“I’ll meet you at the front door.” We’re no longer sneaking into my mother’s house. We can act like civilized adults and use the front door. He nods, and I walk down the hallway to the front. I look down at myself and scoff at what I’m wearing, but don’t change as I answer the front door.
God, he looks good. A few dark blond tendrils of hair peek out of his beanie, and he’s wearing black sweatpants and a tight hoodie that clings to his chest. There’s a small, red bag in his hand, and he holds it to his side as he stands outside.
“Do you want to come in?” He nods and follows me to the living room. As soon as he sits on the couch, Hanks drools all over Anders’ crotch in greeting. I try to pull him off, but Anders just smiles and pets him like an old friend he missed, which I guess is true.
“He missed you,” I say softly, and Anders rubs the spot behind his ears that Hank likes. Anders’ blue eyes meet mine, and he smirks.
“I missed him too. Glad to see he’s doing okay.”
“I was lucky that Eli came by.”
“You know I wanted to come by sooner but didn’t know if you wanted me to or not.”
I wrap my arms around my legs and rest my chin on my knees. “I haven’t been myself lately.”
“Eli told me everything. I hope that’s okay.” I nod. When we were all together, we all told each other everything. We’re a pack, and that’s just how things go.
“I had a therapy appointment today, and I think I realized just how badly the high dosage suppressants messed me up. It doesn’t excuse anything, but I just wanted you to know that I’m not on them anymore, and I’m trying to get back to that Charlotte you all liked.”
“I don’t care if you’ve changed. I don’t care if you’ll never be the same again. You’re mine, and I’ll do whatever it takes to prove it to you. What happened to Kathy…” He shakes his head back and forth, and I can see the pain in his eyes as he thinks about my mother. I feel it too. “…Your mom was special. I don’t know if you knew, but we talked often. She became important to me, and I’m so fucking sorry to hear what happened and that you were there. I got you something.”
He holds out the bag next to him and hands it to me. “If it’s too imposing, then I can take it back. I just kept thinking about Kathy, and I can’t imagine how much you miss her, so I thought I could give you a piece of her.”
I furrow my brow, wondering what he has in the bag as he hands it over to me. Once I open it, it’s a big black dog stuffed animal. Maybe not as fluffy as Hank is, but still adorable nonetheless. I must look confused as Anders gives me a small smile and squeezes the dog's ear between his two fingers.
My mom's voice starts and my eyes well with tears automatically.
“Anders, sweetie, it’s Kathy. I wanted to give you a call and let you know that Charlotte started her drive to Boston. I know she’ll be too excited to call me when she gets there. Can you make sure to give me a call to let me know she’s safe? We gotta make sure our precious girl is cared for. You kids have fun. Love you.”
I tap on the ear three more times, just wanting to hear my mom’s voice over and over again. The “love you’ at the end of the message clenches my heart every time. I can’t think about how many times I’ve missed her voice and just wanted to hear from her.
Looking up at Anders, his eyes are watery as well. I can see that he truly did care about my mother as much as he said he does. It’s comforting to be around people who understand your grief in the person you lost. My mom was special, and to know that Anders knew that as well means everything to me.
I’m silently crying as Anders leans forward, his big hands cupping my jaw as his calloused thumbs wipe the tears falling down my face. The emotion lately has been high, and while I feel sadness over hearing my mom’s voice, happiness outweighs it. Being able to hear her voice brings me joy, not hurt like I thought it would. Remembering her won’t always bring me hurt, and it’s Anders who is helping me realize that.
“I don’t know how to say thank you, Anders.”
“You don’t need to thank me, Charlotte.”
His eyes are boring into mine as I shake my head in disagreement. “No, I do. This means so much to me. I thought remembering her and thinking about her would make me feel sad, but hearing her voice again makes me think about all of the amazing conversations I ever had with her. I needed this.”
We’re in this position for a while, but it’s not as uncomfortable as it should be with how much time has separated us. It’s soothing, and I feel my heart rate slow and my tears dry up. This man doesn’t blame me for anything that happened, he’s only looking for ways on how he can fix it. I suppose it’s a very Anders type thing to want to do. When I look into his light eyes, all I see is honesty. Maybe I’m a sap and giving in way too fucking easy, but I want his comfort. I want what he wants to give.
I clear my throat. “Maybe I shouldn’t have shut you out.” Guilt has been consuming me, and I don’t know what else to say after his sentimental gesture. He shakes his head, his hands not leaving my face. I can tell he disagrees and that guilt is heavy on his conscience as well.
“Charlotte, we should have done more. You’re an Omega, and you were in limbo the entire time we were together. We didn’t offer you any security, and Eli told me about the pictures in Vegas. We weren’t there when you were at your lowest, and it will always be my biggest regret.”
His hands haven’t left my face, and his scent is heady and comforting. I haven’t had a hazelnut latte in months because it was too painful. Scenting him is like being welcomed back home.
“How exactly did you all find yourself on the same team?” I ask. I’ve been curious about it since I saw them the other night. And I want to change the subject from being so heavy.
“The Foxes were struggling as an expansion team. They needed a goalie and a stronger offense. So Eli made Jake propose the first ever pack contract, and it worked.”
“You knew I was in Connecticut?” He nods his head.
“I’ve checked in with Piper every week or so, and she told us that you were with her and that you were safe. So, begrudgingly, Jake made the trade happen, and we’re all here.”
“You were planning on getting me back?”
