After that, food was dished out, conversation was enjoyed, and eggnog was consumed.
“That’s my bowl of mashed potatoes,” Felix said, glaring at Patrick.
“You get a whole bowl all to yourself?” the alpha asked.
“Trust us,” Milo said, nodding. “It’s the safest thing for everyone. Give the man his potatoes.”
“You teach yoga at a spa?” Haley asked Elise.
“Yes, and I love it, but my boss is a real creep.” Elise did her best puppy dog impression as she looked at Demarien. “If only I knew someone who had a business that would benefit from a yoga instructor. I could even wait tables as well if this business happened to have a restaurant.”
“Whoa,” Mia said, gasping dramatically. “I know somewhere like that. The town is even hiring a sheriff’s deputy. I could apply there.”
“Milo, can we hire Elise?” Demarien asked, sighing. “Yoga and waitstaff.”
“Hired,” Milo said, scooping a third serving of macaroni and cheese. His appetite had only increased as his pregnancy did.
“Yes,” Boone fist pumped. “Mia will live in town too. Soon, all my friends will be here. My plan is finally coming to fruition. Muwhaha.”
“I knew you only loved me for my ties to this inn,” Demarien said, clutching his chest. “Is that all I am to you? A way to bring your friends to Myrtlewood Bay?”
Joe sighed. “Ignore them, Lynda, Perry. They’ve been watching Korean dramas lately. It’s slightly better than their puns, but the two really shouldn’t be allowed to spend so much time together.”
“Noted,” Lynda said, shaking her head in disappointment. “Children these days.”
After dinner,they went to the sitting room for the last round of presents.
“We weren’t sure if you were going to make it,” Demarien said, handing four gifts each to Perry and Lynda.
Boone’s parents looked shocked. “For us?”
Demarien shrugged. “Yeah. We also have news to share.”
Milo cleared his throat. “We wanted to wait until Felix could find out too, so last week, we all went to have the sex of the babies checked.”
“The sex doesn’t really matter,” Puck said, yawning, “but it’s kind of nice to know how they’ll start.”
Boone looked at Demarien. “You know?”
Demarien grinned and stood, pulling an ultrasound picture from his back pocket. He held it up. “I’m having a girl.”
Boone’s knees weakened, and he sank to the sofa. His mom gasped, eyes watering, while his dad chuckled.
“A girl?” Lynda asked, tears starting to fall. “A granddaughter. Perry, we’re going to have a granddaughter.”
“We’re naming her Maylee, right?” Boone asked, wiping his eyes. “After your mom?”
Demarien nodded, moving to sit next to Boone. “Yep.”
Milo stood and passed his ultrasound around. “I’m having a boy. No name decided yet. Damn, this all just got real.”
Felix stood, face flushed. “Boy,” he said, then sat down.
Everyone looked at Puck, brooding with his dog and chicken on the loveseat.
“Well?” Haley asked.
“My dream was to have one quiet, well-behaved child,” Puck said, sighing. “One is plenty. A family without a hassle.”
