by Rosa Swann
* * *
Sunday passed really quickly and by Monday morning, I don’t feel like actually getting to work. Sterling was up early, as per usual, and is now dropping off Maddy at her school and I’m sitting behind my laptop. I’ll just work from here today, that way I can also get some phone calls in to some people and make appointments to talk to them about Logan’s will and things we need to sign and stuff like that. This way we all know what will be going on, what will be happening in the next couple of days hopefully.
I check my phone and a message from Sarah comes to my attention. It’s a slightly odd message, reminding me to call lawyers and people like that soon because she’s certain her parents are up to something. Which I could have told her. I already know that. Just the way they acted towards me when they realised that I actually live here right now. I know that they’re up to something. But the question is, what are they up to? What can I expect? There are just too many variables.
Sure, they can try to get me kicked out of the house. Which they can try all they want, but they won’t win. They can try something against Sterling, they can try to get him kicked out of the house or something like that. They can even try to pull Sterling and Maddy into their own family, make claim on Sterling because he was mated to Logan before I mated him. Though, generally, that requires consent from the Omega, and I know that Sterling won’t agree to this, no matter what.
Their only option seems to be to try and get me fired from my job somehow. To hit me from that angle, to put pressure on someone to make stuff happen. It won’t be pretty, but at least it’s not that bad, it would simply mean that I’d take control over Logan’s company a little earlier.
I reply to Sarah that I’m not really that worried, because, realistically, I’m not. I can’t give up of things now that Logan’s parents have shown that they’re willing to make my life hell. As they always have.
The front door opens and a couple of second later Sterling stands in the doorway, looking at me, his eyes sweet. “Working from home?” He comes over, looking at what I’m doing.
I haven’t really opened any work, so all that’s visible is just the inbox from my work email. “Yeah, more place to make private calls.” I reach out, putting my arm around him, I like having him near me, especially when there is no one else around. It makes me feel happy. I know that Maddy knows at least that something is going on, but we try not to do this too much when she’s around. Try to... not always succeeding...
“We’re going to have to get you a better place to work from.” Sterling leans against me. “And we’re going to have to think about a baby room too.” He sighs. “Fuck.”
I look up at him, trying to catch his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
He closes his eyes, biting on his lower lip, when he opens his eyes again they’re filled with tears. “How are we going to do this? We need space for you, we need space for a baby, we need space for us. All we have is this old house that needs so much work that I don’t even want to think about it.” He shakes his head. “And how are we going to do all of this without raising suspicion anywhere? With anyone?”
“Suspicion?” I stand up, this is not a discussion to have in the position we were in. “What do you mean?”
“I’m... I’m pregnant, and I can’t tell anyone. You mated me, and I can’t tell anyone. I... and I can’t tell anyone about it. But we still need to make plans about our future. We still need to do things about the house. About...” He looks at me. “I don’t even know where to start. But I also can’t ask anyone for help, I can’t reveal what’s going on. There is no way for me to...” Then he steps away. “It’s kind of lonely, you know?”
Fuck. I want to take this pain away. I want to make it all better. But I’m part of the reason why everything is wrong now. So I don’t even know how I can. “Tell me what you want me to do. How I can make this better.”
“I don’t think you can. It’s something I’ll have to learn to live with, for now.”
“I don’t accept that.” I step closer, putting my fingers under his chin and making him look up. “I don’t accept that you have to learn to live with pain.”
“Then what? Are you going to solve everything? Are you going to make everything better? How? Make me not pregnant? Move me to a new house? Make me live with you in your apartment? What is your plan?” He blows up, right there, his frustration only worsened by his tears.
His words hurt, but I also know that he’s right. How will I fix this? I can’t just offer empty promises. That’s no good. “I don’t have a plan. But I will make one. I will come up with a plan that will make everything better. But first, I’m going to call a lawyer and we’re going to look at papers, look at the details of Logan’s will and we’re going to do the numbers. After that, we’re going to sign the papers and all of this will be ours. Nobody else’s, just ours.” I suddenly have to stop for a moment, take a deep breath, because all of this requires one very important thing. “Unless you don’t want that. Unless you don’t want me to stay here.”
Sterling’s eyes flare and he wraps his arms around my neck, pulling me down a little. “Don’t you dare leave. Don’t you dare. Not after last weekend.”
I put my forehead to his, leaning against him a little, a little surprised by his actions. “I won’t. I won’t leave. I’ll stay at your side for the rest of my life, no matter what happens.”
Sterling moves his head a little and then his lips are on mine. Hard, desperate kisses, more teeth than lips and more rough than loving. But I get it, I get that desperation. I can’t lose him either. We can’t go through that again. We’re marked, not just as mates, but also by our experiences in the past.
Thanks again, Logan. Like this all wouldn’t have been hard enough without you messing us up.
7. Sterling
I feel a little sheepish after getting so emotional. It’s just been a rough week and an even rougher month. I’m tired and no matter how much I try to hide it, my pregnancy is getting the better of me. I forgot how tiring it was. I forgot how tiring pregnancy was, without even all the mess around it. How am I going to survive? How am I going to make this all better? I’m just hoping that it will work out well, because I feel like I’ve lost all control over my own life.
