Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Three weeks later
Late February
NOVA
I keep having to remind myself that I have an actual village now.
Things have moved so quickly that my head is spinning, and I’m just a couple of days away from the charity event that will benefit Little Feet, Big Dreams Center.
I want to be able to also have childhood development courses, sexual education, and be able to offer women’s biyearly exams at the center.
This dream started small, and has gotten very big, very quickly. We’re currently at Finnegan’s Bar planning before he opens, and we’re almost done.
“Food is being donated, as is booze,” Aisling murmurs, checking it off on her check list.
“The invites have been returned with those attending,” Hollis adds. “I’ll make up a list of those who are confirmed so you can give it to whoever is checking people in.”
“That’ll most likely be Augustine,” Wren says. I’ve heard that she doesn’t usually leave her home, but she had her alphas bring her over so she could help with the final planning. “We will also have security through Duncan Kelly’s company.”
“Entertainment is also covered. I’m kind of excited to watch Linus perform,” I admit.
“He didn’t tell you?” Hollis asks, chuckling. “Quinn insisted on being there as well. She and Linus taught the other dancers the performance.”
“She’s… shit,” I mutter, thinking over her last few appointments with me. Quinn found herself having her much needed energy boost recently, and no longer suffers from nausea. “Sorry, I went into work mode. Quinn is fine.”
“I love that you’re her midwife,” Aisling says. “I can’t imagine anyone else supporting her through this pregnancy. It’s been a rough one.”
“It has,” I agree. “She’s been wanting to dance and perform, but growing a baby is hard work.”
My sister zones out for a moment before shaking herself out of it. I wonder if she wants kids or if she’s talked about it with her pack.
“I wouldn’t know,” Wren shrugs. “I still don’t know if I want kids. The world is so cruel, it feels like I’d be doing them a disservice.”
“That makes sense, but every day, we tip the scales in our favor a little more,” Aisling says, leaning against Wren’s side.
It’s clear that they're close, especially as they share a smile.
“What are we missing?” I ask, chewing on my inner lip.
“Nothing,” Aisling says, looking down at her list. “We even alerted the police, surrounding neighbors, and the city that we are holding this event. Club Serenity is a business, and we have the space for parking, so they shouldn’t give us any issues.”
“Fuck, do we have any lawyers who will be there in case we have any issues?” I groan.
“Oh yeah,” my sister chuckles, pulling up a list. “There will be at least ten there, and they’ll all be willing to jump in if necessary. We need to get you a lawyer on retainer.”
“Domh’ll do it,” Aisling says. “I volunteer him as tribute.”
Caleb has been working in the back, but a few of the group’s alphas are scattered throughout the bar chatting.
“Woman, what are you talking about?” An alpha with a blonde man bun in a well pressed suit asks, twisting around to look at her with a grin.
He doesn’t look upset at all.
“He doesn’t have to,” I begin. “I can find my own lawyers. I’ve had to work with a group in the past on an as needed basis.”
“They don’t know this city like I do,” Domh says, his smile turning into a frown. “Aisling is still getting push back about building the transitional living house, and construction happens in fits and starts.”
“It’s so frustrating,” Aisling grumbles.
“It looks like they’re going to allow us to start again in a couple of weeks,” Wren adds. “Until their next fit.”
“Maybe it’ll be easier now that ROWS no longer exists?” I ask hopefully.
“Possibly,” Wren muses. “The issue is that a lot of people don’t want us to build this house. They imagine transitional housing is used only for drug addicts, and that’s simply not true. This is the next step towards the journey to our residents’ goals. They’ve outgrown the shelter.”
“Would they really use the logic that we shouldn’t have a birth center in the same way?” I ask.
“They could,” Domh shrugs. “Either way, I work pro bono so it wouldn’t cost a thing.”
My mouth drops open and I shake my head. “Are you kidding? I can’t let you do that.”
“It’s honestly not a problem. Our offices require a certain number of hours, I’d rather give them to you and Aisling. I’ve recruited the other lawyers to do the same,” he explains.
“He likes to argue,” Aisling whispers. “Don’t feed into it.”
“Haha,” Domh chuckles.
The door opens to the front, and I turn to see two people walk in. It appears as if they work here, and Aisling’s face lights up as she sees them.
“Mickey? Orla?” she asks.
The two of them turn toward her and grin as they rush over.
“Hey girl!” Orla squeals.
“I feel like the worst person ever,” Aisling says, tearing up as she stands. “I kept wanting to come by to say hi to you two while the bar was open, but it just never happened.”
