"Why so surprised? He totally dotes on you."
"He drives me nuts."
"He is your brother."
"Yeah, I guess our child could do worse than Rex, Ari, Law, and Avery for uncles."
She giggled. "Avery kept saying 'uncle', 'niece' and 'nephew'. He is like Rex; he cannot wait to go shopping for the baby."
Declan took her hand. "Tomorrow, I'll make sure Avery walks around and goes to the stalls. They have some handmade things that you can't buy anywhere else."
They returned to the Unit Level and were slowly walking down the main street toward their home when she turned to him. "You never doubted Meryn for a moment, did you?" she asked.
Declan shook his head. "She is the least judgmental person I've ever met in my entire existence. Her not liking somebody is almost like a knee-jerk reaction. The only person that gets that sort of reaction is an asshole."
Declan unlocked the door and they made their way upstairs to their bedroom. She sighed when she saw her suitcase. Declan simply stripped and got under the covers naked, his clothes in piles on the floor. She felt her eye twitch, but she was too tired to take him to task over it. She carefully laid the borrowed dress over a chair and dug out her favorite sleep shirt. She slipped under the covers then poked Declan until he moved over so she could take his warm spot. He grumbled, but moved over for her. She pulled his arm around her, holding it tight.
"What did Rex have to say about your parents?" she asked.
"That they're excited. My mother was still chattering away when Rex was on the phone with them. Father, of course, wasn't happy that I hung up on him, but he understood. He has a mate, after all. He'll be sending a lion detail to us. I'm pretty sure it might be a couple of cousins," he shrugged.
She yawned again. "Why am I so tired?" she asked.
"Oh, I don't know, probably because you've been through a lot in the past couple of days."
"Avery misses home and his library. I do, too." She felt him tense under her hand. "This does not feel like home. It is like we are just visiting."
Declan tightened his hold. "Do whatever you need, change whatever you want at the house. As for Avery, you could tell him that Magnus has one of the largest libraries in the world."
Kari giggled. "I reminded Avery of that tonight."
"I'm serious, Kari; this is your home. We'll do whatever it takes to make you feel comfortable and wanted here."
"What about Avery? He cannot stay in Magnus' guest quarters forever."
"I was assuming he would be moving in with us."
"Really?" she asked. "You do not mind?"
Declan snorted. "Course not. That way I can keep an eye on little guy. In about a month or so, I'm pretty sure he will be moving in with Warrick."
She exhaled, sighing.
"We're right down the street, Kari; it's not like he's moving to a different level."
She brightened at that "You are right. Maybe I should just turn over both houses to him to decorate."
She felt Declan yawn. "Whatever the little guy needs."
"There is nothing that you would want for yourself? He and I show up and you are changing your entire life."
Declan shook his head. "Not life, existence. I existed before you. I may have smiled and laughed and spoke, but I didn't truly begin to live until I opened my eyes and saw you."
She clutched his arm to her tight. "Me too."
"Get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow and lots of food to eat."
She laughed. "You are just like one of the children. You are looking forward to the food and the games, are you not?"