Page 97 of Ready or Not

“All right, now we’re talking. Shove it through the hole,” Holt says.

I can’t see him, but Bishop is just finishing re-zipping Aurora into her pajamas. I peek around the corner, and Cooper has two of the bottles that look like boobs, and he’s placing them through two circular holes cut out of Holt’s T-shirt.

“I’m telling you, it didn’t work before because it was just one. She’s used to two.” Holt nods. “Apparently, she’s persnickety about having both options available.”

Cooper snorts.

My hand flies to cover my mouth as I try to hold back a laugh.

“You two are idiots, but I’m willing to try anything to let Vale get a little more sleep.” Bishop coos at Aurora. He picks her up and brings her over to Holt in the glider.

Mercy stands next to the wall with the digital camera in hand. Suddenly, I’m wishing I had that camera, so I could snap pictures of the four of them.

Cooper kneels next to the rocking chair as Holt tries to tease her tiny mouth with one of the bottles.

“Listen, I get it. I’m seriously fond of the real deal too, but Mommy is worn slap out.” Holt rocks her, continuing to tease her mouth with the bottle. “It’s warm and boob shaped. Just give it a try.”

“Come on, kiddo. You can do it,” Cooper says, running his hand over her head.

“It’s your smell.” Bishop scratches his jaw. “I bet that’s it. You don’t smell like Vale. Her eyesight isn’t good enough to pick out faces yet, so I’m guessing she’s relying on her other instincts, and you smell wrong.”

“Someone, grab her dress out of the laundry basket, then.” Holt’s forehead wrinkles. “Wait, she’s actually drinking.”

“Holy shit,” Cooper says, laughing. “It worked.”

I giggle, shaking my head.

Mercy grins as he spots me. I think he takes a picture of me leaning into the doorway, but he quickly hands off the camera to Bishop and comes over.

“I panicked when I woke up and all of you were gone,” I admit as he pulls me into his arms. “I really need the bathroom, but it still hurts so bad. Every single time.”

“I wish I could take all your pain away,” he murmurs, giving me a quick kiss. “Let’s get you cleaned up and comfy. You’ve got a few hours left until daylight.”

“Okay,” I agree. It’s tough, because I really do appreciate their help, but gah, it’s hard to feel sexy when they’re helping me with everything, from bathroom visits to showers to leaky boobs.

I’m seriously hoping it gets easier.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Vale

Marina, Patrick, and his omega, Sarah, come for a visit the next day. It was weird calling him Dr. Garza, but he politely tells me that Patrick works fine. He and Sarah bring a few things for the baby and stick around for an hour or so.

Marina alternates between cooking a feast and sneaking into the living room to check on Aurora. Aurora is as enamored by her grandma as Marina is with the baby. It’s a huge relief to have someone around who has gone through this before.

It seems to hit differently when she assures me I’m doing things right.

Mercy comes in just as Aurora is finishing nursing. The guys never leave me alone completely, but they still have a business to run. One person stays in the house with me, and the others are in and out, but I’m far from complaining.

It’s still painfully real to me that I could have been stuck alone in DC, trying to manage all of this by myself.

“Look at those bright blue eyes.” He sits at my side and scoots closer. “She’s wide awake. Would it be a good time to video call my family? They’ve been waiting on pins and needles.”

The look on his face is lined with humor, but I can feel how important it is to him.

“Now is as good a time as any,” I agree, snuggling closer to his chest.

He grins a boyish smile and bends to kiss my forehead. “Thank you.”

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