Chapter Fifty-Two #2
Rushes of emotion hit me through the bond. Never mind. Of course she needed to process it.
“Okay. Whatever you need, Love.” I hugged her to me.
“Thank you. I wasn’t expecting it.” She held me tight.
“Does he know?” I asked.
She nodded. “He was the one who figured it out and was with me when I took the test. Dusty supports me in whatever I decide.”
“As he should, and you know I do, too,” I reassured.
“Thank you. Is it silly that I’m considering keeping it? Dusty has changed everything for me so quickly. Too quickly. He’s altered how I see myself, my life, and my future. Why not be a mum, too? He’d be a good dad,” she admitted. “And we know you’ll be the best mummy.”
“Oh, I will,” I teased. “If you do, we’ll all go to Ireland for Christmas and shove it in your stupid sister’s face. Then we’ll unleash the chaos that is our boys on your village. It will never be the same and it will be marvelous.” Oh, I could see it now.
Oh? That was a lot for her–and I was proud. Yeah, Dusty was good for her.
She chuckled. “Honestly I think my village needs to have our boys unleashed upon them, but I’m still deciding.”
“As you should, it's a lot to think about.” I’m sure Carlos and Hale would be onboard.
“It is. Please don’t tell anyone yet–not even Hale or Carlos,” she implored.
“Of course. Wait, aren’t you on birth control?” I asked.
Saoirse nodded. “Both Dusty and I are. But some drugs can counteract it, and apparently, we took them.”
Oh. Wow. But then I did go into a surprise heat. Why couldn’t I have gotten a surprise baby? But that was okay. One thing at a time. I could wait. And it wasn’t like I wouldn’t be helping with the baby all the time. After all, we were a pack, it was all our baby.
“I’ve got you, whether it’s being your person at the clinic or throwing you the best baby shower ever.” I hugged her tighter, sending love through the bond.
Saoirse liked order and control. A surprise pregnancy was a lot for her. But I’d be there for her no matter what.
“I’m so happy I have you. I love you so much.” She gave me a kiss.
“I love you, too. You love him? Or at least like him enough to have a kid with him?” I asked. It took her forever to admit she loved me, though I knew she did long before she said the words.
Slowly, she nodded. “I told him.”
“Awww, I am happy for you.” I kissed her back.
“Let’s go back to the game. What do you think of Carlos’ family?” she added.
“I like them a lot.” I grabbed a couple more snacks to take up in case anyone was hungry.
Atticus came over to us. “Fiona, did you know that we have a gala in February that the MASO’s help put on with the foundation, to raise money for the Squires.”
“Yes, I’ll be on the decorations committee. I thoroughly enjoy making raffle baskets, getting auction items donated, creating centerpieces, and covering tables in glitter,” I replied.
“I knew I loved you.” He looked at Saoirse. “How about you?”
“I’ll assist her with what she needs.” Saoirse nodded.
“I love it. I’ll get you all signed up and add you to the chats,” he replied.
“Thanks! I’m so excited.” I was on a gala committee. Yeah, we had this. If that wasn’t adulting I didn’t know what was.
“I love your mom and not just because she brought me purse enchiladas.” Hale nodded as we all sat at Tito’s.
The Knights had won the game, Carlos’ family had gone home, and we were at the bar for post-game beers and snacks.
I’d felt that feeling of being watched again, during the third period of the game, but I didn’t bring it up.
Because honestly, everyone watched the MASOs.
Someone even ranked our outfits and posted them online.
I’d made sure to wear cute shoes and have an extra-nice purse.
Dusty covertly ordered something for Saoirse that looked like a drink, but wasn’t alcoholic, so no one would ask why she wasn’t drinking. What a good mate. Yeah, he was exactly what she needed. I just loved them together.
Also, it was nice to know that she had someone to snuggle when I went off with the guys.
“Your mom is great,” I agreed. She’d even offered to teach me to make some of Carlos’ favorite foods.
Dusty nodded. “Lalo’s family’s pretty fantastic.”
“My sisters were mostly nice to you right?” Carlos looked at my French fries, but didn’t dare steal them. He stole one of Dusty’s.
I didn’t like people stealing my fries. Other food, but not fries.
“Beatriz knows all the stories.” Saoirse’s look went smug.
“Yeah, she does,” Carlos agreed.
“I love Anita. We were talking about going shopping, because I need a dress for the gala. I may have signed up to be on the decorating committee,” I announced.
“Oooh. We need to get Hale-i-o-burrito a suit and a tux for all the things that we’ll end up going to, unless you have any?” Dusty asked.