I grab my phone and call Aiden’s parents, as that’s the only number that I have for him.
“Sterling?” Wren, Aiden’s father picks up. “Something wrong?”
“Eh, no, nothing. I’m just calling for Aiden. Is he around?” I feel a little awkward, Aiden is basically an adult, but this is the only way that I know how to contact him. And I don’t even know if his parents know that he asked me for a job. He said that he’ll leave today, but hopefully it’s still early enough that he hasn’t.
“Yeah, he’s here.” I can hear sounds as Wren walks through the house. “Aiden, Sterling is on the phone for you.”
More sounds, and then. “Yeah?” Aiden is out of breath as he answers.
“Do you still want the job?” I didn’t talk it over with Wilder, but this is about my own company, right?
“Yes, if you’re okay with it. I know you’ve got like all sorts of stuff going on.” He laughs a little. “I don’t want to burden you.”
“It’ll be fine. I’m going to need you to get pretty physical with stuff, I’m expanding more this year. But if you’re good with that...” I trail off, letting him think for a moment.
“Yeah. Yeah. Definitely.” He sounds pretty excited. “I’d be happy to help. Thank you.”
“Can you...” I know he didn’t want to answer me before, but maybe he would now. “Can you tell me why? It’s kind of sudden. I know that I know your family and I’m really grateful, because I really do need the help, but it seemed urgent.”
For while, Aiden doesn’t answer me, but as I’m about to tell him to forget about it, he speaks, his voice quiet, almost a whisper. “You know I’m the eldest, right? And that I made it into college as the first in my family?”
“Yeah.”
I remember how proud his parents were, the first one to go to college. It was a big thing, they held a huge party when they got the results.
“Let’s just say that not all of us will make that dream come true. It’s not me, but they’re going to need me here this summer. And I can’t just stay at home and do nothing.” He lets out a sound. “Don’t tell anyone, please. Nobody knows yet.”
“Do your parents know?” If it’s one of the younger kids, that means they’re still living at home.
“No. Not yet. They’re trying to hide it.”
That does come a little close to home, a little too close to my own situation. “Make sure they’re safe and healthy, okay? I can’t get involved in this any further right now, not as long as your parents don’t know yet. But if you need help or anything else. I’m here.” I know it’s half-hearted, but I can’t get involved in this right now. Not with everything else that’s going on. I don’t want to fight with Aiden’s parents, but I also understand the need for a friend, especially when you’re in a difficult situation.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.” Aiden sounds relieved and a little happy.
“No, thank you. You’re a lifesaver. Just, give me a call when you’re back home and we’ll take care of all the details.” I lean back against the wall, a little too aware that this won’t be easy and that if Aiden’s parents find out about my situation, they may not let Aiden work here at all.
“I will. Thanks.”
“Now, study hard and I’ll see you in a couple of weeks. Good luck.” I break the connection, holding the phone a while longer while my brain keeps running into circles. This summer won’t be easy, but if I’m going to continue my stall and I’m not planning on stopping it, it means I need to expand the garden and build a greenhouse and things like that. I can’t do those things on my own, and I’m really going to have to do them this summer. Sure, Wilder will be able to help, but he’s also got the company and... and I’m pregnant. It’s not like I can keep working at the same level as always in this state, especially as the summer progresses and turns into autumn.
I sigh as Wilder steps into the kitchen, looking at me. “Hey.”
“Hey, you were on the phone?” He comes closer, standing close but not touching me, even though I know he wants to.
“Yeah, I invited a kid, well, college guy by now, to work here this summer. With the garden and all.” Why am I nervous? This is about my company, I can make decisions like that.
Wilder smiles and finally reaches out, carefully winding his fingers through mine. “That’s a good idea. I know that I won’t be much help around here, especially not like Logan, and you won’t be able to do everything on your own. That’s a great idea.”
I pull him closer and give him a quick peck on his cheek. How did I end up being mated to another great guy? He may be flawed, but aren’t we all?
* * *
I stand in front of Maddy’s school. Everyone around me is talking excitedly and I’m not sure exactly why. Or, well, I’m not exactly sure why they’re excited about it this time around. Apparently, there are some cool things going on at school. They’re going to do a play before the end of the year, all the classes are, and there is something about a trip for each of the classes. I guess it’ll be cool for the kids, but it all feels so senseless right now.
Sounds like a wave are coming from the school as all the kids come out, flowing onto the school playground and chatting excitedly. It takes me a few moments and then I see Maddy in the crowd, a huge smile on her face as she holds a drawing.
“Look what I made.” She pushes it into my face and I grab it so I can take a look. It looks like our house, but I have no idea how to interpret it.
“It’s pretty. Who are on here?” I point at the different people she drew. It’s easy to recognise her, and me, but I guess this is the perfect moment to figure out what she’s seeing in our while current situation, as I’m pretty sure Logan and Wilder are both on it.
