29. Twenty-Eight
Twenty-Eight
Cozette
After spending most of the morning packing my things, I take a moment to look around my now bare room. Just hours ago it was filled with all the possessions I’ve accumulated since moving in, but now it appears desolate as boxes are carried out by the alphas. All that’s left is the bed, other furnishings, and the colorful walls and ceiling that I love so much.
This is where my new beginning started, so it feels strange to be leaving it behind right now despite the excitement taking root in my belly.
Mama comes in and wraps her arm around my shoulder, both of us tilting our heads until they rest together as we look around the room. She hums, rubbing my arm, and I catch her soft smile out of the corner of my eye.
“Doesn’t get any easier when one of my kiddos flies the coop. Not sure how to feel knowing you’re truly the last one I’ll go through this with,” she murmurs with a sigh, her voice holding a tinge of sadness to it that makes my heart ache.
“I can stay,” I tell her softly, turning to face her.
She chuckles and shakes her head, patting my cheek.
“No, sweet girl. You need this. All of you. And I’m happy for you. Truly. I’m just going to miss seeing your beautiful face around here every day. But I’ll visit, and I know you’ll come see me whenever you want. Besides, I’m only a phone call away if you ever need me.”
Tears well up in my eyes as I stare at her, loving the affectionate way she cups my cheek. Since losing my mom, I’ve felt so alone in this world. Then Ripley brought me hers, and she welcomed me with open arms. She gave me that unconditional love that only a mother has, taught me to love myself again, and loved me without a second thought.
“I love you, Mama. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” I whisper, my voice cracking.
“I love you, too. So, so much, my daughter. Now, stop this crying before you make me cry,” she sniffles, and I blink rapidly to push aside the tears.
I surprise her by wrapping my arms around her, squeezing her tightly to convey my deep love and affection. I know this isn’t goodbye and that I’ll see her again, but after my year with Victor, I’ve learned to cherish every moment with my loved ones.
Mama’s arms wrap around me in a tight embrace, and I inhale her comforting scent that instantly soothes my anxiousness. When we pull back, we’re both wiping our eyes.
“Ready for your next adventure?” she asks me with a smile, and I take a deep breath before smiling back at her.
“Yeah, I think I am.”
From the windshield of Jeremiah’s truck, I gaze up in awe at the picturesque farmhouse-style home and the striking structure next to it. The pictures Ridge showed me simply didn’t capture the awe-inspiring beauty of the home, and I’m immediately enchanted as we drive down the road towards the house.
The white exterior of the house is beautifully accentuated by the deep blue shutters on the windows and a matching door, adorned with a stunning stained-glass window in the center. Surrounding the home is a covered porch, complete with a wooden porch swing, and visions of cozy summer evenings spent stargazing with one of the alphas under their protective arm fill my mind. The vibrant flowers adorning the ground around only make the home feel more inviting, and I can barely contain myself as I take everything in.
I bounce in my seat, bubbling with excitement as we come to a stop next to Manny’s truck, and Jeremiah laughs under his breath. With a beaming smile, I glance over at him, and he immediately reaches out, pulling me into a warm embrace at his side. My smile remains plastered on my lips as I snuggle into him and glance up at him through my lowered lashes, and it’s still there when he leans down to press his lips against mine.
In this very moment, a deep sense of joy fills my heart, and I yearn for it to thrive even further. When he pulls back, he taps the tip of my nose and grins down at me.
“You happy, Dove?”
“Very much so, my Ghost. Are you happy?”
“As long as I’m with you, I’m the happiest man on earth, baby. Now come on. Let’s go check out our new home before the big one over there rips my truck doors off,” he murmurs, huffing out a laugh and shaking his head as he stares over my head at my window.
A burst of uncontrollable giggles escapes me as I catch sight of Zeke standing there, his face pressed against the glass with a wide grin as he looks in at us. I pat Jeremiah’s chest and scoot back over to my side, biting my lip as I stare out at Zeke, his smile infectious. My hand hovers over the door handle when his muffled voice stops me.
“Dinnae ye dare, Ducky!” he gasps, scrambling for the handle on the outside and jerking the door open.
The whole truck shakes with how roughly he opens the door, which only sends me into another fit of giggles. I suppose Jeremiah wasn’t far off in being concerned about his doors being ripped from the hinges.
