Epilogue - Same day
“You’re sure you don’t mind?” I fussed with my hair, smoothing the waves while Jude perched on the edge of the bathtub watching me with Jada asleep in his arms. Honestly, it was a wonder either of our children had learned to stand with how often someone was holding them.
Between us and the multitude of grandparents, aunties, uncles, and friends, the kids were always being loved on.
“Not one bit,” he assured me. “Nathan and I are going to order room service, watch a movie, and cuddle with the girls until you get back.”
Satisfied with my hair, I slipped on the one fancy outfit I’d brought. The raspberry pink satin flared past my knees in a full skirt, the sleeves stopping just above my elbows, and the neckline scooping just low enough my cleavage wouldn’t be visible. I twirled under Jude’s appreciative gaze.
His admiration was like warm silk gliding over me in the bond. “You look beautiful, Maddie.”
“We won’t be out too late.” I purred, leaning to kiss him, my thumbs stroking his cheeks. Jada was out like a light, but I brushed my fingertips over her curls anyway. “Be good for Daddy while Mommy is out.”
“She will be. Baby J is on that easy baby to feral toddler pipeline, so we’re good for a few more months.”
Her sister had been the opposite, practically coming out with colic and exercising her vocal cords at all hours until she was about five months old. Now she was a pretty chill little kid, eager to try new things as long as one of us was close by.
Nathan came in carrying Naya, parking her on the vanity to remove her sparkly barrettes before turning on the bath faucet. “Little lady is gonna have a bubble bath before we do her manicure during movie night.”
I loved that he’d thought to bring everything he’d need for that. The hotel was pretty snazzy so they might’ve had things in stock, but Nathan knew how particular Naya could be and made sure he could meet her needs.
“Have a good soak, Princess Naya. Mami will see you in the morning.”
She gave me a squeezing hug and a loud cheek kiss, waving as I went into the main room.
Opting for flats over heels in case we encountered cobblestones, I slipped on my matching shoes and met Alve and Leo at the door, both of them looking like absolute snacks in their pressed linen shirts and dress pants.
Nathan stepped out of the bathroom, leaving Jude on temporary Naya duty. “Better not be trying to sneak out before I get to eyeball you looking this hot.”
I blushed hard. Even after years of their praise, it still hit me the same way. “Not sneaking.”
He kissed me breathless, sneaking his hands under my skirt to give my ass cheeks a squeeze. Leo and Alve weren’t left out either, both getting kissed until they were starry-eyed. “Have fun tonight.”
Alve draped a soft, cream pashmina over my shoulders. It wasn’t particularly cold, but the contrast with the temperature during the day was noticeable enough I appreciated the extra light layer. Leo and Alve each offered me a crooked arm and I giggled, linking my arms through theirs.
The air outside of the hotel was cold when compared with Vegas in the summer, but refreshing.
People wandered the streets, a mix of tourists and locals, filing between gorgeous historic buildings.
We ended up at a rooftop terrace with live music, and a view of the setting sun in one direction and the oldest district of the city in the other.
“You guys, this is beautiful.” I couldn’t stop looking in every direction, absolutely enthralled by everything around me.
“No sight is as lovely as you.” Alve lifted my hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it.
A blush painted my cheeks in a rush of heat.
Leo nodded in agreement. “Madison in sunset lighting is one of my favorite views.”
“I’m trying to be a chill human being out in public and you two are making it so difficult.”
Leo took my other hand, laying an identical kiss to the back. “Maybe we like you struggling to control your perfume in public.”
Fucking hell. The scent-muting spray I’d spritzed on was going to be getting a serious workout. Where was a secluded alcove when I needed one? I had just come out of a heat a week ago, but having their eyes on me like this made me feel like I could slip back into one at any moment.
I was saved by the server approaching our table and suggesting a series of sampler plates after taking our drink orders.
Whatever they thought would be delicious was fine with me.
I ended up with a sweet apple tea for my drink, Leo and Alve each with their own Turkish tea while we waited for our food.
The tea settled me, at least enough that I could carry on a normal conversation instead of itching to be whisked away. We moved onto safer topics.
“I can’t believe Naya starts kindergarten in a couple of months,” Leo lamented. “What am I supposed to do all day?”
“Jada will likely be walking by then,” Alve pointed out. “I’m sure she’ll keep you on your toes.”
