“I haven’t been feeling that great. Pretty sure some asshole was sick at one of the places Parker took me to, and my body is taking its sweet time recovering. Nothing contagious at this point. I’ve been denying myself baby time to make sure I wouldn’t make any of you sick, but I’m confident enough at this point to get in my cuddles. If he gets a little baby cold, feel free to put me outside with the rest of the trash.”
“You’d put yourself out there if you got Forest sick.” Meadow collected her son, and I pouted, but I didn’t stop her.
“Too true.”
“What are your symptoms?”
“I’m fucking exhausted. I’ve been asleep more than I’ve been awake.”
“You should probably make an appointment at the omega clinic. To be safe.”
“Okay, Mom,” I joked. “Let me check which ones are close by.” While I was hunting down an appropriate clinic, a call from one of my dads came through. “Hey, Daddy. What’s up?”
“Hey, peanut. I don’t want you to worry, but?—”
I sat bolt upright, panic pouring over me like a bucket of ice water. “But what? What’s wrong and with who?”
“Mike”—the oldest of my dads—“is in the hospital.”
My lip instantly wobbled, and Meadow lay a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Is he okay? What happened?”
“He’s in surgery right now for a broken femur. They said there’s little risk to life, only to limb.” He let out a shaky breath, and I was already searching the recovery time for a broken femur. “Youdon’thave to come home?—”
“Fuck that. I’m looking up flights when I get off this call. That’s an intense recovery time, and you can’t put the company on hold for six months or more.” My throat was tight with tears. My dads were the best parents a girl could ask for, and I wasn’t going to turn my nose up at the chance to support them. They needed it, even if they weren’t willing to admit it.
“Peanut, youjustmoved to help Meadow. You can’t derail your life again for us.”
“Watch me. Meadow has a whole pack of millionaires to help her out. You guys don’t have that. You haveme, so please, let me help, even if it’s only for a little while.”
“I think we both know that once you get an idea into your head, there’s no stopping you.” The mix of fondness and exasperation in his voice had tears sliding down my cheeks.
“You’re so correct. Freight Train Clover will be pulling into the Seattle station soon. Let me know which hospital, and I’ll meet you there.”
“All right. I have to go make sure Pete doesn’t wear a trail in the linoleum with his pacing. I love you so much.”
“I love you too.” I sniffled as I ended the call and Meadow curled up to me.
“I was eavesdropping,” she told me. “I’m so sorry. I’ll book you a flight, and we’ll drive you to the airport.”
“Thanks,” I squeaked, trying to hold myself together. I extracted myself from her embrace and walked in a daze to the guesthouse, where I immediately collected essentials, tossing them into one of my suitcases.
I wasn’t sure how long I would be gone, so I packed whatever I might need for at least a week. Best case, I could organize at-home care while they were all busy fretting, and worst case, I wouldbecomethe at-home care. I couldn’t manage the physical care for an alpha who wouldn’t be able to stand, but I could handle a lot of what needed doing.
The world slowed to a blur. I pulled on the hoodie I had stolen out of Logan’s room, the earthy sandalwood grounding me, making my body forget how miserable it was.
With a sigh, I dragged my zipped suitcase off the bed and turned to see Arlo about to knock. I let him in, keeping myself together for about half a second before I started sobbing.
He awkwardly pulled me into a hug. “Meadow told us what happened. I’ll drive you, and we can take your princess mobile so you can give her a proper goodbye at the airport.”
I laughed through my tears and Arlo squeezed me tight.
“It’ll be okay. Are you telling Hunter and Logan you’re going out of town?”
I froze and shoved away from him. “Sa-say that again.”
“Hunter and Logan, the alphas who are obviously obsessed with you and thought you were Forest’s mom.”
“How—”
