Page 24 of My Omega's Gift

Originally, I’d considered going back to bed once she ate, but I didn’t want to wake Kurt. He hadn’t had a single day to sleep in since we arrived, and he deserved the rest. Especially after being such an amazing partner when I was going through childbirth. Having him by my side gave me the strength I needed. He said I always had it all along, but he was wrong. I needed him.

A lightrap, rap, rapat the door stirred me from my thoughts. I stood carefully, covering Juniper with a blanket to keep the breeze from catching her as I opened the door. Eliasand Theo stood there, holding a huge box between the two of them.

“We brought food,” Elias said as they stepped inside, allowing me to close the door.

Elias began explaining the contents of the box, and each item sounded more delicious than the next. They had outdone themselves with homemade cinnamon rolls, an egg casserole, and, of course, cookies.

“Merry Christmas!” Theo and Elias brought the food over to the counter and set it down.

“You didn’t have to do this,” I said. “Thank you, really, but it’s so much.”

Elias waved me off as Theo put an arm around his mate’s shoulders. “We needed an excuse to come see the baby.”

“Did you want to hold her?”

Elias practically lunged forward, his arms outstretched.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” The moment she was in his arms, he cradled her close.

“Oh, she’s so beautiful,” he murmured. “Aren’t you, sweet girl?”

“She really is.” Theo smiled down at her.

“Thank you for breakfast.” I’d planned to cook omelets and tube biscuits. This was so much better.

“It’s part one of your gift,” Theo said with a grin.

“Part one?” It was by far more than enough.

“Yes, part one. We’re here to babysit.”

“I don’t need a babysitter—”

“But you do.” Kurt’s voice came from behind me. He placed a gentle hand on my back. “I called them last night. We won’t be gone long, but you need to let your wolf out, and I know you wouldn’t be happy going without me.”

Elias was already swaying side to side, soothing Juniper in his arms. She was going to be fine with him. “When did she last eat?”

“She just fell asleep, so not too long ago.”

“Perfect,” Theo said. “Why don’t you two go now? We’ll have breakfast set up when you get back—you’ll feel better for the shift.”

I wanted to argue, but they were right. My wolf needed the release. I trusted them completely; our sweet baby girl would be fine in their care. It wasn’t like we were going on vacation. We were going to be gone less than an hour, and there was no doubt in my mind that they would protect her like she was their own.

After thanking them, Kurt and I stepped out onto the porch, undressing quickly to shift. I knew Juniper was safe inside, but the instinct to stay close kept us from venturing far. We circled the cabin a few times, scenting the air for danger and, when we found none, we played.

I chased Kurt. He chased me. We rolled in the snow like pups. Our wolves reveled in the time together. I knew we’d have plenty more days like this, but there would be only one first shift together, and I wanted to cherish it. My mind wasn’t feeling the same and kept wandering back to the baby. It was time to go back inside.

I thought we’d been outside at least half an hour. I was wrong. We’d been out barely ten minutes. It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough to satisfy my wolf and scratch the itch to play as our beasts.

When we stepped back into the cabin, the transformation inside was magical. The table was set, cocoa was fresh, Christmas music played softly in the air—and somehow, there were presents under the tree. They hadn’t been there before.

“Does anyone call you Santa?” I teased Theo.

“Some call me a lot of things,” he said with a wink, whatever that meant.

Elias handed Juniper back to Kurt and then wrapped his arm around Theo. “Merry Christmas, you two. We hope to see you back again—and again and again. Maybe make this your Christmas tradition, or summer is nice too…fall is beautiful as well.”

“I’m sure we’ll be back so often, you’ll be sick of us,” Kurt said.

---