Chapter Sixty-One #2
“That is amazing. So proud of you. You know, at some point we should have a housewarming party,” Carlos replied.
“After everything is finished, I’d love to.
I will need to have my advocate come over and do a site visit soon.
She’s just checking to make sure I have a room and stuff.
Oh, I’m going shopping with your sister tomorrow so I can get a dress for the gala.
Today I went to a committee meeting with Saoirse and it’s going to be fantastic.
There’s a lot to do in a very short amount of time, especially since they’re throwing some guy a retirement party as well, but, oh it is going to be fantastic. I’m so excited.” she said.
“Great. Are we all going? I need to make sure we all have tickets,” Carlos replied. “My attendance is required, though yours is not. Hale, you’ll be back in classes but it’s a Saturday.”
I got out my phone and put it in my calendar. “I will. Um, this is where my sister got shot at last year, right? That’s not normal, is it?”
“Nooo, it’s not normal at all,” Carlos said.
Fiona looked startled. “Your sister got shot? How awful. That would be why there’s more security this year.”
That would be good.
“It had to do with her mate, the shooter is in jail now,” Carlos added.
“I’m excited for the gala, Pack Himbo’s on the move,” Dusty replied.
“Hey, um, I know I claimed that room with the nice window on the third floor, but I’m more than happy to move up to the fourth, if Dusty and Cici want to take the whole third floor.
I know we have already painted my room, but that wouldn’t be too big of a deal if I moved, would it?
Even if you didn’t want the entire floor? I like that room better,” I offered.
“You can move your room, Hale. That’s absolutely fine,” Fiona replied. “Dusty, have you thought about moving your studio here?”
“I like having my studio somewhere else right now, because it gives me a reason to put on pants and leave the house. But that might be something to reconsider later, especially after Baby Lovely comes,” he replied.
Saoirse eyed his shirtless torso. “What motivates you to put on a shirt?”
“Very little.” Dusty grinned at her.
“Back to the gala. Are we going to be one of those packs that matches?” Fiona asked. “Like you guys wear vests and ties that coordinate with our dresses?”
“Oh, I think Grace’s pack always does that. Knights are black and silver, right? I vote for silver, though I guess we should wait until after you and Saoirse go dress shopping, because those might not be the colors that speak to you,” I said.
“Spoken like somebody with lots of sisters. We need to get Hale a tux. But I’ll take him shopping before classes start. Are you going to need school things?” Fiona asked.
“Nope. All good. But my birthday is coming up and if anyone would like to get me a new laptop, I would greatly appreciate that.” I threw it out there.
“I think that’s a fantastic birthday present,” Fiona replied. “We’ll go out for a nice dinner, too. Oh, I know exactly where I’d like to take you to dinner if you’ll let me pick.”
“Go for it.” There were some very nice restaurants here. I wasn’t picky.
“Anything else?” Fiona asked. “Okay, onto my presentation. Ever since Hale mentioned going to a castle wedding, I’ve really liked that.
I even found some perfect options. Though there is a very beautiful estate in Boston,” Fiona stated as she started projecting photos onto the wall of the dining room.
“I’m all for Ireland, though we have to consider that not everyone can afford to travel for a destination party,” I replied. Grace would take care of my siblings, but this would be beyond any of my friends.
“Don’t worry, we’ll make sure that all the really important people are paid for. You know, like all family members we want to be there, and close friends that aren’t independently wealthy,” Fiona replied.
Relief flowed through me. “That would be great.”
“Honestly, I'd rather cover everyone that we really want to have there and make it small, than have a big wedding full of people we don’t know and care about, if that makes sense?” Fiona said. “Obviously, this is a group decision.”
“Absolutely. Core family and friends. That’s perfect,” Dusty said,
“As someone with a very little family and fewer friends, I’m all for something small and intimate. Well, as intimate as you can get with the five of us,” Saoirse added.
“Yeah, and your dads can throw us a party later in Boston. My mom and Dusty’s moms will probably do the same,” Carlos added.
“I don’t want to invite any of the parents, except maybe Mama and Baba, though that’s more because I want Chance there. Maybe between them and Grace they can bring the littles,” I offered. “I do want to invite Big Tad and my mentor. Maybe a few others.”
We started making a list of who we’d like to invite, and Fiona showed us some options.
“This is great. I’ll start looking at dates both before and after Feral Ratville, and then we can start figuring out honeymoons and everything else. This is going to be fantastic. We’re planning our mating party!” she squealed.
“We are!” I exclaimed. This was my pack, and yes, I’m sure Fiona would plan us a party like nobody’s ever seen.