Chapter 30 #2
Everett cries from his swing. I watch from over my shoulder as Shepherd scoops him into his arms and wrinkles his nose, chuckling at whatever stinky mess our son has made in his diaper.
Life with a newborn has been so different with him than it was with Kaitlin.
Aside from obviously not being trapped in a cult, Foster, Shepherd, and Manny all jump to help with the baby at any chance they get.
I have to fight them for baby snuggles sometimes.
It’s adorable as hell, and a little overwhelming.
Omen explains about our brother’s attempted break-in.
When she tells me they were targeting her to force her to continue the Montgomery line, I fake gag.
That’s despicable and gross as hell. There was a time when I loved my little brother, but as soon as he was old enough to think for himself, it quickly became clear he had inherited our father’s cruelty and hatred.
He grew into a man I couldn’t recognize.
I’m glad he’s been arrested and can no longer threaten others.
He’s too unstable to be allowed to roam freely in the world.
“Can I visit tomorrow?” She asks as we end the call.
I light up at the thought of seeing her.
She needs a hug, and I need her support to reveal the baby’s name.
“Of course! I’ll let Foster and Shep know, so that we can have lunch together!
” As the line goes dead, I realize I should tell her about Manny tomorrow.
He’s important to our pack, so the important people in our lives should know about him, too.
The next day is chaos. Kaitlin convinced Foster to play dress-up with her, leading to a morning full of princess-superhero dance performances.
Watching the two of them dance to her kid’s music is hilarious.
I record a few clips and send them to Manny, sharing our laughter with him while he’s at work.
Omen and her pack arrive right before lunch.
“Ignore the mess,” I tell them as I usher them inside.
I don’t mind the toys strewn across the living room, but I don’t want them to trip over anything.
Skirting around everything, I lead my sister into the kitchen to steal Everett from his carrier on Shepherd’s chest. My Alpha glares at us for interrupting his baby time, but I don’t let his grumpiness stop us.
He lives here, so he can get baby cuddles anytime.
“He’s beautiful, Hannah,” Omen whispers. “Everyone is going to have to fight me for baby and kid snuggles now. I have a lot to make up for.”
I scold her, not wanting to hear another apology. “We never would have gotten out of New Hampshire if you were still there with me.” My words shock her into silence, and I hope they open her eyes. She has nothing to be sorry for. Getting away from our family was for the best. For all of us.
“What’s his name?” she asks, looking from him to me.
“She hasn’t told us yet,” Shepherd grumbles from where he’s readying lunch at the counter. I feel my cheeks heat and curse myself for always blushing. They can read my reactions too clearly when my face flames every time!
Instead of answering, I lead her into the living room so she can sit down. Once she’s settled, I slip the baby into her arms, helping coach her on how to support his head. She rocks gently, attention moving from him to me. “Wanna share what that was about?”
“I did something,” I admit, glancing back to the kitchen and pitching my voice low so that the guys cannot hear me. After talking to Manny yesterday, I finished the paperwork to name the baby. “I don’t know how they’re going to take it.”
Fear isn’t the right word to describe how I feel about telling them, because I’m not afraid of my mates. Just nervous? To the point of possibly puking at the thought?
“Tell them while we’re here,” she suggests. “If they react poorly, you can come home with us.” She sounds certain that it won’t happen, which bolsters my confidence. This is why I wanted her here. She’s always made me feel invincible.
“Come eat!” Shepherd calls out.
I push to my feet in time to watch my little bug come around the corner, shaking water from her hands.
“Dry your hands, little bug; don’t shake them!
” I give Omen an apologetic look and leave her to carry the baby to the table while I take Kaitlin back to the bathroom to dry her hands properly.
Hopefully, she breaks this habit before school starts next year.
Claiming my seat beside Shepherd and across from Foster, I bite back a laugh when he takes the baby from Omen, and she pouts.
Yeah, these two are going to be baby hogs.
Shep points to her plate with a raised brow and slides the baby into his swing.
With his hands free, he piles fries onto my plate alongside his homemade chicken tenders.
Nervousness makes it impossible for me to eat, so I watch as everyone else digs into their food.
“So…” I hedge, fingers drumming against my thighs beneath the table.
With how hard my heart is pounding, there is a small chance I might pass out before I can tell them.
Omen slides her hand onto my arm and squeezes, quietly reassuring me.
I steal a bit of her strength and straighten my spine.
“The baby’s name is Everett. Everett Alexander Wilson. ”
I hear one of my sister’s mates hiss out a breath, but I can’t turn to find out who. My gaze is locked on Foster, who has a fry raised halfway to his mouth and stares at me with teary eyes. Is he mad? Fates, I hope he’s not.
“Good.” I nearly jolt out of my seat when Shepherd speaks. That one word shocks me.
“Y-you’re not upset?”
“No. In fact, we’ll get Kaitlin’s name changed, too.” He takes another bite, unhindered by my admission. He doesn’t care? Not in a bad way, but like… he accepted my choice that easily? No arguments or scolding for not letting him file the paperwork?
…have I been waiting for him to react the way Colin would?
“Foster?” I question, glancing back at my Omega, who still hasn’t moved. Did I break him?
His chair scrapes against the floor as he shoves to his feet and rounds the table.
His lips slam onto mine, devouring me in a kiss that sets off fireworks in my mind and builds wetness between my thighs.
He kisses me like he’s depending on me for his next breath.
My jaw hangs open when he pulls away, long fingers tucking my hair behind my ear.
“It’s perfect. I love it, and I love you. ”
A response sits on my tongue, but it disappears when Kaitlin interrupts.
“Kaity has kisses, too?” She pouts, presenting her cheek to him expectantly.
He presses a sloppy kiss to her forehead and tickles her sides, making her squeal in delight.
It breaks the tension hovering in the kitchen, restarting their conversations.
I stare down at my plate, smiling softly. This is… everything. Their reactions, the unconditional love they’ve gifted us, and this family we’ve built together. Our love has changed me, allowing me to rise from the ashes of my father’s cult and forced marriage. I’ve been reforged by Fate.
After lunch, Omen’s mates take their turns holding the baby. It’s clear they have more experience than my sister, and watching her pout when she sees them holding the baby is too cute. I steal her away to build blocks with Kait, giving us a chance to talk.
“How are you doing? Really?” I ask, passing Kaitlin another magnetic tile for her castle.
“I’m wonderful. Things may not be perfect, but they’re trying. That’s what matters.” The love in her eyes as she looks at her pack pinches my heart. If I hadn’t joined the DAU as an informant, we never would have had this future. This happiness.
The only regrets I have in this life are being unable to get her out of Whitlan sooner and staying after I found out I was pregnant with Kaitlin.
“We met someone. Another mate. He doesn’t share our Fated connection, but he’s still ours. Or we want him to be.” I stumble over my words, trying to find a way to explain what Manny means to us.
“That’s wonderful, Hannah! When can I meet him?”
Grinning, I admit she already has. “Manny, your mate’s producer at the label.”
Her jaw drops, joy lighting up her mossy green eyes.
“No way! That’s even better! He’s a great guy!
I can see how perfectly he would fit into your pack.
” She bumps her shoulder against mine. “I’m happy you have them.
After everything you did in Whitlan to stop our family…
You deserve all the love this world has to offer. ”
With my mates and our kids, I think I’m starting to believe her.