14. Eli
Chapter 14
Eli
I spent the next two days eagerly waiting until Friday, so I could take Kennedy out again. The events of our date had been running on repeat through my mind ever since we’d kissed. Every time I saw her, I became more and more attached.
Soon enough, I would have to introduce her to the rest of my pack. For now, I was going to enjoy a bit of time with just the two of us.
Jogging upstairs to her small apartment, I brushed my hair out of my face and straightened my clothing before knocking on the door. Kennedy had texted me her apartment number after our last date. I felt oddly proud that she trusted me with it.
There was no answer, so I waited a moment before knocking again.
Movement echoed from inside the apartment, so someone was clearly in there. Frowning at the door, I lifted my hand to knock for a third time when it swung open.
There, in the doorway, stood a very disheveled-looking Kennedy. The state of her hair gave me the impression it had been that way for a day or two. It framed her face in chaotic tangles. Dark bags lined her eyes, which were bloodshot, and a gray pallor had taken over her skin.
“Eli?” she mumbled. “Our date isn't until Friday.” Her voice was dry and cracked as she spoke.
I was immediately on edge. Something wasn't right. She looked like she hadn't slept in days and had been living in a war zone.
“Sweet pea, it is Friday,” I said cautiously.
Her eyes widened as my words sank in. “Shit!” If it wasn't so obvious that something was wrong, I probably would have had a good chuckle over her use of a swear word.
“Are you okay?” I asked, my eyes raking over her. She was wearing pajamas that were crumpled and well-worn.
“Char is sick. I think she picked something up at day care. She’s been running a fever, and she’s refusing to let me sleep… I am so sorry. I completely spaced what day it was.” Tears started gathering in the corners of her eyes as she spoke.
“Hey, it’s okay.” I took a step forward, reaching out and touching her forehead with the back of my hand. The skin was red hot to the touch. “You don't seem well, either.”
Kennedy shook her head. “I can't be sick. I've got to focus on Char,” she mumbled, but her eyes were hazy, and she didn’t seem fully present.
I knew from our previous dates that Kennedy didn't have any family, and her daughter's father was nowhere to be seen. She was completely on her own.
“I’m sorry, I’ll make this up to you,” she said, but as she spoke, her body listed to the side, like she was lightheaded. Instinctively, I reached out, steadying her.
“You don't need to make anything up to me,” I said firmly. “But you do need to get some sleep.”
Kennedy's brows creased as she looked directly at my chest. “But Lottie…”
“Come on.” I gently nudged her back into her apartment.
It was the first time I had seen her place. Immediately, I was hit with the overwhelming smells of violet and vanilla. Easily recognizable, but on top of it, there was a slightly sweeter scent, almost like vanilla cupcakes. That had to be her daughter.
“Wha…” Kennedy trailed off. She was completely out of it.
“Where’s Charlotte?” I asked gently.
“Crib, she finally fell asleep.”
“Okay, then, you can get some sleep,” I said softly, pushing her in the direction of her open bedroom door. This wasn't how I pictured seeing her bedroom for the first time.
“I can’t. Lottie needs her meds to keep her fever down in like an hour,” she said, her words almost slurring together.
“I’m here. I’ll keep an eye on everything. You’re no use to your daughter dead on your feet,” I insisted, nudging her toward the bed.
“Maybe just a few minutes?” Kennedy asked, scrunching her nose as she crawled into her bed. As she did so, I got a spectacular view of her ass in those little sleep shorts before she collapsed into bed, crashing headfirst into her exhaustion and letting the need to sleep win.
There was no way in hell I was going to wake her up. Running a hand through my hair, I adjusted my glasses and looked around.
Their home was nice. Though the apartment was old and rundown, Kennedy had clearly done her best to make it homey and comfortable for her and her daughter.
Removing my phone from my pocket, I dialed. “Why the hell are you calling me? Aren't you on a date?” Micha didn’t even bother to greet me. “Did she realize that I’m the hot member of our pack and wants to bang me instead of you? If so, I totally understand it. There's only so many women who can resist the?—”
“Can you shut up for one minute and let me speak?” I huffed.
“Grumpy much? I’m listening.”
“I came to pick Kennedy up for our date, and she's sick. As is her daughter. They're both asleep at the moment, but I need to keep an eye on them. If I send you a list, will you go to the grocery store and pick up some things, so I can make them some food?”
“Sure, are they okay?” he said without hesitation. He liked to joke around, but when things were serious, I could count on him.
“Yeah, it just looks like a nasty cold or flu. Kennedy needs rest and fluids, but as for Charlotte, I'm not so sure. I'm not exactly knowledgeable about what to feed babies. Like, when do they start eating solid food?”
Micha laughed. “I am the last person to ask that question.”
“No shit. As soon as I send you that list, I'm going to call the most maternal person we know.”
“My ma?” Micha laughed.
“She pretty much raised all of us,” I pointed out.
“She's the best person to call in this situation, but you know that woman is baby crazy. The minute she learns you're dating someone who has a baby, it's game over for you. Don't go calling her unless you're dead serious.”
“I am. I was hoping to bring her back to the pack soon.”
