Francis stared at the phone, his mouth hung open. Jimmy rushed inside, his eyes wide with concern.

“You okay?” Jimmy asked.

Francis nodded, his motions slow, almost like he was in a dream state. Through their stronger-than-ever bond, Jimmy could sense Francis’ surprise and excitement.

A thrill shot through Jimmy as he took Francis’ hand. “Tell me.”

"Two shifter babies were born last night, and they couldn't save the mother. She didn't have any other family who was willing to take the children, so they are being placed in foster care." Francis stopped and squeezed Jimmy's hand. "That was the caseworker. They’ve picked us to foster them, and if we want, adopt them."

“No way.” Jimmy moved to him and picked him up and pulled him close. “That poor mom.”

“We have to make sure these two have a good home, Jimmy.”

“Babe, we will. We’ve talked about this, taken all of the classes—”

Francis interrupted, “Are you ready for two?”

"No, but Jamie and Max have vowed to help. Elizabeth is turning three next week, and they'll have a little more time now that she's out of the baby stage. Plus we have Brook and her friends. We'll make this work."

Francis nodded. “I feel like the community will be there for us. No one cares that I’m Zeta, other than a few special jerks who don’t accept anyone.”

“Truth.” Jimmy smiled. “So when do we get to meet our babies?”

“Now. We need to drive to Denver.”

"Okay, I'll change fast, and we can go."

Francis placed an extra set of clothing into the baby bag he'd packed months ago after they'd been approved by the shifter child protection office for adoption. They had one crib, but they could easily get another. The bassinet was too small to hold two babies so they'd definitely need to buy an extra one. Everything else they'd bought like diapers, clothes, and toys would just be used faster.

The drive into Denver took longer than normal or at least felt longer. When they pulled up outside the hospital the caseworker had directed them to, Jimmy took his hand and squeezed it.

“No matter what, we’re still us. We’ll love these two like they’re our own. In the future, if they turn out to be Beta, Zeta, Alpha, or Omega, we’ll love them.”

Francis nodded and leaned in, brushing his lips over Jimmy’s. “You got it. This is going to be amazing.”

"It will because you'll be by my side," Jimmy said.

It took them almost an hour to get through security since they had to register to go to the nursery. When he stepped into the hall and looked through the window of the nursery, he knew in an instant which two were theirs. Jimmy squeezed his hand, and he looked up at his mate, happiness shining in his eyes.

“You see them?” Jimmy asked.

Francis' eyes welled up with tears, and he nodded. "I do."

They were led into a small room that connected to the nursery where they were able to pick the babies up for the first time. It was magical, like all the pieces of his life fit perfectly. The babies’ heart-shaped lips and porcelain skin was so pure and beautiful a sob left Francis' lips.

A nurse gave them a rundown of instructions, then let them feed their new babies. He was so nervous he’d do something wrong, and he could feel Jimmy felt the same way. Excitement and fear mixed together along with love so deep and pure his throat closed and his eyes pricked with moisture.

The miracle of the moment filled him. These two kids were theirs.

As the baby in his arms drifted off, he glanced up and saw Jimmy watching him.

“I like this,” Jimmy whispered.

“Same here.”

“I want to name the girl Olivia Grace.”

“Beautiful name. How about Dalton James for the boy?”

Jimmy cocked up a brow. “James?”

“I love you Jimmy, and yes, James, after his father.”

“Okay, we could do James, but I’m not sure about Dalton; it seems too trendy? How about Andrew James Kirby-Laughton?”

“I like that. It’s traditional.” Francis sighed. He didn’t care what they named the children. He just wanted to hold them forever.

The emotions were overwhelming. He had a family. His family.

He looked down lovingly at Olivia. Then his gaze fell on Andrew, and warmth spread. These two young pups would depend on them for everything. Emotions brought tears, and he realized he'd never been so happy in all of his life.

“Andrew and Olivia, I swear by all that I am we will love and protect you. We’ll be good dads, and we’ll work to make your life full of love and happiness. You’ll learn to accept all shifter designations, and most importantly, you’ll learn to accept yourself no matter how you turn out.”

Jimmy placed Olivia in a bassinet the hospital had brought in. Then he took Andrew and placed him in another bassinet before he turned and pulled Francis into his arms. The love from Jimmy made his throat close. He’d done it. The despair he’d felt when he’d presented as Zeta was forever gone. The unconditional love from Jimmy and now from their two pups had changed everything. His life was proof that it didn’t matter that he was Zeta. He’d found love and a family, and nothing in this world would ever take that from him.