“You don’t need to be like that. Ugh, I’m a sympathetic crier, Aisling!” the male says, hugging her tightly.
Domh growls under his breath, but he’s completely ignored. I can see from here that they’re both omegas, and Mickey has a faded bite on his neck. He’s definitely packed up.
“Some people are with you for just a season, and I always knew you were meant for really big things,” Orla reassures her, tugging her away from Mickey. “I hear all about you from the boss.”
“Did someone call my name? Shit, why is Aisling crying?” Caleb groans.
“I haven’t seen them since Hayes ran me down on the street,” Aisling chuckles, brushing away tears.
“He’s such a fucking caveman,” Domh says affectionately.
“I was telling Aisling that Mickey and I get caught up on what she’s up to from you,” Orla says. “We’re so proud of you. One day at a time, you help make the city safer.”
“It’s not there yet,” I sigh.
“We’re planning a charity event for a community birth center,” Aisling explains. “It’ll be for STI tests, Pap smears, birth control, heat suppression consultations, and midwifery care.”
“I also am planning on having an area for kids to play, story time, mom dates, etc,” I add. “Right now, I travel to my clients’ houses, but if my client lives in a shelter or is in a living space that’s not safe for a home birth, I’ll be able to offer an alternative.”
“I love how your mind works,” Orla says. “Mickey, we’re in the presence of greatness.”
“Go get ready to open the bar,” Caleb says, rolling his eyes as Orla walks behind the bar with Mickey, both wearing wide grins.
Aisling’s no longer crying as Domh wraps his arm around her, whispering in her ear as she smiles. Alphas around the room stand as they come toward us, seeing that we’re done now.
Lars pushes open the front door, brow raised as I nod at him.
“All done,” I promise, grabbing my things and throwing them into my bag.
“Let’s get going then. Hollis, you need a ride back to your office?” he asks.
“I still have a guard,” she groans, hefting her giant shoulder bag up her arm. “I have a feeling this may be a permanent thing, and I fucking hate it.”
“That sucks,” I admit. “I’d rather you were safe, though.”
“I know, I’m still going to be grouchy about it.”
Knowing she will be, we walk out together, leaving her with her guard and driver. I love getting to see her so much more now.
“You feel happy,” Lars says, walking with me toward our dinner destination. Tyde is planning to join us, and I love his hours now. He goes in at six in the morning, and he’s done by two in the afternoon.
“I am,” I murmur. “There’s a lot to do still, but things are starting to fall into place.”
TYDE
Tonight is the charity event, and I can feel Nova’s nerves.
“You look beautiful,” I murmur, watching as she gets dressed.
“Thank you. I found this dress at Well Loved Threads, and I can’t believe I did,” she says.
Nova isn’t one to spend money on something she doesn’t expect to wear often. Hell, her closet is full of new clothing that she made. It doesn’t matter that her alphas could and would buy her anything she wants, she doesn’t care.
Lars and Caleb quietly changed out her coats for items that are heated outerwear. She always laughs as she finds something else they’ve changed out and gives them a kiss. I dropped a pair of new winter boots in her closet, and she squealed.
I think I like surprising her more than simply giving her the gift. It’s more fun.
The dress is black, high necked, and sweeps in a deep vee at her back. There’s an elegant leg slit, and she’s wearing a delicate long gold chain on her neck. It’s perfect, and I am hiding a pair of heels that’ll work well.
“Do you have shoes that you have your heart set on for the dress?” I ask her.
“That’s the issue. I have a pair that I don’t think will work and I ran out of time to find another pair,” she groans.
“I have a pair that may work,” I muse, drawing out the anticipation.
“Tyde, don’t play with me,” she warns, making me bark out a laugh.
“Knock, knock! We’re going to be late,” Hollis yells, walking into the house.
“I need shoes,” Nova calls out. Her makeup is done with a light hand, though her lips are a blood red. Fuck, now all I want is to see how transfer proof her lipstick is.
“So put them on,” Hollis says, poking her head into the room. “Damn, little sister. Your hair looks amazing.”
Nova’s hair really does look incredible. It’s up in a myriad of braids before being drawn back into a bun. It looks slightly messy on purpose, fitting my omega perfectly. Pulling the box of Christian Louboutin’s shoes from its hiding place, I open the top and present them to her.
“Oh, these are pretty… Are those red bottoms?” Nova asks in shock, lifting them from the box.
“They are, but most importantly, they’ll go with your dress,” I say mildly, taking the shoes from her as I drop to my knees in front of her.
I help her put them on, and then she’s standing in front of the mirror.
“These are so?—”