Zeke helps me climb out, shutting the door behind me and pulling me to him, wrapping his arms around me. As I stare up at the house, a sense of peace settles inside me, and when I take a deep breath, I realize why.
It feels like home. My home.
I smile up at Zeke, and his purr resonates through my body, causing my knees to weaken. As he bends down, his touch sends a shiver down my spine, and our lips meet in a tender, innocent kiss. When he pulls back, I tilt my head and give him a puzzled look, my lips still curled up at the corners.
“I love seein’ ye smile,” he tells me with a crooked grin before playfully rubbing his nose against mine, which only makes my smile widen.
He takes my hand in his, and gently tugs until I follow, breathless laughter escaping me. As Zeke leads me down the walkway and up the porch steps—the others following behind us —I try to take everything in. When we step up onto the front porch, I stare over at the wooden swing, immediately knowing I’ll be spending a lot of time out here sitting on it and already looking forward to it.
Zeke opens the front door, leading me in with his hand at the small of my back, and I feel completely comforted by the open design when we step inside.
As we walk in, my eyes are immediately drawn to the wooden staircase that leads upstairs. Looking upwards, I’m struck by the fact that the open design extends to the upstairs, granting me a panoramic view of everything overhead from where I’m standing, and I decide I like that a lot.
“So, up there we’ve got the bedrooms, which all have their own bathrooms. We’ll go up an’ check all o’ that out soon, an’ everyone can pick a room for themselves. An’ over here, we’ve got the family room,” Zeke says, moving over towards the stairs and pointing to the left.
When I look, I’m greeted by a spacious living room featuring inviting soft gray couches and plush light blue armchairs, meticulously arranged around the room to create a cozy atmosphere, all centered around a charming red-brick fireplace. Handmade quilts that look worn and well-loved are folded over the back of one of the chairs and both couches. Built-in shelves frame either side of the fireplace that are filled with books and personal mementos, adding even more personality to the space.
Three large windows line the left side of the room, bathing the area in natural sunlight, and sitting beneath them is a cozy-looking bench seat that runs the entire length of the wall, filled with an assortment of fluffy throw pillows and several soft looking blankets. Pastel blue walls with white trim serve as the backdrop for a collection of photographs showcasing their lives, and the urge to look at them all is overwhelming, an innate need to learn more about these men that biology has deemed perfect for me.
Before I can rush in and do just that, Zeke is pulling me down the hall, the sound of our footsteps echoing. Along our way, we pass a bathroom, a smaller den that they’ve turned into a gaming room, and a small room they said is empty and mostly used for storage before we make it to our next stop.
Zeke leads us into an expansive and impressive kitchen and dining area that has both a homey and modern feel to it. Stainless steel appliances and marble countertops gleam as the sunlight from the sliding glass door and windows stream in, giving an uninterrupted view into their backyard where I can see a pool past the patio. A large deep blue island with a sink on one side sits in the center of the kitchen with six wooden stools that have been painted to match lining one side. With their identical blue color, the cabinets and drawers establish a consistent theme in the kitchen, while white tile backsplash not only adds visual contrast but also prevents the room from appearing overly dim.
A rustic-looking hood hangs above the stove on one side of the island, while a walk-in pantry and additional counter space complete the kitchen setup at the front. A cluster of free-floating wooden shelves are strategically placed next to the stove, displaying an assortment of spices and seasonings, while more shelves suspended over the open counter hold an assortment of cups, plates, and bowls.
Opposite the kitchen, there’s a spacious dining area featuring a beautifully crafted wooden table that’s big enough for six people. The matching chairs have dark blue cushions on them, continuing the theme from the kitchen. Sitting opposite the table is a bay window, its cushion in a lighter shade of blue, accentuated by a collection of throw pillows.
After the tour downstairs, we make our way up. Zeke points out their rooms to me, his being the last before he shows us the three rooms that me, Micah, and Jeremiah can choose from. Jeremiah and Micah look at me, waiting, and I sigh with a shake of my head before checking out each room, ultimately choosing the first one because of the alcove nestled into the wall next to the bed that’s like a mini nest for one.
Zeke grins down at me when I glance at him after telling them my choice, and my cheeks warm when I realize choosing this room also puts me right next to his. Jeremiah and Micah each claim a room, with Jeremiah choosing the one on the opposite side of me, while Micah settles into the room next to him.
