Brandon

Avery took small trips back and forth to Tír na nÓg to keep the trio from hell off our backs. Sang sent a bit more information here and there, but overall we were just in a holding pattern. I'd been doing video chats with Elijah and sending his grandparents money. I was hoping that once this matter was resolved I could see him, but I wasn't entirely sure.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Avery asked softly as her hand came to rest on my forearm. I turned and paused, drinking in her appearance. Her chestnut hair was in a thick braid that spilled over her shoulder, and she wore a simple maternity dress skimming just above her knees. Her face was clear of makeup, yet stunning nonetheless. My lack of response made her frown as she asked, "Brandon, are you alright?"

I blinked, coming out of my daze, and smiled at her, pressing a kiss to her forehead, "Yes, love, just thinking about Elijah. I've missed so much of his life already and I guess I was just lost in my thoughts."

She wrapped her arms around my stomach, hugging me tightly, "You'll be an amazing father, I just know it. I hope you'll bring him here someday."

I bent my head to look into her eyes. "I want that too, baby, but I don't want it to be for a visit. I want what the Blackbournes have, Avery. I want to marry you."

The smile on her face spread from ear to ear as she gave a light laugh, "Really?"

"Really," I grinned. "I'd fair to say the others feel exactly the same way."

"We feel the same way about what?" Axel asked as he walked into the room with a mug of coffee.

"That we want to marry our lovely banshee here," I smirked.

"Hell yes, we do!" Axel laughed. Avery giggled as he reached out and tickled her. "You know, I'm sure we could talk your friend into another handfasting. That is, if you want to?"

She let out a squeal and jumped - well as much as a heavily pregnant woman can jump - talking quickly, "Oh, could we do it before the twins are born, would the others be okay with it? I mean I know I'm not skinny now, but I would love to already be married when they're born."

"Woah, baby, take a breath," I chuckled. "I'm sure we can do a ceremony immediately. As for being skinny, Avery you are beautiful no matter what. Now, let's go find the others and tell them our plan."

****

"So are you okay with this?" Avery asked hesitantly as she looked at her husbands.

Victor grinned, "Oh love, we knew it was coming. You have the control and decision. No matter what, we love you and want you to be happy."

"Thank you, grá," she whispered, leaning into his chest.

"Let's do this," Raven boomed with a wide grin.

"I thought you five would never ask," Marith's exasperated voice spoke as she appeared before us. "I've been carrying this thing around for days." She held up the handfasting cord with a smirk. "Now, shall we begin?"

Twenty minutes later, Marith had the cord wrapped around all our wrists and spoke her blessing. At that precise moment, Avery let out a loud groan and grabbed her stomach. The sound of water dripping to the floor had us all going into action. Marith knelt, "You need to go to Mab. It is not safe for them to be born here. Both children are under the protection of the Unseelie Courts. Mab will help with their delivery along with Sean."

"Both?" Nate asked with a puzzled expression.

The Morrigan smirked, "You'll understand soon," then waved her hand, sending all of us to the Dark Fae courts in a blur.

I sucked in a breath, feeling like the very air was alive in some manner. Avery screamed as a contraction seized her body. Nate quickly scooped her up in his arms, trying to comfort her. "Mab, where the hell are you?" he growled, his voice echoing. The walls seemed to slither and move at his words. Sounds of howls and yips began to echo as a catlike creature came closer, then turned into Mab before our very eyes.

"Quit your yelling, cú sídhe," she snapped, then looked at Avery's pain-stricken face. "Ahh, time for the little ones to arrive, aye? Come, come this way," she tittered and began down a darkened corridor. "A little light would be helpful," she nodded to Corey. With only a nod of his head, he lifted his hands, and suddenly every torch lit up. We all gaped as we walked. The walls were almost sheer vines and some type of plant. The entire place was alive. "You're correct, prophet, Faerie is very much alive - both courts. Our magic comes from the land herself. It lives and breathes inside of each of you. Now, let's get her ready." Mab led us through a door and pointed to the large bed that seemed to be already prepared for Avery. Odd-looking creatures with large eyes stood near the bed with a fresh gown and a wash basin. They bowed low not only to Mab but to Avery as well.

