They made it to the fenced off area where the coups were, the sound of clucking and squawking growing louder at the sight of Eric. Lynda was the fastest to reach the closed gate, as if she knew exactly what Eric was there for.
A grinning Cassidy came right behind her. “Eric, what you got there that has my girls flapping their skirts?”
Monty noticed Cassidy was way more careful with his footing now that his belly protruded out enough that he couldn’t see his boots.
Eric grinned so big it transformed his face. The gauntness was much less obvious, as was the pain in his eyes. “I have some outfits for my—your girls,” he quickly corrected.
“I’d say the way Lynda’s behavin’, she’s your girl now,” he said affably.
“Cass, oh my gosh, no one told me you were pregnant!” Lane exclaimed, greeting the man like a long-lost friend, going in for a hug when Cassidy opened the gate to come out.
“I’ve got a mate now.” Cassidy beamed. “Trey made an honest man of me.”
Ivo nudged Otis and whispered, “What’s he mean?”
Otis shook his head. “Heck if I know.”
“Eric, are you gonna put me out of my misery?” Monty asked without thought.
He froze at his own stupidity, about to apologize when Eric did a ta-da move, opening the bag and pulling out some tiny dresses.
Monty’s mouth fell open, as did Cassidy’s.
“Oh my,” Lane said in awe. “They’re gorgeous.”
They were. The hand stitched dresses came in rainbow colors. Some had pretty frills. Others had scalloped edges with hand-painted designs on the silk. There were so many different ones, Monty didn’t know where to look first. The intricate detail and tiny, precision stitching, fuck Monty couldn’t even dream of achieving that in any lifetime.
“Eric… they are precious.”
Cassidy released a choked sob, drawing everyone’s attention. “Don’t mind me, it’s pregnancy hormones. Though I gotta say, Eric, you got skills, man. I can only dream of ever making something so fancy.”
“I helped with the painting,” murmured Cace, looking abashed when it appeared he hadn’t wanted to be left out, but didn’t then want everyone staring at him by how he fidgeted and looked at the ground.
Eric’s head bobbed enthusiastically. “He did, he’s the one with talent. Look here, these are all the chics. See? He drew them first on paper, then painted them on the silk with the special paints and brushes Brier bought for him.”
“Why, damn, it is.” Cassidy, who seemed to have gotten himself under control, gave Cace the brightest smile, tears shimmering in his eyes. “You guys are the best. Do you think, Cace, I could have the pictures of my girls? I’d like to put them on the walls of my new home.”
“You would?” whispered Cace, eyes so big they consumed his face.
“Heck, yeah.” Cassidy rubbed at his round belly. “The baby likes the idea too with how it’s kickin’ me.”
“Does it hurt?” Ivo was eyeing Cassidy’s belly as if trying to see the kicks.
Cassidy held out his hand to Ivo. “Wanna feel?”
There was an obvious hesitation before Ivo placed his hand in Cassidy’s, stepping closer as Cassidy pressed the palm of Ivo’s hand against the side of his belly.
His lips formed a perfect O as he stared at where his hand was. “That’s gotta hurt!” he exclaimed.
“A little when it hits me in a rib, but mainly it’s reassuring me they’re happy rolling around in there.”
“I never thought of it like that,” Ivo murmured thoughtfully.
Monty wondered if he was thinking about the omega that died giving birth to Emmy.
As if Lane had the same thought, he came closer to Eric. “Are we going to try the outfits on for size?”
“Please,” Monty added. “I’m so excited to see how they look.”