“I hoped ye would pick that one.”
I snort, biting my lip.
“Why’s that? Because now I’m right next door to you?” I tease, tilting my head as I try to contain my smile.
“Ah, well, I canae sit here an’ tell ye that’s no part o’ the reason. But na, that’s no why. It’s because we designed it for… well, ye, Ducky. Everything about it was made wi’ an omega in mind,” he tells me earnestly, reaching out and tucking a pesky curl behind my ear.
As I steal a quick glance back at Manny and Ridge, their smiles light up their faces, and their eyes sparkle with a sense of accomplishment. They’re clearly proud that I chose the room they all worked so hard on with the hope that one day the omega meant for them would inhabit it.
Gazing back up at Zeke, my smile turns gentle, but tears begin to well up in my eyes as a flood of emotions threatens to overwhelm me. From the glossy wooden floors to the soft, well-worn couches, this home exudes a homey and lived-in vibe that instantly put me at ease from the moment I stepped inside. Knowing that they’ve wanted this long enough that they built their home with their future omega in mind does something to me, and I’m trying to picture myself as just that.
Theirs.
There’s that pesky hope again.
“You’ve all built a really beautiful home. This place is like a dream, but it also feels like a home, and I like that,” I tell the three of them softly, and they each gift me with a beaming smile.
“This is your home now, too, Cozy. All of you. Nuestra casa es tu casa ,” Manny says, stepping forward and cupping my cheek before looking over at Jeremiah and Micah.
Our house is your house.
I can feel it. That this is our home, and all I can hope for is that they’ll continue to still want me no matter what they learn in the future.
Because I’m starting to see them as mine just as much as Jeremiah and Micah, and I don’t know if I could handle the heartbreak if they change their minds about me.
An hour later, all of our things have been brought inside, and all five men are helping me put my things away. What seemed like a daunting task once they brought the last of my things to my room ended up being a quick task, with six people getting things done. While I put my clothes away, Zeke makes my bed, and the others put the rest of my things away, only asking about placement for a few things, but for the most part taking charge. It’s something I find I like a lot.
I look around my new room with a smile, loving it even more now that my things are in it. My colorful bedding is neatly made on the four-poster bed, the plushies they all slept with last night lined up neatly against my pillows, which makes me grin. A few more have been put inside of the little alcove in the wall, the new purple minky blanket that Ridge gave me when we started putting my things away folded neatly on the cushion.
He looked so afraid to give it to me, like he thought I’d hate it, so when I threw myself at him and wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug while thanking him, I could tell he was surprised.
“Ready to see the nest, Sirenita ?” Manny asks, getting my attention easily at the mention of the nest they built.
I try not to seem overly excited, but I realize I’m failing when I catch all of their smiles and the way their eyes sparkle as they stare at me, so I give up. I bounce on my toes, clasping my hands together.
“Yes, please,” I eventually squeak out with a giddy smile.
Jeremiah chuckles and the rest follow suit, but my excitement doesn’t waver. Manny grabs my hand and leads me back downstairs and outside. We walk across the porch until we reach another set of steps I hadn’t noticed earlier. Stepping down, we end up on the walkway I saw in the pictures that Ridge showed me.
The walk over to the building housing the nest isn’t but maybe fifteen or so feet from the house, and when we reach the door, I can barely contain myself. I can’t remember the last time I felt this giddy or just… truly excited about something, and that makes my heart warm.
The moment we step inside, my anticipation gets the better of me and I dash up the stairs. The alphas’ laughter fills the air as they trail behind me, their footsteps resonating up the wooden stairs. As I reach the top of the stairs, a smile spreads across my face and I kick off my shoes before stepping out onto the foam floor currently littered with boxes of my things. When I reach the middle of the floor, my eyes are drawn upwards, and I am left breathless as I take in the vivid colors of the sky—a mesmerizing blend of pink, purple, and orange—clearly visible through the massive skylight that stretches across the entire vaulted ceiling.
In an instant, I’m transported back to my carefree childhood as I twirl around, my head thrown back and giggling like a schoolgirl, until dizziness overtakes me and I collapse onto the soft, cushioned surface below. Lying there, gazing at the vast expanse of the open sky, I feel an extreme sense of tranquility as I notice the five men’s unwavering gaze upon me. Deep in my heart, I’m certain that this place is where I truly belong, and somehow, I just know that this nest is… mine.
