“I can’t leave.”
“That’s where I come in,” Altan said, sitting on the floor beside the nest. “I’ll guard them with my life. Go get unstinky. Your babies deserve a clean, sweet-smelling start.”
I knew full well he was referring to the time I made him shower after three days of not wanting to leave his baby, even when she was napping. I didn’t regret it, just like he wasn’t goingto regret this.That’s what besties do. They look out for each other.
Chapter Twenty
Brent
I all but kidnapped Bunny Foo-Foo. She became my only companion during the days when my mate worked, and I appreciated it so much. She’d go back to the tattoo parlor after the babies came. I’d already promised her that. She loved it there but agreed this was where she belonged.
It was wild that I could communicate with cats. Now that I understood my ability, I worked on strengthening it, and it had gotten so much better since I laid my clutch, thanks to my furry friend.
I was ready for Theo to be home full-time, but I understood all the reasons he needed to keep working. The guys at the station were amazing, and they all agreed that they’d happily come in on their off-shift when the babies arrived. Theo’s plan was to work as close to their birth as he could, so he could extend his leave a little longer once our triplets were here. Goddess knew I was going to need the help. Even with both of us there, we’d be outnumbered.
He was off today, and I all but pushed him out the door to do the grocery shopping. I felt bad that he’d been picking up all the errands, but the idea of leaving the house or going any farther than the bathroom while the eggs were nestled here made me nauseous. It was to the point I didn’t think I’d be able to make it if I tried.
Theo assured me that was normal. He explained that if we had been having kittens instead of dragons, they’d have been inside my warm belly for the entire time. Just because they were dragons didn’t mean I wouldn’t feel the need to be with them until they came into this world. That logic made sense and helped alleviate some of my guilt. Some, not all.
I tried to argue with him that if they were kittens, then I’d be doing the errands as well, but he was having none of that.
“What do you think, Bunny Foo-Foo? Is today the day?”
Based on when I had my clutch, they could’ve hatched as early as yesterday and as late as the day after tomorrow. They still hadn’t made any signs of attempting to get out of their hard temporary home, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t decide to show up today.
Bunny Foo-Foo wrapped herself around the teal egg, purring and not answering me at first. I asked again and saw an image of the three babies again. I was very interested to see if the babies she kept showing me actually looked like our little ones, but only time would tell.
My phone rang, and I expected it to be Theo asking what to get if the cake I wanted wasn’t there. I’d sent him for a very specific combination, thanks to my very particular craving. The odds were against me. But it was Altan.
“It’s me, checking to make sure you’re still alive.”
“Why call? You made me promise I’d come tell you if I died…in person, ages ago.”
“I forgot thehaunting each other until both of our lives are overbestie clause?”
“Do you really sit around and think about that kind of thing?” He was my bestie, but sometimes he had me shaking my head.
“Sometimes. But mostly I’m just messing with you. I called to see if you wanted some company. There are two guys in the tattoo shop who are itching to see some eggs before they hatch.”
“Oh, so by ‘company,’ you mean everybody,” I said.
“Everybody,” he confirmed. “But say the word and I’ll tell them you’re puking or something.”
“To make them worry less?”
“No, to freak them out so they stay home. Keep up.” He lowered his voice. “I’ll do that. Or pretend I never called you.”
“No, I think I’d like to have them here.” Now that he mentioned it, I wanted them to be here already.
“What can we bring you?”
“Yourselves and… Tacos from that place around the corner from your house. The carnitas ones, not the beef ones.” They were delicious and would hit the spot.
“I got you.”
My mate was barely in the door when everyone pulled in. They must have been ready when Altan had called.
“The gang’s all here?” he asked, looking surprised.
