“From what I can discern, Pippa’s job is stressful, which makes her mean. Harry’s been taking care of the kids full-time instead of being a chef and hates it, and is resentful. While Nate likes his job at his new university, he’s also a little lonely and realizing all the little privileges omegas have in this country that those in England don’t. Not that life is bad for English omegas, it’s just different,” she explained.
Fiona nodded. “It was an adjustment living in Ireland. They’re a little more progressive than in England, but more traditional than here. Like, yes, I have an undergraduate degree from the academy, but the amount of cooking, parenting, omega arts, and household management classes was much greater than what my friends took at their academies.”
“Yeah, but there’s a lot of arguing and regret, and the little ones are paying for it. There might be other things happening, too. But I don’t know everything yet. It’s so hard to get information,” Grace confessed.
Hale nodded. “I remember him talking about how different the professorial hierarchy was at his new university and how some of his colleagues paid him no mind because of his designation. Wow. Dad is still having relationship problems? I was wondering. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so hard on him?”
I hugged him tightly. “None of that is on you. He doesn’t get to make you feel bad–or be an asshole–because he has regrets.”
“We can’t help grown-ass adults who won’t accept assistance. But what we can do is make sure the littles are safe,” Grace said. “And bywe,I mean Creed and me. I just want to let you know in case it gets messy. They’re not in physical danger, but I need to make sure they’re mentally and emotionally safe.”
“Thank you.” Hale hugged her tight. “Thank you for not abandoning us siblings. Are you going to keep Tru, since she asked to stay with you?”
“I’m going to try. Because she’s a math genius, it’s easier to appeal to them. We have all three kids until after your wedding, and Tru longer because of math camp,” she said. “So hopefully, by then, I’ll have a better idea of what’s going on and how to best fix things.”
“Let us know if we can help,” I offered. I was worried about them. They were sweet, and those parents sounded awful. Also, a two-page proposal? Tru was like eight.
“I will,” Grace replied. “But let me figure it out for now. You have so much to focus on. Like your weddings and mating parties, your honeymoon, and….” She looked at Saoirse and Dusty who were playing with Hope. “Your baby. I am so happy for you.” Her look went a little wistful.
“Thank you,” Hale replied.
“We’re really excited. I’ve never been to Ireland.” Grace nodded. One of her mates called her and she went over to him.
“I want you to throw me.” Pax, his littlest brother, one of the ones from London, ran over to us and raised up his hands.
“Wow, you’re gonna be too big to throw pretty soon.” Hale picked him up. “Dare, think fast.”
Dare, Hale’s goth-cellist brother who went to BosTec, turned and caught Pax, who was laughing.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the throwing of the children,” I said to Fiona. “Do you think he’ll throw our children like that?”
“Probably.” Her eyes fell to Saoirse, who was now talking to Grace’s mate who boxed.
We’d been telling people about the pregnancy. Dusty’s moms were very excited as was mine. Fiona’s dads had the self-preservation instincts to simply offer their congratulations. Saoirse’s grandpas had sent a hand-carved cradle.
However, we hadn’t made it super-public yet. She was very good about hiding it, but it was getting difficult. After Hale’s graduation lunch, he was taking us to the boot store, so we could get our boots for the public baby announcement.
The baby shower of the century was in the planning stages. The wedding shower of the century had already happened. Our honeymoon, mating party, and trip to Feral Ratville were all arranged… and in just a few weeks.
“Little Brother.” Hope, the littlest Thorne, came over and held up her arms. I’d first met her at Verity’s wedding, she watched Monstero Lane and recognized me.
I picked Hope up and held her as she put her head on my shoulder and promptly fell asleep.
“That is the cutest thing ever,” Fiona cooed.
Hope and the twins were too little to know what designation they were. The basic prick-test was administered in middle school, though it didn’t indicate designations other than alphas, betas, and omegas. I’d been tested for being a kappa not long after because my parents and teachers were pretty sure of it.
“Grace says it’s time for lunch,” Hale said. “I’m so hungry.”
“Me, too,” I replied. “What do I do with this one?”
“We’ll take her.” Verity appeared with AJ. AJ took the sleeping Hope, and they walked towards the cars.
We went to Hale’s truck. This was the final ride. He was selling it to an undergrad tomorrow before we headed back to New York. While we’d talked about getting him a new truck for graduation, he wasn’t sure he needed it, so we were getting him a motorcycle.
“Let’s go to lunch,” I told him. “You’ve certainly earned it.”
“This place is insane,” I said to Hale as we wandered around the boot store. It was giant, and while there were some hats and belts, it was almost entirely boots.
