Taken (M/F/M red-hot menage shifter romance) Standalone (Shadow Creek Shifters Book 2) (16 page)

Chase came back to the bed and the nurse kindly moved aside. He offered his hand and Katlyn took it. His eyes were tear-filled and Katlyn was never so happy than when she could see the love displayed in the eyes of both of her mates.

The contraction began again, and Katlyn pushed up and screamed, then began to puff the rest of the way out of the contraction.

“The head’s crowning. Give us one more push and the baby will be out.”

Katlyn pushed again and this time, Lena’s eyes lit up as the baby fell into the doctor’s hands. She quickly suctioned the baby, and offered it for the cord to be cut. “It’s a boy!”

“It smells like your son, Chase,” Brendan said with a slight smile.

Chase went around and, with shaking hands, cut the cord, handing the baby to a waiting nurse who quickly wrapped it with a blanket.

Katlyn worried now until her contractions began again. What about the other baby? Would he be Chase’s or Brendan’s? Part of her heart ached for Brendan. She wanted to give him a son, too. Would Palina’s prediction be right? So far, she did carry fraternal twins and both boys, as Palina had said.

Her mind came rushing back as a contraction started, and she bore down, pushing with all of her might. It took three or four contractions before the baby was delivered and tears fell from Brendan’s eyes, his mouth gaping open. He rushed over and cut the cord with his hands twice as shaky as Chase’s had been. He picked up the squirming infant and said, “My son. I have a son.” So overwrought with emotion was he that everyone in the delivery room was crying, except the doctor—who had tears in her eyes.

“This is the most amazing birth I’ve ever been at,” a nurse exclaimed. “Come on, daddies, it’s time to give your sons their first bath.”

Brendan and Chase brought the babies to Katlyn and she admired their tiny faces, pulling the blankets aside to assure herself that they indeed both had all their fingers and toes, like any mother would. She admired the dark hair they both had, so like their fathers’. Reaching for them, she lovingly stroked their faces, and before they walked away to bathe their sons, both Brendan and Chase gave her a kiss.

Lena came up to Katlyn and kissed her on her forehead. “You’ve done good, Katlyn. You have two amazing men that I can already tell will be great fathers. Whatever reservations I had are gone now, and when your father hears about this experience, how these men reacted to seeing their sons for the first time—he’ll gladly accept them into our family.”

Katlyn cried—hearing her mother say that was more than she could ever hope for. She waited as her mother darted out of the room while the doctor finished up. Once she was resting comfortably in her bed, the doctor came up.

“You know, I was almost worried how this would go since you have two mates and your babies are half shifters, but it’s not any different than most of my deliveries. Of course, Brendan and Chase are much more loving to you than I could say about some humans.” She took Katlyn’s hand into hers. “Thanks for trusting me to be a part of your twin’s birth. It’s moved me more than I can tell you.

* * *

Later, after Katlyn was done nursing her sons, her father, George, came into the room, admiring his grandsons. “So, what names have you picked out?”

“I’m not sure. I thought Brendan and Chase should pick out their names.”

Brendan smiled. “Elric. It means wise ruler.”

“My son’s name is Nolan, meaning champion.”

“Those sure are interesting names,” George said. “That makes a good mix. One is wise and the other strong, just like you two.”

“Which one is which?” Katlyn asked, wanting to hear his perspective.

“Brendan is the strong one, and I believe Chase is the wise one.”

Chase grinned. “It’s about time someone notices.” When Brendan arched a brow. “Just kidding.”

“Actually, I agree with that one,” Katlyn said. “Brendan is very strong, but you’re a wise man, Chase. It’s the mix that perfectly balances our life. You’re wise enough to know when to step aside, and when not to.”

Life at the ranch was just like that, too. It was a perfect balance and one that Katlyn loved. She had two mates, who she loved, and a son from each of them. How utterly perfect her life had become. Her parents were also now a big part of her life, too, insisting on sticking around until Katlyn had adjusted to her routine of motherhood. The Creeksboro area was peaceful, without a care for now, and Katlyn hoped for all of their sakes that it would remain that way for years to come.

About the Author

USA Today Bestseller Madison Johns isn't the type of writer who publishes one book a year. She works hard to publish once a month, whether it's one of her beloved Agnes Barton mysteries, or paranormal romances. Watching established authors, she realized early on that it's not good to keep readers waiting for her next book too long. She prefers to burn the midnight oil with a strict publishing schedule, meeting her deadlines at any cost. Animal-lover Madison lives in mid-Michigan with her two children and animals galore, including a hilarious Jackson Chameleon.

Visit her on the web at:
http://madisonjohns.com
where you’ll find a form to sign up for her mystery and paranormal romance newsletters.

Other Books By Madison Johns

An Agnes Barton Senior Sleuth Mystery Series

Armed and Outrageous

Grannies, Guns & Ghosts

Agnes Barton Paranormal Mystery

Haunted Hijinks

Ghostly Hijinks