Page 103 of Knot His Reality

“It’s not bad, but you’re still weird,” he tells me with a roll of his eyes. “Can we go to the beach now?”

“Of course we can. I can’t believe I was holding us up.” Standing up, I offer him my hand, which he takes without hesitation.

My parents, Lily, and Rose are already on the beach, setting things up as I lead the rest of us down to join them. It’s a little hectic as we get tents and chairs set up. Lily takes the kids into the shallows so they’re not underfoot, making it a million times easier to get everything done.

“You’re good with them,” Eric says as he hammers the last spike into the sand, the last of the four tents now put up. “Your nephews, I mean. And your foster sisters.”

I smile, my eyes finding them splashing in the water. Jasper has on bright green arm floaties since he’s still learning how to swim, but Hawk and Lily don’t need them anymore.

“I love them.” I glance back at Eric, deciding to test the waters. “I love kids in general.”

He smiles. “That’s good to know. Do you want some of your own?”

“I would, assuming the pack agrees,” I say softly as he wraps his arms around me.

“We’ve been trying to get Victoria pregnant,” he admits. “She really wants to be a mom.”

That makes me smile. “Good. We’ll have to wait until the birth control shot wears off, but I’m willing to add my contributions to the effort.”

I can’t see his face, but I feel his body shake as he laughs. “Yeah, I’ll just bet you are. It’ll make her happy to hear that.”

“Until then, we can just practice. Run trains on her every night.” I snicker.

“Who are we running trains on?” Baba asks, and I wince. I hadn’t heard him walk up.

Oh, well.

“On my alpha,” I tell him as I step out of Eric’s arms, ignoring my heated face, which I’m sure is bright red. “She wants a baby.”

Baba squeals. “Another grandbaby? Fates, I can’t wait.”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Baba. We’re all on birth control for the show. It’ll be a few months before we can try.”

He nods, but his smile doesn’t dim. “That’s okay. You’ll get there. We’re so happy for you, Remy. You know that, right?”

I hug him, letting his omega scent calm me as it has since I was a kid. “I know, Baba, and I’m so happy. Just a few more weeks and I’ll have a full pack.”

“Uncle Remy! We’re ready to start building sandcastles,” Hawk says, running up to tug on my shorts. “Come on!”

“Alright, kid, I’m coming. Go get started, and I’ll be there in a minute.” I hug Baba once more before kissing Eric and heading down the beach to join my nephews.

We spend almost two hours building the best sandcastle ever, and I’m surprised that Hawk isn’t distracted by everything else going on around us. The only reason we stop when we do is because it’s time for lunch. Otherwise, I think he would’ve kept going.

The twins sit on either side of me as I eat. Baba and Mama made ground bologna sandwiches for us—something I haven’t had since I left home. There are a few other sandwiches for those who don’t like bologna. There is also potato salad, macaroni salad, and cut-up fruit. It’s the perfect beach lunch.

“I like your family, Remy,” Alexei tells me with a grin. “We have not been around children for long while. It is nice.”

Nikolai grunts. “Very nice. You have good family.”

“Thanks. I think I’ll keep them.” Shooting them a wink, I glance down the table to where Eric and Brooke are sitting. She’s talking animatedly to him as he nods. He’s probably the best one for her to talk to because I know she can keep carrying the conversation when he has nothing to add.

Next, my eyes find Nolan and Ian. I haven’t spent nearly enough time with the two of them. It’s easy for Nolan to fade into the background with how quiet he is. As for Ian, I’m not sure why we haven’t spent as much time together. After lunch, I’m going to spend some time with the two of them.

Which is exactly what I do, bringing them to the tent farthest from the others.

“I want to apologize to the two of you. I feel like I haven’t spent enough time with you. It’s hard to balance so many suitors vying for my attention—especially when some of you seem content to sit in the background.” I glance between them. “Has that been on purpose?”

Nolan shakes his head. “Not really. I’m never someone who’s going to stand out or even speak up. It’s easier for me to let the other suitors take the limelight.”

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