by Shelby Lynn
They had a lot of fun making each other gifts that truly showed the friendship which quickly blossomed from the start between the two. This year, she’d made Teddy a special lap quilt for his writing desk. He was always getting cold, and he hated stopping his thought process to get a jacket.
Mandy learned to crochet just to make him the very special Christmas surprise. She hoped he would really like i t. Mandy wanted Teddy to know just how much of a difference he’d made in her life.
When she got home, the first thing she did was write down all the information for Mr. Storm. She wanted to call him before they had a chance to hire someone else. Mandy wanted to have everything they needed before making the call. Finally feeling confident that she had everything they might ask about, she pulled her phone out to call.
She listened to the phone ring, and on the second ring, she heard someone pick up. “Hello, Storm residence, this is Jasper speaking.”
“Hello, Jasper. I’m trying to get hold of Haven Storm. This is Mandy Laye. I’m calling about the nanny job for their baby. I met the gentlemen this afternoon.”
“Hi Mandy, we’ve already heard about your saving the men today. Let me go and get one of them for you.”
Mandy waited patiently for one of them to come back to the phone.
“Mandy, I’m so glad you called. We were hoping that you would consider the nanny job. Do you have the information for us?” Haven asked her.
“I have it all here to give you. Just let me know when you’re ready, and I’ll tell it to you,” Mandy told Mr. Storm.
Haven listened to all the information and made notes. Truly, he really didn’t need to though. On the way home, Garrett and Haven had decided Mandy was perfect. There was just something about her they knew was trustworthy...
In time, they knew they would tell her about themselves and Jasmine. For now though, they would just have to keep the shifting out of the Pack house. They had already explained to baby Jasmine that she couldn’t change in Mandy’s presence.
“Mandy, I’ll give these references a call, and hopefully get back to you very soon. Do you have a problem living in our house? We can give you a room next to Jasmine’s nursery. I do have to warn you though, we have several other family members that live in our home. Will that be a problem? They are all really nice, gay men. So you have nothing to worry about on that account.”
“I'm fine with that, Mr. Storm. My best friend is gay as well.”
“Great Mandy, I’ll give you a call very soon then. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Wow, Mandy couldn’t believe how well that had gone. She really hoped she got the job. Only time would tell…
Haven walked back to the bedroom where everyone was working on Jasmine’s furniture. It still amazed him how these huge men, himself included, turned into mush over a little, bitty girl. Jasmine had half of the men down on the floor playing peek a boo. Jasper and Lucas were working on putting together the furniture.
His mate was directing the men on where to put the finished pieces, while hanging up the soft wall hangings that matched all the bedding and things. Haven couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face as he took in his family.
This was truly the best Christmas season he’d ever had. He knew that bringing a human into the middle of ten wolves wasn’t going to be easy. In his heart, he knew this was truly the right thing to do. He needed to talk to his mate and make some decisions before announcing it to the Pack.
Haven came up behind his mate and wrapped his arms around him. Instantly, his mate relaxed into his chest and leaned back so his mate could kiss him.
“Hi,” Haven said to Garrett.
“Hi yourself, who was on the phone?” Garrett asked. “That was Mandy. She was calling with her
information,” Haven told him.
“That is fantastic, Haven. I was really hoping that it was
her calling. Did you offer her the job?” Garrett was really
hoping he would offer her the job.
“I wanted to talk it over with the guys first. It will be a
change for them as well. Having a human here will be very
different than what they are used to. I plan on telling Mandy,
but I think she needs to get to know everyone first,” Haven
told his mate.
“I think that is a very wise decision. Are you going to tell
the guys about it tonight?” Garrett asked.
Haven thought about it for a moment, “I think it would be
best to get it out of the way. We really could use the help
with Jasmine with all that goes on in our lives. I would like
to have her under the roof before Christmas day.” Haven
didn’t think there would be any issues. He had known these
men for many years, and he trusted each one with his life. “I agree, Haven,” Garrett told his mate.
“Gentlemen, with our new addition to the Pack, my mate
and I have come to the decision to hire a nanny. We met the
perfect woman today, and Jasmine took an instant liking to
her. Therefore, we would like her to come and live here in
the Pack house. We know this will affect all of you by having
a human here,” Alpha Haven told his Pack members. “Do you plan on telling her about us?” Lucas asked his
Alphas.
“We do plan to tell her. When you have a chance to meet
her, I think you’ll know why we feel we can trust her. We
would like your approval though before we ask Mandy to
come and live here,” Haven told all the Pack.
“Alphas, I know you wouldn’t put a human in danger by
bringing her into our world unless you were certain of the
outcome. So if Mandy is the best person for the job, then I
give my approval for her to move in with us,” Jasper told his
Alphas.
“I only have one question, Alphas. What about her
bringing friends around or boyfriends, for that matter?” Razz
asked.
“That is a great question, Razz. What would you
suggest?” Garrett asked.