Micha was silent for a moment. “Well, damn. I guess I better go do some shopping. Maybe I'll get a chance to meet this elusive omega.”
“Maybe, but she’s exhausted. I don't think she’s slept in the last two days, since our date, what with Lottie being sick, so she needs her rest.”
“That's fair. I won’t make a pain out of myself. Do you want me to tell the others?”
“Not yet. We both know they'll be curious and want to come visit, and I don't want to overwhelm her with a bunch of strange scents in her house.”
Micha hissed. “Oh, yeah, that's got to be an omega's nightmare. Okay, I’ll head to the store now. I shouldn’t be longer than an hour. Text me the list and the address.”
“Will do.”
The list was probably a bit longer than it should have been, but given the abysmal state of Kennedy's kitchen, I wasn't going to skimp out. A quick Google search of Lottie's formula told me everything I needed to know. Kennedy bought herself off-brand items from the discount store, and her food was basic. Charlotte’s formula, on the other hand, was pricey and one of the best rated. There were even a few jars of premium organic baby food in the fridge.
Everything I had learned about Kennedy pointed to her being painfully sweet and selfless. She was always looking to take care of those around her, but no one seemed to be taking care of her .
Well, that was about to change.
Taking one final look around the kitchen, I pulled up the contact info for Micha’s mom, and she picked up after one ring.
“Eli, my dear! Are you doing okay? Please don't tell me you're still working yourself to the bone for that PhD.”
I couldn’t help but smile at the familiar warm voice of Mrs. Jones coming through the phone. “The workload is intense, but that's not why I'm calling you. What food do I need to give to a seven-month-old baby? Is formula enough?”
The other end of the phone was silent for a moment as my words sank in. “What have you been up to?”
“Not that.” I laughed lightly. “I've been seeing a girl. Her name is Kennedy, and she has a baby. I came to pick her up for a date tonight, and she is so sick, as is Charlotte, her baby. I managed to convince her I would take care of everything, so she would get some sleep, but now I’m lost,” I admitted.
“Does Kennedy have no family who can keep an eye on them?”
“None.”
Mrs. Jones let out an unhappy sigh. “That’s terrible. Okay, you said her daughter is seven months old, yes?”
“That’s right. I found several kinds of formula, and she also keeps really detailed notes on the fridge, so I know exactly how much formula Charlotte is drinking and what times she needs the fever medication. But I thought I better check, since I don’t want to wake Kennedy. She was dead on her feet.”
“The poor dear. Honestly, if the baby is sick, sticking to formula is probably a good idea. She’s at the age where she’ll be eating a few solids, but when she’s sick, that's the last thing you want to give her. Just give her formula and see if she'll take it. Are you on your own?”
“Not for long. Before I called you, I called your wayward son, who is currently going to the grocery store to pick up supplies, since there isn’t much here and I think Kennedy could use a good meal.”
Mrs. Jones hummed in agreement. “She sounds like an important girl, if you are doing so much for her. I can't imagine how much she's struggling with a baby all on her own. I had enough difficulty raising my Micha, and he had three dads to take on some of the workload.”
“We've been on a few dates, and it's been going well. I was thinking about introducing her to the pack soon.”
“Oh, that's marvelous. I'm so happy for you, my boy. If my Micha does anything to piss you off, let me know, and I will make him suffer. Also, if he's on his way to the store, you should probably have him get an extra container or two of formula. That stuff is expensive, and you're probably going to mess up the first bottle…” She trailed off.
I smirked, even though she couldn’t see it. “Already done,” I said, pride leaching into my voice.
Mrs. Jones laughed. “I knew you were the smart one. Now, go look after the girls, and if you need any help, I'm right here. Hell, if you want me to, I will come down and help out in person,” she said. “But I get the impression that you want to help her yourself right now.”
“I do, but I want to do it right.”
“If it's the flu or common cold, then they just need rest, lots of fluids, and a good meal. Anything you can do to make her life easier would be greatly appreciated, I’m sure.”
“Thank you. I mean it.”
“Hopefully, at some point in the future, I can meet this lovely Kennedy and her baby.”
“I can assure you, you will be the first of the parents to know.” I smiled.
“Good! I dealt with all four of you boys being bratty little teenagers. I get first dibs on meeting my new granddaughter.”
I laughed. “You're coming on a little strong there.”
Mrs. Jones hummed. “I'm not so sure. I don't think you would call me about looking after a baby for just any girl. And you're not like Storm or Charlie—you’re far more serious than them. They can be led around far too easily by what's in their pants.”
I snorted a laugh. She wasn’t wrong, but it was still funny to hear. “I like how you left your son off that list.”
“I have no idea what you're talking about. My sweet boy is a virgin, and he will never know about filthy things until he’s married and mated,” she said primly.
“Wasn't it you who found his stash of porno magazines under his bed when he was fourteen?”
She groaned. “Eli, I have spent every day of my life since trying to forget that. Now, go help your girls and call back if you need anything.”
We said our goodbyes and hung up.
Rolling up my sleeves, I turned to the kitchen sink and the pile of dishes that had accumulated there. While I wasn't the most knowledgeable about babies or dealing with sickness, I did know how to wash the dishes.
So, at least I had somewhere to start.