“This is Dad.” She points to one of the other people she drew. “And this is Wilder. He belongs in our family too.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because he lives in the same house and he loves us.” Her smile is blinding and I wrap my arms around her, not able to answer her for a moment. She’s so precious, so good. “Daddy?”
“Yeah?” I let her go a little and look at her.
“Will Wilder stay?”
“Yeah. He’s staying. He’s not going anywhere.” Not as far as I know anyway and I don’t want to think about it either. I don’t want to think about him leaving, so I don’t.
“Good.” She takes my hand and starts walking. “We need to go to the store.”
“Why?” I’m not sure I’m in the mood for that right now and we’ve got enough food for the rest of the week.
“We need to buy him a coffee mug. Like you and Dad have.” She looks at me like I’m dumb and I just smile at her.
“Let’s do that tomorrow, okay? We’ve got other plans for today. I still need to do some work in the garden, will you help me?”
“Yes.” She beams. And it just makes me feel like I’m finally doing something right. It’s been hard, but I feel like we’re finally getting to a normal place again, I feel like we’re back to the way we used to be, at least a little.
When we get back to the house, I park the car and Maddy is off inside to get her ‘garden clothes’ on. I kind of don’t like her to wear her nice clothes if she helps me. I check in on Wilder in the living room.
Wilder looks up. “She back home?”
“Yeah, she’s all excited. Somehow, I think that girl never gets tired.” I show him the picture and Wilder takes it from me, looking at it closely. “She drew this.”
“It’s all of us.” His voice is full of awe.
“Yeah. She says you belong with us now, because you love us.” My voice goes soft as I say those last words, not sure if I should have repeated them.
Then Wilder reaches out, touching my stomach as he looks at me. “I do. I love all of you.” His cheeks pink a little and then he pulls back his hand. “Are you going to work in the garden?”
“Yeah, gotta harvest a few things for tomorrow.” I’m not exactly sure how to react to him right now. This all a little too new.
“Good. I’ll have dinner ready when you come back in.” He stands up now, giving me a quick kiss on my cheek. “I need to get to the office tomorrow, but we’ve got an appointment in the late afternoon, can you make that?”
“I’ll be at the farmer’s market, but I can close early, that should be fine. What about Maddy?”
“I made sure the appointment is here, so that’s no problem.” He smiles. Damn, that man is learning these things way too fast for someone who was just pushed into being a parent. I feel like I’m barely keeping up with him.
“Well. Thanks, that makes things easier.” I walk to the hallway as I hear Maddy come down the stairs from her room again. “I’ll be in the garden.”
“Have fun.” Wilder walks over to some stacks of papers and goes back to work. It’s nice to watch him for a moment, but I know I really do need to work too, or this is all for nothing.
I pull on my overalls and my rain boots and get to the back of the garden with Maddy, starting with weeding out between some of the plants before I move on to harvesting and doing some other things around the place. It calms me down a little and it’s nice to have Maddy with me. I know that she also loves doing these things.
Then, as I’m working, I hear cars come up our driveway and I look up. I see three cars approach and I don’t recognise any of them. That can’t be good, a panic starts rising inside me. I stand up and look around for Maddy. Maddy is at the other end of the garden, working on her own patch.
“Maddy. Let’s go inside.” I don’t want to be out in the open like this if bad things happen. I reach out to her and she comes over, taking my hand, a little confused. “It’s time to go inside.”
“Okay.” She follows me quietly a
nd I’m glad that she’s being obedient and not difficult. When we go inside, Wilder is already standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the utility room. His eyes serious, his jaw set.
“Do you know what’s going on?” I quickly wash my hands and then let Maddy into the kitchen after she’s washed hers.
“No. I have no idea.” He hands me a towel so I can dry my hands, but instead of handing it to me he takes my hands, his hands slightly shaking. Yeah, I’m not any better.
I shiver a little as I look through a little window that looks out onto the space in front of the house. The cars have stopped and people have stepped out, but they seem to be waiting for something or someone. “I don’t like this.” I keep my voice low so Maddy won’t hear me.
“Me neither.” Wilder also looks at the cars. “They look... official.”
Yeah, a little too official.
Then another car comes up the driveway, a car that I do recognise. Logan’s parents. Oh, no. Are they going to take the house from us? Are they going to stoop that low? Will they really do something like that? Or will they force Wilder to leave?
“Maddy?” I go over to where she’s waiting for me in the kitchen.
She frowns at me, but nods.
“Can you go play in your room? There are some people here to talk to Daddy.” Let’s hope that’s all they do, talk to us.
“Okay.” Her voice is quiet, but she does as I ask and goes up to her room.
When Logan’s parents have parked their car, they start to talk to some of the people already waiting, before they make their way over to the door.
“Help?” I can’t get my voice to rise over a whisper as I stare at Wilder. They can’t take him from me. Or this house.
He reaches out, takes my hand and steps closer. “We’ll be fine. We’ll get through this.”