Page 69 of Our Haunted Omegas
“Because you thought we’d live locked up in the apartment forever?” I laughed.
“No because sometimes I saw it in both of you that you wanted more but didn’t know how to go about getting it and thatis the worst feeling. To want more or to want something different and better and have no clue how to change things. At the end of the day we are all still ourselves. The festival will come back and whatever that brings in between will be there too. Now you have more support and perhaps being out of the city will help.”
“But the store…” I started and he shook his head.
“You will still inherit it. Don’t you worry about that. It is yours and no one, not even Missy, can take that away. When you want to work – if you want to work – show up. You know the store. There is always something that needs done. Take more business classes or go to one of those classes where you paint nude models or stay at home with my grandkids. Work with impoverished children.”
“You sound like me now,” I laughed. “I told Odie the same thing. I dug out all the old arts and craft projects and I think if things ever settle down, I might pick some of them back up.”
“I’ll set up a shelf at the store for them if you like,” Dad offered, and I gladly accepted because I didn’t want my new life to exclude him.
“I don’t want you to be all alone in London by yourself,” I said. “I want you to come out and visit whenever you want and we’ll come in and see you and..”
“I’m not going anywhere, kiddo. Might sign up for one of those dating apps now that my kids are taken care of and happy.”
“I’m sorry if we spent forever stressing you out,” I said, trying not to frown.
My eyes misted over, and my wolf shifted them to his as they were more tear resistant. I wasn’t sure if I was finally melting down from the explosion at the petrol station or if my pregnancy hormones were kicking in already.
“I won’t say that I didn’t worry because I won’t lie to you. I will say that I will still worry. That is my job and soon enough you’ll understand that it is every parent’s job. Even whenwar isn’t shaking the very foundations of London, you’ll worry because the world is a scary place. Somehow we have to raise kids who can make something of life in this scary place.”
“You did that,” I said and meant it.
“I see that and I’m proud of you both. Though, I was just as proud when you worked at the grocery store. Doing your best isn’t about fame or being the most successful. It’s about doing what you can and what you enjoy. I’d rather have a happy kid than a successful kid any day. Now, it seems I have two very happy and pregnant kids. Explosion aside, but it’s been a delightful trip. I’ve already started a bit of a trust fund for both of the babies. I know that the Moonscales will far out do whatever I can muster but there are two sides to every family and while I’m not Clarence I’m not exactly broke either.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I said and hugged him tight. “I can’t wait for you to meet your grandkid.”
Slowly as all the dishes were cleared away everyone gathered in one of the living rooms and we all talked late into the night. For the first time in a long time, I was surrounded by people and my cells didn’t quiver once. Even Odie seemed to have fun. He held onto Cobalt and Guardie for dear life but after what had happened recently, I didn’t blame him one little bit.
After almost everyone else had gone to bed, Odie and I went for a walk in one of the manor’s many gardens. The guards were still up and at them. Since the explosion, Clarence had put on a full security staff but it was as alone as either of us was going to manage to get with the other any time soon. It wasn’t that I didn’t want our mates and Teal to know what we discussed and I only wanted to ensure that Odie and I were on the same page before we told them anything.
“I know we said the apartment,” I started and stopped.
“Are you alright?” Odie asked.
“This is hard and I don’t want you to think that I’m making the choice for both of us. It’s just something I want to talk about. I know we said not being able to keep the apartment was a deal breaker but we rented the apartment not because we wanted to live in each other’s laps but because it could be ours and we could afford it. Now that we have other options—”
“The beautiful cabin when spies aren’t trying to film me in unconsenting porn?” Odie chuckled.
“Yes, that. It’s not so much that we don’t need the apartment anymore. I know that keeping it is extra security but what if there is someone else or several someone elses like us out there? What if someone who can only afford that apartment is looking and they are unable to rent it because we are renting it even though we don’t need it?”
“I’ve thought about it too,” Odie admitted. “I think we have to let it go. It’s wasteful to pay rent if we’re not going to live there and I can’t imagine where our babies would learn to walk there. There isn’t any room to move around. I know there are parks, but I think because we are able to give them more we should. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t think I could give up the apartment. I don’t think I could go through with giving up the only place that felt safe for a long time. Safe and ours.”
“I think the cabin can be ours,” I said, sliding my arm through his. “Kids running wild in the country. Further away from the city if things happen. A nesting tower. Away from the city when all the festivals happen. It’s not really a four hour drive. When we drove out there I thought it was a million miles away from London but we were just so distracted. It was less than two to get here. It’s not so bad and I bet the guys can fly it even quicker. One day they’ll have to relent and fly us somewhere.”
“Not while we’re pregnant. I can see the looks on their faces now if we suggest that.”
“So, we’re in agreement then?” I asked him.
“Yeah. I think it’s time to let them know. They’ll insist on helping us pack up whatever is left,” Odie said.
“And after these last few days I think we should let them do the heavy lifting. You for one will be doing enough of it for the next few months.”
“Is it strange that I’m looking forward to it?” he asked.
“Not at all. We’re alive and bringing life into the world.”
Chapter Thirty
