Peg and Heidi started dinner. Elyse set the table and Simon played on the floor with some of his toys.

“Nanna, where’s Colin?” Simon asked.

“He’s taking a nap with papa. I’m sure they’ll be down in time for dinner.”

“Are you mad at Colin?” Heidi looked at Peg, curious what she would say.

“No, I’m not mad at him, I think he’s mad at me. I said something to him I shouldn’t have.”

“Everybody gets mad at Colin, he talks too much.” Simon continued to play on the floor as he talked. The conversation was interrupted when Mack walked into the kitchen.

“We have a problem,” he went straight to Peg, “Colin isn’t feeling well, he has a fever. I think you better go to him.”

“I’ll call Doc.” Peg reached for her phone.

“Peg, go to Colin. If you still think we need Doc, I’ll call him.” Peg gave him a curious look and left to check on Colin.

“Papa, is Colin really sick?” Elyse asked.

“He’s sick in his heart and right now Nanna is the only one that can make it better.”

Elyse nodded her head. “I think I understand.”

“Good. Now, is there anything I can do to help?”

“Everything is almost done,” Heidi told him, “I was just going to check on Andrea and the baby. Do you know if Jeremy is still with her?”

“I think it’s about time he took a break. Come on, let’s go check.” Mack headed for the guest room. Jeremy was coming down the hall.

“How are you doing, dad?” Mack asked with a laugh.

“I had no idea having a baby was going to be so stressful, I’m exhausted,” but he said it with a smile. “You don’t mind if Josh comes by, do you?”

“Not at all. Does he know yet?”

“No, I just realized I hadn’t called him. He’s going to be pissed I didn’t call him when she went into labor. He’s been like a mother hen.”

“Well, be sure to invite him to dinner. How’s Andrea and the baby?”

“They’re awesome. Mack, is Colin okay?”

“Yeah. He’s been through a lot and he’s been putting up a good front. We thought it was Simon we had to worry about, only to find out it’s been Colin holding everything in. He’s a very sad little boy.”

“If Josh and I can do anything to help, just ask.”

“Thanks Jeremy.”

“By the way, we named her Bella. According to Colin, she told him that was her name. He’s an awesome little kid.”

“We’ll talk more about that later, call Josh before he disowns you.” Mack looked in on Andrea. She looked like she was sleeping, but she heard him.

“Mack, is everything alright?”

“I’m supposed to be asking you that,” he laughed, “how’s the baby?”

“She’s beautiful, come and see.” Mack went in to see the sleeping baby all dressed in pink. “Peg had to give me the babies Christmas gifts early so I’d have something to dress her in.”

“It’s amazing how all those blue baby clothes turned pink.” Mack teased.

“Alright, I wanted a boy for Jeremy, but it turns out, it didn’t matter. Jeremy loves her.”

“Of course, he does,” Mack admired the sleeping baby, “you’re right, she is beautiful. I’m going to steal Jeremy from you for a while so you can rest and he can have a beer.”

“That sounds like a great idea, I think he could use one about now. Thank you, Mack.”

“That’s what friends are for.” He gave her a smile and left. Heidi stayed with her for a while before going back to the kitchen.

It wasn’t long before Heidi announced dinner was ready. Everyone came to the dining room. Josh, Jeremy’s brother, brought Andrea a fresh change of clothes and a basket for the baby to sleep in. Peg and Colin were still MIA. Half way through dinner, they finally came down to eat.

Colin kept his eyes down, he didn’t want anyone to see he’d been crying. Simon went to him and gave him a hug. “I love you, Colin,” he whispered.

When everyone finally finished dinner, Elyse and Heidi cleared the table,  Charles and Robert did the dishes.

“Hey, Charles, Robert, everything is all set. The bonding ceremony is all arranged,” Mack announced, “tomorrow evening at six.”

“Where at?” Charles asked.

“The banquet room at the lodge.”

“The lodge is closed, isn’t it” Charles remarked.

“What better time to have a shifter ceremony, only those that have been invited will be there. We’ve arranged an informal dinner after. I hope that’s okay. Besides, it’s already decorated for the wedding.”

“Sounds perfect. Thanks Mack.”

“No problem, big brother. Glad I could help.”

