Unraveling Midnight

by Stephanie Beck

  “Flattery is nice, Mr. Meyters,” Lucy said, putting her hands on her hips. “But support and family are things werewolves are supposed to be super at. You need to really think about that.”

  “You’re right.” Chris held up his hands. “And I have been thinking about it a lot. I’m going to invite Scott and his kids to be part of the pack and since you’re his mate, you’ll also be invited. We do need to take care of each other and the last thing I want is for the pups to believe they don’t matter to their own kind.”

  “Good. It’s about time you wised up,” she said, the sassiness coming from somewhere she didn’t recognize, but she liked it nonetheless. A confident attitude seemed to have the desired effect on werewolves when it came to making them see how she needed things to happen. “Now, what can I help you with?”

  “No, what can we help you with?” Chris asked. “We’re here to assist you if we can. I figured you wouldn’t believe our sincerity until we showed you what pack means. Since your little group is officially instated—I’ll take care of the paperwork later—you’re entitled to all of the benefits of being one of us. Including us helping with business when you need it. You should be able to rely on us, like when push comes to shove, we’ll rely on you.”

  “On me?” she asked.

  “He especially means when you come to Haven that you eat at his diner.” Mona gently elbowed her husband. “It’s good Were-commerce to support local Were-businesses. I’d recommend the hot chocolate.”

  “Ah, I guess we can go to your diner,” Lucy said, seeing once again Scott had left some parts of Were culture in the dark. To be fair, it looked like she would have the rest of her life to learn all about her new world. “Well, if anyone wants to learn to knit, I’m very happy to help.”

  Mona’s eyes lit up. “I’ve always wanted to learn to knit. Are all of those boxes in the doorway yarn? Can I see?”

  Sensing a kindred spirit and finally some common ground with her new packmates—no, alphas—Lucy smiled. “You bet. And if you’re serious about helping, you guys can start opening boxes in the back. I’ve got a few hundred baskets that need to be taken out of totes and out of plastic wrappers.”

  * * * *

  It had been a long time since Scott willingly spent time in a coffee shop. Unfortunately, it had seemed like the logical meeting place. Scott looked at the ragtag group gathered over lattes, cappuccinos and juice drinks. He should have known the family Lucy spoke of would be a bit eclectic, but he hadn’t anticipated how much so. A few were perfectly nice. Actually, they all smelled decent enough, but they were nothing like Lucy.

  “So why are we here?” one of the younger men asked.

  “Lucy’s shop was vandalized and she needs help,” Jennifer, the sister Lucy had spoken of, said before he could.

  “And Aunt Lucy is really nice,” the niece said. “She did all kinds of stuff with us when we stayed with her this spring. We even helped her put the yarn on the shelves before. We can do it again.”

  The half a dozen men and women looked around at each other and Scott hoped they acted how Lucy would if roles were reversed. He had to believe Lucy’s grandma had tried to instill some of the same values on the foster kids as she had on Lucy. When the chatter started, memories of the grandma and Lucy herself emerged. He knew something good could happen here.

  “Well, are we going to sit around here being worthless or are we going to go get some work done?” Mrs. Kimmes demanded. She was decked out in all yellow for the day, topped off with a fancy knitted scarf Scott would bet had been a gift from Lucy.

  Seeing the perfect segue, Scott stood and the chatting in their group stopped. “Mrs. Kimmes is right. There’s a lot to be done to get Lucy’s shop in order. If you’ve got the time, I’d really like you to come and help. It’s busy work with putting yarn in baskets and putting up shelves and a little painting. With enough hands, it’s going to go quickly.”

  “And Lucy is so damn organized and efficient, we’ll probably be out by suppertime,” one of the brothers said and the other laughed.

  “Hell, even if we’re not, I’ll treat for supper. Everyone still like ham and potato casserole?” another sister asked.

  The group laughed and even though Scott didn’t understand, he knew it was a good thing. He gathered up the kids, all of them very willing to take a break from their activities to help for the day. Lucy wasn’t expecting them, but he hoped the surprise would be a welcome one.

