KENNA AWOKE WITH a start, discombobulated as she tried to sort out the vibration thrumming through her body.

“I’m calling Kaz,” Gunnar said.

“It’s got to be Jess, if you feel it too,” Kenna said, and climbed out of bed.

The Cauld Ane could feel their siblings’ emotional highs and lows, albeit with lesser intensity, but now that Kenna was bound to Gunnar, she’d know something was going on. Since Gunnar felt it was Kaspar, Kenna deduced it was probably Jesska instead.

Gunnar set the phone against his ear as he pulled on a pair of jeans. “Já. Já. Okay.” He hung up and smiled. “The baby’s coming.”

Kenna bounced on her feet and clapped quietly. “How exciting! I’ll feed Styrr and have Payton watch him while we go help Jess.”

“That sounds good.”

Once the baby was sorted, Kenna followed Gunnar through the tunnels to the main house and upstairs to where organized chaos was commencing in the master bedroom. Gunnar stayed in the hallway with Ari and Jesska’s father and brother, but Kenna slipped inside.

Kaspar was behind Jesska, her back against his chest, anchoring her to him, and she was taking slow, deep breaths. Kade and Samantha were prepping the room, while Gillian pulled on gloves and checked her. Jesska’s mother held her hand, unable to really do anything.

“What can I do?” Kenna asked.

“If you can help Megan grab the sheets, I’d appreciate it,” Gillian said, careful to be somewhat vague since Jesska’s human mother would not understand the need for ice sheets.

“Aye, sis. Be right back.” Kenna found Megan, and together they gathered the supplies they’d need.

Thirty minutes later, Jesska cried out as she delivered the new prince. Skúli Kasparson arrived with a quiet cry and a perfectly round head.

“Och, lass, look at how pink he is,” Gillian said as she lay the baby on Jesska’s chest. “He’s perfect.”

Jesska let out a tired sigh as she leaned back against Kaspar and stared down at the baby. “Hi there, baby,” she whispered. “I’m your mama and that’s your daddy. You are so loved, sweet boy.”

Samantha took the baby away briefly to weigh and measure him, and then he was back in Jesska’s arms just as soon as Gillian had cleared away the dirty sheets and replaced them with clean ones.

Kenna and Megan took a minute to kiss Skúli and Jesska, then they left the new family for some bonding time. Kenna walked out of the room and into Gunnar’s arms. “He’s perfect. Just over ten pounds, almost twenty-three inches long, and one of the most beautiful children I’ve ever seen. Jesska was such a warrior.”

Gunnar stroked her hair and kissed her temple. “So were you.”

Kenna smiled up at him. “Is everyone still asleep?”

“Yes. Do you want to go back to bed?”

She sighed. “Yes, please. I’m sure Megan will fill everyone else in on this end and we’ll tell our lot.”

He smiled and led her back home.

* * *

The next morning, as early morning light shone through the transom windows of their bedroom, Kenna rolled over and kissed her mate. “Happy Christmas, sweetheart.”

“Happy Christmas.” He grinned, smiling against her lips. “I love Jóladagur. Especially now.”

“Oh?”

He wrapped his arms around her, rolling her onto her back. “There’s always been something so special about the morning of Christmas, but having you and Styrr, and now a new little nephew, it just makes everything so much better.”

Kenna stroked his face. “I feel the same.”

“I have something for you.” He kept hold of her while he reached into the drawer of the side table, pulling out a beautifully wrapped box.

Kenna bounced a little as she tore the paper off and opened the box. Inside was an emerald cut topaz ring with matching bracelet. “Gunnar,” she whispered.

“Do you like them?”

She shook her head. “I love them.”

“You had me scared for a minute.” He buried his face her neck, blowing a raspberry and making her giggle.

“Sorry, love,” she said. “I have yours as well.” Reaching into her side table, she pulled out the watch she’d bought for him. He opened the gift and rolled on his back to hold it up to the light. “You never wear one.”

He grinned, slipping it on his wrist. “It’s because I’ve never found one I liked, and since my phone is much like a pocket watch, I’ve never seen the need.” Rolling to face her, he kissed her gently. “It’s perfect. I love it.” He moved his lips to skim along her jaw and she craned her head to give him better access... just as the baby monitor lit up with Styrr’s bellow.

“Your son has the worst timing,” Kenna complained as she smiled and climbed out of bed.

Gunnar flopped onto his back and ran his hands through his hair. “No, elskan, your son has the worst timing.”

Kenna grabbed her robe and slipped into their son’s room. “Good morning, little prince,” she crooned, lifting him from his crib and cradling him close. “I’m guessing you’re hungry, eh?” He sniffed, his bottom lip quivering. “We’ll get that nappy off you first, love.”

“I’ll do that, sweetheart,” Gunnar offered, reaching for Styrr.

“I’ll just wash my face while you do,” she said.

Kenna returned and sat in the rocker to feed the baby. She smiled up at Gunnar, who leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, watching them. “What?”

“I’m just taken by how beautiful you are.”

She blushed. “Thank you, love.”

“I can’t wait to make more babies with you.”

Kenna giggled. “Me too, even though I haven’t forgotten the last two months.”

Gunnar grinned. “We won’t travel next time. People will just have to come to us.”

“That works for me.”

Over the next few days, Kenna reveled in her time with her family. New Year’s Eve was the last day the family would be together as a whole, as many were heading back the next day. The non-Icelanders were introduced to Áramótaskaup, a comedy, year-in-review type show, where actors make fun of political flops and the year’s best news.

At midnight, the babies were settled with the nannies, while the adults and little ones were treated to a fireworks show that rivaled anything Kenna had seen in the past. Kaspar had hired a professional company to put the whole thing on, set to music and timed to perfection.

Jesska had arranged big chaise loungers that couples could sit together in, along with comfortable chairs and blankets if people preferred. Gunnar sat in a chair, pulling Kenna between his legs and wrapping his arms around her. She leaned into him, craning her neck to kiss him, and then settling in to watch the show.

Brodie had a hard time keeping hold of Killian, because the now one-year-old toddler kept trying to get to wherever the fireworks were. Payton couldn’t control her laughter as he’d elude his father (albeit briefly) and climb something to get as high as he could.

“I think he’s going to be a pilot,” Brodie said, pulling him down off the trellis at the side of the house.

“He’ll have to be,” Payton agreed. “Because, if he’s not, he’ll do something crazy like jump out of planes in an attempt to fly.”

Kenna shuddered, snuggling closer to Gunnar. “If Styrr does anything crazier than being a geeky computer nerd, I’ll have a heart attack.”

Gunnar chuckled. “We’ll see.”

“We better no’ see. I want him safe... always.”

“Okay, baby. He’ll be safe... always.”

“Good answer.”

The next installment of the show began and this time, Killian settled down enough to watch. He climbed onto his parents’ chaise and cuddled close, falling asleep just before everything ended.

Once everyone said goodnight, Gunnar took Kenna to bed and Styrr slept through the night... however, they didn’t. They were working on making a bigger family and Kenna couldn’t think of a better reason to be exhausted the next day.