by Kallie Frost
“Have you had to work at all since I got pregnant? I know you can’t go to your shop right now, but I haven’t even seen you making phone calls,” I asked my mate, trying to take my mind off things.
Carrick shrugged. “I’ve been stepping back over the last few months to prepare for my year away. I have a couple of managers who essentially do everything. I just sign off on time cards once in a while. After my year is over, I’ll go back to the shop and be more active.”
“Have you figured out yet what you're going to do about your job after the baby is born?” Elliott asked me.
I knew he was trying to change the subject, but it really didn't make me feel much better. Because none of it was good news. Being temporarily out of a job just stressed me out even more. I felt a slight irrational irritation at him for asking. Even more so, I knew it was irrational because I wasn't actually mad at him for asking the question, I was mad at him for asking what I considered an insensitive question, when Elliott was usually so spot on about how I felt. Surely he had just been through a similar experience with his job. I would've thought he'd be a little more sympathetic.
“There's not much I can do,” I said in frustration. “My job doesn't offer paternity leave and since they're all humans I can't exactly tell them that I'm the one having the baby. I know I'm just going to have to quit eventually.”
“I know it's not at all the type of person you are,” Carrick said with a chuckle, “But, I earn enough money that you don't have to work, if you don't want to. If nothing else, you don't have to stress about being out of work for a while. You can just enjoy your time with the baby.”
“I thought you were frustrated with the low revenue your store is bringing in,” I said. Assuming I was remembering the conversation correctly, his skate supply shop wasn't very popular.
“I am,” he said. I could hear the frustration in his voice. “But it's not my only source of income. Didn't I tell you? No,” he answered his own question. “I guess we haven't had this talk since I changed you. And I wouldn't have given you all the details before I realized you were my true mate.”
“Details?”
“Well, my parents,” he started.
“I do not want to accept charity from your parents,” I said quickly.
“No, no, nothing like that. You know they own the restaurant, right?” I nodded. “Well, they run it and own it, technically, but it's more of a family business. The revenue is split between all of us. So, I get a fairly steady cash flow from that.”
“And the land,” Elliott said with a chuckle.
Carrick nodded. “And the family owns a substantial portion of Half Moon Island. We get money from leasing the land to numerous restaurants and hotels. In fact, we actually own a hotel or two as well.”
“And you get a cut of that?” I asked in surprise.
Carrick reached across the table and took my hand. “We get a cut of that,” he corrected. “You don't have to work anymore, if you don't want to. And quite frankly, we would do okay for ourselves if neither of us worked. I just stumbled into the skate business when the previous owner was retiring, and I didn't want the store to shut down. I'm too stubborn to want it to fail, but I'd honestly be just fine without it.”
I wasn't sure what to think of that new information. After so many years of basically living paycheck to paycheck, the idea of being just fine and not even having to work at all was a little tough to wrap my mind around. Then again... I looked around the massive kitchen and dining room. It was one of those places that was so cozy and homey you sort of forgot just how expensive it must've been to build. The kitchen alone probably cost more money than I'd ever earned in my life. And if his parents were splitting the revenue between all of their children and still had enough for this kitchen, let alone the entire house that was just as grand, Carrick probably wasn't exaggerating. I wasn't sure though, if I'd really be happy not working.
“What do you do, Elliott?” I forgave him now for asking a question that initially upset me. Once again, Elliott had been spot-on with what I needed to hear to help ease my stress. Worrying about being out of a job certainly seemed unnecessary if Carrick was so well-off.
“Nothing yet,” Elliott said. “I think I'll probably find a niche working in one of the family businesses, but at least while Verona's young I'm not really stressing about going back to work. Of course, I've spent most of my time here on this island, so I'm not sure if I'm itching to leave because we're all stuck here or if I'm missing being out and about. Sorry,” he added. “I didn't mean to remind you that we’re sort of on lockdown.”
“No worries. You've eased my mind about working. Although, I think I still would like to work in some capacity… That's the great thing about IT, you can do it from anywhere.”
“Is that what you want to do?” Carrick asked. “Because if not, my family would be more than happy to hire you somewhere, like Elliott was saying.”
“I actually was starting to get into web design, but it's sort of hard to break into that without a good resume built up. But I enjoy designing and managing websites. I guess it sort of gives me a creative outlet since I don't skate anymore. Or didn't. And I don't need your family to give me a job,” I added. “I can find my own employment.”
“It's your family too,” Carrick said. “It's not charity, we all work in one of the family businesses at some point or another.”
“Well, I suppose I would feel guilty if I didn’t pitch in at some point, considering I’m earning money from those businesses,” I conceded. I guess marrying rich was always the dream, but on the rare occasion I fantasized about having money it was always from me playing hockey, and not a spouse who just managed to sit back and let the money roll in. My train of thought led me to another question.
“Everyone's always mate this and mate that... but is there any actual marriage? Like, when all this with the hunter blows over, are we going to have to go get married?”
