Chapter Thirty-Five
Fiona
“This lasagna is so good,” I told Carlos as we finished eating. While it was warming up, our cook had made a nice big salad and some garlic breadsticks to go with it.
Carlos nodded. “I’m still amazed that she feels that we’re worth two giant pans of lasagna.”
“Who trades people for food?” Daddy asked.
“Italian university students?” my brother, Colin asked, patting baby Rose’s diaper butt as he ate. Colin and his pack lived in the back house.
My other brother, Adam, who was Tommy and Nora’s father and the oldest of my brothers, nodded. “That tracks.” He and his pack lived here with the dads.
After we finished, Dad gave everyone an expectant look. “The chef has prepared a very special dessert. There are also some cookies. How about if everyone, other than Fiona and her new friends, goes into the kitchen to have it.”
Adam and Colin stayed behind.
“You can go now,” I told my brothers.
“I think we’ll stay.” Adam finished off his drink.
Mmmm, I didn’t like that idea, but I also knew I was on thin ice here. Really, I did love my family, even though they could be overbearing dumbfucks.
Still, the last thing I wanted them to do was cast me aside completely.
Nerves came from both Hale and Carlos. I was pretty sure that both of them were afraid that my dads would make us go to the Center and start the paperwork for un-bonding.
“Fiona, we care about your feelings and I’m sorry if we’ve felt oppressive. All we really want is the best for you. While they may not be who we would pick, you’ve chosen them and that means something,” Daddy told me.
“Finally. Thank you, Daddy. I’m an adult and I can make my own decisions,” I replied.
Dad’s eyes rested on me. “You told me earlier that you loved everyone and didn’t have an issue with the accidental bonding. Is that true still now that you’ve had a few hours to think about it?”
I was still a little indignant about how they’d treated us, but I’d taken the time to really consider what this life path might look like.
“Yes. I chose them and want to keep them,” I stated.
“You’re ready for such a responsibility? There’s a lot more to being part of a pack than simply decorating your own house, paying your own bills, and raising kids. Relationships are work,” Da added.
I rolled my eyes. “I’ve been in a relationship before. I know they take work and yes, I know we have things to figure out, but we’ll do it together.”
Carlos reached over and squeezed my hand.
“Good. Since you’re all adults, capable of making big, grown-up decisions, you’re going to live with your big, grown-up choices,” my dad started. “This is how it’s going to go. You five wanted to bond and be a pack? Great. Congratulations on your mating.”
I sucked in a breath. “You’re not going to try to make us un-bond?
“You want to stay with them. They want to stay with you. So, tomorrow, you five are going to move to New York and start figuring out your lives together. Everyone helps everyone with moving, relocating, jobs, all of that. I don’t want to hear that Hale ended up dropping out of university.
But at the same time, he still has to uphold his responsibility as an alpha.
It’ll be a lot of work, but that’s how things are going to be. ”
“You all still need to go to the Omega Center as soon as possible,” Daddy said. “They’ll have counseling and resources. Probably checklists.”
“And videos,” Hale added. “They have videos for everything.”
That they did.
“You’ll also need to establish residency and start the pack paperwork. New York City has a six-month period before you can file your application, but it will take time to do all of that,” Dad added. “Also, you’re going to need mating agreements.”
“That seems very reasonable,” I replied, trying to hide my excitement.
“You’ll also be doing this all yourselves, without our help or resources. Yes, you can talk to us, but you’re going to need to find a home yourself, use your own lawyers, and utilize your own connections,” he added.
I frowned. “That’s not fair. You did all kinds of things for my brothers.”
“It’s temporary. If you show us that you five can figure this out on your own by the time six months is up, then you can have access to everything again. It’s not a punishment. It’s to make sure that you work together as a team,” Daddy assured.
“That makes sense,” Carlos replied.
“This also means we’re freezing your trusts. But not your personal money. All distributions will be put in a separate account, and you’ll have access to them when you file the paperwork,” Dad added.
“We’ll also match it as a gift to help you get started,” Da interjected.
“That sounds unreasonable, given some of that money is not really yours to hold.” I saw what they were doing. It was annoying. This was exactly also why an omega needed her own money.
“You always say you don’t need our money and that you have your own. Now you can show us. Your mates won’t let you starve,” Da added.
I rolled my eyes.
“Also, making a pack budget and getting everyone financially on the same page is very important, Sweetie,” Daddy added.
Right, this would be as much of a test for them as for me.
I was pretty good with my own money. It was my fathers’ money I liked to be ridiculous with.
“What about a mating party? Do we have to pay for that ourselves too?” I demanded. That I objected to.
“Show us that you can be a functional pack and we will throw you a big mating and pack confirmation party. As big as your brothers’,” Dad told me.
“I want bigger.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Then show us,” Dad countered.
“Really? Six months until we can have a party?” I added.
“Actually, that would be good. Most hockey players have big mating parties during the off-season,” Carlos interjected. “The season is just too busy. Then we’ll have time to go on a trip afterwards.”
