Chapter Thirteen
Rick
It was clear that Ian’s mother was definitely the head of Ian’s family.
Rick had been to the Italian restaurant before—usually with Ernest in pre-Toby days.
It was a very relaxed place, had plenty of light, and big wooden tables designed for large family and friend groups.
So Rick didn’t have any issues with where they were going.
Except Ian’s mother ruffled the fur on the back of his neck from the first few seconds of meeting. This is going to be fun… not.
The family was ten minutes late, and Ian’s nerves were growing by the second.
When they arrived, Rick got the impression it was Mom with a capital M, and an entourage.
Technically, he wasn’t wrong. Ian’s mom was accompanied by her husband, Maisie, and her husband Rupert, as well as the two brothers, William and Winston, and their mates Bianca and Jane.
No kids, Rick noticed, except baby Alfie.
Ian’s dad seemed to be a quiet enough and genuinely nice guy who at once shook Rick’s hand and welcomed him to the family.
Ian’s mother was a different kettle of fish entirely.
She eyed Rick up and down and sort of wrinkled her nose, although she did give Ian a big hug.
“It’s so wonderful to finally see you,” she gushed, as though it had been months since they’d last met, instead of a couple of weeks.
Rick wasn’t impressed with Maisie, who immediately dropped the baby from her arms to Ian’s before she sat down. “He misses his favorite uncle so much. He was devastated when you couldn’t spend time with him the other night. Devastated.” The drama queen.
Considering Alfie was no more than three months old, Rick highly doubted the “misses you” aspect, although he kept his mouth shut and his thoughts to himself. Ian’s mom was nodding as if she agreed.
Apparently, that was all the encouragement Maisie needed because she carried on, “It was such a shame, too, because you know my Rupert’s not very romantic most days, but he had such a wonderful dinner date planned for us, and we couldn’t go.
It was impossible to get another sitter at such short notice. ”
Then you should have perhaps thought about that before you asked Ian, but Rick kept that thought to himself as well. He could see that it was going to be a running theme.
Winston appeared to have a similar problem.
“Yeah, Ian, come on, like what’s going on with this babysitting mandate, bro?
So, you’ve got yourself a mate. That’s great.
Happy for you, genuinely. But you totally stuffed up my Friday night plans.
You knew Bianca was away, and I hadn’t seen my friends in weeks.
It wouldn’t have killed you to have taken the girls overnight.
It’s not like you haven’t done it before.
It’s what our family does for each other. ”
Ian, who was still holding Alfie, stammered, clearly not knowing what to say.
His cheeks were bright red, and Rick could feel how upset he was through their bond, although nobody would ever know, looking at Ian’s expression.
Focusing on their bond, Rick sent through, your brother’s a bit of a moppet.
Out of the whole family, I’m so glad I got you as my wonderful mate.
Ian sat up a little straighter. “It would be really nice if we could order food before you start tearing into me for my apparent selfishness.” He said quietly. “Rick and I have both worked up an appetite this morning, and I for one am looking forward to a large bowl of carbonara.”
Rick was watching Ian’s mom, leaning back in her chair, her face shuttered as if she wasn’t used to Ian speaking up for himself. Which was interesting when she had no problems with Maisie picking on Ian from the moment she arrived.
“You have to understand we’re a very close family.” Rick realized Ian’s mom was talking to him. “Ian is loved by all his nieces and nephews, and has been for many years. It would unthinkable that anything, or anyone would interfere with such an important part of our family dynamic.”
You mean a built-in babysitter. Rick was good at keeping the thoughts off his face as well.
“Clearly, as you’re not able to have children of your own…”
“For goodness’ sake, Mom,” Ian broke in, rubbing his hand over Alfie’s back to soothe him.
The little one was clearly getting restless because he could pick up Ian’s upset.
“Could we order food first before we get another baby lecture? I’m extremely proud of my mate.
Rick is very good to me and he makes me happy.
Isn’t that what any family member wants for one of their favorite people? ”
He looked at Maisie and his brothers. Winston and William didn’t appear to have any response to that, and Rick was wondering if their mates—Bianca and Jane—could even talk at all. Apparently Maisie didn’t do silences and had no problem filling one.