"Oh my goodness, she's finally here," an older voice spoke. "Oh, mo chailín milis, milis (my sweet, sweet girl)."

"Maimeó?" Avery croaked, reaching out her hand to the woman.

"Aye, I'm here mo chailín. Didn't think I'd miss this did ye?" The old woman grinned. She turned to the rest of us, "Oh a fine-looking bunch of fellers you got, girlie. Good souls, all of 'em. Just call me Maimeó or Granny if you prefer, boys."

We all gave her greetings of one or the other, some even saying ma'am before Sean stepped up to check her. "Not much longer, Itoshii. Are you ready to meet our children?"

Erin seemed a bit overwhelmed as Luke tried to calm her, but she didn't understand why Avery was in so much pain. Ironically, the strange creatures that came in and out to assist didn't seem to bother her at all. "Why don't you let the child go with Gertha? She can visit the kitchen and get some treats to bring back to her mama," Mab suggested.

Luke and Avery both had a worried expression, but her grandmother reassured her, "It's okay, chailín, no one will harm her here. This is your second home and not even a Dark Fae would be foolish enough to challenge you. No shadows here, love." They both finally agreed and Erin left with a spindly-looking creature dressed in what looked like leaves and lilies.

Nate let out a groan when Avery's next contraction hit. "What's wrong," she asked through gritted teeth.

"I...I feel like my insides are being ripped apart," he stammered. "Is this what you're feeling?"

Mab cackled, "Her contractions are similar to the pain of your shift, cú sídhe."

"Why are you calling me that? What does it even mean?" Nate gasped as he doubled over, dropping to his knees.

She grinned, "It means that as your son is born, you will gain your power, cú sídhe. You are Dark Fae - a type of black dog and just like your banshee, you can predict death. Your son is one as well."

"Wait, are you saying Nate's a werewolf?" Kota asked.

Mab shook her head, "No, cú sídhe are Fae dogs, but most Fae, especially Dark Fae are also shifters and can have a human form. Your friend here has spent his entire life in his human form. Sealing his connection with the banshee has brought forth his Fae nature, his cú sídhe."

Before we could ask anything further, Avery let out a loud scream as Sean told her to push. Soon the room filled with the cries of Victor's daughter. He helped cut the cord and brought her to Avery's chest, laying her down gently as he kissed both their foreheads, "Hello Aine, we are blessed to meet you again." They both had tears streaming down their cheeks as she held her for a few moments before another contraction hit. Victor picked her up, wrapping her in a blanket as he stepped back to allow Nate to come closer.

"Oh, fuck," Nate groaned and fell to the floor. As Avery pushed, screaming through her next contraction, we all watched as Nate's body twisted and shook, his skin melting away to reveal a pitch-black fur. He looked like a cross between a black German shepherd and a wolf, but much larger than a normal wolf. His eyes gleamed an amber color with large black pupils. His head perked up at the sounds of his son's cries and he whined loudly as he nosed him. Sean started to speak, but Nate quickly bit the cord as Sean applied a clamp. Nate's dog form licked at the boy's face, then he raised his head and let out a loud howl. It echoed far and wide, and then the sounds of other howls answered his call - some close, some far.

He trodded toward Avery as Sean placed their son on her chest. She kissed his forehead then scratched Nate's head, "I always wanted a puppy," she giggled. He gave her a short growl, but still leaned into her touch.

"Damn, who had Nate turns into a dog on their fucking bingo card?" Gabe sassed.

Mab snorted, "Who had the dreamer almost had his heart ripped out on theirs?" Gabe glared at her as we all tried not to laugh.

Author's Notes:  And the babies are born...enjoy the light for the darkness is going to return very soon.

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