“You better,” she warned, but I heard Dad’s laugh as she hung up.
I was both relieved and saddened that they’d called without me seeing them, but that would change tomorrow. Mom had likely called without it to respect our privacy; I could only love her for that.
With the chicken perfectly grilled, the vegetables chopped and the salad and dressing perfectly done, I set the table which was right in the middle of the kitchen and living room.
Seeing the cheese was missing, I quickly grated some and added it to a bowl, knowing we needed to put on some weight.
“Dinner,” I announced, knowing I would say the same sentence, over and over again for many years to come.
“So, I have an announcement,” I began, projecting the first picture from my slate of our new home.
“Are we looking at houses?” Aiden asked, smiling as he took in the outside and front yard.
“We’re looking at our new house,” I corrected, swiping for the next photo, this time it was of the foyer.
“Our house?” Derek squeaked excitedly.
“Yep,” I confirmed. “Alec sent me a message about it. Juno and Remi want to buy the house next to it, and Nix and his mate Louis have already bought the next house over.”
“So we would all be neighbors? That sounds amazing!” Derek gushed, looking so damn happy.
“When are we moving?” Aiden asked, urging me to keep swiping.
“Alec told me it was ours if we wanted it and that it was all ready, so I think soon. Maybe we should give it a week so our bodies can handle the move,” I answered.
“At least we don’t have much stuff to move with us,” Aiden pointed out.
“True,” I chuckled. “I’ll ask Alec when we can move in.” I eyed Aiden, then took his phone out of my pocket. “I know you’re tired,” I said, handing Aiden his old phone. “But you should call your dads before we go to bed.”
He grabbed it eagerly. “I can call them from here?!”
“Yes—”
Annnnd, he was gone. It seemed that looking at the rest of the pictures would have to wait.
Derek laughed. “I think you just handed him the moon.”
We stood in the living room, eyeing the direction Aiden had run in. He was likely going to the bedroom for privacy.
“You think he’ll be okay?” I asked, still staring at the empty space Aiden had passed moments before.
“What do you mean?” Derek asked, gently grabbing my hand in his.
I turned to face him. “Talking to them alone. I thought he would call them here so we could comfort him.”
Derek gave me a kind smile. “You’re so good to us.”
I smiled back. It was nice being told I was doing a good job, having two mates wasn’t something I could ask advice about, me being the only one known to have two. Derek telling me I was doing well settled something inside of me.
“So, he’ll be fine?” I pushed, needing to hear him say it.
“Yes, Nolen. Aiden will be fine. It’s his dads. Most of us who share that horrible father might have terrible parents, but Aiden lucked out with those two. You don’t have to worry about him. He might just need to do this himself, and I get that.”
I sighed, hugging Derek against my chest. “Thank you.”
He let out a chuckle. “For what?”
“For easing my mind.”
