Chapter 41 #2
Honestly, I haven’t given a lot of thought to having kids.
It felt too abstract of a concept as it hinged on me finding a man—or men—I liked enough.
My mind momentarily strays to thoughts of a mini-Laz with orange curls, Ren reading bedtime stories, Damon teaching them to ride a bike, and Cole fainting from a messy finger-painting session.
“Okay, I think that’s enough questioning for now!” I decide, bringing myself back to reality. It’s not something we’ve even spoken about as a pack yet. “They’re taking good care of me, Gram. I promise.” I check the time. “I think it’s probably time we head back.”
“You’ll all have to come visit Clover Hollow over the holidays,” Gram suggests. The mood instantly lightens now that the heavy topics are out of the way. “I’ve been thinking of renovating the shop for years, and I could certainly do with the extra hands.”
“Cole and I know our way around lumber,” Damon tells her. “We can help with anything you need.”
“I can’t promise I’d be any good at construction.” Laz scratches his chin. “But I could do some painting.”
“I’m not exactly the DIY type.” Ren’s mouth turns down.
“Heavens, you don’t need to be, Ren,” Gram replies. “You’ll be working with me brewing.”
He rolls back his shoulders, instantly brightening up.
After Gram and the guys say their goodbyes, I hang behind. “We’ll meet you outside in a minute,” I tell them, needing a few moments alone with her.
“Well?” I ask as soon as they leave. “Do they have your special seal of approval?”
“You never really needed my approval, Faye.” She cradles my face between her soft palms. “You’re a young woman now.
You make your own decisions, and you have a strong head on your shoulders.
I raised you right, and I trust your judgment.
Any pack you picked would be the right one.
” She must sense that I’d still like her opinion because she then says, “But if it means that much to you, then yes. You have my approval.”
Brow furrowed, she tilts her head, eyes roaming over my face. “What is it, Hedgey? I thought you’d be pleased? There’s something on your mind.”
“It’s not that.” I struggle to find the right words. “I guess I don’t feel like I’m worthy of them, so I keep asking myself the question, am I enough?”
“Oh, Faye,” she sighs. “You’ve found good men—kind men—who see what I do. Your softness has always been your biggest strength.” She gives me a massive hug that melts my insecurities away. “You’ve found your alphas, sweet girl. You are scent matches for a reason. Never forget that.”
“Thank you.” I hold her tight, wishing she didn’t have to leave in the morning. “For everything.”
“Wherever you are, I’m always with you.” She pulls away then gently pokes my chest. “Right here. With your mom and dad. Never forget that.”
I nod, transported back to my childhood. It’s what she used to say whenever I woke up crying because of night terrors, something that used to happen a lot.
“Let’s not keep your alphas waiting in suspense for much longer,” she winks at me.
With her arm around my shoulder, we head out to find the guys waiting next to a taxi. “Frank will drive you back to the hotel, Ms. Nightingale,” Cole insists. “It’s too dark for you to walk.”
Frank grins. Did he gel his hair when we were eating? It’s combed to one side, slicked over to cover his bald patch.
“Thank you.” She dips her chin. “But please call me Betty, or Gram. Whichever you prefer. We’re all family now. And keep in touch, won’t you? I can’t be hearing all my news from the Valley Voice.”
Laz raises his eyebrows. “You follow the Valley Voice?”
“Don’t ask,” I mutter.
“And you.” She turns to me, kisses her thumb, then strokes along my chin, leaving her scent there. The smell of home wraps around me like a warm blanket. “Take care of yourself, Hedgey. And no more secret bondings, okay?”
“I promise. No more secrets,” I vow. “Text me when you get back safe, okay?”
Frank opens the door for her, and she hops inside. We stand and wave her off until the car turns out of sight.
“Well?” Laz asks as soon as they vanish around the corner. “Did she like us?”
“You officially get her seal of approval,” I declare.
“All right!” Laz whoops, making Cole roll his eyes, his smile betraying how pleased he is too.
“Come on.” Damon puts his arm around my shoulders. “Let’s get you home. I can feel you getting tired.”
“I’m okay.” I stifle a yawn, not fooling anyone.
“You’re newly bonded, which zaps your body’s energy,” Ren informs me. “You need to catch up on rest. Did you know you burn calories at double your usual rate during the post-bond adjustment period?”
“That explains why Damon didn’t share his pizza,” Laz complains.
“If you wanted pizza, you should have ordered it.” Damon glares at him. “I didn’t share with you out of principle.”
“But I only wanted one teeny tiny slice,” Laz pouts. “I didn’t want to eat a whole one all to myself.”
“That’s not my problem.” Damon huffs out a breath.
“You could have had some of my pizza, Laz,” Ren utters.
“But yours had mushrooms on it.” Laz looks like he sucked on a lemon. “And the fact that Damon doesn’t share only makes his taste all the sweeter. I thought after sharing Faye with me, he’d be more generous—”
Damon growls.
“Come on.” Cole points at a cab, which thankfully diffuses the situation. “Let’s get Faye warmed up.”
After dropping a soft kiss to my lips, Damon reluctantly lets me go and heads to his bike. Cole ushers me into the back seat, banishing Laz to the front as punishment for his teasing.
“Thank you,” I say to them once we’re all inside. “For tonight.”
“We loved it.” Cole rests his hand on my knee. “It was nice to learn more about you and where you came from.”
“Gram will hold you to your offer, though,” I chuckle. “She’s wanted to renovate the shop for ages.”
“We meant what we said,” Cole replies.
Ren nods. “We’d love to help.”
I lean on Cole’s shoulder. Between his warm body, Ren’s calming scent, and the gentle lull of the car, my eyes drift closed.
Today has been an emotional rollercoaster, but it couldn’t have ended more perfectly.
How lucky am I?