“Well, I would say to treat this as any other job. She
should meet any friends away from the Pack house. Once she
knows about us, then it shouldn’t be a problem,” Razz told
his Alpha’s mate.
“Does that sound acceptable to rest of you?” Haven
asked all the Pack members.
All the other wolves nodded in agreement to Razz’s
suggestion. So it was decided in that moment to bring a
human into their home. Jasmine took that moment to make
herself known as she giggled and seemed to clap her very
small hands in joy. Garrett went over and picked her up out
of the bouncy seat.
“My Christmas angel, are you happy that Mandy is
joining the family?” Garrett asked the little girl.
‘Mandy is mine,’ she giggled in her mind. Nothing was
simpler than that. Mandy was officially another member of
the Pack, even if she didn’t know it yet.
Haven dutifully called all the references Mandy had
given him that evening. He wasn’t surprised by any of the
answers the people gave him. They all loved Mandy and
praised her every virtue. He did learn one thing though in the
conversations. Mandy was almost completely alone in this
world. She had one good friend who was a writer, but he
was always out of town.
It sounded like Mandy could use a family, and they could
be that for her. Was this another blessing the Spirits were
sending their way?
Haven guessed that only time would tell…
Chapter Four
The Spirits were watching their Dream Weaver’s first couple very closely. They had taken to baby Jasmine just as they knew the couple would. The love was instant, as she became a part of their legacy as they both had secretly wished.
Just as they hoped, the men had gone shopping almost immediately for the items their new daughter needed. It just happened to be during the time the young lady was working. She was the key to another couple finding each other in the near future.
The young lady had a very happy future waiting for herself. They had done all they could, for now. It was up to the people involved to find their way from this point. The Dream Weavers were already proving themselves way beyond their expectations…
Haven listened to the ringing as he waited for Mandy to pick up.
“Hello.”
“Hi Mandy, this is Haven Storm. Did I call too late?”
“It’s not too late, Mr. Storm.”
“Well, I’ll get right to the point then, Mandy. We would love for you to be our Nanny for Jasmine. It will be a live-in position here in our home. It will be long hours some days, but we will make sure that you get two days off a week. The salary will be $1,200.00 a week for all the long hours.” Haven told the young lady, as he went on to say.
“We wanted you to know that we will be active parents, though. We don’t expect you to watch her twenty-four hours a day. We only have one request, Mandy. We are a very private family, so any socializing on your part will have to be outside of the house. Will that be a problem?” Haven asked her.
Mandy’s mind had almost quit functioning at the amount of the salary. She soon came back to earth and listened to what Mr. Storm was saying.
“It will not be a problem, Mr. Storm. I’m honored you picked me to take care of Jasmine. When would you like me to start, sir?” Mandy asked her soon-to-be boss.
“First thing, please call me Haven. Do you need to give your work a notice with it being the holidays?” Haven asked.
“My boss is really nice, and he would be fine with me leaving for the right reasons,” Mandy told him. She really had been lucky in the bosses she had. As long as you worked hard, they were always happy.
“Welcome to the family then, Mandy. Take a day to get your stuff together and we will see you then. The address is on the card I gave you earlier.” Haven told the young woman. Things were falling into place just like clockwork.
“Thank you, Haven,” as she said good-bye. Mandy could hardly wait to call her best friend.
She sat there trying to think of the time difference where he was this week. Finally she decided that it was probably too late to call him tonight. She knew how little he would sleep when he was caught up in the book he was writing.
First thing in the morning she would call him and give him the good news. Teddy was always worrying about her being alone. At least now he would know she wasn’t alone. Maybe he would slow down himself soon and find a nice man. At least that is what she hoped for her best friend.
Mandy looked around her apartment to see what she would bring with her. She really didn’t have all that much anyway. It wouldn’t take more than a couple of hours to pack up her things. She only rented her place month by month so she could easily turn in her notice tomorrow.
She had the apartment paid for until the end of December. That was enough time to decide what to do with the furniture if she didn’t need it in her new room. Mandy decided to call it a night and get a start first thing in the morning. Her life was finally looking up…
Haven hung up the phone with a smile on his face. He couldn’t wait to tell Garrett that Mandy had agreed to come and work for them. Another wonderful surprise this holiday season, Haven thought to himself. His handsome mate had brought peace into his crazy world. They had dealt with many things since then, but it was worth coming home to his amazing mate.
He headed back into the main part of the Pack house looking for his mate. Haven couldn’t wait to tell him the good news about Mandy. He found everyone in the living room hanging out. His mate had transformed it into more of an entertainment center for the Pack.
There were now game systems for everyone to enjoy, as well as a complete array of games for them to pick from too. The room looked so festive with the little Christmas tree in the corner and the scented candles that burned on the tables. He had truly made these four walls into a home.
Everywhere Haven looked, the men were enjoying the things his mate had contributed to the Pack house. It was no longer just a place to watch television when they had nothing else going on. It truly was a family room meant to make everyone enjoy their time together.