“Being happy is one thing, but you’ve always been available for us. Our kids count on their uncle Ian…”
Your baby can’t even talk yet. Rick was getting antsy.
“And I’m sorry”—she clearly wasn’t—“but if no one else is going to say it, then I will. I don’t think it’s fair of you to say you’re not going to babysit for us anymore just because you have a mate now. That’s just you being selfish, and it’s unfair on the whole family.”
His bear’s fur rose on his neck in warning.
Ooh, Rick did not like that at all. Maisie clearly got her manipulative tactics from her mom, and the issue was Ian being hurt by all this nonsense.
Rick’s personal family experiences were more centered around teeth and claws, so for him, Maisie was easily ignored. Ian clearly didn’t feel that way.
“Nobody said we were never going to babysit for any of you,” Rick said quietly, making an emphasis on the ‘we’.
He rested his arm over the back of Ian’s chair, making sure to have as much contact with his mate as was decent in public.
“As long as our time is respected too. What’s the harm in giving us more notice so we can schedule things like that?
Clearly, it couldn’t be as often as you’re used to Ian doing in the past. I had a look at Ian’s calendar the other night and spending three to four nights a week on babysitting duties… ”
“Ian likes doing it, it’s all he wants to do in his free time.” Ian’s mom jumped in. “He likes spending time with the children. He’s a natural with them. In fact, I can’t believe…”
“Mom, don’t say it. Don’t you dare say it,” Ian cut in quickly, squirming next to Rick.
“I’ve always wanted an alpha mate, as I’ve mentioned many times.
I’m thrilled I have an alpha mate, and Rick is good to me.
I will keep repeating that until you understand.
Did any of you ever give me the chance to say no to you?
Look at what happened just in the past few days, getting huffy with me and making out that my wants and needs do not matter.
“It was you who always assumed this because I was single, I could help with the kids. And yes, you know how much I love my niece and nephews. I’m not saying otherwise.
But they’re not my children. They’re yours.
I am not your only choice. There are other family members who could help, or services that have sitters available. It doesn’t have to keep being me.”
“We wouldn’t want our children looked after by somebody who wasn’t family.
” Winston was trying to get huffy—puffing out his chest and flexing his shoulders as if it would make him appear bigger.
Rick thought it was cute, but his hand was itching to slap the man, and they hadn’t even ordered drinks yet.
Looking around the room, Rick caught the eye of a server and raised his finger in that classic sign of ‘come and take our order please so this meal could be over’, vibe.
The waitstaff hurried over, his pad in his hand. “Are you all ready to order?”
“No, we’re having a family discussion,” Ian’s mom said.
“Yes, thank you,” Ian said at the same time. “I’ll have a double serving of your carbonara, with some garlic bread on the side, thank you. What about you, Rick?”
Rick ordered the same. He didn’t have garlic bread very often, but if his mate was having it, Rick wasn’t going to complain about smelly breath later.
“Anyone else?” The server looked around the table expectantly, and clearly, the others realized if they wanted to be fed, then they needed to put in an order.
Rick hoped that the kitchen was not too busy, as he was ready to leave.
Ian needed holding, he needed cherishing, and that wasn’t going to happen in front of a disgruntled audience.
Rick would never undermine his mate in that way, even if his bear was keen on just tossing Ian over their shoulder and stomping out of the restaurant.
That could be a little difficult as Ian was still holding the baby, but in Rick’s imagination, that didn’t matter.
He was good at making plans on the fly, and adapting to unknown situations—a baby wouldn’t foil his plans…
Being respectful of Ian and his position in his family would.
After the server had left, Ian’s mom said, “I’m not saying that I’m unhappy that you have found your mate. It’s something that we all dream of, and I am thrilled with mine.”
Ian’s father, who hadn’t said a word beyond his welcome to the family to Rick, just smiled, clearly used to keeping the peace.
“The fact still remains that Ian is a vital part of our family.”
Yes, as a damn babysitter. Rick said, “I imagine Ian is really important in your family—he is important to me too, so that’s not hard to understand.
But… I’m confused. I know Ian babysits for his siblings and runs errands for you personally—work to do with your charities, I believe—which I’m sure is very important.
But I haven’t known Ian very long, so I haven’t heard of any instance where you wanted to see Ian, just to see him. To spend time with him.