“And we’ll all be home with you when I have the next baby.” I squeaked when he dragged my chair closer, and, not to be outdone, Alve scooted closer on my other side so we were all nestled together facing the water.
Leo tapped me on the nose. “You’re bad at taking full parental leave.”
“I take most of it.”
He wasn’t wrong, but I enjoyed my work so much that I had a hard time stopping for months at a time.
Leo becoming a stay-at-home parent had been a godsend.
I escaped a lot of mom guilt knowing our kids had him at home, and I checked in a lot on my work days.
Both girls had come with me on a lot of trips to check out stock, and Naya was my expert double-checker when I was designing nurseries.
We all had something special we shared with the girls. Naya had been on horseback pretty much since she could walk. Jada was still in Leo’s lap, but Naya had started riding on her own already. My ovaries pretty much set off fireworks every time I saw one of my babies on horseback with Leo.
Nathan was our resident swimming instructor, teaching our kids, as well as Ava’s and Charlotte’s. A lot of summer days were spent in the water at Ava’s.
Alve and Naya cooked together most mornings, letting her practice her skills since she could hold a kitchen tool and follow an instruction. The two of them turned even something as simple as cereal into a full dining experience.
Jude ran our princess hair salon at home, learning whatever styles Naya requested, no matter how elaborate.
Jada’s hair wasn’t quite long enough for much styling yet, so he mostly focused on keeping her curls healthy.
On top of all of that, there was still a plethora of family members eager for time with our girls.
Our village was so robust I couldn’t even begin to put all my gratitude into words.
“I was thinking of being a classroom volunteer,” Alve told us. “I could build a long lunch into my schedule and help in the afternoon.”
“I bet Naya would love that.” I relished the mental image of Alve showing up in his suit, surrounded by sticky-fingered five-year-olds. His dry cleaning bill would skyrocket, but I was pretty sure he would secretly love it.
“I hope so. I don’t want to crowd her.”
A mezze platter lowered in front of us, the server smiling as they explained each of the items. I didn’t have to lift a finger, Alve automatically tearing off a piece of warm bread and dipping it in one of the rich sauces before bringing it to my lips.
I didn’t get to indulge in this in front of the kids since we were trying to foster independence and get them to feed themselves, but in more private moments, I let myself be cared for like this.
Cozy warmth blossomed in my chest. My alphas loved these moments too.
Leo angled so I could lean against him while Alve fed me a bite of every possible combination.
Each was more delicious than the last. A twinkle in Alve’s eye, followed by a fizz of delight in the bond, had Leo popping his mouth open when the next bite bypassed me.
I wasn’t the only one Alve liked caring for.
We worked our way through the platter like that, Alve feeding us and taking every third bite for himself, until we were down to crumbs. It was enough food to satisfy, but not too much, the vegetable-forward options leaving me light enough that I was definitely still itching for a secret alcove.
We shared some baklava for dessert. At the end, I took Alve’s hand, dipping the sugar-coated fingertips between my lips. His desire crashed against me.
“That’s a dangerous game, Maddie,” Leo whispered in my ear.
“He started it.” I couldn’t even work up a pout, too amused and likewise turned on by the look in Alve’s eyes.
Alve excused himself to wash his hands, leaving me snuggled up with Leo. The sun had disappeared, leaving the city glowing, the mosques looking like they had been dipped in gold.
Our phones buzzed and I pulled mine out.
Nathan:
Girls passed out halfway through the movie
Got them tucked into bed
Don’t rush back if you’re having fun
I was having fun.
Another message came through in a different chat with just Leo, Alve, and I.
Alve:
The hotel down the road has one vacancy left if our omega would like to take her teasing to another level
Madison:
She definitely would
Leo laughed, reading over my shoulder. “Can’t even wait until we get back to our hotel?”
“I’ve been ready to climb both of you like a tree since we left there.”
Alve:
Booked. Dinner is paid for too. Come down when you’re ready.
Leo lifted me onto my feet and we walked with his arm around my waist, riding the elevator down to the main level where Alve waited, looking gorgeous.
Desire flared between us when our eyes met. I slipped my arm into the crook of his, the three of us sweeping down the lamplit cobblestone street. Alve got us checked in, and with the key in hand, we disappeared into our temporary suite.