Page 4 of The Flavor of Us

The door creaks softly as we step inside, and my chest squeezes tight at the sight before me.

Ellie’s propped up against the pillows, her face pale but glowing with a softness I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. Her fiery hair is a mess around her head, sticking to her damp forehead, but she’s still soEllieit makes my throat ache. She’s holding the tiniest little bundle in her arms—a baby girl swaddled in a pink blanket.

Savin, her Omega, is beside her, cradling two little boys, one in each arm. His platinum hair sticks to his forehead, his expression so soft and fragile it almost breaks me. He looks like he’s barely holding on, his entire body trembling slightlywith the effort of staying upright. But he’s smiling—broad and genuine—like the happiest man alive.

Macon steps forward, his large frame moving carefully as he leans down and presses a tender kiss to Ellie’s forehead. The way her shoulders relax under his touch, the way her lips pull into a tired smile—it’s like watching poetry in motion.

Without a word, Macon reaches out and gently takes the boys from Savin’s arms. Savin sags with relief, his head falling forward as if the weight of holding them had been too much.

Ellie reaches out and pulls Savin closer, tucking him carefully against her side. Even exhausted and spent, she still worries about him. The doctors have been saying he’s doing better lately, but no one really knowswhyhe’s been so sick all these years. He’s fragile, but he’s still here, still fighting—and right now, he looks like he could pass out at any moment.

But before he does, he grins. This soft, sleepy smile that’s so full of love. Then, just like that, he’s out. Curled up against Ellie, not a care in the world.

Goddess, there’s so muchlovein this room. It’s almost overwhelming.

Tati inches closer to me, her hand slipping into mine as we move toward Ellie’s bedside. I release her hand to step forward, leaning down slightly as I meet my sister’s tired gaze.

“She’s beautiful,” I whisper, looking down at the tiny baby girl cradled in Ellie’s arms. Her little face is pink and wrinkled, her tiny mouth slightly open as she sleeps peacefully against her momma’s chest.

Ellie smiles softly, her head tilting toward Savin as he sleeps against her side. “He did so much, Carleen. More than he should’ve. He’s so overworked.”

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. “You just pushed outthreelittle potatoes and you’re still worried about your Omega? Seriously, Ellie?”

She laughs, though it comes out weak and breathless, her smile growing as she looks down at her daughter. “I can’t help it. He’s Savin.”

“Yeah, well, he’s got you and he’s got Macon. And now, he’s got these three. He’s not carrying it all alone anymore.”

Ellie nods, her eyes glassy as she looks between her children. There’s something so deeply maternal in her gaze, something so fierce and protective, it’s almost hard to look at.

“So…what are their names?” I ask softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Ellie’s smile grows and she shifts slightly, cradling the baby girl closer. “This little one isAria.”

My heart stutters at the name—it’s perfect. Light, melodic, just like her little sleeping face.

“And these two,” Ellie continues, glancing at Macon, who’s still holding the boys carefully in his strong arms. “The bigger one—he was born first—isQuinn. And the second one isOliver.”

Quinn, Oliver, and Aria.

“They’re perfect,” I say softly, brushing my knuckles lightly over Aria’s tiny cheek. She stirs, letting out a soft noise before settling back into Ellie’s arms.

The moment Tati steps closer to Ellie’s bedside, the room feels lighter. Like someone cracked open a window and let all the tension float out. Ellie’s eyes go wide, surprised by her best friend’s presence. None of us—not even me—knew that Tati had been back in town or close enough to show up at the hospital this evening.

“Tati!” Ellie practically squeals, her voice cracking slightly from exhaustion, but the excitement is there. “Oh my goddess, you’re back! Are you two—" She pauses, her sharp brown eyes flickering between me and Tati. “Are you two working things out?”

Tati lets out this soft, warm laugh that sounds like sunshine on a cloudy day. She rolls her eyes but steps up to the edge of the bed, her hand reaching out to softly brush against Aria’s tiny cheek just like I did. “Hand me one of my damn godchildren first,” she taunts playfully, before glancing over at me with the faintest blush dusting her cheeks. “And… yeah. We’re working on it.”

Macon steps forward, his broad shoulders filling the space as he carefully shifts one of the baby boys in his arms. With a gentleness that doesn’t match his intimidating size, he hands the swaddled infant to Tati. She cradles him instantly, her body shifting to support his tiny frame like she was made for this moment.

“Oh my goddess,” she whispers, her eyes locked on the baby’s face. “Hi, little guy.”

Watching Tati hold Quinn puts thoughts in my head that I can’t possibly entertain right now. And yet, I can’t help imagining a family, Tati at the center of it, those rosy cheeks on full display. Unable to handle my own emotions, I turn back to Ellie as Tati moves to the lounge seat and sits down with Macon. “You’re going to have your hands full with these three.”

Ellie snorts lightly, her head tilting as she leans back into the pillows. “Tell me about it. But honestly, Savin and Macon are already pros. I just need to make sure Savin doesn’t faint halfway through diaper duty.”

Savin stirs from where he’s still tucked against Ellie’s side, muttering something incoherent before settling back into sleep. My gaze drifts to Tati again, my Beta slowly rocking from side to side like some natural instinct took over. Her lips are pressed together in a faint smile, her eyes focused entirely on him.

Ellie clears her throat, dragging my attention back again. “Carlie, don’t waste this.”

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