle and grabbed her stomach.
Rourk’s heart lurched.
Not again.
“Mom.” Keegan said her eyes wide with panic.
Emerald jumped up and ran to her daughter’s side. She placed her hand on her round belly and smiled. “It appears the little ones would like to share their birthday with their uncle.”
“I told you they were special,” Thad quipped with a grin.
“Now? Today? It’s not time. I still have two weeks.”
“Babies come when they want. Don’t worry, they will be fine. Rourk, it’s going to be a while. Why don’t you walk Keegan around the property. Get the process moving. First, drink some raspberry tea.”
Rourk was already by her side. His emotions were all over the place—joyful and terrified at the same time.
“Where’s your necklace?” Emerald asked.
“Upstairs near my bed, but I don’t wear it when Rourk is home.”
“Well, you might as well put it on today. It will help with the pain of contractions. I’ll get the room ready, but it will be several hours before it’s time.”
Keegan trembled against him. “Our babies,” Rourk said, and Keegan nodded, tears in her eyes.
Emerald was right. It was almost midnight before the twins decided to grace them with their presence. The boy came out first, and moments, later his sister followed.
Rourk was overwhelmed. Tears streamed down his face. They were absolutely perfect. He counted their fingers and toes, and ran his pinky over their tiny pointed ears.
The girl had bright red hair, and the boy’s hair was darker, like Keegan’s. It was too soon to tell who they looked like. To him, they looked like perfection.
Keegan had to have at least one of the babies in her hands while the other got passed around the family.
Thaddeus seemed to take special interest in the little girl. Rourk caught him staring into her eyes and heard him say. “Don’t worry, little one. I will help you on your path. It’s not an easy road, but it’s an important one. And this time you have your brother.”
What did that mean? Was his daughter going to have the gift of sight, like her uncle? Or was Rourk reading too much into the comments?
This time? Could it really be? Thaddeus had said the baby would return when she was ready. He pushed the thought aside. Like Keegan had said, he just wanted his children to grow up in a happy home. They would deal with the rest when the time came.
About the Author
Julia Crane
Julia Crane is the author of the YA paranormal fiction novels: Keegan's Chronicles, Freak of Nature, Mesmerized and Eternal Youth. Julia has believed in magical creatures since the day her grandmother first told her an Irish tale. She has traveled far and wide to all the places her grandmother told her about, gaining inspiration from her journeys to places like Nepal, Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Italy, France and many more. And who knows? Maybe the magical creatures she writes about are people she met along the way.
Julia Crane has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Although she's spent most of her life on the US east coast, she currently lives in Dubai with her husband and three children.
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