Chapter 37 – A Year Later
Isco ran around in the yard. But his eyes were on the woods. Eka was in the yard, watching his son and the other kids. They were celebrating the wedding anniversary of Iker and Avadh.
Kanwar had to go for an immediate meeting. Magnus and Samuel had accompanied him. Dantero, Clement, Vir, Pran and Darius were in the outskirts guarding. There was some unrest in the border shared with rogues. There was the possibility of an attack.
Isco came over to Eka and sat on his lap. Eka hugged his son tight and both were worried about the same thing. Kanwar has come home injured numerous times. They both knew it was a big possibility and this was mild from what used to happen in Avadh's period from Iker's stories. Still, they only had Kanwar and they worried.
"Will Baba be okay?" mumbled Isco tucking his head closer to Kanwar's
"He is our hero right! Heroes always find their way home," said Eka.
Isco nodded.
Sure enough, they smelt the arrival of Kanwar. Isco ran.
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Kanwar smiled when he felt the worry of his favorite people in the world. He knew all of his brothers and cousins can feel the same panic from their respective better halves and kids.
Kanwar saw his pup run for him and caught him. He let Isco hug him tight. Isco had separation anxiety.
Eka reached him next. He held them both tight.
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Magnus smiled as he took his older son in one arm and his one-year old menace in another.
They have named him Taurus and said menace farted.
"You did that purposefully," said Magnus.
Taurus gave him a toothless smile.
"He did not. Don't scold him Dad," said Arth, folding his hand and nose in the air.
"Well, I will watch you suffer in future when you get to run behind your brother when he becomes a full-fledged menace," said Magnus.
Arth just gave him a look he knew very well was the one he gave Samuel when he was a child and even now when he was ready to disobey.
"You are mean," said Arth.
"But you still love me," said Magnus smugly.
"Of course I do. You are my only Dad," said Arth teasingly.
Magnus laughed. Jana glared at them both.
"You are giving him a lot of leeway, I can see your older menace has you wrapped around his little finger," said Jana.
Magnus scowled. Jana gave him a kiss, having been worried about the man.
Next to them Carles was kissing Samuel and Max was running his mouth miles a minute to both parents' amusement. Their youngest was asleep in the cradle.
Jeev rolled his eyes as their triplets were all over Clement.
"Let my man breathe, will you?" he asked the three who smirked and then turned back to their dad to continue their mock fight.
Ahaan, the oldest broke out of the fight and ran to Jeev who took him up.
"Love you too," he said patting Jeev's face.
"Hey, I love him more," said Aman.
"I love him best," said Cara, stomping her feet. Clement looked at them and smiled as he got up with the two in his arms and moved closer.
Jeev looked at Clement who smirked. He moved closer and kissed Jeev who blushed but kissed back.
"I love you," he mouthed. Jeev blushed and mouthed back "I love you too."
Clement smiled. This is his world.
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Dantero was rocking Ivero who was shining because of his absence. Ivory was amused. He leaned on his rogue wolf as they calmed down their son. Dantero turned his head a bit and kissed on Ivory's lips and then forehead.
This was the guy who have a rogue, everything.
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Viraj smiled as Dani was giving him the cute glare which he was sure his dads had a hand in helping him develop. Diya having received a kiss from him toddler off to his parents.
"I am fine, see," said Viraj and Dani scowled but hugged him tight. Viraj smiled and looked at his parents who were smiling. They had Diya in one arm and Danish was running to them from Darius' arms.
Darius smiled around Ishq's side making Viraj glare. He did not want to see his little brother getting kissed. But well, it's a bit hypocritical of him as he was yet to let go of Dani.
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Pran flushed a beautiful color of red as his mate, Anurag Kashyap smiled at him. They met Anurag, the King of Margilo a few months back when trying to sort out a boundary issue. Pran is pregnant now. Anurag broke the kiss and pecked on Pran's forehead and touched his growing tummy.
Anurag's brother Hridaan is Evan's mate. Evan was smirking as he had his blushing mate in his arms after a deep kiss. Eka rolled his eyes and slapped on his head.
"Don't embarrass him," he said. Evan scowled but smiled as Hridaan turning to look at him even as he followed Eka to Atrey.
Ira smiled as she watched Tim roll his eyes after he got babble shouted at by his daughter Iliana. Ira was pregnant again. Tara whose daughters were rocking the house as the oldest of the kids were being chased by her husband.
Ili looked at Antony who pinched his ears in apology. Ili still had some of the fat he gained during pregnancy. Their days old son was resting on the crook of Ili's arm. Antony held them both in an embrace and kissed Ili. Antony smiled as he looked at Ili. He had been absolutely cute during pregnancy and even cuter now. Antony thanks the goddess every day for giving him the chance to correct his stupidity. They named their son Joan after Iker's dad.
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Dantero's mom and Anurag's dad sat next to the older members of the family. Jeev as usual was cuddled next to his dad. Avadh loved that at least one of their sons still needed them. Jeet is 16 now and they hoped he got younger rather than older. He was sure that was how everyone of them felt too.
"What is it?" asked Viraat.
"Nah, Jeet is the only one who needs us now. Like, cuddle," said Avadh fondly.
Iker smiled.
"That's true," said Hale leaning back against Vansh who held him close.
"I miss when the kids were all so young. But well I wouldn't want to lose our son in laws and grand babies for anything," said Zaleno. Viraat nodded smiling and held him close.
"And to think that we have all lived a good life from where we were before Avadh decided to go to Ilse," said Ahem. Cristian smirked.
"True," said Cristian.
"Well, he was in Myrkovir. We might have found each other when I was kidnapped by lone wolves or something. Wow that would have made a story," said Atrey.
Ethan rolled his eyes. "They are not kidnappers, nor am I," said Ethan.
"Well, I know my lone wolves, I am their Luna, remember?" asked Atrey.
Ethan snorted.
"True, well, they might have," said Ethan.
Atrey snickered into the man's shoulder. Ethan dropped a kiss on his hair.
"Well, the events would be worth several books, I would say," said Arav.
"Ha-ha, True," said Terrence.
"Tara says she might write one someday just to see you all read and cringe at your idiocies," said Piya.
"She would too. I know my daughter in law very well," said Clara and Merena nodded.
" She takes after Ma," said Valen. All looked at the three comparatively new photos on the wall. Ma, Catherine and Algernon.
"True," smiled Iker fondly. Avadh held him close.
Avadh and Iker looked at each other and Iker blushed.
"One would think we would be immune to this by now," snorted Cristian and all laughed.
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"And that's how we your Baba and I came together," said Arth. Little Moksh looked up at Arth who smiled as he rocked his four-year-old son in his arms so that he would sleep.
He turned and saw Isco was standing at the door. He had an amused smile on his lips.
Arth scowled.
"So were you telling him our story?" asked Isco.
Arth nodded, his scowl changing to a blush seeing the look on Isco's face.
"Baba" squealed Moksh who hears his Baba's sound and turned.
Isco took him in his arms and peppered his son with kisses. Then he looked at Arth who was beaming.
"Missed me?" asked Isco placing his arm around Arth who leaned onto him.
Arth nodded. They kissed. Arth smiled as they laid in bed that night entwined, Moksh across them.
"I love you," said Isco.
"I love you too," said Arth.
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In the darkness of the night, the same expression of love echoed. The voice belonged to Avadh and Iker as they professed it to each other over the course of time. They a smile on their face as they laid there, hand in hand ready for the next big adventure.
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THE END