Loved by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 4.50)

Sid waved a hand in dismissal. “I only did my job. Besides, it’s not entirely altruistic on my part. Bram would have my head if anything ever happened to you.”

Studying Sid’s face, Evie realized how little she actually knew Stonefire’s head doctor. Did she want her own children? Did she fancy anyone? What did she do for fun? Evie had no idea. Rumors about Sid’s dragon being silent had been confirmed by Bram, but that wasn’t any reason to give up hope on love. Evie had seen Sid’s longing glances at some of the couples when Sid had thought no one else was looking, so she knew the doctor yearned for someone.

In that instant, Evie decided she would repay Sid saving her life by finding her a mate of her own. Evie needed to determine who was not only single, but also a good match. Hell, maybe she could even convince Bram to think about a human male. How she would accomplish that, Evie had no idea, but it was worth a shot.

Glad to have her mind functioning again, Evie complied with Sid’s orders during the exam. The sooner she finished, the sooner she could hold Eleanor Rose for the first time in her arms.

~~~

Bram cuddled his daughter against his chest, took a deep breath, and walked out into the waiting area.

Instead of the rag-tag bunch of clan members waiting to have their grievances heard he had expected, the room was filled with his closest friends.

Kai was the first one to reach him and squeezed his shoulder. “Congratulations, Bram.”

Jane was at his side and held out her arms. “Can I hold her?”

Bram had wanted Mel and Tristan to be the first ones to hold Eleanor, but at the longing in Jane’s voice, he couldn’t help but answer, “Of course.”

As he gently transferred the baby to Jane, the tall human cooed and stroked Eleanor’s cheek. Jane then looked to Kai. “Your turn.”

Kai frowned. “I’m not exactly a baby person.”

“Of course you are. You just don’t know it yet.” Jane moved Eleanor until she supported the baby’s head with one hand and her body with the rest. Bram itched to take his daughter back, but his dragon spoke up. Kai will not hurt our child. He lives every day to protect the clan. Allow him a minute with our baby.

If he wants a baby, he should have his own.

Judging by his female’s actions, they soon will.

Bram knew Kai and Jane were waiting to have children so both of them could focus on their careers, but his beast had a point. A minute, but no more.

Tristan appeared at his side with Jack in one arm and Bram’s son Murray in the other. “Bram.”

Murray put out his arms. “Dada.”

Unable to resist his son, Bram took Murray and bounced him in his arms. “Have you been a good lad?”

Murray nodded and Bram ruffled his son’s dark hair. Then Murray asked, “Ma

ma?”

“We’ll visit Mum in a bit. Would you like to see your sister Eleanor again?”

Murray looked over at the bundle in Kai’s arms. “Nor.” Murray pointed. “Nor.”

He chuckled. “I’ll take that as a yes.” The second Bram was close enough, Murray leaned over to stare at his sister. Bram took Murray’s hand and guided it to gently brush Eleanor’s cheek. “You’re going to have to look out for her, Murray. You’re the big brother. It’s every dragonman’s job to look out for their females.”

Melanie appeared at his side with her daughter in her arms and shook her head. “Evie and I are going to have to work on your son. There are limits, you know. Tristan should know since he crossed them with Arabella.”

Tristan grunted. “She’s my sister. The day I stop wanting to protect her is the day I am no longer worthy of being her brother.”

Mel’s face softened. “There’s that hidden sweetness again.”

Before Bram could say anything, a voice he hadn’t heard in nearly a year filled the room. “Bram.”

Turning his head, Bram saw his younger brother, Bennett, along with Bram’s niece, Ava. “Bennett.”

Bram met his brother halfway and gave him a one-sided hug. Then his niece, Ava, tugged on his shirt and Bram crouched carefully with Murray in his arm to give his niece a hug, too.