I hated suits, although I’d worn one more now that I was mated with King than I ever did beforehand. “Let’s just see what there is.”
The salesperson must have seen us coming and knew that my mate was going to say we’d take anything I even glanced at, because they made a beeline over to us and followed us around, giving suggestions at each rack. When all was said and done, there was a pile on the counter that was embarrassingly large.
“I don’t need all this. There’s this thing, it’s a new invention, that’s only like a hundred years old, and it washes clothes. So you can wear them, put them in this machine, and in an hour, another machine dries them. Voila, you can wear them again.”
“Or my mate can have the choice of what he wants to wear each morning,” he said, handing his card to the salesperson. “Can these be delivered to our home tonight?”
I wanted to argue that we could carry them back ourselves, but I learned a long time ago that when my mate wanted to do spoiling kinds of things like this, to just let him. It made him happy, and there was nothing I liked more than seeing my mate happy.
On the way home, we stopped and bought enough tamales for ten pregnant omegas with the idea that I could put some in the freezer for the next time I had a craving. When I was just about finished eating, my clothing arrived, delivered as promised. We packed the suitcase and were ready for our morning flight.
“Thank you for taking me to see my family. I know it’s a busy time at work.”
“It’s never too busy for you, mate. I’ll never be too busy for you.”
It was great seeing my family. We ate at my brother’s favorite restaurant, did a tour of the local area, played cards, and laughed at silly stories about my younger days. I’d never seen my brother looking as good as he did now.
Seeing him like that made it so I’d never regret having to leave all those years ago and the time that I wasn’t with my mate. It would’ve been nice if things happened differently, but when the end result was seeing my brother happy and healthy and my father looking younger than I’d ever seen him and talking aboutthe neighbor that my brother swore he had a crush on... yeah, those were things I treasured. It made it all worth it.
16
KINGSTON
Father's cabin was the most luxurious one at the resort. He had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the magnificent scenery and a gourmet kitchen. And tonight he was hosting a dinner for the whole extended family. Not that he’d done any cooking. Nope, he’d ordered room service from the main kitchen at the resort.
We were back at the resort where Merrick and I went after meeting at the ball. It was Father’s suggestion and his treat. While he and my omega dad’s relationship would never be repaired, having a son-in-law and a baby on the way had softened their attitude toward one another, and they were more than civil. Not exactly friendly, but I didn’t expect that.
We sat around the large wooden table, and Merrick was picking at his food. He’d been quiet all evening and had cushions tucked behind him as I rubbed his back. Knowing he was only two weeks from his due date, we’d agreed we’d eat and make our excuses because he was tired.
"Uncle Merrick, can I feel the baby kick?" Marvin leaned across the table.
“Me too, me too.” Rosa slid off her chair while baby Eric banged his spoon on the highchair tray and cried. Chase got Eric out of the chair, and the three kids crowded around their uncle.
Merrick guided their hand to his belly. “The baby’s been active today.”
“Our cub is very strong,” I told them.
“Is there a bear in there?” She patted Merrick’s belly again.
“You rhymed. Bear in there. Bear in there.” Marvin danced around the room and clapped.
Arnold attempted to get Marvin to lower his voice, but Rosa joined in, and Eric bounced after his siblings. Father’s brows shot up so high, I expected them to take off. But Dad quieted the kids and nudged me while looking at my mate.
Merrick's hand was still on his belly, but the other one gripped my thigh.
“King.”
Father’s brows were permanently raised, so he’d apparently never heard my mate refer to me like that.
“What’s wrong?” Blood had drained from his face, and his breathing was shallow.
“Something’s not right.”
Everyone stopped talking, squealing, or running about.
Something being wrong with the baby, Merrick, or both was my worst nightmare, but the baby books had insisted complications were rare. Or perhaps I’d skimmed over those parts, thinking we’d had our share of trauma after being apart for five years.
My dad suggested Father would read the kids a story in one of the bedrooms, and Father must have agreed because he hustled them off, along with a plate of brownies, and closed the door.