“Not if you don't want to,” Carrick said instantly.
“Well, I'd be happy to get married to you,” I said honestly. As much as my instant reaction sort of surprised me, the grin on Carrick's face was worth it. I made a mental note to try and make it a little more obvious to him that I was fully committed to this relationship for life. “I really was just wondering if we bother with all that human stuff, since we've already mated.”
He nodded in understanding. “Meeting your true mate and changing them is such a whirlwind, we really don't do big weddings. Or weddings at all. Once all the excitement dies down and the kids, there are almost always immediately kids, are a little older there's usually a big party of some kind to sort of celebrate not just the new mates, but the child as well.” Carrick arched an eyebrow Elliott's way. “You guys haven’t had one yet.”
“We were talking about doing it in the spring,” Elliott said. “Verona will be nearly a year old, as will our relationship, and hopefully the hunter will be long dealt with by then. It would be really nice to have some sort of an outside party. Maybe on the beach.”
The thought made me smile. We weren't quite on the ocean here, Eclipse Island sheltered this one and Half Moon from the ocean, but this island had a really nice expansive beach on one side, as far from the prying eyes of Half Moon Island as possible. A big wedding-like party there would be wonderful.
“You should join us,” Elliott cried eagerly. “We could make it like a double wedding celebration, and for our kids.”
“I'd love to!” I said.
Chapter Twelve
Carrick
Watching my mate’s belly swell with our child was a greater feeling than I could ever have imagined. I remembered seeing the baby kick when my sister was pregnant and turning down her offer to feel it, because it freaked me out. I never missed a chance now to touch Brooks in the hopes of feeling our son kicking.
But as much joy as his pregnancy brought me, I knew he was frustrated by it as well. He had just spent half of his life with a bad knee and now that he was
finally physically whole again, he was only able to enjoy it for a couple of weeks before his body started changing. I knew he would be relieved to finally have the baby. Luckily, we had a quick recovery after giving birth, so I knew he'd be back on his feet in no time.
As great as it was to have an excuse to spend every single day by his side, caring for him, we were both starting to get a little stir crazy.
It was a mixed blessing as my family began to arrive for my mother's annual Christmas party. She had decided to have it early, in case the baby came prematurely. There weren't as many relatives coming this year, thanks to the hunter. The wardens were not thrilled that my mother was insisting upon the party and requested that she limit the guest list. Of course, I was sure that half the shifters in town would show up anyway on the big day. We were kind of the biggest thing around and it was usually an open house that lasted well into the night. As proud as I was to introduce Brooks to family and friends, the increased occupancy of the house did little to diminish the feeling of being on house arrest. It was getting to be pretty cozy. I usually enjoyed the experience, but having been stuck in the house for two months I was kind of wishing people had found a hotel to stay in.
Luckily our earliest relatives only showed up a day early and it was just my grandfathers, who were much better at helping manage the chaos than contributing to it. Things were, however a little bittersweet when my cousins Genji and Yuuji arrived. They were both close to me in age, and they were usually running amok with me and Cambry. This time I had a responsibility to my mate. It was nice, but also odd to feel like more like one of the grown-ups this year.
When the big day arrived, our front door opened and people began to show up with heaping plates of cookies, and crockpots. Brooks was quick to circle the tables and kept going back for more. He said it was the perfect way to eat. He just grabbed a little bit of everything on a small plate and went back when he was hungry again, half an hour later.
For some reason my mother had elected to keep the kitchen and the adjoining great room closed this year, and had people milling about in other places instead. She said it was because we didn't have as many guests. The house was so full anyway I thought it was a strange choice. As elbow room started to reach a premium it occurred to me that I didn't think anyone had actually left yet. The day was normally full of greetings and goodbyes, as people dropped in to say hello, leave a token plate of treats, and head on to other things. I wondered if it was usually because they had other Christmas parties to attend or shopping to do, and maybe the fact we were early this year had something to do with it.
Then, to my surprise my mother appeared at the grand doors that led into the great room and clapped her hands for attention. She didn't need to clap them loudly; as one of the older alphas in the room her presence easily command attention, even if she hadn’t clapped at all. Everyone quickly fell silent.
“I must thank you all for coming,” she said. I narrowed my eyes in confusion, she usually didn't make a speech. “Now, if you’ll follow me, the main event will take place in here.” Everyone started milling in to the great room and kitchen. Brooks and I were swept up in the crowd and followed them in.
“What happens now?” Brooks asked me.
“I have no idea,” I confessed. “We've never done anything like this before.”
His question was answered the moment we entered the great room. Every single inch was decorated for the big event. But it wasn't holiday decorations, no, the room with swathed in baby blues and mint greens. A giant banner proclaiming Congratulations! hung opposite one that said It's a boy! A table against one wall was heaped with presents, covered in rubber ducky and teddy bear designs.
Brooks and I turned to look at each other in shock.
