Page 192 of Dream Mates
“Grace, I’m so sorry we met under these circumstances. But I’m glad I finally found you. I’ll give you space, but I’m here if you ever want to talk. Also, as I said before, I hope you’ll stay in touch with Creed and Verity,” the professor said as the nurse herded us into the hall.
I nodded.
“Dad! Daddy!” Little feet and voices came down the hallway and my heart wrenched.
“Nate’s a really good man,” Harry said softly, as three small children attacked the professor. “He’s been looking for you a long time and truly regrets what happened. Adriana can be a bitch, and you don’t have to forgive her. But if you can find it in your heart to forgive Nate, it would mean everything to him–even if you just have a birthday call and holiday card relationship, maybe grab lunch when you’re in town for work. He’ll take whatever you give him, and I implore you to give him something. Anything.”
“I… I could probably handle that.” I gulped, tears pricking my eyes as Nate hoisted a tiny blonde girl that looked like little me in his arms. Hope. I might not be able to handle much more. But I could at least try that? Maybe?
Harry’s eyes flickered over Hope, as he took the hands of a little boy and girl, a little older than her, who favored him in hair, their skin a very light brown. The girl claimed the blanket, her eyes blue.
“Dad, are you okay?” Creed came barreling down the hall in a cloud of alpha concern. He stopped short. “Grace. Why are you here?
“It’s my fault you’re here, and I’m sorry.” Tears streamed down my face as guilt ate at me.
“Hey, you got me out of an exam, I’m not mad.” Hale threw an arm around me. “Dad, is shethe missing sister?”
“Yes, but begentle.I’d like her to, you know,wantto see us sometimes.” Anxiety tinged the professor’s scent.
“Oh. Verity was right. Itisgirl Creed,” a teenage girl who had Adriana’s body type, Nate’s face, and light brown hair, joined us. Her hair was in tight dutch braids and her shirt readCapitol Crushers.She looked like she’d fit right in with the kids at Riley’s school.
This had to be Mercy.
“Hi, Mercy,” I said softly. “My name is Grace.” I looked at Nate. “Where did Theodosia come from?”
Nate smirked. “You play the piano and don’t know who Theodosia is?”
I’d have to ask Brennan. Was that her favorite composer?
“We have another sister?” the little girl holding Harry’s hand asked. She looked maybe kindergarten-aged while the tiny one, Hope, looked maybe two or three.
The little boy grinned at me. “She does look like girl Creed. But shorter.”
“You are so very small.” Hale rested his arm on my head.
Nate stopped. “Everyone, this is Grace. She’s your biggest sister–she’s even older than Creed. Her mom wasn’t in our pack, so she was raised… elsewhere. She’s a grown up and has a PhD, a job, a pack, and mates.” His scent went salty with sadness. “This is Pax,” he indicated the little boy, “Tru,” the little girl holding Harry’s hand waved, “and Hope. I think you know everyone else?”
Hope looked up at me, thumb in her mouth, blue eyes wide. The blue ribbons in her hair matched her dress.
My heart broke. I wasn’t even sure why.
“Don’t cry.” Tru took my hand. “There’s a lot of us. But we’re nice.”
“It’s been a rough day,” I said softly, letting her hold it.
“Why are you wearing a bikini?” Pax asked.
“I was at the beach with my mate.” I shrugged.
“Did you…” Creed grinned, eyeing my neck. “Oooh. I’m telling Verity and Ina as soon as I get my phone back.”
“Yes.” My head ducked, cheeks warming. “Wait, how many pumpkins is this?”
Creed laughed. “Not sure. Two maybe?”
“Who’s her mate? What am I missing?” Hale asked.
“Should I geteveryonesummer internships?” I joked.
