He expected her to make a full recovery, but I wasn’t feeling any relief. It would take time. Miss Eloise would need rehabilitation and more treatment if anything else popped up. What shook me more was the fact she wouldn’t be home for Christmas.
Christmas.She couldn’t miss Christmas.
I stared at Miss Eloise for a while after the doctor and nurse left. She was the heart of Primrose House. The heart of this whole fucking town. She deserved all the love and laughter of Christmas. I would find a way to bring it to her.
Mariska cleared her throat and broke into my desperate thoughts. “I’m going to postpone my move to California. I need to be there when Miss Eloise gets home.”
What the fuck? I turned and took her by her shoulders. “Don’t you dare! Your dream job is waiting for you. Miss Eloise would be the first person to tell you to go. Go live your bestest life.”
Her chin trembled. “I don’t think I can.”
“Honey.” Oh no. I couldn’t let her break. I wrapped her up in a hug. “Yeah, it’s scary and heavy and it feels like the world is falling apart. Right now. But it’s going to get better. Miss Eloise is going to fully recover, and I want a trip to California next summer!”
“But…” Mariska wiped at her tears. “She has always been there when I needed her. I need to be there for her.”
That was so sweet. I loved her for it, but going after her dream was important. Miss Eloise helped nurture that in us, and I didn’t want Mariska to lose her shining self stuck here where the pack she was locked in lust with could swoop in and steal her away from her destiny. I could do my dream chasing from wherever, but Mariska had to go to hers. “She will always be there for us, and we love her for it. I love you, and she loves you too. What will make her the happiest is if you go work your dream job and save the world. She wants you to have the life you deserve, the life you’ve always dreamed about.”
“What if my bestest life is here, living at Primrose House?”
Primrose House was the best. I didn’t plan on leaving for a long time. “Well, it is awesome.” Be positive. For Mariska, I had to be realistic too. “Don’t make any decisions right now. Wait until after Christmas. You’ll feel differently when you’re past your heat and Miss Eloise is back to her normal amazing self.”
Mariska nodded, and I was pleased I could manage such good advice in this chaotic moment. My bestie was going to save the world, and I was going to dress it. We Omegas were worth so much more than just mates for Alphas, and we were going to prove it.
Speaking of Alphas, Balthazar returned with a massive amount of food, and good thing too, because I was suddenly really hungry. I devoured two burgers and a ton of fries as Mariska told him about Miss Eloise. I took note of how attentive to her he was and how he anticipated her needs by passing her a drink or handing her a napkin. So not only was he a hottie, he was a good man who would take care of my bestie.
We sat in a food coma for the next few hours. I could barely keep up with all the texts from people. Miss Eloise wasloved. I was going to get a giant get well card for her and have every person I saw sign it.
I barely noticed when it hit eight o’clock and a nurse peeked in to tell us visiting hours were over. My heart started to pound. I couldn’t leave Miss Eloise. I didn’t want her to wake up alone.
Balthazar stood in the door. “Lucian took Mom home, but Jasper is waiting outside warming up my truck.”
“I’m staying the night here.” I blurted out, having decided it the second I said it.
“Me too.” Mariska piped up.
She might have been trying to hide it, but she’d been squirming and lowkey moaning in her chair for over an hour. Omegas couldn’t really smell other Omegas, but I’d seen Balthazar’s nostrils flare every time he entered the room. He had noticed. With her being in heat, she’d only suffer if she stayed. While I wanted her with me, my girl needed to get knotted.
“Mari, honey, only one of us can stay, and even then, I think the nurse was bending the rules of the emergency ward letting me stay. You need to go home and take care of Artemis. She’s going to be worried. She was up in your suite when the EMTs came.”
I knew if I appealed to her dog mommy senses, I’d win. Plus, there was that one other thing. I dropped my voice to a whisper. “And, girl, you’re about to climb that mountain of an Alpha right here in front of me. Your heat is ramping up, and I don’t want you to suffer through the night. Go home and let him take care of you.”
She went red. “I want to stay.”
“I know, but I’ll keep you updated on everything. Then you can come right back in the morning and bring me breakfast.” I gave her a hug. “I like having Mrs. Claus as my personal gopher.”
“Shut up.” Mariska giggled and squeezed me. “Anything you want or need, let me know. I’ll bring you a change of clothes and stuff to freshen up with along with your breakfast. I should pack a bag of stuff Miss Eloise will need when she wakes too.”
Thank God she didn’t put up a fight. I didn’t have the energy for it. I kissed her flushed cheek. “Perfect.” I then turned to Balthazar. “As Mariska’s stand-in chaperon, I’m going to let you drive her home and take care of her. I trust you to be on your best behavior. If you do anything she doesn’t like, Artemis will rip off your balls.”
“Lyla!” Mariska protested, and I bit my lip to hold in my snickers.
Balthazar quietly laughed. “Yes, ma’am. Only the best for Mrs. Claus. I’ll make sure her every need is met and have her back to you in the morning.”
Oh, well now, maybe this one was a keeper. My bestie better enjoy that Alpha and his whole pack thoroughly.
Mariska hugged me again. “Okay. I’ll be texting you all night. Try to get some sleep and I’ll see you in the morning. I love you.”
“Love you too, girl.” I waved as they hurried out of the room. I might have been insulted by their quick exit if I didn’t know her heat was driving her bonkers.