  * * * *

  There was still so much to do. The shop was much messier than when they started, and instead of boxes, there were lovely wicker baskets and piles of yarn. Chris and Owen had put together the last of her shelves and Lucy and Mona had gotten a few boxes labeled and inventoried. They had a pile ready to be taken to the shelves, but they hadn’t gotten that far. Lucy was grateful for the assistance, so grateful because she never would have been able to make so much headway on her own. The task ahead was definitely daunting.

  Chris squatted beside her, Mona across the room stacking blue wool together in what would be the designated wool area. “Owen told me about what happened two nights ago and I’m really glad Scott found a mate like you. I know you think I’ve been cold about all of this, but Scott and his family have been on my mind since the day they moved here. I’ve also had people watching to make sure they were safe, especially the kids. Scott can take care of himself.”

  “I know he can.” She added more price labels to the balls of yarn around her. “But I thought the perks of pack included not having to do it all alone. You know what? If you’ve been doing what you said and you’re doing this now, there’s no reason at all for me to be crabby or snarky. We’ll all do our part to keep our family safe.”

  Chris smiled, a charming, half-kicked grin Lucy was sure Mona adored. “You’re going to fit right in with us. I worried about those pups growing up without a mother wolf for guidance. It looks like Scott found himself one. Oh, and speak of the devil…”

  Lucy turned and smiled when Scott and the kids walked by the glass window. The kids knocked on the panel and her heart soared when she saw her niece and nephew also in the mix, along with several other children who looked vaguely familiar.

  “It looks like we’ll need to go on a juice box run,” she said, pushing to her feet, only to freeze when the procession continued. “Oh my gosh.”

  They were all there. Faces—old and new—most she hadn’t seen since her grandmother’s funeral surrounded her. Mrs. Kimmes, John, Eric, Jennifer and the rest. And their kids too. She hurried to the door when she realized Scott’s arms were full and held it open.

  “What is all of this about?” she asked.

  He smiled, though there was a touch of nervousness around the edges. “I, ah, I hope you don’t mind but I made a few calls.”

  “The boy called before ten AM,” John, the joker of the bunch, said. “And demanded we get our asses down here and help out.”

  “Scott, you shouldn’t have—”

  “Of course he should have,” Jennifer said, handing her a heavy gift bag before kissing her cheek. “Lord knows you wouldn’t have thought to call for help. Super Lucy does it all, but this time you’re going to let us all help.”

  “And if you don’t, we’re going to make you eat all the potato and ham casserole.”

  She laughed out loud at Eric’s promise. The casserole had been the only one her grandma had any success with and that only occurred thirty percent of the time, so to be threatened with it was something she—they all—still dreaded even so many years later.

  Her heart pounded in pleasure at having all the ones she’d loved so much growing up in her space. She’d forgotten how much she loved them and how much she loved spending time with them until they were all there. She coughed, her throat a little tight. “Well, if you want to start anything, the backroom is full of projects. Walls to be painted, baskets to be unwrapped, boxes to be stacked.”

  “We’re on it,” Jennifer said, rounding up the kids and the
others. “We’ll get started and ask if we need more direction.”

  “I’ll get them started, Lucy,” Mona called, a smile so happy on her face Lucy thought the werewolf might cry. Lucy knew she sure wanted to. “Come on back, gang. There’s plenty to do.”

  Lucy kissed each cheek as they passed. She hadn’t seen most of them in years. “I’m so sorry I didn’t keep up better.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Eric said. He was about the same age as her and had only spent a few years with Grandma, but he’d turned his life around. “We all get busy, and you know what? I knew you were here. It’s as much my fault for not getting my ass down here. I’m back in town now, working for a construction company, so I’m not staying gone long. I’ll start reinforcing the shelves and anchoring them to the walls.”

  She kissed his cheek again, smooth shaven and if he was a little pudgy, the weight looked wonderful on him after the years of him being so skinny and malnourished in body and soul. “That’s wonderful, Eric. Thanks so much.”

