“You, too, sir.” He shook Paxton’s hand. “Have you met my husband Tarius?”
“A moment ago, yes. It’s a pleasure to meet your family.”
“Papa would have been here, but he has court.”
“Understandable.”
“Will you join us at our family home, Mr. Paxton?” Dad asked. “Or are you returning to Sonora right away?”
“My return ticket isn’t until late this evening, so I will graciously accept your invitation, Mr. Kell, thank you.”
Jeuel and Trei (who hasn’t spoken a word that Branson had heard) stuck close to Branson on the long walk to their vehicles. Branson packed the two young omegas, plus Paxton and Tarius, into his car, while Rei and Kinley rode with Dad and Constable Corinth. Trei curled up in his seat and closed his eyes, face pale and pinched.
“He got motion sickness on the train,” Jeuel explained. “Trei hasn’t felt good since yesterday, but he doesn’t have a fever.”
“It’s likely nerves,” Paxton said gently.
“I’m sure Dad’s got something he can take at the house,” Branson replied. “But Trei, if you really start to feel sick, tell us, and we can take you to an emergency clinic, okay?”
Trei waved listlessly at him without opening his eyes.
Branson glanced at Jeuel in the rearview, but Jeuel didn’t look overly concerned, so Branson let it go. Concentrated on maneuvering away from the busy train station, and heading toward Dad’s house. They’d all agreed it would be a much larger, homier place to relax and meet more of the family, before going to the slightly cramped apartment.
Jeuel sat in the middle of the backseat, and he couldn’t seem to stay still, trying to look out every window at once and observe his new hometown. There wasn’t a lot to see from the freeway, but once Branson exited into his parents’ neighborhood, homes and business and restaurants popped up everywhere, along with parks, rec centers, and other gathering places. The world was gray and carried the winter’s chill, but everything seemed to enthrall Jeuel.
Tarius pointed out a few landmarks as they traveled, a steady and smiling presence in the front passenger seat. Soon, Branson was pulling through the gate and into the driveway of the Cross family home.
“You’ve got a lot of security,” Paxton said.
“Well, when your omegin is famous for murder, and your uncle is the mayor,” Branson replied, “it helps to be overly cautious. Not to mention Emory and his triplets.”
“Your family has had a lot of…well, I hesitate to use the word drama.”
“No, it’s okay,dramaapplies.”
“Gosh, will we see the triplets today?” Jeuel asked, practically wiggling in his seat now.
“Yes, they’re home, but I don’t know if they’re awake. Please, come inside.”
They left the luggage in the trunk, and everyone climbed out of the car as Dad pulled in beside them. Jeuel held Trei close to him, one arm around his waist, and Trei did not look good. Branson had seen enough of his relatives with the stomach flu to recognize someone about to blow chunks. Once they were inside, Branson steered both omegas directly to the downstairs bathroom. Jeuel and Trei went inside, and Branson had just closed the door when Trei began heaving.
Dad appeared by Branson’s side immediately. “Is Trei sick? Should I call someone for him?”
“Jeuel said he gets motion sickness,” Branson replied, giving his omegin’s wrist a gentle squeeze. “He’s probably nervous, too. Let’s give him time to settle. Maybe offer him tea?”
“I can definitely heat water for tea.” Dad gave the bathroom door a forlorn look, then strode toward the kitchen, prepared to pamper the newest omegas in the family.
Branson waited a moment, unsure if he should leave his new brothers alone in a strange house, but the living room wasn’t that hard to find. Tarius, Paxton, Rei, Kinley, and Corinth were in the living room, everyone seated except for Corinth. Branson remembered the days between Emory’s reappearance and them eventually finding out that the men who kidnapped him were no longer a threat, when constables were on constant watch in this house. Mostly, it had been Corinth at night, with Eriq Lars-Higgs during the day, and at the time, no one had suspected Eriq was Emory’s bondmate.
Corinth was no stranger to the Cross house, and he’d taken up a familiar position next to the coat closet, giving him a full view of the front door, living room, hallway, and dining room. He stood at ease, though, and Branson took that as a good sign.
Footsteps began thundering down the stairs, punctuated by clear, “Be careful,” and “Watch that step,” from Emory as the triplet toddlers descended. All eyes went to the stairs. While photos of Emory and his miraculous triplets had made news outlets across the Northern Territory (and likely into the Southern Territory, as well), few got to see them in person. Emory and Eriq were incredibly protective of their children.
Shylo toddled to the bottom first. He completely ignored Paxton and ran straight for Branson. “Unca Brans!”
Branson squatted and scooped the baby alpha off the floor and, after a firm hug, settled him on his hip. Ferran and Misha soon followed, Emory and Zaq right behind. Both omegas paused at the bottom and gazed around, clearly searching for the two missing faces.
“Trei didn’t have a great trip,” Tarius said. “He’s a bit indisposed, and Jeuel is with him.”
