The Flavor of Us (Beta Accepted)

2. CARLEEN

Chapter two

CARLEEN

The waiting room is too quiet. Hospitals always have that weird sterile hush about them, like everyone’s holding their breath. But this silence feels different—thicker, heavier. Like it’s pressing down on my chest every second we don’t get an update.

It’s been hours. Long, torturous hours of waiting. My phone sits heavy in my hand, the screen smudged from how many times I’ve unlocked it and refreshed my messages. Nothing. No updates. No calls. My little sister is in there, bringing three lives into the world, and I can’t do a damn thing to help her.

But right now, there’s a weight on my side that’s keeping me grounded. Tati.

She’s curled up against me, her head resting on my shoulder, her breaths slow and even as she sleeps. I glance down, taking in the way her sharp features soften when she’s resting. Her dark lashes cast faint shadows over her cheeks, and her lips— plump and slightly parted—look softer without her usual sharp-tongued smirk.

I can’t stop myself from reaching out, my fingertips lightly tracing the faint freckles across her nose. They’re so delicate, scattered like stars over skin I’ve wanted to touch more times than I can count. Her hair, those dark green highlights catching faintly in the awful fluorescent lighting, falls across her face, and I gently tuck a strand behind her ear.

Goddess, she’s beautiful.

She always has been, but seeing her like this—peaceful, vulnerable—it hits me in a way I’m not ready for.

I think back to those nights months ago, back when Ellie had moved out, and Tati would still find herself crashing at my place. Nights where she’d fall asleep on my couch, hair spread out like a halo, her laughter still echoing in the quiet house. And I’d sit there, clutching the edge of the armrest, fighting every instinct to reach out, to stay . But instead, I’d get up, grab a blanket, and quietly leave the room because I was terrified .

Terrified of what would happen if I let myself fall. If I let myself love her the way I wanted to.

Because what if I couldn’t give her what she wanted? What if I wasn’t enough? What if she wanted all the things an Alpha is supposed to give—things I can’t just fake ?

But looking at her now, curled against me, her warmth seeping into my side like an anchor in a storm, all those doubts feel… smaller. Quieter.

When she first brought up the scent match—when she confessed that we, me and her , could be something real —I panicked. I pushed her away. I pulled back so hard it felt like whiplash and she left. And goddess, it hurt. Watching her walk away, feeling her absence like a hole carved into my chest. But now she’s back and I’m done running.

I’m ready.

Ellie’s door slides open, her Alpha leaning out into the waiting room. Macon looks dead on his feet but his smile couldn’t be brighter as he nods to me, silently telling me that the babies are here. His gaze darts to Tati, his brow raising in jest but I just wave him off. He disappears back into the room as I lean down, pressing a firm kiss to Tati’s forehead, lingering just a second longer than necessary. Her skin is warm beneath my lips and she stirs slightly but doesn’t wake up.

“Tati,” I whisper softly. “Wake up, sunshine.”

She stirs again, lashes fluttering as hazel eyes blink open and focus on me. “Carleen?” Her voice is thick with sleep, her brows furrowing as she glances around. “What—”

“They’re here,” I say gently, giving her arm a small squeeze. “The babies are here.”

It takes a second, but then her face lights up, her exhaustion melting away as excitement floods her expression. She straightens up so fast I almost laugh, her hand gripping mine tightly as we stand together.

“Let’s go meet them,” she says and I nod, guiding her toward Ellie’s hospital room.

The door creaks softly as we step inside, and my chest squeezes tight at the sight before me.

Ellie’s propped up against the pillows, her face pale but glowing with a softness I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. Her fiery hair is a mess around her head, sticking to her damp forehead, but she’s still so Ellie it makes my throat ache. She’s holding the tiniest little bundle in her arms—a baby girl swaddled in a pink blanket.

Savin, her Omega, is beside her, cradling two little boys, one in each arm. His platinum hair sticks to his forehead, his expression so soft and fragile it almost breaks me. He looks like he’s barely holding on, his entire body trembling slightly with the effort of staying upright. But he’s smiling—broad and genuine—like the happiest man alive.

Macon steps forward, his large frame moving carefully as he leans down and presses a tender kiss to Ellie’s forehead. The way her shoulders relax under his touch, the way her lips pull into a tired smile—it’s like watching poetry in motion.

Without a word, Macon reaches out and gently takes the boys from Savin’s arms. Savin sags with relief, his head falling forward as if the weight of holding them had been too much.

Ellie reaches out and pulls Savin closer, tucking him carefully against her side. Even exhausted and spent, she still worries about him. The doctors have been saying he’s doing better lately, but no one really knows why he’s been so sick all these years. He’s fragile, but he’s still here, still fighting—and right now, he looks like he could pass out at any moment.

But before he does, he grins. This soft, sleepy smile that’s so full of love. Then, just like that, he’s out. Curled up against Ellie, not a care in the world.

Goddess, there’s so much love in this room. It’s almost overwhelming.

Tati inches closer to me, her hand slipping into mine as we move toward Ellie’s bedside. I release her hand to step forward, leaning down slightly as I meet my sister’s tired gaze.

“She’s beautiful,” I whisper, looking down at the tiny baby girl cradled in Ellie’s arms. Her little face is pink and wrinkled, her tiny mouth slightly open as she sleeps peacefully against her momma’s chest.

Ellie smiles softly, her head tilting toward Savin as he sleeps against her side. “He did so much, Carleen. More than he should’ve. He’s so overworked.”

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. “You just pushed out three little potatoes and you’re still worried about your Omega? Seriously, Ellie?”

