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“How was the ceremony, Sweetpea? Anything interesting happen?” Papa asks me as we walk.
Heat creeps across my cheeks, and my throat suddenly feels tight. Did anything interesting happen, he asks. There are so many ways I could respond.
I could tell them I found a scent match, only for them to have their omega already, killing any hope I had at finding what they all have with each other. Or I could tell them about the douche canoe alpha that grabbed and propositioned me, leading to one of said off-limits scent matches rescuing me. I could always tell them how badly Director Khan embarrassed me on stage when he called my name, blasting to the entire room that I was the only omega not being courted by a pack.
I’m not emotionally prepared to deal with the fallout from telling them any of that right now. So, instead, I say, “Nope. Not a single thing worth mentioning.” cringing on the inside when Mom raises a brow at me. Nothing gets past her.
We reach the SUV and load the back down with my stuff before piling in, Papa behind the wheel, Pops in the passenger seat, and Mom and Dad in the back seat with me. Before long, we’re leaving the OC in the rearview mirror, and that chapter of my life officially closes with a new one beginning. I lean my forehead against the window, watching the lights and buildings of the city fly by in a blur outside. Papa and Pops bicker in the front over music, and I smile softly at the familiarity of it all.
“Shep, you know the rules. Passenger gets music rights. You wanted to drive, now stop bickering with Damien and let him put something on. Honestly, it’s like I’ve got six children and not three sometimes.”
Pops grins triumphantly at him while Papa sulks behind the wheel. I don’t even know why they argue about it. They listen to the same stuff. I think they do it to rile Mom up. And as an excuse to cuddle up to her afterward. Like they need a reason for that. She’d never turn down cuddles from them.
The rest of the ride home is uneventful, and the welcoming sight of home greets me as the motion-activated lights come on when the car passes them by. I quickly hop out, breathing in the fresh air of the outdoors away from the city. Trees surround my parent’s little haven, giving the allure of privacy. I spent most of my childhood in these woods, exploring with my brother and sister. Sometimes by myself, going on adventures in my imagination.
I had been a witch, searching for all the mystical ingredients I needed that the earth would give me in my magical forest. A mermaid in the pond that can be found the deeper into the property you go. A brave knight, slaying the wicked supernatural’s that plagued the kingdom, slaughtering livestock and citizens who dared to enter the dark forest. And so many other things.
Growing up here was a dream. Secluded amongst the trees, a big, two-story home sits, with windows across the entire front so the inhabitants can gaze out at any moment and see the beauty surrounding them. A large covered, rustic porch sits invitingly in the back, with a comfortable porch swing with plush cushions dispersed around it and baskets of flowers hanging from the ceiling, offering anyone who sits there peace and comfort as the sun shines and the breeze swirls gently around you. I’ve sat on that swing countless times, getting lost in a book, studying my schoolwork, or just enjoying the peace and tranquility this place offers.
The walkway in the front is lined with daylilies, heart-leaved Bergenia, and lavender, some of Mom’s favorite plants. More flowers line the front of the house in all different shades of colors, making it feel even homier. The large forest-green door waits for me to open it and step back inside my childhood home. I haven’t been back since the Christmas holidays, but as always, it’s like I never left.
As we all walk inside, arms bogged down with all my belongings; I look around. So much love has been shared in this house. We had wonderful childhoods growing up, something I know we were fortunate to have. I know there are others out there that have it much worse. Gabriel, for example, didn’t have the best childhood, but he didn’t let it get him down.
The family room sits to the right of the entryway, with a plush brown couch and matching recliner beside it, facing a large tv mounted above the brick fireplace on the wall looking in. Bookshelves stuffed full of trinkets and all of our favorite books line the other wall, and pictures of us kids and Mom, Dad, Pops, and Papa over the years are interspersed wherever there is available space. I’m pretty sure part of this house is a shrine to us kids with all the pictures Mom has.
We head upstairs to my room, passing more pictures on the way. I shake my head but hide a smile under my hair. When we make it to my room, they set everything down, and we look around. Like I never left.
The deep purple walls are still my favorite thing in this room. Sheer black curtains are pushed to the side, letting me look out of the windows as the moon shines brightly in the night sky, the stars winking at me from where I stand. My queen-sized bed is made up perfectly with a bright, multi-colored comforter and the pillows stacked neatly by the headboard. A nightstand sits to the left by the large closet, my table lamp already on. I have a large bookshelf on the opposite wall from my bed that I can’t wait to fill back up, that sits by an antique desk I painted black years ago and then sanded down to look aged. Above it hangs a corkboard stuffed full of pictures of friends and me, some with my family and awards from school. A few ticket stubs from movie premieres or concerts I attended. Everything is as I left it when I went to the Omega Center.
I sigh and sit on the end of my bed, the early start to my day finally catching up with me. I could sleep for a few days, I think.
“It’s good to have you home, Little Bear. We’ll catch up with you tomorrow when we get back. Get some rest.” Pops kisses my forehead, which leads Papa and Dad to do the same before they all wish me goodnight and head to their room, leaving just Mom and me.
She sits beside me, gripping my hand and running her thumb back and forth, soothing me.
“You know, they act like it was all me working hard to get this place back in order and fixing things up for you, but really, they were just as bad as me, if not worse. I’m pretty sure Papa bought you enough of your favorite snacks to last you a solid year, and Pops has been looking up any new spooky tours or haunted places to take you out to. And Dad has been fixing your old car up, making her brand new, so you’ll have a ride to get out on your own and not have to worry about car troubles.”
I laugh as she chuckles and lean my head against her shoulder.
“I’m glad to be home, Mama. I missed you guys. And Saxon and Ruben. Even Ridleigh and Ridge. I hope I see them all soon. This place is a comfort. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
“Except with your own pack, hmm?” She asks softly.
I look up at her and smile sadly.
“One day,” I whisper back.
She kisses my forehead, and I close my eyes, sighing. I love her more than she could know.
“You’ll find them, my sweet girl. I just know it.”
She says it with so much conviction that I can’t help but hope she’s right. My mind conjures up Syn and Kian, but I quickly push them away. I don’t want to think about them anymore tonight. They have their omega, and that’s that. I need to get my head on straight.
I nod instead of answering, and we sit there for a few more moments, enjoying a mother-daughter cuddle session. It’s an omega thing. Cuddles fix everything.
“Alright. Get some sleep. Tomorrow, it’s you and me, got it?”
“You got it, Mama. I can’t wait.”
