“Man, it’s freezing cold in here,” Kendall said, taking the steaming mug of coffee from his brother’s hand. “How did you convince me to come to visit you, again?”

Ax shook his head and laughed. “Aimee’s too pregnant to travel?”

“Ah, that excuse.” Taking care not to spill any of the precious coffee on his gloved hand, Kendall punched his brother’s shoulder. “But having a pup for Christmas sounds like cruel and unusual punishment when you live in Alaska.”

“We love it here,” Ax said.

“I know you do.” Kendall took a sip from his cup and scorched his tongue. His curses resonated loud and clear in the snowy landscape. He rested the mug on the porch’s balustrade and turned to lean against it to face Ax. “Who would’ve thought that one day we would be here, ah?”

After that first, long phone call, Kendall had reached out to his brother again, and soon they were talking daily. But there were things that had to be said face to face.

“I’ve missed you all these years,” Ax started. “But it was all my fault for keeping a grudge over something that was beyond your control.” He breathed slowly and massaged his chest from over the thick fabric of his parka. “And then the Hunger struck—”

“Only if you go through it, then you can really understand what kind of power the Hunger has over you. For the longest time, I thought that Meredith was trying to defend you—” Kendall tried another sip from the cup, and this time, it didn’t cause any internal damage. “The moment I exited the Honolulu Airport, I swear I couldn’t think of anything else but to eat.” He shook his head at the still fresh memory. “And when my wolf met Juliette’s, he went insane.”

“I’m glad we could meet again, brother,” Ax said, reaching out for a one-armed hug.

Kendall reciprocated the gesture. “So am I.”

“Ax!” A dog’s loud barking accompanied Aimee’s shout from inside the log cabin.

The door opened and Juliette peeked out. “Kendall?” she called. “Warm up the Rubicon.”

Ax tore through the porch. “Aimee, is it time?”

* * *

“Kiran, you are the most beautiful baby boy I’ve ever seen,” Juliette cooed, rocking the bundle in her arms.

“He most surely is because he looks like his beautiful mom.” A beaming Ax sat on Aimee’s hospital bed, holding her close.

“And thank the gods for that,” Kendall said, taking the baby from Juliette. I can’t wait to have one of our own, he sent to her. A daughter who looks exactly like you.

You only have to wait nine months, give or take. Juliette gave him a cheeky smile.

Kendall tilted his head. “What—” he said out loud.

It could be a boy though, Juliette thought, caressing the baby’s little hand. Or we could have twins, who knows?

“I’m so happy I’m going to… I don’t know what I’m going to do,” Kendall said, forgetting again to use their private channel. “My heart is exploding.” He remembered to give the baby back to his mother before grabbing Juliette to kiss her soundly. “Thank you so much,” he whispered.

“Brother?” Ax said, leaving the bed to reach Kendall. “Are congrats in order?”

“Juliette, are you expecting?” Aimee asked with a big smile on her tired face as she gently cradled her boy.

Leaning away from Kendall, Juliette nodded. “We’ll have a special End of Summer celebration next year, and you are officially invited.”

“We won’t miss it for the world,” Ax said, hugging his brother.

“Kiran looks forward to meeting his little cousin,” Aimee said.

“This is the best Christmas ever.” Kendall couldn’t contain the tears of joy that wetted his cheeks. “I couldn’t have dreamed of a better gift even if I tried. I’ve got my brother back, I’ve just become an uncle, and now, I’m going to be a father. It’s almost too much.” He walked back to Juliette. “Tell me I’m awake.”

“You are awake—” Juliette brushed his lips. “And it only gets better from now on.”

“Did I tell you how much I love you today?” he asked.

Not properly, I’m afraid. She tilted her head and curved her lips into an inviting smile. Wait till you see my Christmas gift for you…

“Please, go home,” Ax said, bursting into a laugh. “I can’t hear your thoughts but I can read your faces.”

“Yes, and make sure to feed Blackie, please,” Aimee added.

“Will do,” Kendall answered from the door, already dragging Juliet out of the room.

When they were out of the hospital, he sprinted toward the parking lot, but stopped behind a corner to push her against a wall and kiss her. “I’m not sure I can make it to the cabin to open your gift, though—” he whispered hoarsely.

“Plenty of forest road between here and the cabin,” she said.

“I love you, Juliette Kewada.” Kendall brushed the tip of her nose, then cradled her in his arms.

“I love you, Kendall McKenzie.” Juliette burrowed closer in his arms as he walked them to his Jeep.

“Forever and ever.” He gently let her in the car.

“Forever and ever and a day,” she said, pulling him closer for a long kiss.