Page 67 of Shifting Fate
“How about this?” I tapped my fingers over my chin. “You can meet them at our wedding.”
A smirk spread slowly across his handsome face. “Are you assuming I’ll propose?”
I smirked right back. “Arias, Iknowyou. You’ll totally propose, but just remember, if you take too long? I’ll steal your spotlight and do it my damn self.” I threw my head back on a peal of laughter. “And, for the record, I expect one hell of a rock.” I wiggled my fingers at him, then went back to blending.
We got dressed, said goodbye to my pack and headed to the cabin that Arias’s parents had claimed as their home. When we pulled in, I was surprised to find that Merrick’s Jeep wasn’t already waiting in the drive. The man was nothing if not punctual and, according to my phone, Arias and I were actually about seven minutes late.
I blinked. “We’re the first ones here?”
Arias chuckled. “Espen is dragging his heels, as usual.”
“Surprised that Merrick doesn’t take a cattle prod to his ass.”
“He might like it.” He shrugged, then elbowed me with a grin. “Now quit stalling. Let’s go in.”
I gulped. “RIP.”
“You’ll be fine, Dal. Promise.” He killed the engine and removed his keys, and we started towards the front door. The porch light was on, a beacon of hope in the darkness. I lifted my hand to knock on the door, but Arias swept in front of me and threw it open. “Mom! Dad! We’re here,” he called out.
I gulped again, but pulled on my big-boy panties and dealt with it. Arias held the door open for me as I scurried up the steps. The moment I set foot in the small kitchen, there was a squeal of delight and suddenly, I was being crushed to death. Wren threw her arms around me and squeezed me in a tight hug.
“Oh, you’re precious!”
I squeaked.
“Mom,” Arias grumbled.
“Hush. Let me see you.” Grasping my shoulders, she held me out at arms’ length, which meant I got a good look at her too. She was short and spritely, with just enough bosom to be full-figured and, well…motherly. Her brown hair was cut short with a fringe of bangs that seemed to flyaway of their own accord, but her eyes?
They gleamed with warmth, with trust, with adoration. My throat grew tight when she beamed at me. “I’ve waited so long to finally meet you!” She narrowed her eyes at Arias for a moment, then giggled. “I’m Wren, but I would be delighted if you called me Mom.” She winked. “And for the record? You don’t look like a punk to me.”
I breathed out a laugh. “Thanks?”
She glanced between me and Arias, then nodded firmly. “I think he’s a keeper,” she said, matter-of-fact, then patted my arm. “Jaeger’ll warm up to you, I promise. He’s a grouchy old bear, but he’s a good man, deep down. You’ll see.”
A knock on the door behind us had us all shuffling forwards. Merrick and Espen came inside and suddenly, the tiny kitchen felt downright claustrophobic. Wren squealed again, and then wrapped her arms around Merrick the same way she’d done me.
The look on Merrick’s face was priceless.
I smirked. “You can call her Mom,” I informed him. He flushed bright red and choked out a laugh. Espen and Arias cracked up.
Dinner went well, in the grand scheme of things—and it was delicious. She’d baked up an entire vat of barbecue wings and, paired with the cheesiest mac and cheese in the entire universe, I happily stuffed my face. One look around the table and I was grinning at the sauce-smeared cheeks of my mate and his twin. Even Merrick was a little saucy, but screw it. That’s what napkins were for.
Wren and the twins kept the conversation flowing, for the most part, though my attention was drawn to Arias’s father. He was quiet, as usual, but a couple of times I could’ve sworn he was smiling. Sort of just watching us interact with our mates, soaking up the family-time.
His question came out of the blue. “So. Which one of you two’ll be giving us grandkids, then?”
I nearly spit my entire mouthful of lemonade across the table. Instead, it went down the wrong pipe and I sputtered helplessly while Arias clapped me on the back.
Merrick’s laugh was soft as he said, “It’s a little early to be thinking about children.”
Jaeger huffed. “I’m not getting any younger.”
Arias and Espen looked at each other with their jaws slightly ajar, like their father’s words had just blown their minds right open. “Uh.” Arias fumbled for a moment, glancing to me for guidance.
I snickered. “Don’t look at me! I’m too beautiful to be up all night with a screaming infant. No thanks. Hard pass.”
The tension in the room settled as everyone laughed. Jaeger kind of gave me the side-eye, but it was paired with a smile, so I was pretty sure I wasn’t on his shit-list. Good enough for me.
