Him, His son, and Me

"Your son is here," I told Duncan the next day he visited the house while the kids were still sleeping.

He stopped taking out the food he bought and looked at me from the sole of my feet to the top of my head. I sigh. I could see that protective glint again. It was the same glint that he had when he found out about Angus visiting The Belle.

"I'm fine, Duncan. Your son, Colin?" I asked. He gave a slow nod before rounding up the counter so he could pull me into his arms for an embrace.

I could not help but lean on him. I had been tense the whole day yesterday. It was like I was wound up too tight and I was going to burst. I wanted to call him that day, but I stopped.

I may have accepted him, but it doesn't mean I need to call him each time someone from his 'side' would drop in. I need to know how to handle gods from the different pantheons. I cannot let them walk over me like they gave life to me.

Duncan kissed the top of my head before asking, "Are you sure you are okay?" His hands began to descend down my back, up to my arms, and down again. I would laugh out loud if I didn't know how serious he was. "He didn't hurt you, didn't he?"

"Why would he hurt me?" I asked, confused as to why Duncan would ask something like that. "Does he have something against me?"

I heard him sigh and drew me close. "No. No, he doesn't. Colin, as we call him in this era, is a recluse. He likes his solitude. The things that he had done in the past must have burned him out." Duncan kissed my forehead again before he continued, "For him to seek you out, something must have prompted him to do so."

I could only nod. I had read about his son's deeds. He was, after all, part of the research I had done when I was writing my series.

"Will one of your wives…"

I never got to finish my sentence because Fall began to bark at the kitchen door frantically. The two of us looked as to why the greyhound was barking.

There was a silhouette behind the kitchen door. Judging from how happy Fall was, and the height of the shadow, it looked like his son had graced us with his presence.

I was about to step back from his embrace, but he wouldn't let me. "Come in!" Duncan called out.

I glared at him, while he grinned down at me. Honestly, does he want his son to think that I am a harlot or something? I was about to curse him, but a sudden clearing of someone's throat made my heart jump.

I do not want to look at the person who entered the kitchen. I was not ashamed, but I was not comfortable with other people seeing us together. Seeing how intimate we were.

"Father," Colid said.

I winced. Duncan was older than me. Way, way older. Then again, he doesn't look like he was born the same day man began to populate.

"Cú Chulainn," I heard his reply, it was followed by a groan from the younger man.

"Please, father, let us not use my given name. I had too many people murdering that name," I heard Colin say.

"But that is the given name that your mother had picked for you, how can you not use it?"

"Father..."

I poked Duncan's chest. The man was teasing his son so early in the morning and he clearly hasn't even eaten something for breakfast.

"Duncan," I said, glaring at him.

"What? I am just telling him to like his name. Is there something wrong with that?" he replied. There was an innocent look about him that he wanted to pull off. Unfortunately, I could see what he was trying to do.

"Do not aggravate him this early. The man hasn't even had coffee yet. What would you feel if I did that to you?"

There was a wicked gleam in those eyes that made me untangle myself from him. The laugh that followed was a sure sign Duncan was on this PDA side.

"Father, too early for PDA," his son commented. Then he turned in my direction and smiled at me.

Damn, like father-like son. I rolled my eyes and took a mug from the cupboard. Duncan never liked coffee. He was more like a tea person.

His teacup had his usual Earl Grey and mine was near the coffee maker I bought the first time I got my salary as a manager at The Belle. It could yield up to three cups, and since I would not be writing that much, I would not need another dose of caffeine after breakfast.

I poured the hot water into Duncan's tea, and coffee into me and Colin's mug. I got a grateful smile from the son and a kiss on the forehead from the father.

"Sit, I'll prepare breakfast," Duncan told me. I nodded and prepared the coffee how I drank it. With too much cream and a lot of sugar.

"How can you…" were Colin's words. He seemed horrified at how I make my coffee. I sheepishly smiled at him and took a sip of brew.

"Your step-mom is…different," Duncan offhandedly said.

I stopped mid-sip and waited for his son to say something. Anything to be honest. My morning suddenly become so weird.

I am used to Duncan's bluntness with how casual he was with our relationship. He had been a mite showy to some, but this was another level.

"Duncan, I swear."

"It is okay, Julie," said Colin. "I am not about you to call 'mum'. But I have known who and what you are since day one. My father…was a mess-"

"HEY!" Duncan protested.

"He hid with me for a month before coming back to his senses," Colin ended.

I heard Duncan groan, making us laugh. To think he was in that state before meeting him makes him more human. Even when I know he is not.

As the rays of the sun slowly reached the kitchen window. Me, Duncan, and Colin shared a breakfast of eggs and bread, there was a stillness that was telling me something big was about to happen.

Something must have prompted him to seek me out. A god or demigod like Cú Chulainn doesn't surface because of their parent's love life.

Was it because of my ability? Or was it because of my connection to Duncan? Maybe…

"Julie?"

The sound of Duncan's voice broke my inner questions. When I looked at him, I was surprised that even Colin had the same expression on his face.

"I'm fine, guys. I'm okay," I reassured the two men in front of me.

I could hear the door to my kids' room open, signaling that they were awake. Before I could stand up, Duncan was already up and reaching for the bowls they normally use for breakfast.

I looked at Colin. His eyes were following his father's movements. I saw a flicker of surprise when Duncan hoisted Nicole and placed her on the counter where he was fixing their breakfast.

I saw a flash of warmth enter Colin's eyes.

Whatever the reason why he was here, one thing is certain. My kids have another man who will love and protect them.