Chapter 77
Chapter
Seventy-Seven
“How did you get him to agree to all this?” Beau was smirking, looking at the giant Christmas tree in the living room. “And stockings? All the lights? You even have a table runner and little Christmas trees on it!”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “It wasn’t hard.”
She raised her eyebrow at me. “You threatened him, didn’t you?”
“I didn’t! Really!”
Mike came up behind me, handing me a glass of water. “Colt, guilt tripped him using Kayla.”
“You didn’t!”
Chuckling, I sipped my water. “Maybe I did. I might have mentioned it was her first Christmas. Our first Christmas in the new house. That we were finally starting our family together. Just…reminding him.”
“Damn, you dug in deep.” Beau chortled.
“It worked. That’s what matters. Plus, we get to have everyone here for the first time.”
Sabrina sat down on the chair, patting her lap, a flush already on her face. “Come on, Colt. Sit on my lap.”
“Absolutely not.” I snorted. “I weigh one-forty-nine. The boys and I would crush you.”
“I’m a shifter! I can handle it! I may be a Delta, but still!”
Walking over, I leaned in to kiss her but grabbed her glass instead. “I think you’ve had enough wine.”
Sabrina pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. Mike was laughing through his nose, and Beau barked out a laugh. Walking into the kitchen, I set the glass down before hip-bumping Candice.
“You don’t need to be in here. Everything’s pretty much all done.”
“I know, I know. The boys are out back messing around and Lauren stole Kayla and I’ve got nothing left to do.”
I wrapped my arms around her. “Relax! Have a glass of wine and just enjoy being free of the mess. Plus, the kids should be here soon, too. Sit out on the porch and watch the guys make fools of themselves.”
Feeling a pressure against my head, my eyes narrowed. “Speaking of…give me a second.”
Walking out the front door, I stood on the porch, pressing my fingers into my eyes.
It took a minute, filtering through the people currently in the lair, but I got Keith’s presence at the gate.
The kids I had already added to the lair for allowing them entry.
It was Keith that I handed out a kind of guest pass.
I had forgiven him, but I wasn’t fully prepared to trust him.
Marcus wasn’t either, asking me to give him access only when we wanted him here.
I also triggered the gate to open, and he rolled into the lair, adding his presence to my mind along with the kids. We hadn’t had this many people on the territory at once, and it was a bit overwhelming. Arms wrapped around me and I smiling, holding them tight.
“I got a text from Keith, but you were already on it.”
Nodding, I sighed. “I could feel him at the edge. I let him in with the kids.”
“Are you doing okay?”
“Just a bit of a headache. I’m trying to tune it out, but it’s just a matter of getting used to it, I think.”
He sighed. “I’m sorry. Maybe we shouldn’t have had everyone over right now. You’re dealing with a lot already.”
Shaking my head, I leaned into him. He had been everything these last few weeks. The ultimate support for me. Moving away from his parents, it pushed us to find a balance that worked. It wouldn’t last very long, but for now it felt good.
“How is your back?”
“Like if I lean forward anymore, I’m going to break it.”
Marcus snorted. “Do you want me to get the heating pad?”
“No. I’m just complaining.” I groaned. “I still have twenty more weeks of this. I’m going to die.”
“You won’t. You’ll be fine. Then we will both die dealing with the boys and Kayla.”
Laughing, I nodded. “Yeah, then we are taking a break. A long break.”
“Yeah, I agree. I think we could shoot for the year after.”
Elbowing him in the stomach, Marcus groaned, and his hands disappeared from me. Smirking, I gave him a raised eyebrow. He cleared his throat.
“You, Professor Dreamboat, signed up to teach two classes this spring and then are going back full time for fall. There will not be any time for your nonsense.”
“It’s all from home.”
I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. You will have the time you need to dedicate to your students and then all the grading you have to do. Your favorite pastime.”
He wrinkled his nose. “You’re making me regret getting the job.”
Keith pulled up next to Sabrina and Mike’s car. The kids burst out, and I wrapped my arms around Audrey and Ellen. They were jumping up and down, trying to explain everything they saw on the way. I listened, needing to squat down so I didn’t feel like I was going to fall forward.
“Well, that sounds crazy! I can’t believe you saw a unicorn and a strawberry milkshake cow!”
Marcus put his hand on head. “Why don’t you girls head on in? There are snacks and juice if you’re hungry. Grandma will also show you the bathroom if you need it.”
“Yes, please!”
They ran in, and Marcus helped me to stand up. I grunted, rubbing my stomach. Keith had pulled his youngest out of the car seat, and Mason was shutting the doors. Mason raced up the stairs and threw his arms around me. Hugging him back, I ruffled his hair.
