She looked so fucking cute with a baby in her arms.
“Hey there, little man,” I greeted him.
Forest shied away from me, and Clover tutted. “Sapling, that’s not very polite. That’s your Uncle Hunter.”
Meadow slid up next to us. “Don’t mind him. Forest has started that weird stranger-danger phase babies go through, but he’ll warm up to you soon enough.”
I hoped so, because Clover loved Forest, and I wanted anyone she loved to be comfortable around me and my pack.
Meadow, Clover, and her fathers got along so well that the rest of us easily fell into step with their laughter and discussion. We crowded into the living room with a full view of the kitchen, so Phin was included. Clover surprised me by sitting on my lap with Forest, her legs sprawled over Avery, and Logan at her back.
“Forest is going to love you by the time we head home tonight,” she insisted.
Logan laughed and planted a kiss on her shoulder. “You’re settling in quickly to the idea of the pack house being your home?”
“Yep.” She tipped her head back with a grin, getting a proper kiss from him. “You’re stuck with me now.”
I cuddled her closer. “Perfect.”
My good luck with Clover lasted through the night, with the whole pack being invited to sleep in her nest. I’d never been part of a full-pack cuddle puddle before, and apparently I’d been missing out. I slept like a fucking rock and woke practically a new person.
My pack mates were passed out around us, but Clover was awake, staring at the ceiling. “You okay, princess?”
Clover rolled over and nuzzled into my chest. “I wish they’d stay longer, but I know Mike is a homebody to the extreme. I’m surprised they’ve lasted as long as they have.”
“We’ll visit as often as you want when Baby is on the outside,” I promised, indulging myself in brushing my knuckles over her bump. It was still fairly petite, but you could tell she was pregnant now. “And they promised they’d be back soon. I’m sure the time will fly by.”
“It will,” she conceded. “Still hard being so far away from them. I—ow!” Clover broke off, hand flying to her stomach.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Y-yeah, I was just startled. Feel this!” She grabbed my hand and rested it on her small bump. For a moment, there was nothing, then the smallest movement.
“Is that a kick?”
“I think so!” Clover nodded. “It seems the baby also wants their grandparents near!” She laughed.
I tilted her chin up and brushed my lips over hers. “Want me to buy us a house in Seattle? We could figure out a way to split our time between there and LA.”
Her eyes turned shiny, and she burrowed against my chest again. “You can’t be so sweet while I’m pregnant. I’m gonna cry all over you.”
“Better to cry over sweetness than because I’ve done something stupid.”
“Hey,” Parker grumbled, sitting up from his spot behind Avery.
Clover giggled, and I caught Parker’s sleepy smile.
“Is the baby kicking?” Parker asked, eyes wide. At Clover’s nod, he lifted a tentative hand. “May I?”
She gave a “by all means” gesture toward her stomach, and Parker laid his palm on it, eyes going even wider.
“Me next!” Avery wiggled his hand beneath Parker’s. “That’s so weird and cool.”
Logan laughed softly, joining us in the waking world. He plucked both of their hands away for his turn, his thumb gently stroking Clover’s belly. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
“I bet if we go down to the kitchen, Jacques will have breakfast staying warm in the oven for us.” I didn’t want to stop touching her, but the longer we hogged her, the less time she’d have with her fathers before they left.
“I like breakfast.”