She laughs, though it comes out weak and breathless, her smile growing as she looks down at her daughter. “I can’t help it. He’s Savin.”

“Yeah, well, he’s got you and he’s got Macon. And now, he’s got these three. He’s not carrying it all alone anymore.”

Ellie nods, her eyes glassy as she looks between her children. There’s something so deeply maternal in her gaze, something so fierce and protective, it’s almost hard to look at.

“So…what are their names?” I ask softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ellie’s smile grows and she shifts slightly, cradling the baby girl closer. “This little one is Aria .”

My heart stutters at the name—it’s perfect. Light, melodic, just like her little sleeping face.

“And these two,” Ellie continues, glancing at Macon, who’s still holding the boys carefully in his strong arms. “The bigger one—he was born first—is Quinn . And the second one is Oliver .”

Quinn, Oliver, and Aria.

“They’re perfect,” I say softly, brushing my knuckles lightly over Aria’s tiny cheek. She stirs, letting out a soft noise before settling back into Ellie’s arms.

The moment Tati steps closer to Ellie’s bedside, the room feels lighter. Like someone cracked open a window and let all the tension float out. Ellie’s eyes go wide, surprised by her best friend’s presence. None of us—not even me—knew that Tati had been back in town or close enough to show up at the hospital this evening.

“Tati!” Ellie practically squeals, her voice cracking slightly from exhaustion, but the excitement is there. “Oh my goddess, you’re back! Are you two—" She pauses, her sharp brown eyes flickering between me and Tati. “Are you two working things out?”

Tati lets out this soft, warm laugh that sounds like sunshine on a cloudy day. She rolls her eyes but steps up to the edge of the bed, her hand reaching out to softly brush against Aria’s tiny cheek just like I did. “Hand me one of my damn godchildren first,” she taunts playfully, before glancing over at me with the faintest blush dusting her cheeks. “And… yeah. We’re working on it.”

Macon steps forward, his broad shoulders filling the space as he carefully shifts one of the baby boys in his arms. With a gentleness that doesn’t match his intimidating size, he hands the swaddled infant to Tati. She cradles him instantly, her body shifting to support his tiny frame like she was made for this moment.

“Oh my goddess,” she whispers, her eyes locked on the baby’s face. “Hi, little guy.”

Watching Tati hold Quinn puts thoughts in my head that I can’t possibly entertain right now. And yet, I can’t help imagining a family, Tati at the center of it, those rosy cheeks on full display. Unable to handle my own emotions, I turn back to Ellie as Tati moves to the lounge seat and sits down with Macon. “You’re going to have your hands full with these three.”

Ellie snorts lightly, her head tilting as she leans back into the pillows. “Tell me about it. But honestly, Savin and Macon are already pros. I just need to make sure Savin doesn’t faint halfway through diaper duty.”

Savin stirs from where he’s still tucked against Ellie’s side, muttering something incoherent before settling back into sleep. My gaze drifts to Tati again, my Beta slowly rocking from side to side like some natural instinct took over. Her lips are pressed together in a faint smile, her eyes focused entirely on him.

Ellie clears her throat, dragging my attention back again. “Carlie, don’t waste this.”

“Waste what?” My brows pull together as I unsuccessfully try to avoid what my little sister is referring to. I can give all the advice in the world. I can protect my sister and I know damn well how to protect my heart. Which is part of the problem.

Ellie slowly hands me Aria and then sits up a little straighter, gesturing to her best friend. “You look so much happier, Carlie. In the last several minutes since she showed up, I’ve seen you smile. Like a genuine, happy smile. It’s like you’ve let yourself breathe again.”

That’s exactly what it feels like. Pushing Tati away was hurting us both.

“I’m not letting her go this time,” I say, the words slipping out before I can second-guess them. “I mean it.”

Ellie smiles before her head sinks back against the pillows. “Good. About damn time. The amount of meddling I had to do while pregnant with triplets was a pain in the ass.” Her lids flutter closed as I hold Aria, her breathing soft as she unconsciously pulls Savin closer so damn precious. There’s a soft sigh and then those eyes are open again, a deviant smile spreading across her lips. “Okay, listen, I know it’s insane, but I could really go for some lemon lavender ice cream right now.”

I choke on a laugh and Tati’s gaze flicks to us, surprise in those wide hazel eyes. Macon lets out a low chuckle, but the real comedy gold comes from Savin, who jolts upright like someone just poured ice water on him.

“Wait, what ?” he blurts out, blinking rapidly as he looks between Ellie and the rest of us. “Why…why would you want that? You only ever wanted that stuff when you were pregnant ! Are you—wait—are you pregnant again ?!”

The silence that follows lasts about half a second before Macon snorts, Tati wheezes, and I can’t stop the loud, undignified laugh that bursts out of me. Even Ellie starts giggling despite how utterly exhausted she looks.

“Savin,” I say, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye. “Ellie has always liked odd flavors. Pregnancy just…enhanced it.”

Ellie waves her hand weakly at Savin. “That’s not how pregnancy works, babe. Also, I ate that stuff for like six months straight. I’m just…kind of in love with it now.”

More laughter ripples through the room and even Savin cracks a sleepy smile as he lets himself sink back against Ellie’s side.

For a moment, everything feels right . Ellie’s tired but happy, Savin’s safe in her arms, Macon is practically glowing as he holds one of his sons, and Tati—gorgeous, fiery, stubborn Tati—is sitting there with a tiny baby cradled in her arms and this soft look on her face that makes me want to press pause on the world and stay in this moment forever.

All I have to do is stop pulling away and let the walls around my heart crumble.

Easier said than done.