“Hi, handsome. Can I sit beside you?” Haven asked his mate, as he slid into the seat beside him. Taking in everything about his handsome mate, from his white hair down to boot covered feet. Every inch of this muscular man was his.
“Anytime, my mate,” Garrett answered back.
“Mandy accepted the Nanny position just as we hoped she would. I just got off the phone with her, and she’ll be here in two days,” Haven told his mate.
“That's awesome. Jasmine is going to be so happy.” Garrett couldn’t wait to tell his little girl the great news.
“Is our baby girl sleeping?” Haven asked.
“I put her down about thirty minutes ago. These baby monitors are amazing, but I’ve already checked on her twice. It’s really hard to leave her, Haven.”
“I can understand that, Garrett. We’ll go check in one more time before we call it a night. This room looks amazing, Garrett. You’ve outdone yourself once again.”
“Thank you. I just wanted the guys to know how much I appreciate their acceptance. It really means the world to me,” said Garrett.
“Well, Garrett, the guys are pretty fond of you already so have no worries on that account,” Haven teased his mate.
When he’d first brought Garrett home, the guys were a little on the shy side. It lasted all of twenty seconds as Garrett’s personality pulled them all into his world. He soon had earned all of their respect. Garrett was always helping them out with the little things and making the Pack house into a home.
Lucas was the first one that really pulled Garrett into the circle and made him feel completely part of the group. Lucas was the resident chef and he owned a very popular restaurant in town called Simplicity.
The first night, Garrett complemented Lucas on the excellent meal, something he guessed no one had done in a long while. In turn, earning his gratitude and the friendship blossomed from there. Something that Haven knew they had taken for granted.
Garrett was helping Lucas with a special project and doing a classroom assignment at the same time. His assignment was to design a project, which could be added to an existing property. Lucas helped him take it one-step further by actually having the bar built in his restaurant. It was such an honor for Garrett.
In fact, tomorrow would be the day the project would be complete, if all went well. The whole Pack was coming to the restaurant in celebration for the grand opening tomorrow evening. They were all looking forward to the evening.
Now that Mandy was coming, they felt more at peace knowing Jasmine had another caring caregiver. With the grand opening centered on the holiday season, it was a busy time of year. They were expecting a sold out evening, with lines waiting to be seated.
Garrett was so proud of his Pack mate. He wished he would find his mate, and take away that loneliness that shined bright in his eyes. Garrett would often catch him watching the closeness between himself and Haven. There was always longing in his eyes for a mate of his own. He would do everything within his power to help his Pack find their mates.
It was every shifter’s dream to find the one person who completes them in every way. Their mate brings out the best in them. Finding that person that completed them in every way was every shifter's dream. Unfortunately, a lot of them were too impatient to wait for their mate. It often caused sadness and sometimes bitterness to those left behind, when their true mate finally came alon
g.
Lucas swore after the terrible childhood he had endured, he would wait no matter how long it took. The family that took him in was not a mated pair. They were at each other’s throats for every waking moment of the day. Drowning in alcohol was their way of life, and no one seemed to care as long as they didn’t have to deal with the pair.
There wasn’t a day in his life he wasn’t used as punching bag to the egotistical bastard who was his adopted father. He found pleasure in hurting anyone that was weaker in his eyes.
It wasn’t until Haven came to check out the abuse charges which were sent anonymously and privately that he was torn away from the hell.
In all those years growing up, Lucas had learned to cook; otherwise, he would have died of hunger. He found he really liked it. When he had a variety to pick from, the chef in him was born.
Chapter Five
Jasper couldn’t believe the difference one man could make in their lives. He had never seen his Alpha so happy, and it spread out to all that was in their presence. As Jasper walked through the Pack house, he couldn’t help but admire all the hard work that Garrett and Lucas had gone to.
He needed them to come by his shop and add a few holiday touches. He was a great mechanic, but when it came to decorating or designing, he was lost. All he knew was there wasn’t a creative bone in his body.
He was a grease monkey, through and through. Give him an engine and he could rebuild it completely, but when it came to the romantic stuff, he was so lost. When he watched the Alpha pair together, it did give him hope. If the Spirits saw fit for him to someday find his mate, he was determined to be the best mate he could be.
He was still in awe of baby Jasmine. He had missed being around young ones on a daily basis. When his Alpha had kicked him out of his Pack for being gay, he had been no more than a cub himself in many ways.
Unfortunately, he’d learned the hard way that prejudice was a large part of the shifter world. Why people didn’t understand that being gay wasn’t a choice, it was destined. It was the same as the choice of one's perfect mate; it was destined.
When Haven had found him beaten by a bunch of hypocritical bullies for being in a gay club, he was trying to heal from the onslaught. Haven had taken one look at the younger Jasper and invited him to join his small Pack in Washington. He hadn’t regretted the decision once in all these years.
