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The red dress cuts low, showing off?—
“Her hot as fuck tits,” Orion says with a grin.
I roll my eyes. “Don’t leer.”
“Have you seen what comes out of her tits? She’s impressive. Magnificent. She single-handedly provides our pup with nourishment. They’re wonderful.”
“It’s not me you need to convince.”
She’s wearing a pair of very tall heels, and I was in awe when she carried the car seat with them on. I’m a lucky man to have her on my arm.
“You fed her in the car a few moments ago, and she’ll be fine with me for a little while.” I reach over the table and grasp her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. “You’re not alone, princess, and you still act like it’s just you. We’re going to enjoy ourselves, and you’re going to let me share the parenting burden. The waiter will bring over your menu, you’ll find what you want to eat, and enjoy yourself.”
She nods slowly. “It’s hard.”
“What is?” I rub my thumb over the back of her hand, offering some comfort.
“I feel like a burden sometimes, and I don’t… as much as you are Phoebe’s dads, I just sometimes feel like I still need to do it myself.”
“A burden?” Orion snarls. “She is everything to us. We don’t do enough for her. What the fuck is wrong with our mate?”
He whacks me on the brain—not literally, but enough that I feel the ringing of his admonishing.
“You are a terrible mate if you let her doubt herself this way. Grovel. Get on your knees and lick her feet.”
“Why do you feel like you’re a burden, princess?” I keep my tone soft, keep my hold on her hand, letting our bond soothe her the way it can.
Phoebe is asleep, her soft breaths easily audible over the loud and busy restaurant, so I can give Maia my full attention.
She looks down at our joined hands and sighs. “Phoebe is mine. Mine and Ryan’s?—”
I growl, unable to control myself, and her eyes snap up to me in shock. “Sorry. Go on.”
“Why did you growl?”
I adjust Phoebe ever so slightly and lean back in my seat, letting go of Maia’s hand. “We’ve told you numerous times how much of a blessing you are?—”
She shakes her head, her earrings glistening in the light. “Oh, Topher, no.” She reaches back out for my hand, and I take hers as she gives me a warm smile. “I know how much you guys… I trust what you say about me. And I know that you all love Phoebe and how much that is reciprocated. You and the others are her dads. I’m not… I’m not disputing that.”
“But?”
“But she’s mine,” my mate almost growls. “I feel guilty or… I don’t know, like a burden, when I leave her care to you. I’m a good mum, I can watch her. You guys work so hard, and I just… watch her.”
I laugh. “Maia, love, Phoebe is ours, too. Our claim on you is only part of it.” I squeeze her hand, giving her a soft smile. “But, princess? I think that independent “I can do it all” feeling is just part of your personality. You are an amazing mum.
“But that doesn’t mean she can’t sit with me for an hour whilst you eat. It doesn’t make you terrible for letting me hold her as you nap. And it really doesn’t put us out. We adore Phoebe. I love her.
“We do our parts, but you take the entire burden on your shoulders. You’re the one up with her every single night. You feed her every single day. You are her mum, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to be a lazy dad and not do my share when I’m home and can help you.
“You’ve got the hard job, and you deserve to rest just as much as I do.”
I grin down at my pup and gently snuggle her onto my chest so my hands are free, and I beam at my mate across the table.
“You’re the prize, and Phoebe is the ultimate bonus.”
She nods, a warm smile filling her face. “I know. Okay, the food smells divine, and I am starving, and I’m done bringing the mood down.”
I roll my eyes, admonish here, and then beckon over the waiter, who has given my mate and I the time to talk.
