24. Finn
Chapter Twenty-Four
Finn
Best day ever.
I flop onto the couch like I personally earned it, because I did. Ocean time? Check. Kaia laughing? Double check. Adrian not yelling at me for at least thirty minutes straight? Tripllllle check. Miracles were happening. And now, it's cuddle time.
I glance over where Kaia’s standing—she looks wrecked. Not bad or panic wrecked, just tired. The kind of tired that comes from a full day of beach. From sun and salt and actually letting yourself enjoy and feel things.
"Come here," I say, reaching for her.
She hesitates. "But I'm still..."
I don't let her finish, just pull her onto the couch with me. "Doesn't matter," I say easily. "It's leather. It's fine."
She blinks, then stops resisting and settles into me, like it's the most natural thing in the world.
I smile, adjusting slightly so she's more comfortable against me, her head tucked just under my chin.
Perfect—everything is absolutely perfect.
She closes her eyes, and my grin softens.
I should probably stop her. She's just been in the sun, in the ocean, and up early.
Yeah, I should stop her, but I can't. She looks too peaceful.
And I don't want to be the one to take that away.
I let my fingers drift lightly up and down her arm, slow and steady, not even thinking about it.
Her breathing evens out, slowing. I still slightly and realize she's fallen asleep.
I freeze and stop stroking her arm. Immediately, her eyes flutter open, and I whisper, "Sorry, sorry.
" I feel like I've broken something. I go back to stroking her arm, and her eyes flutter shut again. She smiles, small and sleepy.
A while later, I hear Adrian's voice carry in from the kitchen. "Lunch is ready."
Kaia stirs immediately, pushing herself up slightly. "I shouldn’t have closed my eyes," she mutters.
I grin. "We'll eat, and you'll feel much better."
She nods, then stands and wobbles. I'm up before she can even try to recover, my arms coming around her. "Hey, hey, you're okay," I say, steadying her. "Just the sun, the heat, the ocean. Let's get some food in you."
She nods, but her grip tightens on my shirt.
My smile fades just a little.
I guide her toward the kitchen, keeping my arm around her. Adrian is already watching us, his concern clear through the bond. I push calm back, trying to signify she's okay. Adrian exhales slowly. "Let's sit in the dining room; the A/C’s better in the smaller room."
Kaia nods slowly, but I notice her steps beginning to slow, her movements becoming hesitant and uncertain. I gently guide her toward the chair, hoping to get her settled and comfortable, but before we make it there, she reaches for my hand.
I look down and my heart immediately clenches.
Her hand is shaking, not just a little tremor, but a genuine, uncontrollable shake.
My chest tightens with concern and worry.
"Hey," I say softly, keeping my voice as calm and reassuring as possible.
"You're okay. You're safe here. Let's sit down for a minute. "
But she doesn't sit. She doesn't move toward the chair at all. Instead, she slowly turns toward me, her eyes lifting to meet mine. That's when I see the tears pooling in her blue eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment.
My stomach drops immediately, a wave of dread washing over me. "Hey, shhh, shhh," I say urgently, pulling her into my chest and wrapping my arms around her protectively. "What's wrong? Talk to me."
She swallows hard, her throat working, but she doesn't answer right away. The silence stretches between us.
"Honey," I say, even softer now, my voice barely above a whisper, "I can't fix it if I don't know what's happening."
She finally speaks, her voice so quiet I almost miss it. "You've already done so much for me."
I immediately shake my head, rejecting that notion entirely. "We've not done anything. Not nearly enough. Come on, tell me what's going on."
Behind us, Jonas’s voice suddenly cuts in. “Hey, let’s eat in here, like we have been doing.” I blink, my brain catching up. We’ve been avoiding the dining room.
Realization hits me like a freight train. The dining room is a trigger. I don’t know why yet, but I know that look. Oh. Oh, hell no…My jaw tightens with anger, but I force myself not to say anything out loud, trying desperately not to make a scene or upset Kaia even more.
I gently pull her back toward the kitchen.
"Come on," I say. "We'll eat in here." We all settle around the island.
Kaia sits between me and Jonas. Lachlan is across from us, and Adrian is moving quietly, bringing back the cutlery from the dining room without making it obvious.
We eat sandwiches, chips, and vegetables. Easy, safe foods.
I stay close, keeping my hand near hers. Not forcing, but giving her the choice. She just nibbles and pushes around the food, at first, but eventually, she eats a little more. Her shoulders drop and her breathing steadies. The tension fades bit by bit, until she finally smiles again. There it is.
I lean back slightly, satisfied. Crisis averted. For now.
When we finish, I clap my hands once. "Nap time!"
Jonas groans in agreement. "Thank goodness."
Kaia looks around, and I stand, holding my hand out. "Come on." She takes it without hesitation. Fuck, I love that.
Once we're upstairs, I pause outside my room. I ask gently, "Want to take a nap with me?"
She nods.
I tilt my head and add, "Want any of the other guys in here?"
She hesitates, her eyes lifting to mine. There's that look again. So soft and unsure. "What's that look for, baby?" I ask.
"Is it okay if I want them, too?" she asks quietly.
My chest melts. "Yeah," I say immediately. "Of course." I let a beat pass, then say, "You're our missing piece." She swallows, and I grin, tugging her hand gently. "Come on, pack nap time."
"But I'm not in the..." she says softly.
I stop and turn to look at her fully. "Sure you are, Kaia," I say, with no hesitation, no doubt, just truth. "Come on." I lead her away from my bedroom and down the hall.
The pack room has one huge bed, piled high with blankets and an absurd number of pillows. It's perfect.
She says, "It looks so comfy."
"Well," I say, already moving toward the bed, "give it a try then."
She hesitates, and I stop again. "Kaia," I say, softer now.
"If I didn't want you in here, I wouldn't bring you in here.
" I gesture around. "We could have napped in your room or downstairs.
" I pause, trying to give her time to process.
"I brought you here. I'm okay." Her breath catches slightly.
"You're letting your head make too many decisions," I add.
"Follow your heart." I nod toward the bed. "Lie down."
She slides in, slowly and carefully. Then, like it’s second nature, she shifts over to Lachlan's side.
I smile. Of course she would gravitate toward his main spot.
I drop down beside her right as Lachlan and Jonas walk in. Perfect timing.
Lachlan slides in on the other side of her, and Jonas lies down by me. Kaia curls slightly into Lachlan, like it's instinct.
"Hey, little Omega," Lachlan murmurs. She smiles, softly. And within seconds, she's asleep. Just like that.
Adrian steps in last, quieter than the others, taking his place by Jonas. I look around at all of them and at her. She's safe here with us.
"This is a perfect day," I say softly.
No one argues.
I close my eyes and let myself believe it.