It had been a no brainer to give Blossom the middle name of Maggie, since her namesake had literally caught her as I gave birth. I couldn’t even imagine how much worse my birth experience would have been without her there beside me. We were family, more so than ever, and I wasn’t letting her support slip by unacknowledged.
Blossom lapped up the attention happily.
A sigh escaped me. “We’ve probably spoiled her, considering she sleeps in our arms more than she sleeps in her crib.”
“It’s not possible to spoil a baby,” Maggie insisted. “Can’t go wrong with extra love.”
“I’d see no problem with it even if wecouldspoil Blossom,” Avery said, looking at me pointedly. “We already have one spoiled princess in this house, and we love her dearly. Nothing wrong with two.”
“I’m not spoiled!” I laughed, lightly slapping him on the chest.
This time, it was Maggie who snorted. “I’m sorry, sis, I don’t think you can say that when you have that gigantic rock on your finger.”
I preened, holding my hand out. My latest ring was a more visible declaration of my position as pack omega. A stunning nine carats on a simple gold band. “I used logic for that.”
“How so?” Maggie asked, swaying side to side with Blossom.
“Turns out, if they ask how big you want the rock, you can just ask how close they want someone to get before they can see I’m taken.”
Maggie cackled. “I love it. That’s so smart.”
“I had to stop Parker from buying an even bigger one,” Avery told her. “He was looking at stuff that I’m pretty sure qualified as historic treasures. Surprised he didn’t get her a damn crown.”
“I wouldn’t say no to a crown…”
Avery laughed, a loud, belly sound as he leaned down and kissed me. “And you think you’re not spoiled?”
“Oh, eww! No kissing in front of me!” Maggie made an exaggerated gagging noise.
Blossom fussed, and I broke off the kiss with a laugh. “My goodness, is someone hungry?” I turned to Maggie, holding out my hands. “Gimme the baby. She needs feeding.”
She pouted. “Can I snuggle her after? Your mates are constantly hogging her, and considering I helped bring her into the world, I think I’m entitled to extra baby time!”
“You sure are. If you’d told me you were coming, I could’ve had a bottle ready so you could feed her, but unfortunately, she needs to get her meal from the source today.”
Maggie nodded sagely, giving Blossom an extra cuddle and rubbing her cheek on her downy hair. “Sorry I don’t have the equipment you need, but you’re going to be having snuggles with Auntie Maggie very soon.”
She adjusted to hand the baby to me but froze when the front door slammed open and a shout vibrated through the house.
“Magnolia!”
Maggie’s eyes widened, and she stilled, her deer-in-headlights look almost comical.
“Oh shit!” She glanced down at the baby. “I mean…sugar! It’s him.”
“Him?” I asked. “Should we be worried?”
Next to me, Avery was on high alert for the potential threat.
“Not worried, no. He’s dumb, not dangerous.” Maggie sighed.
Avery relaxed, going from alert to playful in a split second.
“He’s one of the stupid bodyguards Parker hired. Quick, take the baby.” She thrust Blossom back into my arms and headed for the window as I did my best to contain my laughter.
“Why are you running from your guards, Mags?”
She glowered at him. “Because I want to and I can. Do you happen to have any soft flower beds under that window?” Maggie pressed up against the glass, trying to peer below.
