Chapter 33 ~ Mated To a Viper

Kendrick’s POV ~

My mate is amazing! She went through her contractions cussing enough to make a sailor blush.. she threatened me nine times.. threw me out twice.. and begged me to rub her back. But, these are my babies too! And if I have to ride this roller coaster with her.. so be it!

Our handsome son.. young Master Callum Kendall Drake was born at 11:37 pm.. followed by Princess Calliope Kaitlyn Drake at 11:49 pm. And they are perfect. Perfectly perfect! I never thought about a family. Not after losing mine the way I did. But being around Bella and her huge family has shown me that is exactly what I want! For myself.. more important.. for our children!

The babies are back in the room with us. Bella is feeding Callum first.. he seems to be the more vociferous of the two. My sweet Calli is lying in my arms.. her huge lavender eyes staring up at me.. with all the trust in the world! This is why the Goddess created me! To be the Daddy these two deserve. I will strive to always be there.. to listen.. to mentor and teach.. but more than that.. to love them!

Bella whispers “This monsterman needs burped and Calli needs to nurse.. Let’s trade.” And I hand my little ballerina to her Mommy.. taking Callum after holding his sister is a major shock! He weighs nearly eight and a half pounds.. while she is six pounds, dead even. I put him to my shoulder and rub his back, like Belle showed me.. and in seconds he burped like a little old man!

I changed him and swaddled him.. while she finished feeding Calliope. Then I burped her and changed her, as well. I lay them side by side..and push the bassinet closer to our bed.. I laid down, taking Bella in my arms.. my eyes drift closed as I see my son take his sister’s hand in his.

This day went by in a blur. The babies were up again at three am… then lasted three hours more.. before the feeding frenzy began again. By 8:30, they were once again, waking up. So, I jumped up and brought them to Bella. She mastered nursing them both simultaneously, on the second feeding..and I believe they are deadset at draining her dry.

Be eleven, we had been discharged and headed home. Relaxing wasn’t in the cards, however… the house was full of her family. They all took a turn holding the babies.. Angel was on edge the whole time, which in turn caused Brutus to be…well.. brutish. And I had to rein him in!

By the time everyone had gone home, Bella was exhausted. I got the kids down.. and she was sleeping. I grabbed the speaker for the baby monitor and ran down to enjoy a relaxing whiskey with the guys.

Jaxson asked “All three finally sleeping?” I nod.. and sigh.. “Man.. this is a lot harder than you’d think! My hat is off to all the mothers out there! Damn! I’m tired already.. and it’s day one!” Jaxson chuckles “We never think about it… until we’re faced with it. You’re going to be a great dad, Ken!” I smiled my gratitude. Those are the best compliments to get!

I tell them good night and trudge up the stairs.. ready for some rest. I walk in, and see my beautiful family. My babies are propped on pillows, while my gorgeous mate is feeding them.. and she is radiant! Absolutely glowing.

Loren had taken Amber to the kingdom to stand trial.. by her part in kidnapping the heir to the throne… she could be executed. We are supposed to testify at the trial tomorrow . The babies are a month old and this is their first trip in a car. Apparently, babies can’t go through portals.. it messes with their neurons.. or something. Who knew!? So, we’re driving. To say I am nervous would be such an understatement!

I don’t trust Ethan.. he may be a psychopath.. But, his ability to remain hidden, and still watch Bella.. that’s cunning.. and that requires skills! That is why I won’t underestimate him. We are traveling ten cars deep.. five guards in each car.. When we are on an open highway, the other cars will box ours in. I will not take a chance with our children in the car!

We arrived without incident.. The Kingdom is only three hours away.. but.. the babies woke up halfway through the trip and have been fussy the last hour. We rushed inside and I changed Callum, while Bella changed Calli.. then we got her settled on the sofa, so the babies can nurse.

Alexander walks in with a very pregnant Ella..”UGH! Put those away! The last thing I need to see is my twin’s breastesses” Bella laughs at him “You can’t see them , you moron. And if it really bothers you, look away! It’s the most natural thing in the world.. our babies are being nurtured and nourished!”

We get Callum and Calli down for their naps..and the whole family sat down for lunch. Loren asks Bella “Have you decided what her punishment will be? Ultimately, it is your decision!” She nods…surprising me, because we hadn’t discussed it.. then she tells him “I have decided on Troy’s final punishment, as well! First…she meets me in the ring. She slapped me the first time, and I warned her. The second time she slapped me, she was warned again. Her third strike was ever coming back. I told her I was going to kill her.. but I’ve decided I just want to beat hell out of her! Troy’s final punishment will be having to be her mate..after all. That’s if…she even survives!”

Baron laughs “Our little sister is showing her claws.. Good for you, babygirl!” They grinned at each other and said “Don’t start none, won’t be None!” together…then she grins wider “And I am three hours older than you!” sticking her tongue out at him. Alexander says “Yeah! It shows, Bells! You’re sooo mature!”

This right here! This is what I want for our family! These easy way the banter falls between them. The love and pride they have for each other. I know our children are going to grow up happy… secure in the fact they are well loved! Even when they argue and bicker, they do it with love..careful of one another’s feelings!

The entire trial took less than two hours. The council returned a unanimously guilty verdict in nine minutes. Amber’s parents and Derek were there. When she walked out, they all turned their backs on her. She kept sobbing for her mother.. until the Loren commanded her to shut up!

Her sentence shocked her..but she thought she was getting off easy.. When Troy was sentenced… his last words, before they led him away was “I wish you’d just kill me.”

That’s what happens when you mess with Fate! You end up mated to a Viper!