by Kasey Belle
Nick smirked then blew him a kiss.
“That’s it? That’s your answer?” Nick grinned but didn’t offer a verbal response. “Fine, brat. Be that way.” Mal relaxed in the lounge chair and gave Nick’s hand a little squeeze. “Let’s relax and enjoy the sunshine before my parents arrive and shit gets crazy. Sound good, Nico?”
His mate smile and nodded. “Sounds great.” Happiness and contentment radiated off of Nick at Mal’s variation of his name. His mate enjoyed hearing it almost as much as Mal enjoyed using it.
Ten minutes later, the French doors leading to the back yard opened and Mal turned to see his mother Ilene and his two fathers, Damon and Erik step outside onto the covered slate patio.
“Where are my new children and grandchildren?” Ilene called out. Her voice held impatience. She slammed her hands to her hips as her eyes scanned the backyard. She acted as if her new chicks were deliberately being kept from her. Mal snickered at his mother’s flare for the dramatic.
Nick jolted in his seat and turned his wide eyes on Mal then shrunk in on himself. He wished he could take away his mate’s need to shield himself. Mal knew it was habit and would take time, patience, and love from himself and his family to heal and strengthen Nick and enable him to move past the fear of rejection and recrimination. He winked at Nick and climbed from the lounger.
Mal held out his hand. “Come on, baby.” Nick took it immediately. He stood nervously beside Mal. “It’s all good, Nico,” he assured his mate as he rubbed Nick’s back in a soothing rhythm.
Ilene’s hand flew to her mouth when she spotted them.
“Prepare yourself. You’re about to experience an Ilene Creed hug. Breathing is optional.” Mal snickered.
His mom rushed over. She leaned up and quickly kissed Mal on the cheek. “Hi, baby boy.” She didn’t give Mal a chance to respond before―much to Mal’s amusement―she tugged Nick from his arms and wrapped him up in a strong hug. “Oh, sweetheart, it’s so good to meet you. You’ve had such a tough time. I’m so happy you’re here safe with your family where you belong.” She pulled back and cupped Nick’s cheek with her palm. “I prayed the Fates would send Malcolm his mate for so many years and you’re finally here. I’m so happy we finally have another son and a bonus grandson.”
The sob that tore from Nick broke Mal’s heart. Ilene immediately pulled him into her embrace once again. Mal went to reach for his mate when his father’s stopped him. “Let your mother take this one, son,” Damon ordered.
Erik laid a hand on Mal’s shoulder. “He’s right, Malcolm. Sometimes only a mother’s hug will do. And your mama gives great ones as you well know.”
“I hate that he hurts so much, Dads.” Mal blinked back his own tears and swallowed past the lump in his throat.
“Of course you do,” his dad Damon said. “That young man is your very soul. Our mate’s happiness is a priority, and when they hurt we hurt. I don’t know what all that boy has been through, and perhaps when you are ready you’ll fill us in, but I do know your love and support will heal him.”
Luke, Jay, and Emma Grace ran up to them leaving large puddles of water in their wake.
“Hey Uncle Damon. Hey Uncle Erik.” Jay grinned up at the older men showing the gap in his smile where he lost a tooth.
“What’s wrong with Nick?” Emma Grace’s eyebrows scrunched together and she chewed her thumbnail looking just as helpless as Mal felt. “Your mommy will make him feel better, right Uncle Mal? I don’t like it when people I love are sad.” Her lower lip quivered.
Mal took her hand and moved her away to give his mate some privacy. Luke and Jay followed as he knew they would. “He’ll be okay, pixie. Sometimes crying makes us feel better.” He ran a hand over her head. She took a breath and offered him a tremulous smile.
“Hi, Grandpa! Hi Pop!” Luke greeted Erik and Damon with a wide grin. “I’ll say hi to Grandma when Nick feels better. It’s weird seeing you in person and not on Skype.”
“You’re right about that. Your head is much smaller,” Erik teased making Luke crack up.
“Well if it isn’t my favorite gleesome threesome,” Damon’s greeting made the children to giggle “How about a hug for your old grandpa?” He held out his arms.
“We’ll get you wet,” Emma Grace informed him. “We’ve been swimming.” She wiggled her toes playing with the puddle surrounding her feet.
“I’m not the Wicked Witch. I won’t melt,” Damon countered with a frown then he did what any doting grandfather would do. He snatched Emma Grace up into his arms and gave her a big bear hug then tickled her ribs making her squeal.
