Page 88 of The Beta's Heart

Besides, I missed my family, especially William and Winnie. I’d been there with them when they were born and every day since until I found Ty. When I told my mate that, he reminded me that I didn’t have to give up my old life just because I’d started a new one, but also added that my family understood the need we had to be together while our relationship was so new.

I linked Mom to ask if they were available to come over for dinner, something I wasn’t exactly sure I could afford with so many mouths to feed, but I didn’t want to come out and ask ifwecould go overtherefor dinner. My way, she would most likely issue the invitation before I could finish getting mine out of my mouth.

But,Sorry, love, we’re going over to Emerson and Angelo’s,she linked back.Wayne and Arch are having a sleepover with Thoreau, so we’re dropping them off. Em said they have a surprise for us, then Dad’s taking me and the heathens out to eat.

Where are Wade and Wesley?

Wade’s at Jeremy’s with some of their friends for a sleepover, and Rook invited Wesley to spend the night at the orphanage. Delta Charlie is going to take all the lads fishing tomorrow morning while Honor is at a birthday party.

Hmm. Well, what if I take William and Winnie off your hands for the night?I suggested, thinking fast. If I couldn’t go to my babies, they could come to me!Give you and Dad a little alone time?

Do you have an ulterior motive behind this, love?

No, Mom. I just miss them. I love Ty very much, and I’m as happy as can be, but my days don’t feel right without boys running around me and creating messes and arguing and begging me to play race cars with them.

I know what you mean,she chuckled.Right, then. We’ll bring them ’round on our way over to Em’s, if that suits?

Absolutely fabulous, dahling,I tried to imitate her English accent, which made her laugh.

We chatted for a few more minutes, and she let me know that her last ultrasound confirmed she was having a boy.

What a shock!I gasped.

Don’t be cheeky,she chided before letting me go.

Running out to the backyard where Ty was practicing tai chi under the old oak tree, I word-vomited what I’d arranged so fast, he stood and stared at me for a few moments. Then, leaning his wooden practice swords against the tree, he came over and cupped my face in his rough palms.

“You can have any of the kids over any time you want to. I’ve babysat them all at one time or another, and we get along great, probably because we share a lot of the same interests.”

“Yeah, and probably because you’ll wrestle around and rough-house with them,” I agreed with an eye roll.

“And you don’t?”

“I’ll have you know that I am an awesome tickle monster, but, no, I am not getting my tits kicked or my hair pulled or worse. Those little bastards are vicious when they wrestle!”

“True enough,” he chuckled as he dropped his hands from my face. “Future warriors for sure. Want me to call and ask them over?”

“Why? I already confirmed it with Mom.” I tilted my head.

“It will be special for them if I do, that’s why.” He grinned as he assured me he had both Mom and Dad’s cell numbers. “I’m at a good stopping spot, so I’ll call now, then get a shower. What else do we need to do to get ready?”

“Nothing much. I figured we’d do a pillow fort in the living room with snacks and a movie. That will be good enough for them, and we can play games if they get tired of the movie.”

“Sounds great.” He went over and grabbed his swords, and I looked at them as he walked back to me.

They weren’t very nice swords, pitted and cracked and worn, obviously second- or third-hand and Goddess knew how old.

Ty had told me that he learned about tai chi at a free workshop held at the YMCA in Greenville and had fallen in love with it. He’d said it didn’t make his scars pull or pinch as much as other martial arts did, and the deep, slow breathing and smooth, flowing motions helped him settle his mind. He had told me that he thought of it as physical meditation.

He’d also been highly impressed when the instructor gave a performance at combat-speed with a pair of elegant master swords.

“After that, I kept my eye open for anything that would work to practice with and was lucky enough to score these at a thrift store,” he’d said, holding up his two battered relics. “Banged my head and shins too many times to remember, but eventually I got the hang of it!”

Staring at them now, I knew exactly what I was going to get him for our first Christmas together. I could ask Angelo del Vecchio for some advice; he was an expert in any kind of weapon you could name, so surely he’d know where I could get a fine pair for my love.

Now I just have to figure out how to afford them,I thought to myself.That waitressing job at Roger’s is sounding more and more appealing… After school starts, though. I want to enjoy the rest of the summer with my man.

“Per? You good?” Ty bumped my arm with his elbow.

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