Gifts of Fate [Kindred of Arkadia 7] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Alanea Alder Page A

for a child of your own. How could I not move
    Heaven and Earth to make that happen for you? You are my very reason for existing.” Gabriel peppered
    Ashby’s face with kisses.
    “What did they say?” Ashby asked, feeling like his entire world was spinning out of control. In the
    background he heard the doorbell ring.
    “They found us a child, my angel. They are making arrangements to send the little one to us, possibly
    after the New Year.” Gabriel smiled and seemed to hold his breath.
    “We’re going to have a child! We’re going to be parents!” Ashby yelled. The doorbell chimed again.
    Ashby jumped up and started to pace the room, mimicking Gabriel’s earlier movements. Gabriel tried to
    walk alongside but Ashby seemed to start, stop and turn as new concerns or ideas popped into his head.
    “How old? Is it a boy or a girl? Do you have any idea how much stuff we have to get!” Ashby ranted,
    waving his arms. He tried to get his breathing under control. The doorbell chimed again, and again and
    again.
    “Someone get the damn door!” he screeched. Gabriel winced. Beyond the office door they heard people
    stampede for the front door at Ashby’s uncharacteristic display of temper. Ashby took a deep steadying
    breath.
    “They wouldn’t tell me anything except that the child’s parents had been murdered by Drainers and that
    they had no one in the world to take care of them. As for supplies, we have plenty. The things in the spare
    room that you think are for Rebecca are actually early Christmas gifts for you.” Gabriel pulled Ashby into
    his arms.
    “Hey! Did anyone order a baby?” Daniel’s voice rang through the house.
    Ashby froze and looked up at his mate. Gabriel looked as close to panic and shock as he had ever seen
    him. Ashby dashed for the door and ran downstairs to the foyer. Gabriel, with his vampiric speed, made it
    there seconds before him.
    Ashby stopped a few feet from a small woman holding a tiny bundle wrapped in a blue blanket. She
    wore a tidy, tweed suit and sensible shoes. She looked like the quintessential British nanny.
    “I am Prince Gabriel, who might you be?” Gabriel asked.
    “I’m so terribly sorry, I assumed the council let you know I was coming. Oh dear. I have brought the
    child they told you about. There was a mistake on the paperwork for the adoption date, his foster family is
    going out of the country for the holiday and of course couldn’t take him with them. Will that be a
    problem?”
    “No!” Ashby and Gabriel practically yelled, and the woman jumped and gave a nervous titter.
    “I’m afraid he doesn’t come with much,” she said and eased the baby into Ashby’s shaking arms.
    “Is that ours?” Daniel asked excitedly. Gabriel nodded with tears in his eyes.
    “David! David, hurry, we’re having a baby!” Daniel screeched, and coven members began to pour into
    the foyer.
    “When?” David yelled.
    “Now!” Daniel jumped around from foot to foot, trying to catch a glimpse of the infant.
    “What!” was the bellowed reply from the landing before David tumbled down the stairs in his effort to
    get to the foyer to see the baby. Daniel ran over to help his twin.
    Ashby felt Gabriel standing close behind him, peering over his shoulder. With trembling hands Ashby
    pushed aside the blanket so they could see their son for the first time. When he saw his son’s face he
    couldn’t stop crying. He looked up at his mate to see that the Prince of all vampires had pink-tinged tears
    streaking lines down his alabaster cheeks.
    “How?” Gabriel croaked and cleared his voice and spoke again. “How can he look just like you?” His
    voice broke. Ashby rubbed his cheek along the baby’s soft head.
    “What is he?” Ashby asked in awe.
    “We thought you knew, he’s a fennec fox. It was one of the things that weighed the decision in your
    favor since you are the same animal. Well then, my cab is waiting. Merry Christmas and congratulations to
    you both.” She