Chapter 22
Hailey
“How do you think the other two members of our pack would feel about moving into my house?” Merrick asked as he handed me a bottle of water.
We were curled up in the nest while I read a book. I’d never really brought guys into my nest before, so having Merrick there was surprisingly pleasant.
“I mean, I'm pretty sure if I go over there, they’ll just follow. But that’s if you allow them. Do you really want them stinking up your house?”
“As fun as it is making them sleep on the floor, I do have several guest bedrooms. I would be happy to turn one of them into a nest room for you. And…” Merrick exaggerated a grimace. “…they are our pack.”
“You don't have to do that. I can make do with a regular bed,” I insisted
Because he was right. It was probably a better idea to stay somewhere with a bit more space.
“There's no way in hell you’re staying at my house without a nest. You’re my omega, and you’re pregnant, and you will have the best nest possible. I'm sure that during your pregnancy, you’ll be adding more and more stuff to it, like this guy.” He looked down at the giant stuffed bunny next to me.
When Wilder had given it to me, I’d been shocked, but then I was surprised at how quickly I became obsessed with it. It was just so soft and was the perfect amount of squishy to cuddle.
I was very picky about what stuffed animals I liked because some of them were too scratchy or too firm. Somehow, he’d picked up the best of everything.
And I wasn’t too big to admit that the gesture went a long way.
“He’s pretty amazing.” I smiled at the soft toy.
Bunny took up a good chunk of my nest, but Merrick was being a sweetheart and hadn't said anything.
When we left the nest to get food, Nolan was lying on the couch. He sat up as he saw us, wincing slightly.
Unfortunately, my couch wasn’t the best for sleeping on more than the random nap here and there. Then again, it was probably better than the floor, where Wilder was currently lying in a small pile of blankets.
Spotting us, he shot up and flashed a grin. “Hey, cutie!”
I shook my head. How is he so perky after floor-sleeping?
“So, we were talking…” Merrick started.
“Should we be concerned?” Wilder raised a brow, reeling back some.
I couldn’t help but laugh at his panicked expression, which was even sillier because he was still holding on to one of my pink blankets.
“Nah.” I waved off his concern with a smile. “Actually, this may be a good thing for both of you.”
“Okay…” Nolan gave me a suspicious look.
“Merrick lives only a few minutes away, and he has kindly suggested that, instead of us all staying in my apartment, we stay at his house.”
“I have several guest bedrooms, and you won't have to sleep on the couch or on the floor anymore. Mi casa es su casa.”
“I thought you liked having us sleep on the floor,” Wilder accused, narrowing his eyes.
Merrick grinned, a light chuckle escaping. “Don't get me wrong, it was good for a night or two, but I'm not a total monster.”
“If you're genuine about the offer, I’d appreciate it,” Nolan said, nodding once.
“Don't be too appreciative yet. I've got guest bedrooms, but I haven't bought any beds yet, so that's going to be a task for today. You're buying.”
Nolan laughed, shaking his head, a flick of his hands in surrender. “Happily.”
“My boy, Nolan here, is a snob when it comes to mattresses,” Wilder remarked. “He's so picky over the thickness, the type, the materials, you name it. He has preferences about every last detail.”
“I can understand that.” I nodded, thinking about my nest.
“What about your nest?” Nolan asked, almost as if he read my mind.
“I've got a really big room that we're going to turn into a nest room for her. It's much larger than the current setup, though, so she's going to need more supplies.”
Wilder sat up straighter, eyes sparkling. “I can get you more bunnies!”
I giggled, feeling so much lighter than I had been. “Usually, I would say you don't have to, but I do really like that stuffed bunny. It's just so adorable and cuddly. And you owe me.”
“Cutie, your wish is my command.” Wilder tipped his head in a mock bow, a dopey grin on his face.
The guys did all the moving while I sat on the kitchen counter, watching. We only took the basics, mainly a few cases of clothing and a few nesting supplies.
At first, Merrick had insisted I relax on the sofa in front of his very impressive flat-screen TV while they did the hauling, and I had enjoyed it thoroughly, but I got hungry and migrated toward the kitchen to get a snack.
“You know, you really need to go grocery shopping,” I said with a frown as I looked inside his fridge.
“What do you mean? I went to the grocery store yesterday.” Merrick shot back, brows up to his hairline as he carried in a large pile of pillows from my nest.
“You have ingredients that need cooking. Where are the snacks? The chocolate? The potato chips?”
“…I'm not really a big snacker.” Merrick rolled his lips between his teeth, looking almost pained. “We'll go to the grocery store after this. You will be eating sensible meals, too, though.”
“I don't think you're capable of making anything that isn’t sensible, Mr. Kale & Spinach.”
“Untrue.” He crossed his arms. “I occasionally make pizza.”
“Whoa, look at Merrick here going crazy!” Wilder laughed as he passed us, carrying a large headboard.
“I’m a firefighter. I have to take care of myself,” he said, his face all mopey. It was adorable.
Sliding off the counter, I padded over to him with a smile. My hands wrapped around his waist, taking a moment to glide over those muscles I was very fond of.
“And you take care of yourself quite well,” I emphasized.
No doubt my face looked hungry, but I wanted him to know just how much I appreciated how well he took care of himself. Merrick was a big boy and had muscles to match, and I very much enjoyed them.
Judging by the way a grin broke out on his face, he was pleased with my perusal.
One hand came to the side of my neck, the other still holding the bedding as he leaned down to kiss me. It was sweet and domestic and over before I could really enjoy it, but it was still one of the most perfect kisses I’d ever experienced.
I liked this—a lot.
“Building me a nest, kissing me, and getting me snacks. Can you be any more perfect?” I whispered.
“What about if I tell you I got the menu for that new Chinese place in town?”
An obscene groan left my mouth as I threw my head back. “Just stop. You're too perfect. I can't handle it.”
I laughed, gently shoving him away while I fantasized about cashew chicken and wonton dumplings.
He didn't fight it, picking up the nesting materials, chuckling to himself as he went up the stairs. “Are you going to come up and arrange these?”
“I'll be there in a minute. I'm going to see what drinks you have.”
“You're going to be disappointed. The drinks fridge is in the garage.”
Frowning at his back, I wandered over to the garage and found the large double fridge. Pulling open the door, I was indeed disappointed when I saw that the only drinks available were bottled water and a few sports drinks.
“Well, this is going to have to change,” I muttered to myself.
One thing about me was that I loved a fun drink, be it a flavored hot chocolate, a fancy cocktail, or even just a soda with some extra fruit or syrups.
I started making a list of all the things I needed to pick up at the grocery store. Merrick would have one amazing drinks fridge when I was finished, whether he liked it or not.
Sighing, I picked up a bottle of water and made my way back into the house, heading up the stairs to the room that Merrick had designated as the nest room.
Coincidentally, or not, it was right next to his bedroom.
“I'm glad we got you a new bed,” Merrick said as he looked around the space. “Your old one would have looked tiny in here.”
It really would have. He had spent far too much getting next day delivery on a larger bed for me, and as much as I felt bad about it, I adored it.
The room was easily five times the size of my old nest room. My apartment was cheap and worked with my budget, but it was hardly ideal.
Merrick’s house was large, sprawling, and designed for a family. I had seen the exterior once when I had dropped off a basket from a charity drive for Melody, but I hadn’t gotten a close look.
With everything going on now, though, it felt like fate.
Plenty of space for me…and Baby.