Chapter 42 #2
My pack mates were passed out around us, but Clover was awake, staring at the ceiling. “You okay, princess?”
Clover rolled over and nuzzled into my chest. “I wish they’d stay longer, but I know Mike is a homebody to the extreme. I’m surprised they’ve lasted as long as they have.”
“We’ll visit as often as you want when Baby is on the outside,” I promised, indulging myself in brushing my knuckles over her bump. It was still fairly petite, but you could tell she was pregnant now. “And they promised they’d be back soon. I’m sure the time will fly by.”
“It will,” she conceded. “Still hard being so far away from them. I—ow!” Clover broke off, hand flying to her stomach.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Y-yeah, I was just startled. Feel this!” She grabbed my hand and rested it on her small bump. For a moment, there was nothing, then the smallest movement.
“Is that a kick?”
“I think so!” Clover nodded. “It seems the baby also wants their grandparents near!” She laughed.
I tilted her chin up and brushed my lips over hers. “Want me to buy us a house in Seattle? We could figure out a way to split our time between there and LA.”
Her eyes turned shiny, and she burrowed against my chest again. “You can’t be so sweet while I’m pregnant. I’m gonna cry all over you.”
“Better to cry over sweetness than because I’ve done something stupid.”
“Hey,” Parker grumbled, sitting up from his spot behind Avery.
Clover giggled, and I caught Parker’s sleepy smile.
“Is the baby kicking?” Parker asked, eyes wide. At Clover’s nod, he lifted a tentative hand. “May I?”
She gave a “by all means” gesture toward her stomach, and Parker laid his palm on it, eyes going even wider.
“Me next!” Avery wiggled his hand beneath Parker’s. “That’s so weird and cool.”
Logan laughed softly, joining us in the waking world. He plucked both of their hands away for his turn, his thumb gently stroking Clover’s belly. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
“I bet if we go down to the kitchen, Jacques will have breakfast staying warm in the oven for us.” I didn’t want to stop touching her, but the longer we hogged her, the less time she’d have with her fathers before they left.
“I like breakfast.”
We moved slowly through the morning, everyone eating together, Clover sitting with her dads while they packed up before their afternoon flight home.
They’d tried to feel a baby kick, too, but apparently after the burst of energy to say hello to us, Baby had settled in for a nap.
When the time came for Logan to take them to the airport, Clover was steeped in emotion.
“Promise you’ll call me as soon as you get home,” Clover said, hugging Pete for the eighth time.
“Don’t worry, peanut, we’ll call you when we land, and Parker put us on the family jet with Wi-Fi.”
Clover’s only response was to hug all three of them again.
I hated seeing her upset, but this was the curse of living in different cities from loved ones.
“Get some rest, kiddo”—John hugged her tightly—“and try not to stress too much. You’re growing our first grandbaby.”
“If you don’t take it easy, Meadow will call us,” Pete said with a grin.
“Traitor,” Clover muttered, making us all laugh.
When the car was out of sight, Avery scooped Clover up. “How about we go grab some food?”
“Burgers?” Clover asked, sniffling.
“How are either of you hungry already?” I asked. “I’m still full from breakfast.”
“I’m never full,” Clover said, patting her stomach.
“We know a really good greasy burger joint,” Avery assured her. “And it’s not even far from here.”
“You say such beautiful things.”
I texted Logan where we were going, so he could meet us after the drop-off. By the time Clover had stopped sniffling, we were at the burger joint, tucked into an extra-large booth.
“Curly fries, regular fries, and waffle fries? This place is amazing,” Clover declared.
She was sandwiched between Avery and me, and he was stuck to her like Velcro. Hard to blame him. If I were bonded to Clover, I’d take every opportunity to touch her too. Hell, the urge to constantly reach for her was already maddening enough, so I could only imagine how he felt.
Parker watched her inhale fries for the brief period we were without Logan, a mix of awe and concern on his face.
When Logan settled next to us, Clover turned serious.
“I think it’s time I move in properly,” she said, dipping another fry into ketchup. “We’re having a kid, and I’m going to get super nesty soon. What do you think about going to Meadow’s place to get the rest of my stuff this weekend?”
All of us stared at our omega.
“You want to move in, even though I live at the house?” Parker asked.
My heart was practically beating in my throat while I listened to her. This was almost as big as her bonding one of us. She wanted to live with us. Full time. Forever.
Clover snorted delicately and pointed her French fry at Parker.
“Yes, Parker, even though you’re at that house.
I think there’s no denying that this is it.
We’re a pack. We’re together, or at least working on being together, and I’m not going anywhere.
Really, you should fear me now, because I’m going to be a barnacle on your ass for a long time to come. ”
“You really think you had the option to leave, angel?” Avery said, throwing another arm around her. “If anyone’s a barnacle on an ass, it’s me.”
My pack mate may have acted like a fool, but he was quite intelligent deep down. He just had a penchant for fun and mischief. It was still hard to believe that he was calmer now than he had been in his younger years.
“Would anyone be opposed if Clover and I had some one-on-one time tonight?” I asked carefully, glancing at her for her reaction. “I know the new bond with Avery needs attention, but—”
“I could definitely be persuaded,” Clover replied.
“If she’s cool with it, I’m cool with it,” said Avery. “I’ll wriggle into the nest later for cuddles when I start to get squirrely.”
Clover laughed, the sound melting into a purr when I slid my hand to rest on her lower back. I leaned down so I could talk quietly in her ear. “How do you feel about a movie night with me?”
She turned, beaming up at me. “That sounds lovely.”
I ruminated on our upcoming evening through the rest of our meal, stealing her away when we got back to the house.
“The screen in the theater room is the best,” I explained, “but there aren’t a lot of blankets, so we should grab some extras.”
She smirked. “Come with me. I’m going to need your help so I can grab a ton from my nest.”
Our pack mates dissipated, leaving the two of us alone together. Even though I loved spending time with them, a little time with just Clover and I was sorely needed.
I followed Clover into her room, where she started piling my arms high with blankets.
She was in charge of navigation, since I couldn’t see over the mountain, but she dutifully kept me from tripping down the stairs as we transported everything to the theater room.
Logan helpfully delivered some extra snacks while I helped Clover set up the recliners to her preference.
Logan stole a quick kiss before leaving us alone again.
“I think he gave us enough snacks to feed the entire pack.”
“I never say no to extra snacks.” Clover nudged me toward the pile. “Sit. I’m claiming your lap for movie time.”
I settled quickly and drew her close, trying not to smile too big as she arranged the bundle of pink blankets around us. Nothing was better than my omega in my arms and her scent wrapped around us.
She purred away in my arms, my own purr rumbling in response. Having her close to me melted every ounce of anxiety. Omegas were a treasure in general, but Clover was my treasure. If I could spend every night like this, I’d live and die a happy man.