Leaning back, he studied his niece’s blue eyes. “You’re nearly a grown dragonwoman.”
Ava giggled. “I’m only seven-and-three-quarters.”
“Aye, but you’re going to be as tall as me before long.” Bram stood up to smile at his brother. “I didn’t think you’d be back yet. You could’ve called.”
Bennett winked. “And ruin the surprise?”
Bram looked around for his sister-in-law. “Where’s Shauna?”
Bennett’s face turned neutral. “She’s still back in Ireland. Her mother hasn’t improved at all, but she sends her love.”
Bram’s brother had spent the last eleven months in Ireland to support his Irish mate, Shauna. Bram squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “It’s good to see you, brother.” Sid exited the door on the far side of the room and Bram slapped his brother’s shoulder one last time. “We’ll catch up later, okay? I need to speak with the doctor and make sure Evie’s okay.”
Bennett nodded. “Of course. I need to find some dinner for me and Ava anyway. We haven’t eaten since leaving Ireland.”
Ava tugged her father’s hand. “Look, it’s Mr. MacLeod. Can we say hello, Dad? Please? He’s so much better than my current teacher.”
Bennett frowned. “Ava, you have a nice teacher back in Donegal.”
Ava asked again, “Please?”
With a sigh, Bennett nodded. “Okay, if he’s not too busy. But only for a few minutes.”
Bennett headed toward Tristan, and Bram went up to Sid. As soon as he was close enough, he demanded, “Well?”
Sid raised an eyebrow. “That tone won’t work on me, Bram. Why you keep trying to pull your dominance crap on me, I’ll never understand.”
Murray squirmed in Bram’s arms. Automatically, he bounced his son. “Let’s not do this dance again. How’s Evie?”
Sid put her hands into the pockets of her white lab coat. “As long as there aren’t any other complications, she should be discharged in a few days. While she can start seeing visitors, I want her to try feeding Eleanor first.”
“Right, then take Murray whilst I get her.”
Bram handed over Murray and headed to where Kai and Jane were standing. However, Melanie was currently holding Eleanor while Jane held a humming Annabel.
He put out his hands. “Sorry to disrupt the baby time, but I need to take Eleanor back to Evie.”
Mel gently handed over the baby. “Is she doing better? Can we see her soon?”
“Believe me, once Evie starts seeing visitors, you’ll be the first to know.”
Mel nodded. “Just holler if you need us to watch Murray again.”
Bram smiled and headed back to Sid. The dragonwoman laughed as she tickled the little boy’s neck and it hit Bram that he rarely saw Sid so relaxed. He hadn’t been checking in with his head doctor as often lately because of Evie, but he’d need to make sure Sid was doing okay as soon as possible. As much as it pained him to admit it, Sid always ran the risk of a breakdown because of her silent dragon.
Pushing aside the serious thoughts for the moment, he smiled at Sid. “The lad likes you.”
Sid never looked up. “He’s such a good little boy. I wish they were all like him.”
Bram snorted. “You haven’t seen one of his rare tempers.”
Sid adjusted Murray on her hip. “That’s your job, as the dad. But enough about your son, let’s take care of Evie.”
They wound through the corridors and into Evie’s room. Her eyes were closed, but they opened a second later. Evie smiled as she reached out her arms. “Come here, Murray. Mama needs a cuddle.”
Sid handed over the toddler and Murray lay against Evie’s chest as she stroked his hair. The sight went straight to his heart; Evie would never treat Murray differently just because he was adopted.
Bram kissed the top of Evie’s forehead and sat beside her on the bed. “Our family is finally all together.”