His dragon huffed. Why do we have to be snipped? That's what birth control is for.
Aye, but it's not a guarantee.
Finn replied, "Let me work on handling my family first."
"You do know it takes three months for it to be fully effective?"
"Aye, but I've been a bit busy."
Her face softened. "I know. If you have it done, I'll give you some leeway provided we do everything possible to prevent another pregnancy. I appreciate all the help, but three is a handful. I can only imagine what they'll be like when they're older."
"Especially if they take after your brother."
"It's more taking after you and your cousins that I'm worried about. The Stewart siblings will cause havoc unlike anything the world has ever seen."
He smiled. "I thought you didn't like hyperboles?"
"Usually. But in this case, it may not be."
As Freya drifted off, Finn gently laid her down in the bouncy seat and fastened the strap around her. "I'll schedule an appointment with Layla as soon as possible." He stood and ran a hand through his hair. "Now, what to do about my family."
"Talk with them, Finn. Honesty can go a long way. And if that doesn't work, give them orders. That's what clan leaders do."
He tapped his hand against his thigh. "It might help if we invite them here and you back me up. Hearing it from two people may be more convincing."
"Provided you convince Meg Boyd to babysit, then I'll help."
Meg Boyd was Aunt Lorna's frenemy and arguably the biggest gossip on Lochguard. "If she can ever tear herself away from her two beaus…"
Arabella grinned. "Oh, you know the entire clan is enjoying that one. If anyone was to lead along two males and put off a long-term relationship, it would be Meg."
"The only good thing from it all is that Archie and Cal have formed a temporary truce."
Archie and Cal were neighbors who usually tried to sabotage one another through stealing sheep or dropping boulders on one another's barns. They took up enormous amounts of Finn's time since he had to listen to both sides and make decisions once or twice a week.
Or, had done. He secretly hoped Meg Boyd would keep them occupied for the foreseeable future and save Finn many a headache.
Arabella snorted. "Well, seeing as they're sleeping with the same female, they have to have a truce or risk hurting Meg. The bigger question is whether they're all sleeping together or if Meg is enjoying one and then the other."
"That, my dear Ara, is something I'd rather not know."
"I didn't pin you for a prude."
"When it comes to Meg Boyd, I like to think she's an asexual being who lives only to hand out unwarranted advice. Now let's get the last lad fed and start arranging the family dinner."
As they finished taking care of their children, Finn began to plan the next evening with his cousins and their mates. Arabella was right, as she usually was. He needed to be honest and lay out the facts.
His dragon spoke up. Good luck with that. Make sure to hide all the valuables.
I'm sure they're not going to start throwing breakables.
Do you know them at all?
With Holly and Faye both being pregnant, everyone will be a bit more careful.
If they don't shout and startle Holly into labor first.
Not wanting to think of all the ways the dinner could go wrong, as soon as the bairns were down again, Finn pulled Arabella up against his side and cupped her cheek. "I love you, Ara."