  “A nice family reunion.” Mrs. Kimmes maneuvered her scooter in with little difficulty. “I’m not one for painting. Point me toward the wool. I’ll get it sorted for you.”

  “I just opened a new box right over there,” Lucy said and put a staying hand on the older woman’s arm. “I’m so glad to see you. Thanks for your help.”

  “Well, it’s my pleasure. When your young man called, I thought it was about darn time you got things going again. We’ll have it all together before you know it. The girls and I have been hanging out at the coffee shop and let me tell you, there’s nothing worse than a hooker with caffeine jitters.”

  Lucy bit back a laugh as Chris and Owen stopped in their tracks to stare at the older woman from the back of the store. Mrs. Kimmes moved along to her yarn while the two werewolves looked on with disbelief. Well, Lucy thought, that’s what the stinkers got for eavesdropping.

  With Mrs. Kimmes digging through yarn and Lucy’s family in the backroom as loud and rambunctious as she remembered, it only left Scott before her. The pups had followed the other kids and with everyone busy, she had one very important person to thank: her mate.

  “You aren’t mad?” he asked.

  “Are you kidding? This is the most wonderful surprise ever. And Eric, I barely got to see him at Grandma’s funeral, so it’s great to see him doing so well.” She stepped close and wrapped her arms around Scott’s neck. “And you’re the one who thought of it all. You are such a special, special man.”

  He shrugged, the motion drawing her deeper into his embrace. “I’m just a male who wants his mate to be happy. We’re never too old to redefine family, Lucy, and I want you to have the one you’ve always had in your head in real life, not just locked away in memories. They were all happy to come down here and I think they’re hoping for something more as well. Now, what the hell are Mona and Chris doing here?”

  She rubbed her nose to his, her love for him overwhelming. “They came to show me what it means to be part of a pack. And you know what I’m learning?”

  “What’s that, beautiful?”

  “I’m learning the day I met you was the most blessed day I’ve ever experienced. And I can’t wait to see what else I’ll have learned in fifty years.”

  His nostrils flared and though she didn’t have the kind of nose he did, she didn’t need it to feel the difference in him. She’d alluded to forever the night Owen intruded, told him she loved him, but now there was no question what she meant. She wanted forever with him. Growing old together and making memories for decades to come sounded like the very best thing she could ever hope to have.

  “I suppose to get those fifty I might marry you, huh?” he asked.

  “Oh, you don’t have to. I know you guys don’t usually—”

  “Hell, no,” Owen called from where he’d been stacking baskets. “Make the man shell out for a wedding. Mostly make him drop lots of cash for the reception. Lots of meat and cake.”

  “I second that,” Chris said, a grin on his face Lucy knew mirrored her own. “It’s been a few years since we had a good pa—family wedding. I’ll even cater it.”

  “And I’ll do the cake,” Mona called.

  “Wait, I want to do the cake,” Jennifer protested.

  “You bake?”

  “Well, no, but I know great bakery.”

  Lucy laughed, the immediate play between Jennifer and Mona what she hoped to hear between her sisters. If things went to plan, and Lucy was going to do everything in her power to ensure they did, they would all be family. A ragtag, thrown together, multi-species family.

  Scott nudged her face back to his, his expression soft. “So, if I get the cake and reception and all the details figured out, do you suppose we could get started on our next fifty years sometime soon?”

  She kissed him lightly. “Honey, cake is nice, don’t get me wrong, but as far as I’m concerned, our fifty years started the day you picked up your first set of knitting needles. There’s no way I’m letting you loose.”

  He kissed her, his lips hard and intense and, though she heard an outburst of applause and catcalls, she didn’t pull away. Kissing him was like being consumed in the very best way and she couldn’t wait to be alone with him again. When he finally pulled back, she gasped for breath and wished their alone time would come sooner than later.

  “You’re mine forever.” His eyes glowed and it could have scared her, but it didn’t.

  “And you’re mine.”

