My One and Only (Bewitched and Bewildered #10)(36)

Micah swallowed hard and kept blinking. Finally, he nodded and stood. "It would be an honor and a privilege to be athair to your daughter." They clasped forearms in a warrior shake before Etain pulled him into a hug. When they stepped back Micah still looked a bit dazed. Chuckling Etain gently pushed him back into his chair then sat back down.

"What a wonderful way to start the day," Magnus said smiling broadly.

"That was just beautiful," Sebastian said dabbing at his eyes with his towel. Hal sniffed loudly as he pushed the serving cart in from the kitchen. "My baby girl's baby girl now has an athair." He stopped beside Meryn. "Waffle?"

"Hell yeah," Meryn said holding up her plate.

Hal smiled and piled up a stack of waffles four high. Meryn set her plate down. "Now that's what I'm talking about." She picked up one of the syrup dispensers and drenched her waffles.

Aiden looked at the growing amber puddle. "Maybe that's enough," he suggested.

"No. All the little squares have to have syrup," Meryn said turning her body slightly to protect her syrup.

"She's right Aiden," Micah agreed. "Each square needs its own pool of yummy goodness."

Grant shook his head reaching for the jam. "That's way too sweet for me."

"What do I do?" Pip asked Aiden looking from the syrup to the jam. Serenity noticed that although Pip adored Meryn, he looked to Aiden for advice and protection.

Aiden thought for a moment. "Try just a little bit of syrup and if you like it you can always add more," he suggested.

"Caiden sings your praises all the time saying how strict and diligent you are in training and creating drills. But you're kind as well," Serenity said complimenting the large commander.

Aiden shrugged. "He reminds me of Ben when he was younger."

Micah blinked. "I keep forgetting you have a younger brother."

Rex smiled. "Younger brothers are one of life's biggest joys and the biggest pain in the ass you can experience."

Aiden, Kendrick, Magnus, and Etain nodded solemnly. Declan rolled his eyes. "Older brothers are great for being there when you need help," he eyed Rex. "Whether you ask for it or not."

Again, Aiden nodded, this time along with Rheia, Caspian and Serenity.

Laelia looked to the unit commander. "You have three brothers, don't you?"

Aiden nodded. "Two older and one younger."

Laelia looked impressed. "Your family is truly blessed."

He smiled. "I think the true blessings are my parents."

"They are relatively close in age too," Declan pointed out.

Rex nodded. "Having a lot of siblings is getting rarer these days."

Etain chuckled. "You never know. My parents surprised me with a set of twin siblings when I was a thousand years old. I went from being an only child to having a brother and a sister."

Meryn took a huge swig of coffee. "Y'all will have it easy with three squires. I mean, they could rotate babysitting duties and still run all three households."

Hal and Sebastian paused in their serving and looked at each other. Hal grinned. "Well now."

Sebastian nodded. "Well now, indeed."

"I can create a schedule and rotations," Kari offered. "I will be grateful for any help you can provide."

Rex tapped his chin. "We can interview for a squire for your household. Lionhart is a Founding Family after all."

Sebastian frowned. "That would mean we would get less time with the baby," he argued, then shook his head. "No. Hal, Pavil and myself are more than enough for Level One." He inclined his head to Ryuu. "And, of course, Ryuu when little Meryn visits."

Magnus cut up his waffles. "The boss has spoken," he said. Kari then Beth began to chuckle. Magnus shrugged. "It is okay my dears, we all know Sebastian runs Level One."

Sebastian flailed his tea towel about Magnus' head. "I do not!" Magnus just stared out at the table as the tea towel bounced off of him.

Aiden nodded. "Marius ran our house growing up and I'm pretty sure Ryuu will be the only thing keeping us alive after the babies are born."

Ryuu gave a modest shrug. "Every house gets a bit chaotic when a baby arrives."

Kari sighed. "I am not looking forward to doing all the laundry."

Sebastian moved away from Magnus. "Do not worry I will be there to help." He dismissed Magnus with a hand wave. "I am sure Magnus can manage making his own meals a few nights a week."

Magnus stopped chewing. "What now?"

Kari stared up at Sebastian with huge eyes. "You would help us that much?"

"Of course! And I will babysit whenever you need me," he offered.

Magnus rubbed his chin in thought. "I do enjoy cooking shows," he admitted.

Broderick looked at Magnus in horror before turning to Rex. "I think a Lionhart squire is a wonderful idea."

Magnus looked offended. "This could be a great opportunity. I do not even know what the kitchen really looks like or how things are laid out. I may have to change things a bit."

Sebastian's smile faltered. "What?"

Magnus looked over to his brother. "We could try new dishes together." He turned back to Meryn. "Meryn, can you be a dear and look up the recipe for that dessert where you use a mini flame thrower," he asked excitedly.