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“Do you guys want kids?” Dean’s question was so random and abrupt that it had all of us freezing.
“What the hell, dude?” Atlas asked with a startled laugh.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I’ve never really had a reason to think about being a mom. Mine isn’t the best.”
“Come on, you’re a romantic at heart. There’s no way,” Dean pushed.
“I’m a romantic who wanted to pack. But I didn’t know how the future would look,” I admitted. “I guess I didn’t want to not be enough for my kids.”
Atlas squeezed me. “That’s your trauma talking. Dean and I have had similar conversations before. Mom was apparently not happy and the pregnancy was the straw that broke the camel’s back. My dad was amazing, though.”
“Grant didn’t do too bad,” Dean agreed. “I don’t know if I’m really afraid of that anymore.”
“I never expected to have anyone else but me,” Ezra admitted. “I can’t even imagine being a dad. But I’m not exactly opposed to it either.”
“I’ve thought about it,” Collin admitted. “I’ve always wanted a big pack, couple of kids running around, white picket fence, and a dog,” he joked. “Actually, this is the perfect time to share our little surprise. Kid-talk can wait.”
“I’m going to need you all to keep to one subject so I can keep up,” I said, startled at the quick change. “How the hell did we go from kids to a surprise?”
“It’ll make more sense when you see it,” Collin said, reaching out for my hand, leaving it just inches away and waiting for me to put my palm in his. I didn’t even hesitate to do so, letting him pull me inside. Ezra was already pulling the food off of the grill and shutting it down, following us inside.
They set the table quickly while Collin made sure I was sitting at the head of the table. Instead of putting a plate in front of me, he slid a manila folder.
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion and the tension rising was not helping me remain calm about what was hidden inside.
“You guys are kind of freaking me out,” I admitted. “Why are you all this tense?”
“It’s not scary. I don’t know what’s with all the theatrics,” Dean said with a strained laugh like he wasn’t just as worked up as the rest of them.
“Just open it,” Atlas groaned. “You’re killing me.”
He gave me a reassuring smile but despite his words I could see a little bit of worry in his eyes.
Finally I opened the folder, staring down at an unfamiliar house. It looked like an old farmhouse that had been updated a few times. It still had the normal features but the large windows and wraparound porch were more modern than the rest.
“Whose house is this?”
“Ours,” Collin said. “We don’t want to live apart anymore. We’re a pack now and we should live like one. We just want to see what you think of it, too.”
“Okay,” I said cautiously as I flipped through the other pictures. It revealed a few shots of an empty house in various stages of repair. There was also a set of blueprints and a page of notes.
“What do you think?” They sounded worried, I had a feeling that they were invested already but tried not to let it cloud my own judgment as I studied everything.
My fingers traced the blueprints. “I love the bay windows,” I offered. “I’m having a hard time picturing it, but if you love it, I know I will. But these blueprints may as well be a different language.”
“We thought you might say that. We’ll go over soon and let you see it in person,” Collin promised.
“Does that mean you’re considering moving in with us all?” Atlas asked.
“Aren’t we already?” I questioned. “We stay at Collin’s almost every night. I haven’t been to Micah’s in close to a month.”
“This is different. The house wouldn’t just be Collin’s, it would beourhouse. one we choose how to renovate and fit our pack,” Atlas corrected.
“Our jobs and independence wouldn’t change, but it would be home,” Ezra added.
I listened as Collin took away the folder and replaced it with a plate.
“It has several rooms and a giant master bedroom,” Collin explained.