With that thought, I immediately sit up and start ripping into the boxes, pulling out all of my nesting materials and reassembling my nest with complete peace and joy in my heart. I can’t wipe the smile from my lips as I work, and even though I know the guys are just standing by watching me, I don’t feel self-conscious or the need to stop.
Once all the boxes are finally sorted through, I sit back on my knees and gaze around the area, a satisfied smile spreading across my face. While I diligently reassembled my nest, the alphas swiftly cleared away the empty boxes, leaving only my plushies nestled inside the fort-like structure made of my blankets and pillows on the foam floor.
A yawn escapes me, and as I look back up at the glass ceiling, I’m mesmerized by the brilliant glow of the stars and moon in the sky. The urge to curl up in my new nest and fall asleep stargazing is strong, but before I can give in to that urge, my stomach growls loudly.
I glance over at the alphas sitting on the stairs and along the railing, patiently watching me with various degrees of smiles on their lips. Ridge, Manny, and Zeke look over my nest, their smiles growing as they take in what I’ve done to the area, and all three look at me with eyes full of emotion that makes my throat feel tight.
“How about we go eat and then get you in bed, Smalls?” Ridge asks me, a lopsided smile on his lips.
With a pout on my face, I cast a longing glance back at the nest before sighing deeply. Finally, I give him a quick nod and stand up, walking over to where all of them are as they all stand. Ridge holds his hand out for me, and I take it with a smile and a blush staining my cheeks as he grins down at me. His spiced gingerbread scent fills my senses, and I hesitantly lean into his side when we make it downstairs, relaxing completely when he wraps his arm around my shoulder and holds me to him.
Back in the house, we all congregate in the kitchen as Manny begins pulling things out of the refrigerator and pantry. As Ridge pulls out a stool for me, I sit down with a grateful smile, feeling at ease as I observe Manny’s movements in the kitchen.
“I hope you guys like tacos. We have some leftover birria that I made a couple of nights ago, so I figured that would be our best bet for tonight so you can get some sleep. You look about ready to pass out on the island, mi corazón ,” Manny murmurs, stepping up to me and gripping my chin between his fingers, tilting my head up to look at him.
I blink sleepily up at him, and he shakes his head with a smile, kissing my forehead.
“Do you need any help?” Micah asks him, and Manny looks at him for a moment before eventually nodding, asking him to take care of the rice and beans while he cooks the tacos.
I rest my chin on my arms atop the island, watching the way the two of them cohesively move around the kitchen, almost like they’ve been doing it for years instead of this being the first time. While I get lost in watching them, Zeke and Ridge make small talk with Jeremiah, their words floating through the air. I catch snippets of their conversation, their voices blending together in a comforting symphony, but once I realize there’s no hostility between them, I zone back out and go back to watching the two men cooking.
As Micah says something to Manny in Spanish, I notice the surprise in Manny’s expression as he glances at Micah with an arched eyebrow and a playful smile.
“ Sabes espa?ol ?”
“ Sí. Mí mama es de Puerto Rico ,” Micah responds, turning the rice and beans off and leaning against the counter with his arms crossed.
“I’d have never guessed,” I mumble sleepily, my stomach grumbling as the smell of spices and fresh tortillas fills the air.
Micah looks over at me, his eyes softening.
“Most don’t expect it when meeting me. But I’m curious about how you know Spanish so well. I don’t remember anything like that coming up in any of our sessions,” he says with a boyish grin that makes my heart stutter.
I smile back, resting my cheek on my arm.
“Four years of high school Spanish and an elderly man that was a regular at the diner I worked in. He spoke more Spanish than English and helped me practice if he was in on a slow day while I did my homework. I think he enjoyed having someone else to speak to in his own language. He was a lonely fellow that kept to himself, and I think I was the only person he spoke to back home.”
I shrug nonchalantly, but my voice carries a tinge of nostalgia as memories of Abuelo Emiliano resurface. He was always so kind, and I could see how much our time in the diner meant to him by the way his face lit up whenever we practiced my Spanish. When he died, the only two people present at his funeral were the priest and me, deepening my sorrow for the old man.
My cheeks heat when I feel the other’s eyes on me, and I sit up, glancing at them all.
“What?”
Manny’s eyes sparkle as he shakes his head with a grin, skillfully putting everyone’s plates together while Micah carries them over to the table when he finishes them.