“How are you doing, Mas?”
“They wouldn’t be quiet the entire drive.”
I laughed. “If you want, I can show you my office. It’s quiet and I’ll call you down for dinner.”
His eyes brightened, but Keith stepped up. “Don’t even think about it. You’re here for family. Suck it up.” He patted Mason on the head. “Hey, Marcus. Sorry we’re late. I definitely am not used to driving long distances anymore.”
“It’s fine. I’m glad you could make it.” Marcus pulled him into a hug, watching out for the baby in his arms. “Mom would be happy to elevate you, I’m sure. She doesn’t know what to do with herself now since we took care of everything today.”
Keith chuckled. “I might take her up on that. Where is Kayla?”
“With Lauren.” I stepped up and hugged him.
He seemed surprised, but still put his arm around me. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m struggling. I don’t understand how your mom did this.” I stepped back into Marcus’s arms. “I’m glad you came. Take a breather.”
“This place really is incredible. I felt the lair when I hit the gate and I can’t believe there was one just sitting unclaimed here.”
I looked up at Marcus and smiled. “We got lucky, I guess. Come on, it’s still cool outside. Maybe you can break up the fight between Ty and Peter. They’ve been going at it with Dean trying to decide who has the most menacing fire or something stupid.”
Keith barked out a laugh. “Oh, I’ll end it all right.”
We stepped into the house, and immediately Keith was free as Candice snuck Justin out of his arms. Keith rolled up his sleeves and headed out the back where you could see a mess of smoke billowing up. Laughing, I shook my head.
“Thank you for giving me this, Colt. All of this wouldn’t be possible without you.”
“You mean the Christmas decorations, or…”
Marcus growled, picking me up off the floor before setting me down on the counter.
“Mar! I’m too heavy.”
“You weigh nothing, Little Omega. I will always be able to hold you. No matter how big or heavy you get.” He lifted my chin up. “You gave me everything I could want. This happiness, my family, everything I have because of you.”
Shaking my head, I brushed his dark green vest off with my hands. “You gave me a family. I had nothing. No one other than the two mongrel shifters, one of whom is already drunk. You gave me everything I wanted and didn’t know I needed.”
He lifted off his glasses, kissing me softly. “This is why we complete each other.”
Humming, I draped my arms over his shoulder. “You are the other half of my soul. I don’t see how we wouldn’t.”
Marcus watched me, brushing my cheek before laying his hand on the curve of my stomach. It was soft, his thumb gently moving back and forth. The bond was open, and there was a peacefulness that settled between us. I leaned forward, my head resting against him.
“Tired?”
Shaking my head, I let out a sigh. “I don’t know if I can explain it. It feels…I don’t know?”
He shook his head. “No, I know what you mean. It feels surreal. I knew we would get here eventually. I just never really thought about how it would feel.”
“Yeah. I guess that’s the best way to describe it. I know it’s not over. We have hundreds of years ahead of us, right? This just…”
Marcus’s voice rang deep:
“Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.*”
Shaking my head, I rolled my eyes. “It doesn’t work on me, Marcus. You know that.”
He sat back on his heels. “Well, excuse me. Did you have something better for me, my mate?”
“Of course.” I took his head in my hands, his green eyes staring into mine.
I didn’t say anything. Sitting back up and taking his head in my hands, I kissed him. I kissed him as though he were the air I breathed. The other half of my soul. The glue holding me together. The very thing keeping me alive.
Marcus moved, stepped between my legs, never breaking out kiss. His hands braced my back as he pushed me closer. My wolf surged forward, my tail now brushing up against his hand. We broke the kiss, both our chests heaving.
“You do know that no one wants to see that, right?” Beau smirked as she filled her glass with more wine. “I need to be way more drunk if you’re going to be making out like that the rest of the night.”
Throwing her the middle finger, she barked out a laugh.
She flipped me the bird back before turning on her heel and going back to the living room.
I let out a breath, looking up at Marcus.
He was smiling, his gold eyes still shining brightly.
My silver was bright as well; my wolf happy to drown in our mate.
“I love you, Colton.”
“You’re alright.”
Marcus growled, pulling my hands up as he pinned me to the bed. “Want to try that again, Omega?”
“When I tell you, you are mine, I don't mean you are something I own
I mean you're the person my soul settles beside
The way oceans steady
When the moon touches them
The way stars find their place in the dark
When I say I want you
It is not to keep you small
But to witness every part of you
Even the pieces you don't love yet
And when I promise I won't let you go
I don't mean I'll hold you tight
I mean I'll stay especially when life gets heavy.*”
* For a New Beginning, by John O’Donohue
* Between Heaven & Earth, by TearsOfTheSoul