  A ball of yarn flew between them, breaking the emotional, loving moment. She turned to the perpetrator—Owen. She should have stabbed him harder.

  “And now, lovebirds, it’s time to get this place in order. The sooner Lucy has her shop back, the sooner she can knit you two matching sweaters so I can laugh at Scott.”

  She blushed a little, the plan for a family of matching sweaters actually on her knitting list.

  Scott laughed and lifted her in his arms in a hard hug. “If she knits it, I’ll wear it. And you know what, Owen? If you’re lucky, you might find a woman like my Lucy who’ll knit and love you like she does me. You’d better start getting your karma in order, a woman like this doesn’t come along every day.”

  Before she could start melting and getting mushy again, more yarn was launched their way, this time by the kids. Scott batted it away and set her to her feet. She looked around the shop. Love filled the air and a bumbling mess filled the rest.

  “Well, Mate, let’s get to work. This place won’t clean itself and those sweaters won’t knit themselves,” Scott said.

  She looked up at him and smiled. “You’re right, Mate. Let’s get to work.”

  * * * *

  Hours later, with family packing his backyard, Scott didn’t think he’d ever been happier. His kids played with Lucy’s nieces and nephews, the adults tossed balls around and, instead of casseroles, half a dozen pizzas and subs waited on the picnic tables. Twilight descended upon them and he knew everyone was beat from working for hours in the shop, but no one made any moves toward the door. It was one of those perfect evenings and he had a feeling it would be long past dark when they finally called it a night.

  “You look like a happy man.”

  Scott looked up and found Chris in the doorway behind him with a beer in his hand. Lucy and Mona were out with the kids, the alpha’s little daughters joining in the play. Scott hadn’t had a chance to talk to the alpha about what Lucy had mentioned. He figured the other Were would talk when he was ready.

  “Well, I’d have to say that’s right,” Scott said, lazily lounging in his chair. He nudged the open seat toward Chris.

  The alpha sat. Scott had already noticed that Chris chose his words carefully. It was a trait Scott appreciated, even now when he waited to hear the ruling on his future.

  “So, how do you feel about another move? I know you and the kids are just getting settled here, but I figure if you make the move now, you’ll beat the start of the school year.”

  Scott shoo
k his head. Six months ago he might have jumped on the offer, but with Lucy, things were different.

  “Or,” Chris said, before Scott could explain, “you could stay here and join one of the family circles. It’s a mini pack kind of thing, no alpha, no dominance, hell, what does Mona call it? It started with the females who needed support, but branched out into including entire families. They meet up a few times a month for dinner and to help each other out between visiting Haven.”

  “That, we could do,” Scott said. “With Lucy’s shop just starting again, I don’t think we should leave. The kids are finally making friends here too and I think they need stability right now. Maybe in a few years when everything is more steady, we could make the switch.”

  “I understand. When the time is right, we can discuss a move again. After you’ve met everyone, you and I need to have a discussion about you taking a more active role in enforcing down here. I need Owen up north, but this is a big city. The males I had keeping an eye on you are too beta to take initiative in an emergency. I don’t think you’d have that problem.”

  Scott nodded. “Yeah, ask me again in a few weeks and I’m sure we can figure something out.”

  They each took long drinks of their beer and, in the twilight, Scott’s gaze found Lucy. She fit right in among the Weres. In fact, her entire family seemed to get along. He wondered if their histories in foster care made accepting new people easier. They’d learned to make family out of strangers.

  Their openness humbled Scott and he was grateful Lucy had them in her life. Her grandmother had given them each a gift—love. Because of Lucy’s unbelievable ability to love, she’d not only found place for him in her heart, but also for each of his children. Ross ran up to her and gave her a quick hug. Lucy bent down and ruffled his hair before he ran back to tumbling with one of the nephews.

  “Oh, and I heard Mona and Lucy talking earlier, you might want to have another discussion about Weres with your human.”

  Scott turned to Chris who looked undeniably amused. “Yeah? About what?”