She gazed at me shrewdly before eventually nodding. “I will accept that.”
Leo whispered in my ear. “She won’t. It’s how she shows love, just roll with it.”
I would take love however Mama Aleida wanted to give it. With that settled, I enjoyed the rest of my food. I wasn’t sure if Mexican food hit the spot because I was carrying Leo’s baby or if my taste buds had simply adapted instantly to getting to eat Mama Aleida’s food every day.
“How long are you leaving Papi alone in the kitchen?” Leo asked, draping his arm over his mothers shoulders.
“Not much longer. I left him making the mole so he will be occupied for a few hours, but we’re catering an office lunch tomorrow, so I can’t stay long.”
Leo kissed her cheek, pulling her into a proper hug. “We’re happy to see you for however long you can stick around. Pass along our love to Papi.”
“Of course I will, mijo. You all be good.” She made her rounds, getting a hug from each of us. My cheeks got their obligatory squish before a forehead kiss, followed by a loving brush of her knuckles over my stomach. “You be extra good for your little one on the way. I love you, mija.”
I almost choked on my own tears returning her affection. When she left to go back to her husband, I pulled in a deep breath. “I know I say it every time she comes over, but she’sreallynailing this mother-in-law thing.”
Leo’s easy smile was so sweet. “She knows you were lacking in the real thing. I think she mentally adopted you the second I mentioned that.”
Nathan was also lacking in the mother department, but between Leo’s and Jude’s, we were getting the proper experience. Alve’s mom was lovely too, but she wasn’t local, so we saw a lot less of her.
It was still wild to think how quickly everyone’s families had welcomed us in. I was part of something I had always dreamed of. Discussions happened a lot, with me often pouring out my various concerns that I was secretly a terrible person taking advantage of my new family’s love, but my pack was really good at shutting that thought down. I planned to do plenty for all of them in time. Nathan seemed to have figured out the exact sensation in the bond of my compulsion to overextend myself because I was feeling guilty, managing to stop me before I’d even opened my mouth.
I knew it would all take time and practice, but I was learning. Sometimes all someone wanted in return was company or a conversation, and that was a hell of a lot more practical than me offering to repaint someone’s whole house because of one offhand comment that they had been meaning to repaint.
Therapy would start soon, too, now that we were settled in. That would help more. I had so much fucking baggage hanging off my shoulders, but I was determined to shed as much of it as I could to be the best version of myself for my pack and our baby. Likely as it was to be a lifelong journey, I wasn’t about to discount the healing I could achieve along the way.
My pack hugged me without my needing to ask for it this time.
“Could we persuade you to indulge in some pack cuddle time before you get back to work?” Nathan asked, searching my gaze.
I loved them so much. “Try and stop me.”
Before Madison, Versailles hadn’t really been on my radar, but when a babymoon had been suggested to check out some palaces, I’d instantly suggested we add Spain to the trip as well. After Versailles and Fontainebleau, we’d be heading there. The Parisians weren’t a huge fan of my accent when I spoke French, many of them reverting to English, but my fluency did make navigation a hell of a lot simpler.
Our omega was in complete awe as she soaked up every luxurious detail of the French palace. Even without her excitement like a spotlight to the face in the bond, I could appreciate the aesthetic of opulence.
Next week we were heading south, first to the royal palace in Madrid, and then to my personal favorite: the Alhambra.
Alve looped his arm around my waist, his purr soft, and his contentment steady in the bond. “Think we achieved a memorable birthday for her?”
“This might be the happiest I’ve ever seen her.”
I loved his smile. It came so much easier now than when we’d first met.
“I’m ready to celebrate you, too. What are you most excited about? Is there anything else I can do to make your own birthday special?”
“Being with all of you is plenty special,” I assured him, leaning into his embrace. “We’ve got my favorite spots on the itinerary already, and I’m planning on eating my weight in paella on our overnight in Valencia.”
My phone buzzed, a notification from Chico popping up in response to the photos I’d sent them.
Chico:
Looks like you’re having fun!
Charlotte wants to know if you can get her a postcard from the palace
Alve watched me type over my shoulder, adding a note to his own phone to mark down the request. He had a list of everyone’s requests for souvenirs and had been delighting in collecting each one like he was on a treasure hunt. It was cute as fuck.
Leo:
