Chapter 13
Luca
The room for the babies is coming along really well.
We decorated a lot early on, then we got busy with the raid and after the raid with making sure the kids found their families or finding foster families for them, and then with other things.
But as Vera and Mathew have hit their third trimester, it seems we’ve all gotten the itch to finish this room up as quickly as possible.
Not that ‘quickly’ actually means that any of this is going very fast.
We’ve decided, and rejected, five different colours for the walls. Then chosen, and rejected, seven or eight patterns of wallpaper. And, currently, the walls are still white. Which is a very safe choice, but not really what everyone seems to want.
We want something fun on the walls, but what exactly that something is supposed to be is unclear.
We’ve still got plenty of time in theory, but that doesn’t mean that we won’t be cutting it very close.
Plus, if for some reason Vera or Mathew goes into labour early, one or both of the kids could be here within a month.
It feels like we’re cutting it very short.
Sure, it would be best if the little ones stayed inside as long as possible, but that doesn’t happen with all kids, and being prepared for early arrivals is important too.
Vera opens the drawer with baby socks and empties it, putting everything on top of the dresser.
Then she takes the small wicker baskets we bought a couple of days ago and starts sorting the socks by colour, all the pastel green together, all the pastel blue together, all the pastel purple together, on and on.
Then she turns to look at me. “How did we end up with this many?” She laughs, incredulously.
I go over to her, sliding my arms around my beautiful mate, holding up one of my hands so I can count them off. “My parents. Erika and her pack. Some from Nathan and his siblings. Ehhh... Oh, the mini dino ones come from Lily.”
She leans back against me. “There are a lot of people who gave us things.”
“Because they care and want to get the best for the little ones.” I kiss her shoulder. “Just like we do.”
“I guess. It’s just...” She lets out a long breath.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had so many people around.
I was a middle kid, and wasn’t particularly good at anything, people didn’t really pay much attention to me.
” Her voice drops, unhappy. “Until they wanted to marry me off to that bastard. Of course, then I suddenly existed, but that attention wasn’t any fun. ”
I slowly sway us side to side, trying to wrap her in my pheromones, showing her how much I love her, how much I care about her. “That’s all behind you. None of that matters anymore. We’re your family now. And we all love you so much. To us, you’re special, no matter what.”
She reaches up over her shoulder, touching my face, her pheromones taking on a tinge of surprise. “You’re not wearing your mask.”
I kiss her fingers. “I’ll probably have to put one on soon enough, but, for now, I don’t have to wear it.”
I’ve been stretching the time between wearing a mask as much as possible. I do have to be very aware of how my mind and body are reacting, but I’ve been getting better and better at it.
The night of the raid, something changed.
I felt stronger, I felt safer, and that seems to have had a positive effect on being around Vera and Caleb’s pheromones too.
Mathew’s pheromones were never as much of a problem, mostly because he barely has any.
But it’s been such a good feeling that I can be around my other mates without my brain trying to mess with me.
It wasn’t some magical spell or anything, but it probably helped that the place that’s connected to so much of my trauma is finally gone and that I was part of the reason it’s gone now.
And having my amazing pack with me, as determined to get rid of the place, but also always trying to keep me safe and protected, that probably helped a lot too.
No, not ‘probably’, that definitely helped.
That and the sessions with Sam, one of Erika’s mates. A psych who’s specialised in treating people with trauma. He’s helped a lot of people who’ve gotten away from the any part of the Suits Syndicate, so he had some good ways of dealing with my past.
Vera turns in my arms and gives me a soft kiss on my lips, not on my cheek, not over the mask, but on my lips. Her eyes are shining with joy and amazement. “I’m so happy. And now I get to see your beautiful smile all the time.”
My face flushes, still not used to how much of a flirt Vera is. She’s so cute, but also so naughty.
I never thought I’d be able to be this happy. Even living it, it still feels so special.
But it’s real, and I’m here with them, with my pack.
Mathew lets out a deep sigh as he gets up from his desk, staring down at his button up, frowning. “I thought that an extra undershirt would be enough.”