Robert hugged Heidi. “Are you excited?”

She gave him a brave smile. “I can’t believe it’s really going to happen,” she sighed, “I was afraid you would be ashamed of me and back out.” She looked up at him. “There’s still time to change your mind.”

“I will never change my mind, I love you.” He hugged her tighter and kissed the top of her head. “I couldn’t imagine my life without you.”

While they stood there, Colin came to them and tried to hug both of them. “Don’t be sad, aunt Heidi, I still love you and uncle Robert. You’re going to have lots of babies to keep you busy, you won’t even miss me.”

“I will miss you,” Heidi protested with a laugh, “and were are all these babies going to come from?”

Colin patted her belly, “Right here.”

Robert was catching on to Colin’s quirks. “Colin, does Aunt Heidi have lots of babies there now?” The room got very quiet. Peg was about to retrieve Colin and froze in her tracks. Colin nodded. Robert looked at Heidi. “Heidi, are you pregnant?”

“I don’t think so,” she looked at Robert, “I don’t know.” She looked at Colin. “How many is lots?” Colin played with his fingers for a moment and then held up three.”

“Whoa, triplets?” Charles bellowed, “congratulations little brother.”

“Hold on, we don’t know for sure, yet.” Robert replied.

Heidi looked Colin in the eye and he smiled. “Yes, Robert, I think we do.”

“What?”

Heidi sat down and gave Colin a hug. “Boys or girls?” she whispered in his ear.

“Two boys and a girl.” He whispered back.

“What was that?” Robert asked.

“I can’t tell you, it’s a secret and only Colin can tell you. Do you want to tell Robert?”

Colin shook his head, “It’s a secret.”

“I’ll tickle it out of him.” Robert threatened.  Colin ran and hid behind Mack. Everyone laughed as Robert went after him.

“Sorry brother, he’s under my protection now, I can’t let you have him.” Mack said with all seriousness.

“That’s not fair, you’re my brother, we’re family.”

“Yup, but he’s my son. He came to me for protection.”

Robert turned around and looked at Heidi. “I guess I’ll just have to tickle it out of my mate.”

“No, no, no.” Heidi ran and stood behind Jeremy. “You’re the sheriff here, you have to protect me.” Everyone was laughing so hard, they never heard the knock at the door. Luke and Paula walked in.

“What in the world is going on in here,” Luke asked.

“Oh Luke, you’ve missed all the excitement. Jeremy is the proud poppa of a beautiful baby girl and Colin just informed Heidi, she’s going to have triplets.” Robert informed him.

“Well, I’d say congratulations are in order.” He set a grocery bag on the counter and pulled out two bottles of champagne. “Anyone have a glass?”

Mack got wine glasses out of a cabinet. “These will have to do.”

Luke poured a glass of champagne for everyone. “I’m sure a couple of sips won’t hurt anyone. A toast. To our beautiful women, may we be as strong.”

They all sipped champagne. Jeremy left the room and came back with his beautiful baby girl in his arms to show her off.

“You said Colin told you.” Luke remarked to Robert.

“That’s right. He told Andrea she was going to have a girl and she was ready to be born, even told us her name. Then he told Heidi she’s having triplets. Heidi didn’t know she was pregnant.”

“So, what was all the fuss about when we walked in?”

“Colin has a secret about the triplets and won’t tell me.” Robert told him.

“I see,” he looked at Colin, “if you can keep that secret, you’ll make a good FBI agent one day.” Colin peeked out from behind Mack and smiled at Luke. Luke looked at Colin and thought about everything Robert said. “It appears that your little man there has a gift. I think Vicki and Dorran need to come and visit with him when they get back from the north.”

“Why would they do that?” Peg asked.

“Well, it seems our Vicki is the host of a great wise spirit, a healer and she can see things no one else can. She can see in to the past and the future. I’ve witnessed it myself. Dorran’s people call her the Spirit De Kloka. They have gone to see an old wise man up north to explain everything to her.”

“Jackie said something about Dorran being a healer.” Peg looked at Luke.

“Yes, he is, and he is very good at what he does.”

“Jackie mentioned that, also.”

“Well, enough of this talk for now,” Luke raised his glass, “congratulations to Charles, Robert and to Jeremy.”