Chapter 32 #2
The next couple of days were rough. Sky was clingy and tearful, desperate for us not to leave him alone. Needing one of us near him at all times.
Of course, I doted on him. I doted on both of them—they were injured, and Fletcher was in pain; I could see it in his eyes, even if he tried to smile through it. I brought them soup and sandwiches in bed, fetching them anything else they needed.
But now that they were safe at home and my inner-wolf could chill out, I really needed to get back to work and put out any fires that were ultimately burning. Our team was amazing, but they could only do so much without management, so after a couple of days at home, I went back to work.
“If you need anything, call me,” I told my mates as I got dressed.
“We’ll be fine, Adam,” Fletcher assured me.
“Try to have a good day. Don’t worry about us.
We’re big boys.” He smiled up at me when I leaned down to peck him on the lips.
I leaned over him to kiss Sky goodbye as well, earning a soft squeak and a blush, and I grinned.
“See you both tonight. Get rest. There’s a pot of potato soup in the fridge; all you need to do is heat it up. ”
And I left.
By some miracle, my team had kept Bixby’s running without too many hiccups.
Of course, the desk was piled high with paperwork, but I could take that home and deal with it later.
What mattered was that everyone was okay, albeit very glad to see me, and the diner was still upright and nothing had gone wrong or burned down.
“Good job, guys,” I praised them. “Like I promised, everyone’ll see a bonus on their next paycheck when I process payroll. I appreciate each and every one of you so much. Fletcher and Sky are doing well; they just need time to heal up before they come back to work.”
After what felt like the longest shift in the history of long shifts, I got off work and took a hot shower, letting the steam and the water wash away the tightness in my muscles.
I dried off and changed into my favorite pair of PJ pants, then slipped into the bedroom.
Sky was curled up against Fletcher, the light of the TV flickering across their faces, and for a moment, my chest tightened.
This was mine.
I joined them in bed. Sky made a sleepy sound and nestled closer, but his deep, even breathing never changed. He was out like a light.
Fletcher smiled at me from beneath hooded eyes. I reached over the top of Sky, offering my hand. Fletcher took it, squeezing my fingers gently.
“It’s good to see your face,” he murmured, his lips curving.
“It’s good to be home,” I admitted with a soft huff of a laugh.
“Good news—the place didn’t burn down without us.
The gang did a great job keeping Bixby’s up and running.
Dinner rush was crazy as hell tonight, though.
Then Mr. Jenkins tripped over his cane on his way out and had to be rushed to the ER, so that was fun.
Had to write an incident report and everything. ”
“Mmm, paperwork.”
“Speaking of, I brought a shit ton home to work on this weekend.”
We chatted for a little while, about work and about our employees, before the conversation turned towards Sky. I asked how he’d been today, if he’d eaten anything, if he’d showered. Admittedly, I felt like a mother hen, but I was worried about him after what had happened at the hospital.
“He’s gonna be okay, Adam,” Fletcher murmured gently. “We’re all gonna be okay.”
“Yeah.” I lay down and closed my eyes, my fingers still linked with my mate’s, resting atop Sky’s hip.
I wanted to believe that. More than anything, I wanted to believe that the three of us had a bright and shining future together, but the news of Sky’s pregnancy loomed over my head like a guillotine blade.
I’d fucked up. I hadn’t been careful enough during his heat, and now…
“Adam?” Fletcher’s voice was a whisper in the quiet.
“Mmm?”
“Maybe this is the answer to our prayers.”
I opened my eyes and craned my neck to look at him. “What do you mean?”
“Sky as our third, carrying the baby we all so desperately want.” His words stole the breath from my lungs.
Had he been thinking about this as well?
When I said nothing, he continued. “It isn’t beyond the realm of possibility, right?
It would give Sky a sense of permanence.
We’d get to keep him and the baby, have a happy family of four. It sounds nice, at least.”
I drew a deep breath. “Fletcher, we don’t know how Sky will react to this news. He’s had every child ripped away from him by an evil tyrant—his brother’s children. It’s very possible he might freak out. We need to be prepared for the worst.”
“I know,” my mate said. “I am prepared, but I’m also prepared to reassure him I’ll be there for him, as his Omega. Are you though? It’s your baby, Adam. If you don’t want this…”
A curse fell from my lips, unbidden, as I gazed down at Sky’s slumbering form tucked between us. “This… This isn’t how I thought it would go,” I whispered.
“I know that, but things change. Maybe the fates had other plans in store for us all along. Sky needs an Alpha, and we want a baby. I’m fond of Sky. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. I want him in our lives, Adam, for now and for always, but it depends on what you want.”
I groaned softly and rubbed a hand over my face. “Right…”
“I love you,” Fletcher said. “To the moon and back.”
“Love you too, kitten,” I told him. “Get some sleep.”