Chapter Twenty-One
Rook
My imagination had nothing on the reality of having twin baby girls.
They were the cutest little ones ever, with dimples in their cheeks and smiles that made everyone who met them their admirers.
I’d not had great luck making friends with the locals in the nearby town before my mate and the babies arrived, but now?
I couldn’t walk down the street without being greeted, having someone ask about the family if they weren’t with me and come running up to smile at the little ones if they were.
Idris had a way with people, and, unlike me, not just in business.
Part of my loneliness had been due to my inability to turn off my business persona, something I never noticed until my omega pointed it out to me.
Yes, I’d ached for a mate and a family, but I’d also lacked community.
Even though I’d been the boss in my company, I’d always felt close to my people, at least those I had occasion to speak with during the business day.
And those I never met, like Idris, were still family and still to be given fair wages and benefits and good treatment.
When I moved to the mountain, I’d been so hopeful at first, but when I went into the stores, people were cool and polite. They treated me like the stranger I was.
Idris had saved me in so many ways. Every day, I saw more of them, and with the twins a few months old, it was time I showed him my gratitude.
We’d spoken many times about his dreams of being in business for himself, but we’d been very focused since we discovered he was pregnant.
On his health, getting to know one another, and of course on the babies.
Traditionally, if someone was going to be a stay-at-home dad, in the shifter world, it was expected to be the omega, but this alpha had already achieved his career goals, and a certain omega was ready to start on his.
“It’s going to cost a fortune to start up,” he protested. “If we want to do it right.” Frankie fussed in his arms, and he bounced her, shushing her softly.
“We will do it right, and we have the funds available.” Our funds. There is no I in mate.
“I’d want to build near here, and staffing locally might be tough.”
“Start with those who were laid off with you, and go from there. Not one person who worked for me was anything but a superstar.” His business would be quite different than mine had been, but they deserved a chance to try if they wanted to. “And offer moving expenses.”
“Alpha, I can’t. The babies are too little.” I could see the hope in his eyes, despite his words. Omegas were never made to feel like they could have everything, but why not?
“The babies will be a year older by the time your doors open, but I hope you trust me enough to take care of them while you build your company. While you were pregnant, you kept coming up with ideas to help other omegas in the same position. You made so many drawings, and I think they are genius.” It hadn’t been his first idea, but it was his best. “And I want to put my full and enthusiastic support behind that.”
He put Frankie in her bed just in time for her sister to wake. “Maggie, girl.”
“Let me get her.” I reached into the other crib and lifted our not-so-sweet-smelling girlie into my arms. “Why don’t you get your tablet and start a list of what you’ll need to get started. I saw a piece of land the other day I thought you might like. It’s just outside of town…”
I was going to have to be cautious not to get too involved in my omega’s business. It was his dream, and I was just support. Chief cook and bottle washer at home.
“Alpha, are you worried about overstepping?” He put an arm around my waist and leaned in, resting his head on my chest next to Maggie. “Oh, darling girl, you need a diaper change.”
“She does, and I am.” I shifted her over a little and tugged him closer. “It’s my pleasure to help you achieve your dreams. You’ve already done that for me.”
“Can I ask you for help, for advice?” He leaned back to look up at me. “Because you’ve already learned a lot and I don’t want to…”
“Make the same mistakes. I will admit to a lot of them.”
“Make a lot of my own, I was going to say.” He kissed my cheek. “We’re a team.”
“And my position on the team is to keep house, hang out with the twins, and give advice, deal?”
“A not-so-silent partner?”
“Omega, you are going to be a huge success. In fact, you already are.” In every aspect of life that mattered. “You’re the heart of our family.”