“I can tell you’re just as stunned as me,” he said.
“Yeah…” was all I could manage to say.
It took me a moment to realize that the crowd had moved away from us and we were standing on our own, encircled by them.
“Surprise!” they all yelled. It wasn't very well rehearsed and there were a few stragglers and people who looked just a surprise by the shout as I was, but the intention was clear.
“Thank you,” I stammered. “Thank you everyone, this is such a surprise.” I laughed nervously. “I honestly don't know what to say.” My eyes sought out my parents in the crowd. “Thank you,” I repeated, looking squarely at them.
Brooks took over for me. “Carrick and I are both surprised and delighted, thank you for taking time out of your busy holiday schedules to be here for us. Particularly considering most of you haven't met me before today. I confess, I'm a little overwhelmed. But, I am privileged and honored to be part of such an obviously close-knit group, that you would all brave the sleet and irritate the wardens,” his joke drew a few chuckles, “to come and celebrate with a complete stranger. I hope that when this is all over I can enjoy some of the friendships that Carrick is so clearly blessed by. Thank you.”
For a brief moment there was a stunned silence at the unexpected speech from an omega. It only made my smile wider that I had found a mate who could step in and control the crowd as easily as an alpha.
“And one of the games we’ll be playing later,” I said, finding my voice, “is guess which one of us is actually the alpha.” While there weren’t a lot of differences anymore between alphas and omegas, now that we didn't live in true in packs, there were still a few holdovers that were tradition more than anything else. One of which was that the alpha was usually the one doing the talking, while the omega stood by his side.
There was more laughter, but I hoped that Brooks could sense the fondness in it. He flushed and whispered to me, “Was that out of line?”
I shook my head in amusement. “No, it was perfect. Just like you.”
“And now,” my sister Tessa called, “let the games begin!”
“We’re actually playing games?” I asked sharply, my eyes boring into hers. I remembered all too well the games we forced her to play at her baby shower. Her eyes sparkled with mischief and she arched a knowing eyebrow in my direction. “Oh no,” I groaned.
“What's wrong?” asked Brooks.
“Payback is a bitch,” I told him.
His brow furrowed in confusion, but he wasn't able to ask anything else. My brothers ushered us to a table and sat us down.
“Just wait until your next pup,” I threatened Rion. “Don't think you get out of the baby shower so easily.”
“Maybe we’ll only have one,” he told me with a grin. Elliott elbowed him. “I'm kidding,” Rion amended. “I'm just kidding.”
I hadn't noticed the chairs stacked up against the far wall until people started grabbing them and setting them up in front of us like an audience.
“Where did the chairs come from?” Brooks asked in surprise.
I didn't blame him, he had time to explore every square inch of the island and there was nowhere that could've housed the hundred or so chairs that were being pulled out. I was a little confused as well, until I recognized a couple.
“The one with that funky pattern is from Cambry's café. And I'm pretty sure that other one is my sister’s bakery.”
“Most are from my hotel conference room and the restaurant,” Dell added.
“How the hell did you guys set this up and pull it off?” I asked.
“Easy. You’re oblivious.” I growled playfully at Dell and he danced away. “Just wait for the main event.”
When everyone was seated and ready, Tessa appeared from the crowd holding a tray of little paper cups.
“No,” I groaned.
Her grin widened as she held out a pair of blindfolds to us. “In this game, she explained to the crowd, “our fathers-to-be will be sampling some of the cuisine they’ll be serving their baby in the future. And, they’ll be guessing what it is. Blindfolds on,” she said cheerfully to us.
“We did tasty flavors at your baby shower, right?” I asked her. She jiggled the blindfold in front of me and
I had no choice but to put it on.
She put a cup into one of my hands and a spoon in the other. I cautiously took a taste. It actually wasn't horrible. Kind of sweet, in fact.
“It's sweet,” I said. “Sort of like…”
“Peaches?” Brooks asked.
“That's right!” said Tessa.
“This is really good,” said Brooks.
The sound of my sister laughing filled the air. “You just need a taste, you don't have to eat all of it after you've identified it.”
“No, I know. It's just… really good! It's satisfying a craving I didn't know I had!”
“Would you like the whole jar?” Tessa teased.
“Actually…”
The room erupted in laughter as I heard a jar clink down on the table.
“Are you eating it?” I demanded.
“It's really good, okay?”
“Okay,” Tessa said with a chuckle, “let's move onto the next one.”
She swapped out the cups and I took a cautious taste.
“Oh, this one's gross,” I said.
“Yeah,” Brooks said. “This is really nasty.”
“We’re supposed to feed our kids this stuff?” I asked.
“Well, Verona is eating your leftovers and seems to love it.”
“I think it's terrible,” I said, resisting the urge to spit back out.
“So, what is this?” Brooks sounded as disgusted as I felt. “Where are the peaches?”
“It’s green beans,” said Tessa.
