Page 94 of Knot Just Their Nanny
“More than I thought possible,” he murmurs, but doesn’t move to take her from me.
He watches us as I sit, his gaze softening when Mia latches onto the bottle with an eager little noise that fill the room with life. She gazes up at me with those big eyes that are just like Ben’s, full of trust and innocence.
This moment feels like one of those quiet triumphs that nobody talks about – the simple act of feeding your child while surrounded by love. It’s these moments I want to hold on to, to remember when things get chaotic or when doubts creep in at the edges.
Ben seems to understand without a word spoken; he moves closer until he’s sitting on the arm of the big, cosy chair, his arm comes around us in a casual embrace – protection, love, support all bundled into one effortless gesture.
“You’re amazing, you know that?” he murmurs into my hair, his breath warm against my skin. I can feel his chest vibrate with the timbre of his voice, a soothing rumble that’s as comforting as the chair I’m nestled in.
“I’m just feeding Mia,” I reply, trying to downplay the moment, but internally I’m basking in his praise.
“That’s just it, though, isn’t it? You make it seem so simple, so easy. But you’re doing everything, Zara. You’ve single-handedly brought this family together. It was broken, shattered into amillion pieces, and you fixed it,” Ben says. He presses a kiss to the top of my head, and it feels like a seal over his words – a promise, a recognition.
I laugh softly, shaking my head. “I’m hardly doing it all on my own. I’ve got you three as my right-hand men.”
“Right-hand alpha mates,” he corrects me teasingly. “You can’t forget that part.”
“How could I?” I snort gently, careful not to disturb Mia, who is now half-asleep, her sucking slowing down as she drifts off.
“We try our best,” Ben says with mock solemnity, and then his tone shifts to something lighter. “And speaking of trying our best,” he continues with a smirk, “I think Liam and Henry have plans for tonight after Mia’s down for the night.”
“Oh? Do these plans involve more DIY disasters?” I ask with raised eyebrows.
Ben chuckles slowly. “Hopefully not. But perhaps a quiet dinner? Liam found a recipe for a curry that he’s convinced he can master. Henry, not so convinced, is there to supervise and hopefully make it edible.” He chuckles.
“Sounds perfect,” I say, finishing Mia’s feeding and gently burping her before laying her in her cot. She’s a little slice of heaven, and I swear she understands every word we say. “We all need a quiet night. Good food, a bit of wine, and the best company,” I add, feeling the energy in the room lighten.
Ben stands up and stretches his arms above his head. “Should we leave them to it then? Let’s see if they can handle dinner without setting off the smoke alarm.”
I laugh lightly. “I have faith in Liam’s cooking skills—or at least Henry’s ability to salvage them.”
We make our way downstairs, where Liam and Henry are already arguing.
“It’s not rocket science,” Liam is saying with a huff, his hands brandishing various spice jars like weapons.
Henry snatches one from him. “Yeah, but it might as well be with you in charge.”
It’s all banter, though. “I think Liam can handle it,” I say, giving him a bright smile before I turn to Henry and add, “It’s just that his enthusiasm sometimes outpaces his skill set.”
Henry lets out a loud guffaw as Ben tries not to laugh too hard.
I perch on a barstool at the kitchen island, ready to watch the show. Ben pours me a glass of wine and joins me, our knees brushing as he sits on the stool beside mine.
Liam looks over at us with a fierce glare, but the glint in his eyes gives him away. “Watch it, or I’ll ban you from the first taste test,” he warns, though the smirk on his lips tells me it’s an empty threat.
Henry shakes his head, rummaging through the fridge for the chicken. “Just concentrate on not burning down the kitchen, mate.”
I sip my wine, feeling content as I watch the two of them bicker and move around each other with an ease that speaks of years of friendship turned into something more meaningful. We are a true pack: friends, lovers, and everything in between.
“We’ve done well – more than well – and this life we’re creating is as real and beautiful as anything I could have ever hoped for,” Ben says, taking my hand and kissing my knuckles. “Thank you for coming into our lives and staying even though I’m a bad-tempered asshole.”
“You’re not really bad-tempered, and there was never any doubt I would stay. I knew you needed me, you and Mia.”
We share a smile and the sound of sizzling from the stove as Liam finally starts cooking, which has Henry darting over to lower the heat. The scene is chaotic but strangely harmonic, like an orchestra warming up before a performance.
As they continue their masterpiece, Liam stirring the curry with Henry directing every move – I lean into Ben, feeling his warmth against my side.
Happiness fills my soul, and I hope that my parents would’ve approved of this pack we’ve created and are building on with shared memories and love.