“Stop, Uncle Damon!” Emma Grace scolded then ruined the recrimination with another round of laughter.
“What did I tell you about that uncle stuff, little girl?” He poked her in the ribs to make his point. “I’m Luke’s grandpa. So, that makes me your grandpa, too.”
“Okay… okay.” she said between fits of laughter. “Stop, Grandpa.”
“That’s better.” Damon wiggled his fingers as if he were going to tickle her again.
Emma Grace pinned him with narrowed eyes and wagged her finger at him. “No!” She wiggled until Damon set her on her feet. She grabbed her grandpa’s hand and pointed. “That’s Lada and Leo. Lada, come meet our grandpa.”
Lada held Leo in her arms approaching them slowly. For some reason her cautious expression struck Mal funny. He’d never seen his exuberant niece act shy before.
“Well, I’ll be,” Erik said in awed reverence. “Aren’t you a pretty little thing.” He wrapped his arms around Lada taking care not to squish Leo. “Nice to finally meet you in person, babygirl. We are so lucky to have such a lovely granddaughter. You can call me Pop. Damon is Grandpa.”
“Nice to meet you, Pop.” Her cheeks pinked, and she gave him a one-armed hug and flashed him a wide dimpled smile. “This is Leo. Your newest and youngest grandson? Sort of. I guess.” She jostled the baby making him giggle. Mal watched his father instantly fall in love with the cub. The man had serious cartoon hearts in his eyes.
Leo reached a hand toward his grandpa and Erik held out his finger. The cub took it and pulled it to his mouth and began gumming it. “Somebody’s working on a tooth. That feels good doesn’t, buddy.”
“Yeah, Uncle Nick says that’s why he slobbers everywhere.” Emma Grace scrunched up her little nose. “It’s kind of gross.”
“You want to come to Pop?” He took his finger back held out his arms. Leo offered him a gummy grin in response. Erik reached for Leo, but Mal’s other dad, Damon stepped up and snatched the cub from Lada’s arms before Erik had a chance. Erik, who was younger than Damon by ten minutes, scowled at his twin. “Jerkface,” he growled. “You always have to be first.”
Damon looking awfully proud of himself, goaded, “I’m the oldest. Age has its perks. Don’t be a hater, little bro. Grandpa gets first dibs.” He wagged his eyebrows at Erik.
Mal laughed at his father’s antics. They may be fraternal twins, but in every other way except looks they were identical. His mother was constantly playing referee between those two.
Nick giggled. He’d obviously been watching the exchange, as well. The light sound eased the tension in Mal’s chest. His mate had worked his way out of his breakdown. Nick wiped the tears from his cheeks looking embarrassed as he pulled away from Mal’s mother. “Sorry, Mrs. Creed. I didn’t mean to sob all over you. I’m not usually so emotional.”
Ilene scowled at Nick and cocked an eyebrow. “First off, it’s Mom, not Mrs. Creed. Secondly, you have nothing to apologize for. You have every right to shed a few tears. Won’t be the first time one of my boys has cried on my shoulder, won’t be the last.” She patted Nick’s cheek then stepped way to meet Lada, Leo, and Jennifer who had joined them.
Mal held out his arms and Nick walked into them. He placed a kiss on his Nico’s forehead before Nick snuggled himself against his chest. They sighed at the same time, both feeling content to just hold the other.
Mal watched Jay as he studied Nick. He swore he could see the wheels turning in the little cub’s mind. He glanced over and noticed Cathy doing the same. Jay shot her a questioning look. Because Jay was Luke’s triad partner, Cathy and Paul acted as surrogate parents when Jay’s weren’t around. Cathy nodded. Luke joined Jay. Emma Grace wiggled out of Ilene’s arms then stood in between Luke and Jay. Mal realized what his little cousin had silently asked Cathy’s permission for. Jay wanted to use his Omega powers to soothe Nick. The little trio joined hands and Jay grabbed Nick’s hand and held it.
Everyone fell silent and watched in awe at the miracle of Jay’s powers at work. A serene expression overtook Nick’s face and his body relaxed as peace filled his soul.
Nick smiled down at Jay, Luke, and Emma Grace. “Thank you. I feel much better now.”
