My brain catalogs what she’ll need and what can stay. Obviously, the bed and dresser can stay, I can build her any type of furniture she wants. For now, I do a quick scan until I see a duffel bag and toss it out to the bed beside Teddy. Kelly got him to stretch out, but the bed’s too small for his frame so his feet hang over the end. There’s no room for her to cuddle unless she lays on top of him. Not that he would mind.
Her hand's running over his hair, but when the duffel hits the bed, she meets my eyes again, we don’t even need words. She bends down and kisses him on the forehead so I can take her place while she packs up some clothes. Kelly goes to her dresser and digs around for a bit before looking back over her shoulder at us. She pulls out a couple of handfuls of lacy sheer fabric and stuffs them in the bottom of her bag before adding plain cotton underwear and bras on top.
Teddy’s face is turned towards her, and he lets out a low chuckle at her attempts at being inconspicuous, causing her cheeks to turn an adorable shade of pink. She hurries over to the closet grabbing out several shirts and dresses and shoving them on top of the underwear. After she adds a couple of pairs of jeans and shorts to the bag, she has some trouble zipping it closed.
Kneeling on top of the bag to push everything down, she looks back at us, lets out an exasperated huff of air, and comes over to pick up a charger and earbud case from the table. Shoving them on top of everything else she, tries again. Her adorable blush has gone almost atomic red by the time she gets it zipped, and I almost feel bad asking her if she needs any of her bath stuff. Her eyes get huge for a second, her tiny foot comes down with a stomp. “Oh....Sugarsnaps!”
She tries to march out of the room, but trips over the bag on her way. Thankfully, she regains her balance with the help ofthe doorframe and stomps down the hall. I hear her footsteps and muttering all the way there and back, when she returns with a bottle of shampoo, conditioner, and a toothbrush. She’s blushing and looking at her feet when she comes in. “Sorry, the soap and toothpaste and stuff are mine and Tuck's, so I just grabbed my hair stuff and toothbrush. I hope we can go to the store soon so I can get a few things.”
Like she even needs to ask.
Teddy and I will both give her anything she needs or wants.
“As long as it can wait until tomorrow, I think we need to get our omega home and tucked in. Maybe some chicken soup?” I look between the two of them, and they both nod. Kelly goes to try to unzip her bag, but I don’t know how she expects to squeeze anything else in there. I help Teddy stand, then grab the duffel by the strap and toss it over my shoulder. “Can you just carry those out to the car, I got the bag?” I nod at the stuff she has in her hands, and she starts to protest before just nodding, and mouthing a silent ‘Thank you’ to me.
I head down the stairs first—again, just in case either of them fall. Teddy is close behind, his hand on my shoulder to keep himself steady. Kelly follows behind after closing her bedroom door. Her dad's standing in the entryway again when we come in. “Call me anytime you need me, Sprout. I’ll come running. I love you.” He gives her a big hug, squeezing her until she squeaks before he lets her go.
“Daddy, I’m still in town. And I don’t even have all my clothes. It’s not like you’ll never see me again.” She hugs him back and he ruffles her hair.
Glaring at Teddy and me again over her head, he tells us, “You boys take care of my little girl.”
Teddy mumbles a low, “Yes sir,” before shuffling towards the door. I’ll call in an order from the diner for some chicken soup, and I’m sure I have soda crackers at home. Kelly kisses herdad on the cheek then follows Teddy outside, helping him get situated in my truck.
“I’m serious Sam, you better be careful with her.” I can’t even be mad at him, since I’d already tear down the world to keep her and Teddy safe.
“I’m not gonna tell you not to worry, Rob. But I can tell you that as long as Teddy and I are around, then we’ll do everything in our power to make sure that Kelly stays safe and happy.” He grumbles a bit but sticks his hand out for me to shake before turning around and heading back into the kitchen.
I get outside and Kelly's standing by the open passenger door of my truck. Teddy still looks ill, but not as bad. “Do you want me to order some soup from the diner or a burger…or…?” I trail off, hoping they’ll tell me what they want. But Teddy just stares. Of course, he’s never been to the diner, so he doesn’t know what they have.
“I can pop by the store. If you wanna take Teddy home, I’ll run in and grab some canned soup, or anything you might need. It’ll give me a chance to pick up soap and toothpaste, so we don’t have to leave tomorrow.” Kelly smiles at me, and I pull out my wallet to hand her my debit card. She just stares at it for a minute before flicking her eyes back up to mine. “I do have a job, and money…just tell me what you need.”
Together we make a short list of medicine and foods that might sit ok on a sick stomach, as well as stuff for hamburgers and foods that Kelly and I can take turns cooking, without her setting herself on fire. She leans into the truck, kissing Teddy quickly on the lips, and he whines a little when she pulls back. “I know, Big Guy, but I’ll be home soon too, ok. Just keep Sam entertained till I get there.”
He chuckles softly, reaching out to run his fingers down the side of her jaw. “Miss you already, Pixie.”
She closes the door after he pulls his hand back, and leans into me, pressing her face against my chest and breathing in deep. My arms come around her automatically, holding her close. I don’t want to be separated, even for the trip home, but I let go when she pulls away.
“You both look like I kicked your puppy, I won’t be that far behind you. And this way we can have the whole day tomorrow to get to know each other better, without having to deal with shopping or family stuff, yeah?” Teddy and I both nod, and I climb up into the cab of the truck with him. He leans over, pulling against the belt and pressing his face to my shoulder. He releases a deep shuddering sigh as we watch Kelly hop in her tiny car and take off towards town. We follow behind all the way to the store, and he waves out the window when she pulls into the parking lot.
Chapter 14
Why does everything hurt?
It’s too hot. Is nobody else feeling this?
What’s up with spring in this place? Seriously, this is fucking miserable.
I just want to curl up in my nest and sleep…I need my blankets, and my pillows.
And my nest is back at the omega center…FUCK!
Why am I so fucking needy?
SHIT!!!
“Hey, um, Sam…we might have a little problem.” Sam’s head swings to me, concern written in every line of his body. “Yeah, um…I’m hoping it’s just a spike…but this feels an awful lot like the start of a heat to me. I don’t know if it’s because my hormones are crazy from meeting my pack, or stress…or what. But you mentioned having a nest at the house, how much work would that take to finish?” The last bit comes out as a groan when my stomach cramps and I clamp my lips together to stop the whine that tries to escape.
A loud, “Well fuck!” erupts from the other side of the truck. That reaction’s not a good sign. The whine I was holding back slips free at the upset alpha. His hand snaps over to cover mine, and his thumb traces along the back of my knuckles as his purr starts up. “No, no, it’s ok. It’ll be ok. We can figure this out.” He tries to reassure me, but the hand holding mine is shaking as well.