There are two wet spots on his charcoal button up, right where his nipples are. Ah, yeah. Mathew’s body is definitely getting ready for the baby to be here, including getting ready to produce milk.
“Want me to get you some of my nipple pads?” Vera sits up from my lap, pushing herself up slowly. It’s getting harder for both Omegas to get around, and they also seem to want to be near each other all the time.
So, while Mathew is working, Vera hangs out on the couch, reading, sleeping or doing some work herself.
“Yes, thanks. I guess I should admit defeat and accept that my body has changed, once again.” He comes over and helps Vera up from the couch, giving me a quick smile, then he turn to Vera.
“Where are those tank tops you made me? I should probably wear those, so that the pads don’t slide all around. ”
“They’re in a drawer upstairs. I’ll also get those out for you.
And, yes, your body keeps changing, that’s kind of how pregnancy works.
And then the baby gets born and everything changes again, and again.
” She laughs, taking my hand. “Let’s all go upstairs.
It’s probably a good time to relax anyway. ”
Mathew seems to want to go against her, but with one raised eyebrow, he shuts his mouth. The doctor has told him multiple times that he needs to relax more, that he’s working too hard, even though he doesn’t see it that way.
“Fine. I guess this is as good a time as any to take a break.” He softly kisses the top of her head.
“A real break, not just five minutes.” I give him a level look and he narrows his eyes at me. Like he’s going to fool me. “Don’t pretend that you weren’t planning on being back here in five minutes.”
“You really pay way too much attention.” He pretend-pouts at me. “Fine. Fifteen minutes, minimum.”
“That’s good with me.” I shoo the two Omegas to the door of the office. If we don’t leave right now, Mathew will find ten things to ‘quickly do’ before getting out of here. Arguing it’s so he ‘won’t forget later’, but it’s because he really sucks at taking breaks.
Upstairs, in our dressing room, as Vera is looking through the drawers for a tank top for Mathew and a set of pads to soak up the drops of early milk, I help Mathew get out of his soiled clothes.
I slowly open each button, and feel slightly strange with how intensely he’s staring at my fingers. “What?”
“I never realised how nimble your fingers were.” He takes one of my hands, kissing my fingers. “I should have expected it, since you’re really good with super small and detailed crafts, but I’ve never seen it this clearly.” His voice goes thick and he kisses my fingers again.
Is he crying?
“Mathew?” I lean closer so I can see his face, but he’s purposefully hiding behind his long hair. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s just so precious and amazing. Why did I never notice it before?” He lets go of my hand and turns away. “Thanks. I can undress myself now. You don’t have to help.”
Pregnancy hormones strike again.
Mathew has been getting a lot more emotional lately, and he keeps finding it embarrassing, even though even the Alphas seem to be affected by it.
And, I have to say, seeing Caleb blubbering all over his breakfast because the egg that Eli fried was ‘too perfect’ was definitely a very unique experience.
As far as I know, it’s normal, especially for people who are pregnant. Overwhelming hormones and looming life-altering changes are a perfect recipe for becoming much more emotional. It’s just that Mathew isn’t as comfortable with it.
Then, I hear loud sobs from the other side of the room and when I turn around, Vera is trying to dry her eyes with a shirt, but the tears keep coming.
Worry shoots through me and I quickly go over to her. “Are you okay? Did you get hurt?”
She shakes her head, but her eyes are still on Mathew and she carefully goes over to him. Touching his arm and then hugging him tightly.
Of course, she started bawling because she noticed Mathew was crying.
It’s kind of cute.
I’ve seen the same thing happen the other way around a couple of days ago. Vera was in the baby room, going through a box with toys, crying at how cute they were, and the moment Mathew stepped inside, he started too. He had no clue what was going on, he saw Vera crying and his tears started too.
Life with the pack has definitely gotten more interesting all over again.
But I have a feeling we’re all ready for the babies to be here. To finally settle down with them.
Because this waiting feels longer every day.
We’re ready for the next step in our pack’s lives.