Emma Grace released Luke’s hand and flung her arms around Nick’s waist. “We don’t like it when people we love are sad. Do we?” She asked Jay and Luke. They shook their heads. “We’re all family now and we are gonna take care of you and Leo. ‘Kay?”
Nick blinked back tears and tousled her wet hair. “Okay, Emma Grace.”
“Pixie,” she corrected in a no-nonsense voice.
“Pixie. Right. Sorry. I forgot.”
She flashed Nick a dimpled grin. “S’okay, Uncle Nick.” She tugged on Jay and Luke’s hands. “Let’s go swim some more. Come on Lada. You can play Marco Polo with us.”
“Great. I never win,” Lada grumbled. “I’m pretty sure they cheat.” Shaking her head, she stomped off toward the pool, diving in when she reached the side. Mal laughed. Now that was the Lada he knew and loved.
Chapter 23
Nick had carried Leo inside a while ago to put him down for a nap. Ilene Creed hadn’t been far behind, not yet ready to let her youngest son and grandson out of her sight. Mal and his fathers had taken up residence in the seating area situated in the right corner of patio.
His brother Kell had really done a nice job with the space. Off to the left was an outdoor kitchen equipped with a grill, wet bar, and eating area. Flower gardens edged either side of the patio and the walkway that led to the kidney shaped in-ground pool.
Mal positioned himself so he could keep an eye on his mate through the kitchen window. Yes, it was a bit possessive and unnecessary considering where they were, but that didn’t stop him from doing it. He chuckled as he watched his mom and Nick. They stood on either side of the island facing each other and seemed to be having a serious discussion about something, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. Emma Grace and the boys were being too loud for him to filter out the noise making it impossible to eavesdrop. Nick was waving his hands around, talking a mile a minute. Ilene was gesturing back and nodding.
His dad, Erik leaned over, followed Mal’s gaze, and smiled. “Wonder what they’re going on about.”
“No telling when it comes to Mom.” His fathers nodded their agreement. Mal grinned. “Or Nick. He’s quite sassy when he wants to be.”
“I could see that.” Erik took a swallow of his beer. There was humor in his tone. “Sassy mates run in the family.
Mal proceeded to tell them about Nick covertly flipping Cade off the other day. “And then Declan pretended like he didn’t see what happened. I thought Cade was going to blow a gasket. He didn’t know what to do.”
His fathers laughed. The boisterous sound echoed filled the backyard. “It’s about time someone got the better of that boy.” Damon said and Erik nodded his agreement.
“Are you kidding? Cade actually whatevered,”
Damon’s eyebrows shot up. “No shit? Mr. Mischief Knows No Bounds was speechless?”
“Yep.” Mal puffed his chest out with pride for his mate. He couldn’t wait to see him come out of his shell permanently.
“So.” Damon pinned him with that no-nonsense dad expression he’d perfected years ago. “Tell us your mate’s story and how we can help.”
His fathers listened while he gave them the condensed version of Nick’s past and what led him to Copper Creek. Their expressions growing harder with each word. Mal explained about the meeting they had with Elder Frey and the plan they’d put in place which would hopefully gain them the upper hand and the conclusion they wanted.
His eyes once again traveled to Nick. Which was nothing new. Mal had a hard time not looking at his mate when he was within view. His mom and Nick now stood side by side at the counter and appeared to be adding ingredients to a couple of mixing bowls. Mal’s stomach rumbled in spite of all he’d already eaten, because he knew whatever those two were cooking up would be delicious.
He got to the part in the story where Nick made himself at home at Margot Creed’s piano and couldn’t help but smile. “He’s amazing, Dads. He is so damned talented. You want to hear something unbelievable?” His fathers nodded. “Nick is self-taught. First on his grandmother’s piano. He just started playing one day. When his uncle took over, he had his men take sledgehammers to the piano. You know? Because only women and fags play.” His fathers growled. “His sister, Summer, picked up a secondhand keyboard at a pawn shop for his birthday, and Nick used it to practice. He had to leave it behind.”
“That is amazing. Are you planning to buy him a piano or will he use the one at the pack house?”
“Already taken care of. Had one delivered the morning after I heard him play.” Mal smiled still proud of himself for surprising his mate so thoroughly. “You should have seen his face. You’d have thought I bought him Liberace’s Rhinestone Baldwin instead of used Steinway baby grand.”
