Six months later
The Kids First Initiative is having its first ever charity event. Hockey is currently in the off season, which gives Rhodes, Skylar, and I time to throw all our efforts into getting this organization off the ground.
We have a board to help keep things going when we’re playing hockey, and we decided to go a lot further in our plans. We want to create an indoor/outdoor experience for the kids in Lakeview. It’ll allow us to give them a community center for sports, and also plan outdoor activities with experienced adults who can lead them on a hike, paddle boarding, or kayaking.
We want to give them an outlet to enjoy that’s positive. Richards and Olsson were over for dinner one night in late April, and they told us to dream bigger, and here we are.
My phone vibrates in my pocket as Rhodes and I speak with a few potential investors. My alpha tugs me out of the circle of people to make my escape, and I pull out my phone as I hurry out of the ballroom.
There are very few calls I’d answer during an event like this, and Davina Gray is one of them. Skylar, Rhodes and I became foster parents in May, and we’ve fostered two kids for small periods of time when they’ve needed a safe place to land in between placements.
Davina has been hesitant to place people with us, even going so far as to plan extra visits to see how three “jocks” are handling children with behavioral issues. Honestly, I’m not sure who said they had “issues” because most of it has been a failure to communicate. Respect begets respect, and the two children we fostered were preteens with a wicked sense of humor mixed with their trauma.
It wasn’t a walk in the park, but my pack handled it with care and composure.
“Hello?” I answer, my feet taking me away from the noise of the party.
“You’re busy,” she says, her tone showing she’s unimpressed with me.
“Rhodes and Skylar have it handled,” I promise. “How can I help?”
“You always say that,” she sighs. “I don’t understand what they’re handling.”
Davina doesn’t know about the kids’ organization because it’s under an umbrella company. I want to make sure it’s getting the right attention for the children, and not because ‘some jocks’ are running it. Ugh, talking to her is an exercise in staying calm, or at least pretending really well.
“I’m at a charity event,” I say smoothly. “We are talking to investors about working with us in our endeavors to provide more educational enrichment.”
“Fine, Mr. Jeffries. Keep your secrets,” she groans. “If you’re partying, just say so.”
I mean, I kind of told her the truth. She simply doesn’t want to hear it.
“I assume you called me for a reason?” I ask her.
“Yes, and now I’m rethinking it. However, I’m in a bind and you’re going to tell me if you can help me and a little baby girl out of it,” she says.
My heart cramps so hard it physically hurts. Panic rushes through the bonds, and I reassure my pack that I’m good.
“I believe we can help,” I rasp. “Where is she?”
“She’s at the hospital. Her mother died giving birth to her two days ago. The baby has been cleared to leave, but there’s no one to come pick her up,” Davina explains. “Her mother doesn’t have any next of kin listed, and she’s unmarried. As far as my resources tell me, the mother was planning to raise her alone. That would have been fine, if she hadn’t had a stroke after delivery.”
“That’s terrible,” I whisper.
“My concern is that it’s September, and I’m aware hockey season will be starting back up. How are you going to care for an infant while you’re traveling constantly?” she asks.
“The same way we’re able to have a puppy who needs lots of attention. We have an overnight pet sitter who travels with us, and someone who hangs with her while we’re at practice,” I reply. “It’s the same way foster parents and caregivers handle working a nine-to-five while being responsible for children. We delegate.”
“Yes, but you can’t just throw money at this,” Davina sputters.
“That’s rich. When someone puts their child in daycare, it’s handling their lives, but if I have a nanny, it’s considered what exactly? Rich people abandonment?” I ask. “By having a nanny, we can ensure the baby is well taken care of while we’re working, and we still sneak off to see her whenever we have a chance.
“You asked what ‘handling things’ means, and it seems you need a breakdown. It means that whenever one person needs help, the other jumps in to give it. Having three people in our pack helps to lessen our load. There are many packs with more than two people. Why do you have such a problem with us?”
“You’re three unmarried men,” she says. “I rarely place children with packs that don’t have at least one female in it.”
Taking a deep, quiet breath, I shake my head.
“Feminine energy doesn’t only exist for those who are biological women,” I say. “You can be soft, patient, and kind even while having a different appendage between your legs, Davina. If being unmarried is the issue, I’ll fly my mother out to plan a wedding in the morning. Except, instead of it being a shotgun wedding because I knocked someone up, it’ll be so I can bring a baby home who deserves comfort and love. Would that work?”