I thought about it for a moment. Planning the party that I wanted would take some time. “Okay.”
“What if we don’t make it through the six months? Then we un-bond?” Hale asked, voice shaking slightly.
I reached over and squeezed his hand.
“The whole point of the exercise is that you fucked, and now you find out,” Daddy chuckled.
“Daddy, that’s not how the saying goes.” I made a face.
“In six months, if you don’t have your shit together, I’m adding someone to your pack. The time will extend and we’ll start over again. Also, I need to see that you’re really making things work, and not just biding your time to take the easy way out,” Dad added.
“Add an alpha? Uncalled for,” I retorted. What in the reality show nonsense was that?
“While we honor your choices, we also want you to have a stable, functional pack. If you can’t do it by yourselves, then we will choose someone carefully who would go with all five of your personalities.
Someone who would bring stability and maturity to your pack and give you the best chance at success,” Dad added.
“I don’t like that.” My arms crossed over my chest. How dare they?
“This is not up for negotiation. Don’t like it? Then succeed,” Daddy told me. “Also, hockey boy needs a fucking haircut.”
Reaching over I played with Carlos’ hair. “I agree. But it’s your hair.”
“I just haven’t had time,” Carlos admitted.
“Saoirse will be acting head alpha for the next six months. After that, you’ll have had enough time to determine who will be best to put on the paperwork.
Don’t forget that as a pack, you are also responsible for identifying the appropriate asset for your omega.
You don’t need to buy it yet, because that doesn’t have to be given until the paperwork is finalized, but you will need to identify it and show me how you’re going to pay for it,” Dad finished.
Hale sucked in a breath. “I can’t afford an island.”
“Is that an option?” Colin’s eyebrows rose.
“I’m not an alpha,” Saoirse said to my father.
“My mother is head of the pack and she’s a beta, though they all are betas,” Carlos offered.
“You’re the most responsible one of the group.” It sounded like it hurt Dad to admit that.
“I believe in you,” Dusty told her. “I don’t mind you being interim head alpha.”
“Saoirse is the adultier adult. It makes sense.” Hale nodded.
“Also, working things out means all five of you, which includes Saoirse and her musician.” Dad smirked.
Oh? He thought she and Dusty would be our downfall? Silly dads. I could feel a tiny bit of Dusty through my bond with Saoirse. He was down bad for my girlfriend. No, that musician wasn’t going anywhere.
Given that she could now feel him, she probably wasn’t throwing him off a building, either.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Gallaghers, we’ve got this,” Dusty stated confidently.
“That really isn’t fair, because Saoirse and Dusty are kind of their own thing,” I retorted, not liking their attitude.
“You’re a pack–it’s all or none,” Daddio said.
I huffed. “Fine.”
Honestly all of this was infinitely better than making asshole demands about un-bonding.
“I want all this in writing–especially matching my money, the bonding party, and resources after six months equal to or greater than what my brothers got. And I need a really big budget for my party,” I countered. “Like a castle budget.”
Dad nodded in approval. “Of course.”
“Should we pick up a few things and head to New York today?” Carlos suggested.
“I have to go to practice tomorrow morning if I want to even have a chance at being able to play in the New Year’s Eve game.
Though they might bench me anyway. Still, I have to smooth things over so I keep my job.
After all, I have a family to feed now. Also, I should be able to add anyone to my health insurance who needs it.
We just have to live together and share household duties and food to qualify. ”
“Good foresight,” Daddy complimented.
“I guess we can all cram into your place for now?” Dusty offered. “Or Saoirse and I can stay at my studio and you three can stay in your apartment? Maybe we can move into Anita’s place after she moves out?”
“I have an idea. There will be room for everyone,” Carlos assured.
My shoulders wiggled because I knew what he was talking about. “I’m excited.”
Because I got to decorate it.
“I’m curious,” Dusty replied.
Adam looked at Carlos. “Hockey players don’t have long careers. What’s your backup plan?”
“I have a two-year nursing degree. During the off-season, I work a little at the same place my mother does to keep up my licensing. I went into nursing because I like helping people, it’s practical, there’s a lot of work, and I can easily go back and get an advanced degree after I’m done playing hockey,” he explained.
“Oh, that’s interesting.” Adam nodded.
“Okay, so, we’ve got until the end of January to figure out how we’re going to make Hale’s last semester work,” I added, getting the conversation back on track. “That’s the priority.”
Hale had been very quiet and anxious through all of this.
“I don’t know how we’re going to make this work. I don’t know if it’s fair to Fiona,” Hale said, eyes downcast.
“That’s for you to figure out. You made a big choice. You don’t get the easy way out.” Dad’s eyes fell on me. “You’re a pack now. Show me that you can make it work.”
Giddiness rose up inside me. We were a pack!
“Yes, Dad. We’ve got this,” I replied. “Now can we have dessert?”