“Firstly, Son. A baby grand is nothing to sneeze at. I know that set you back a pretty penny.” Erik held up his hand to stop Mal from interrupting. “I know you have plenty of money saved, and it didn’t hurt you financially to spend what I know that ‘used baby grand’―” His father made air quotes. “―set you back. I’m just saying it was a generous gift. Second. I see the way you look at Nick. It’s the same way I look at your mother. You love Nick with your whole heart and soul. I’m proud of you for taking such good care of your mate. You saw how much music meant to your Nick and found a way to give it to him.”
Mal glanced at his fathers. They were his heroes. Their praise meant a lot to him. Perhaps it shouldn’t, because he was no longer a child, but Mal didn’t think you ever stopped wanting to make your parents proud. “You should be proud of yourselves. I had excellent teachers.”
“You never answered my question, Malcolm.” His father Damon took a quick drink of his beer. “How can we help?”
“You’re doing it. You accepted him.” Mal knew his fathers didn’t want or need his gratitude, but he would be forever grateful for how easily they gave Nick their love and support.
“He’s your mate. Why wouldn’t we accept him?” Erik tilted his head and confusion clouded his eyes. His eyes widen and Mal knew he figured it out. “Oh.” He leaned forward placing his elbows on the table. “Because of the guyliner and hair?”
Mal shrugged and picked at the label on his beer bottle. “He was concerned you would have an issue with it.”
Damon grunted. “Hair. Clothes. Make-up. All that shit is just aesthetics. It’s what’s inside a person’s heart that matters. We raised you boys to judge a person by their actions alone. It would be awfully hypocritical of us if we judged Nick solely for his individuality. Truthfully son, if I planned to reject anyone based on their outer appearance, I’d shun your dad. Erik has the fashion sense of a toddler. He still needs Garanimals tags to match his clothes together. It’s downright embarrassing.”
Mal barked a laugh. His dad had a point. Erik Creed was clueless and hopeless when it came to what colors, patterns, and accessories went together. His dad would be a walking fashion faux pas twenty-four-seven without Ilene and Damon to dress him.
Paul arrived just after five that evening. They set up a couple of long folding picnic tables placing them side-by-side to facilitate all of them. Mal’s parents sat at the head of the table, with
Irene in the middle. Emma Grace, Luke and Jay sat across from them. Mal and Nick sat together next to Paul and Cathy on one side. Kell, Jennifer, Gunnar, and Lada sat on the opposite side. The center of the table was laden with food. Grilled chicken, ribs, hot dogs, and enough side dishes to feed an army of shifters. Conversation was lively and light-hearted as they celebrated together as a family. Mal hadn’t realized how much he’d missed his parents until that moment.
Their hunger finally abated, Damon stood from his seat. Everyone fell silent and waited for the head of their family to speak. “If y’all will indulge an old man for a moment, I have a few things I would like to say. Erik, Ilene, and I enjoyed our extended vacation. We needed these past few months to reconnect as a triad, it had been a while since it was just the three of us. However, it’s good to be home, again. We missed a lot while we were gone. Each of our boys found their mates. Paul. Cathy. Thank you for waiting on us to return before you had the wedding. We certainly didn’t want to miss it.”
“We didn’t want you to miss it either, Dad,” Paul responded.
Damon gave him a smile of thanks. “Boys, we couldn’t have asked for better sons. All three of you have grown into fine men. You make us proud every day. Sometimes it seems like only yesterday I was yelling at Paul and Kell to stop picking on Mal.”
“Probably because you had to do it like twenty minutes ago,” Erik quipped making everyone laugh.
“Truth.” Damon held out his fist to Erik who bumped it in return. Mal and his brothers laughed at their father’s antics.
Damon cleared his throat. “Okay, back to serious business. I need to offer a great big thank you to the Fates for blessing Erik, Ilene, and I with all of you. Our family has more than doubled in size over the past six months. We’ve gone from having three sons to five, plus two daughters, a granddaughter, and two grandsons. My soul is filled with joy and I know I am not alone.” He smiled at Erik and Ilene before turning his attention back to the rest of them. “Cathy, you are a true beauty, both inside and out. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever met anyone with purple eyes before. They are stunning, much like the rest of you. And yet, after hearing your story from Paul and speaking with you what strikes me more than your mesmerizing eyes is how strong you are. How much courage and tenacity it took for you to escape a horribly abusive situation. You’re a survivor.”