“I have two suits from sister weddings, chosen by sisters. No tux,” Hale replied.
“Oh, yeah, that suit you had for Verity’s wedding was nice,” Carlos replied. “We need to get your stuff, too. What’s the best way to do it? Hire someone? Take the train? It’s a bit of a drive.”
“It is. I need to go down and take care of some stuff soon anyway. Stupid parking permit has to be picked up in person and with my schedule it’s better to do it now than wait until classes start.
It also might also be nice to meet with my mentor face-to-face.
So, I’ll just grab some things then. I have no furniture.
Just stuff that I can just bring on the train.
I’ll leave some of it there for the semester.
I do have an old truck. But I’m keeping it there for now,” he replied.
Verity came over to him. “Hale, did you want to go over anything for tomorrow? I know you’re going to do amazing, but I just thought I’d offer.”
“I would, thank you,” Hale replied. The two of them went to another part of the bar.
Dimitri came over and joined us, looking really sad.
Saoirse said something to him in Russian.
“Something is wrong.” Dimitri downed his vodka and ordered another.
“Are Sasha and Valya okay?” Carlos asked.
“My siblings are fine. But something is still not right and I don’t know what.” He looked pretty upset.
“It’ll be okay, Dimitri. Let me know how we can help,” Carlos assured.
“I don’t think anyone can, because I’m not even sure what’s wrong, just that something is.” His shoulders slumped as the server brought him another vodka.
Awww, poor Dimitri.
We sat and talked for a while, Anders, Clark, and Tenzin joining us.
Hale came back. “I’m ready to go, I have a big day tomorrow. But we have two cars so if any of you want to stay, please stay.”
“I’m ready,” Saoirse said.
“Me, too,” Dusty added, waving over the server and paying the bill.
Carlos held out a hand to me. “Shall we?”
We split into two cars, Hale and I crowding into Carlos’ car. It really was a two-seater vehicle with a backseat, but it was super cute.
“Can I really race this?” Hale drove us home.
“Yes.” Carlos nodded.
“I’m so excited. There are a couple people I follow who do some regular shit out here and it might be fun to join in and get to know some of the locals,” Hale replied.
“I’ll absolutely come with you if I’m free,” he added.
Both cars pulled into the garage at about the same time.
Hale looked at the walls. “I think we need some tennis balls.”
“There’s not enough room to hit a tennis ball with the cars in the garage.” I didn’t even know he played tennis.
“You hang them on strings to keep the car from hitting the walls of the garage,” Hale explained.
“That’s a good idea,” Carlos replied.
We left the garage and I tried to pick Saoirse up.
“What are you doing?” She laughed.
“You’re mine tonight.” I think she needed it. Dusty might be good in bed, but he wasn’t a substitute for me.
“That means you’re mine tonight.” Carlos picked up Hale and put him over his shoulders.
“All right, I’m yours.” Hale licked his lips.
Dusty was all alone.
“We should get a dog,” I said sagely.
Hale nodded as Carlos started to carry him up the stairs. “That’s such a good idea. Golden Retriever? Maybe a Labrador?”
“I think we should get a Corgi because they have those cute little butts,” I replied.
“I’m all for a dog, but I’m gone a lot, so you’ll need to figure something out care-wise.
Though I absolutely can find a dog walker.
I did drop the name of a dry cleaner and a house cleaner in the chat that were recommended by the teammates.
Also, it turns out that there is a whole list of things like that that Devon in Operations has for the players.
I just never bothered to get one because I’m from here. I’ll get it tomorrow,” Carlos said.
“That'll be good, thanks. Maybe we need a dog Saoirse can run with? Though I’d look really cute walking a dog with little booties that match my jacket,” I replied.
“I don’t mind dogs. Especially one I can run with,” Saoirse said softly.
“Yeah, let’s get a dog.” Dusty bounced up the stairs.
“Are we going to my room?” Saoirse asked me.
“We're going to my room tonight,” I replied. Somebody needed to be covered in blankets, snuggled, and kissed.
Bringing her into my room, I closed the door. I pushed her into my alcove, which had been all done up with more little lights, one of those round net canopies, and lots of cushions, blankets and stuffed animals. There were also a couple of shelves of necessities and a cute little plant.
“You want me in your nest?” She looked up at me as I piled blankets on top of her.
“Yes.” I got under the blankets with her, keeping my body on top. She needed to feel safe and loved while she figured everything out.
I kissed her long and deep, my hands running over her body. Yes, I would snuggle her in the blankets and kiss her until she felt better. Because that’s what mates were for.