“Nothing, Sirenita. You’re just showing us more of your kind heart, and everything we learn about you is like opening a gift on Christmas morning,” he says as we all get up to take our seats.
Manny pulls my chair out for me before taking the seat on my left, smirking at Zeke when he tries to snag the seat before him.
“Gotta be quicker than that, hermano ,” he teases, and Zeke huffs, turning to take the seat on my right before groaning when he sees Jeremiah has already taken that spot.
Jeremiah’s brow arches as he observes him, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. Meanwhile, Zeke breathes out a weary sigh, then moves to the other side of the table, eventually settling himself in the chair across from me. Manny pushes my plate with two perfectly cooked birria tacos, beans, and rice closer to me with a wink, and the savory aroma of the food fills my nose.
As we eat, we talk, learning little tidbits about each other as we enjoy good food and each other’s company. The entire experience is surreal, but it makes my heart happy, nonetheless.
“So, Jeremiah. What, um, what are you doing for work now?” Ridge eventually asks him cautiously, and I stiffen slightly in my seat.
Jeremiah glances over at him, chewing slowly as he wipes his mouth with a napkin, contemplating his answer. As his eyes meet mine, his hand reaches out and delicately brushes against my cheek, a gentle smile playing on his lips, and I close my eyes as I lean into his touch. My eyes pop back open when I hear his sigh, and I watch as he leans back in his chair, crossing his arms protectively.
“I’ve been living off my savings for the last eight or so months, since I had to disappear for a while. Haven’t taken on a job since then,” he says with a shrug. “I decided a while ago to give that life up for Cozy when I thought it would just be me and her. Should have known better than that, though,” he laughs, tweaking my nose when my cheeks flush.
“It’s not my fault,” I grumble petulantly, pouting up at him and he chuckles.
“I know that, Dove. This is better. More people to protect you and keep you safe, and that alone makes having to share you worth it.”
When he looks back at Ridge, his face softens, and he rests his forearms on the table.
“So, to answer your real question. No, I’m not the Ghost anymore. Not to anyone but her, anyway. I still have a decent nest egg put away, but other than that, I’m not sure what I’m going to do for a job yet. I don’t think I’ve ever had a normal job. My life has been anything but normal since I was a kid.”
Ridge relaxes in his seat, nodding with a thoughtful expression on his handsome face.
“Ever done any construction work?” Manny chimes in, leaning around me to look at Jeremiah.
“No, but I pick things up pretty quickly.”
With a satisfied nod, Manny pushes his plate away, his arm settling on the back of my chair. Absent-mindedly, his thumb caresses my bare arm, teasing the sensitive skin and causing a delightful shiver to run down my spine.
“You could come work with me, if you think it’s something you’d like to do. I’m short a couple of guys for a few projects we have contracts for and could use the extra hands.”
Jeremiah stares intently at him for a few moments, before he eventually agrees, and Manny smiles at him.
“ Perfecto. Then it’s settled.”
As I lean my head against Jeremiah’s arm, a yawn escapes me, my body feeling heavy and tired after filling my belly. Jeremiah pulls me into his lap, cradling me against his chest, and I relax, feeling safe and secure in his embrace as I nuzzle my face into the warmth of his chest and inhale his familiar scent. The struggle to keep my eyes open becomes futile as I sink into his hold, and eventually they close.
“Why don’t ye put her tae bed? We’ll clean up down here. She’s had a long day,” I hear Zeke murmur, his voice soft with a hint of a smile as I feel his eyes on me.
I’m jostled in Jeremiah’s hold as I feel him get up, but my eyes stay glued shut as exhaustion takes over. When he carefully places me in my new bed, I can feel the warmth of his kiss on my forehead before the bed shifts as he stands up, causing a slight whine to escape from me.
“Stay with me,” I murmur sleepily, scooting over without opening my eyes and sleepily patting the empty space in the bed as he laughs under his breath.
I can hear the rustle of fabric as he removes his clothes, followed by the gentle dip of the bed as he climbs in behind me. With his arm around my middle, he pulls me closer, and I can’t help but revel in the comforting heat that emanates from his body. As he kisses the back of my head, his nose nuzzles into my hair, inhaling deeply, and I’m overtaken by a sense of calmness as sleep beckons me further into its realm.