Epilogue
It's been three years to the day since I posted the sneak peek of what was coming to Mystery Date with a Book, and it went viral. The video had kickstarted the business with my best friends and I faster than we imagined possible and we haven't looked back since.
Not only did it change our lives, but the town of Willow Lake. It was now a booming town of ‘mom and pop’ shops and the lake was a popular hot spot for vacation in the area. The only place that floundered was the country club just outside of town, and we weren’t sad to see it disappear.
"Are you sure you should be going into the shop today?" Ash asked, rubbing my swollen belly. The baby inside squirmed just a little but there wasn't much room in there for him or her.
"You just don't want to stay home with Liam and Gem today, do you?" I laughed. As if right on cue the twins ran into the room all smiles and giggles. They had energy in spades.
"Daddy Ash, fishin'?" little Liam asked, crawling on top of him.
"No, cycle," Gem told her brother before turning to climb on the bed. Her face was serious as she stared him down. She was as stubborn as her mom.
"What about both?" he asked them and that had them both beaming, argument forgotten before it could even start. "I was trying to talk Mama into going, too."
That traitor. He was going to try and use the cute faces of our children to get me out of work. Liam and Gem, both moved closer to me with their smiles going wide.
"How about Mama goes to work just for an hour or two to help your Aunties Bea and Dani and I'll have Daddy Holt bring me to the fishin' hole when I get done?" I asked them before sitting up to kiss each of them on the cheek.
"Yay, cycle and fishin'," they cheered in unison as they ran back out of the room.
"You better go after them. I still don't like them going down the stairs by themselves. And get them dressed now or Gem will want to ride in that princess nightgown," I told Ash.
He sighed and rose from where he was beside me. My protective alpha wasn’t happy he lost this battle. "Be safe and don't overdo it."
"Aye, aye," I said, giving him a little salute. "I'm going to freshen up and get dressed. I promise not to be gone for long."
He just nodded his head as he left the room, racing after our twin tornados.
I pushed myself up and was psyching myself to get up when Mathias entered the room.
"Mind if I help?" he asked sweetly, holding out a hand to help me up.
"Always," I answered and pointed to my belly. "This is your fault, too, you know."
When I took his hand, he lifted me with ease and kissed me on the lips before he planted one on my stomach.
"And I can't wait for the next one," he smirked at me.
"Hold your horses, buddy. We have to get this one here, first," I laughed. "Now, help me get a sundress on and some sandals. If you're nice about it, you can brush and braid my hair."
"That's not fair… playing to my nurturing side. That's a low blow," he smiled at me.
"Yeah, I know, but it works for me," I teased back before I began the dance to get out of my tank top. "I swear I'm as big with this one as I was with the twins. How is that possible? There better only be one of you in there this time."
"Come on, you can't scold the baby before they are even born," he said, lifting the shirt off me with ease.
"First, don’t say it like there’s more than one baby in here. Plus, how about you carry the next one for nine months?" I asked as he pulled off my sleep shorts.
Mathias threw them in the dirty clothes before carefully slipping the sunflower dress over my arms and head. He then set me back down on the bed and Mathias did just as I asked, brushing and braiding my hair. I closed my eyes and soaked in the attention.
Before them, I was so used to being alone I never realized just how much my omega needed the soft touches and sweet, caring moments like this. Now? I was downright addicted. It did something for my omega as much as it soothed his beta nature.
I guess the pack needed the soft edges to round out the other two. Though, Holt was a far different alpha than the grumpy man that first showed up at the lakehouse. Now he smiled often and loved to tease us.
Ash had grown more attentive and sweet, though he, thankfully, never lost his flirty side. I loved that they treated me like I was the light of their life even pregnant. In fact, it’s probably even more now.
"There, now can I help you down the stairs, m’lady?" Mathias asked, holding out an elbow for me.
"You may," I smiled and took it as I lifted myself up once again. "Remind me why we don't have an elevator in this place?
I sighed as we stopped at the top of the stairs. It seemed like such a chore at this rate. I had no idea how I’d make it through a few hours of work. This pregnancy had me downright exhausted.
"I can carry you down?" my beta offered. He was serious, but I couldn’t let him. I was still a prideful omega.
"Nah, I got this," I told him. “I just wanted to complain a little.”
He laughed and kept his arm in mine, making sure I didn’t accidentally slip. I groaned as I made it down a few, my back aching sharply. The baby wasn’t due quite yet but it sure as heck felt like it.
"Darlin’," Holt called up from the bottom of the stairs, sounding worried at my pained noises. I guess I wasn’t as quiet as I thought. "I told you to let us move you to the ground floor."
"I'm fine, really. Just it seems like a bigger task at the moment than I remember," I explained as I took another step.
Remember, down is easier than up. My internal pep talk did nothing for me.
Mathias and I were almost at the bottom when a sharp pain wracked my body. I cried out, grabbing my stomach as I felt it tighten.
Holt rushed forward as if I were going to fall, but I didn't, thank goodness. I'd never hear the end of it.
Once my foot hit the landing, I felt a gush of water between my legs and there was a look of shock on Holt's face.
“Holy shit,” Mathias breathed out in shock as we stared down at the puddle.
"Can someone call Bea and Dani and tell them I won't be in today?" I asked as Holt whisked me up into his arms. “The hospital bag is in the front closet!”
"Ash! Get the twins!" he yelled toward the kitchen before turning to the beta at our side. "Mathias, get the bags."
Another contraction hit me and Holt felt me tense up, my quiet whimpers making him move again.
"Don't worry, darlin’. We'll be there in no time," he promised as we headed to the front door.
I wasn't worried about the baby coming. I knew what to expect this time around. Though, I really didn’t want to have him or her in the backseat while my pack freaked out around me.
Ash met us at the door with a twin in each arm, concern on his face as he noticed I was in Holt’s.
“Truth or dare?” I asked.
“Truth?” Ash questioned me.
"Baby time," I smiled at him and he softened for a moment before it really sunk in.
He pulled the door open with squirming toddlers in his arms and sprinted to the truck. I glanced over Holt's shoulder to spot Mathias running toward us with our bags in his arms.
The sight of all three men caring for me and my babies had my heart warm and fuzzy.
Who would have thought that some of the worst years of my life could lead to the best, with even more to come?
The End