Chapter 11 #3
“I’ll do that,” I told him. “I think a magical diaper change is definitely warranted in this instance.” I looked at Mason, who was staring at the house with wide eyes.
“Would you like to see your new room, Mason?” He nodded, and I followed Oscar up the stairs.
Luckily, the house had five bedrooms, and everyone would get their own room.
Well, until the baby came. Oscar went to the room we decided would be perfect for a nursery, and I took Mason over to his room, which was across the hall.
He’d never had his own room before, and when I set him down, he immediately ran to the trucks that were lined up on the shelf that was in front of the window.
“Are these for me to play with?”
“They are.” Oscar came in, wrapping his arms around my waist. Two down, two to go. We spent the early afternoon playing with Mason and Maelie after lunch. They seemed to readily accept Oscar as a father figure, which was a relief to my mate.
One thing I already knew about my siblings was they were fairly easygoing and accepting. I didn’t have any doubts that he wouldn’t be accepted. Mason and Mae were both down for their afternoon nap when there was a quiet knock on the front door, quickly followed by a voice that I’d not heard before.
“Oscar? Are we in the right house?”
I looked at my mate, who had been fidgeting on the couch for the past thirty minutes.
“That’s Joseph,” he whispered and quickly stood. He was walking toward the door, and I had to hurry to catch up with him. When I did, I saw when his brother and sister spotted Oscar. Joseph had a huge smile on his face and came up to Oscar, wrapping his arms around his older brother in a tight hug.
“Congratulations, big bro. I’m so happy for you,” Joseph said. He held Oscar for a moment and then let go, smiling at his brother. “You must be Monroe.”
I nodded once. “I am.”
“Take care of him. He deserves someone to be nice and dote on him. He’s given up a lot for us,” Joseph said. I saw Hailey flinch just behind him and wondered if Joseph had said what he did on purpose.
“I have every intention of cherishing my mate,” I said.
“He’s my entire world, and I’m deeply in love with him,” I said.
I hadn’t intended to tell him I loved him for the first time in front of his siblings, but we’d not really had the best opportunity until now.
And I had no intention of hiding my feelings for my mate from his siblings.
“Good. He deserves it. He won’t ever admit it, but he’s put up with a lot, and he deserves someone to spoil him.”
I couldn’t take my eyes off Oscar. He was staring at me with watery eyes.
“Really?”
“Yes, really. I do love you. You are so warm and caring. You are full of love, and you’ve already picked up the role of other daddy for Mae and Mason.
You’re going to be a natural when it comes to our little one you’re carrying, and I can’t wait to see that.
I love you, Oscar. Always will.” I leaned down and gave him a quick kiss.
He pulled away and buried his face in my shirt for a moment before he stepped back and swiped at his eyes.
“Wow, okay.” Oscar took a deep breath. “So, welcome home. Things have really changed. This is Monroe. He’s my mate. He’s from the fae realm, and we’re having a baby in the spring. That’s the quick rundown so far. Any questions?”
“Naw, I don’t have any,” Joseph said. “Except which room is mine? I have homework to do, and I wanted to know if I could go hang out with Sean later? He lives up here. He’s Alpha Maynard’s youngest.”
“Umm…sure. And your room is top of the stairs, on the left,” Oscar said.
“Cool.” Joseph took a few steps away and then stopped. “It’s great to meet you, Monroe. I can’t wait to get to know more about you.”
“Likewise,” I told him. We watched him rush up the stairs until he was out of sight. That left us with Hailey.
Oscar sighed and leaned into my side. I wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him tightly to my side, trying my best to support him.
“I don’t have it in me to put up with you acting like you were, Hailey. There is a sweet one-year-old and an energetic four-year-old upstairs. You throw a fit like you have been, I’ll look into sending you elsewhere. You aren’t going to act that way around them.”
Hailey’s eyes widened, and then she immediately looked down at her hands where they were laced together in front of her.
“I understand. I wanted to say I was sorry. I have a lot to make up for, and I blamed you for taking me away from the pack. I had an eye-opening trip with the fates, and I’m sorry, Oscar.
I’ll behave. I don’t expect you to forgive or forget, but I am sorry.
I only wanted to fit in, and I felt that you were the reason I had to leave.
I know now that isn’t the complete case.
That you were only doing what was best for me. ”
“I accept your apology,” Oscar said.
I could tell Hailey was surprised. She looked up at Oscar, and when a tear ran free from her eye down her cheek, Oscar held open his arms, and Hailey ran into her brother’s embrace.
I stepped to the side and let them have their moment.
I wasn’t sure what all the fates had shown her, but I’d seen the way she’d treated my mate, and this was drastically different.
I had a feeling we were going to be just fine.
There might be some bumps along the way, but in the end, we’d make it through everything as a family.