Page 48 of Heat Haven Holidays

As I’m grabbing some additional blankets and pillows to take to the nest, Shyla walks into the room, perching her hip against the door frame.

“Emmett, what are you up to?”

“You haven’t heard the gossip?” I joke, folding the blanket.

“Which is?” she says.

“Our friends agreeing to stay here with the kids so we can ring in the New Year by coming as many times as possible.”

She laughs and walks toward me, putting a finger underneath my chin and kissing my lips tenderly. “I hadn’t heard this rumor, but I’m intrigued.”

“I don’t think Cam and Kelsey know,” I say.

“Good. Let it be a surprise for our Omegas. You’re so good at taking care of them, aren’t you?” she says.

“You Alphas need to tone down the pheromones and being so hot until later tonight,” I reply. She drags her nails down my chest.

“Keep this a secret for just our Omegas and I’ll do whatever you want tonight,” she says. I swallow thickly and nod my head. The possibilities are endless. Fuck, I can’t wait to kick off the New Year. “Is there anything you need help with?” she asks and I shake my head.

“I think I’ve got it.”

“Perfect, I’ll go check on the kids. Hopefully, the basement isn’t a fucking disaster,” she says, smiling and kissing my cheek. It’s odd, when Shyla and I first got together, I never conceptualized the thought of her being a parent. I’m kinda glad, because watching her now, I’m in awe. She’s there for all of our children in a stern but loving way. She has no problem setting down rules and guidelines, but she can also kiss boo boos and help them with homework.

Not gonna lie, I know Kelsey, Cam and I were super grateful that she could help the older boys with their work. When Easton came home confused about his paper on micro economics, Kelsey and I looked at each other like we were stupid. Not that I think we are, we just all have our strengths. I think together we’re able to give our children everything that we need and it brings me so much joy.

I didn’t have any siblings and seeing my kids together brings me a happiness I never could have realized. I’ve always struggled with the fact that I had a ton of money and no aspirations, but it’s clear that I was meant to be a dad, and I love every moment of it. Especially with the people I chose to build a family with.

I almost get lost in my thoughts as I grab some drinks and snacks and carry them outside to the nest. It’s a perfect combination of Cameron and Kelsey. It now looks like the beach at night, giving them the best of both worlds. The bed is on the floor, as per Kelsey’s request, but we do have a swing, the chaise and a daybed, so Cameron can have the sex positions he wants as well. I’ll never forget when their heats finally synced after Kelsey had the boys. It was the heat of the century. Two Omegas with big requests, and watching them together completely feral like that, it lives in my spank bank to this day.

Before I leave the fully stocked nest, I make sure to turn up the heat slightly, plug in the twinkle lights, and turn on Cameron’s white noise machine. I cannot wait to bring in the New Year.

Shyla

It’s11:45pmandthe smaller children are asleep. Jacob is in his crib, Talia and Lana are in bed with Claire sleeping in their room. And the older children are all playing music and games in the basement to bring in the New Year. I watch from the doorway and happiness fills my chest. This sense of family I was able to create. I might not have a relationship with my biological family, but this right here means more than anything else.

I make my way back upstairs, excitement shooting down my spine. It’s been too long since we’ve all been able to be together like this. Knowing that the people we trust the most in the world will be taking care of our kids means we will actually be able to truly enjoy ourselves.

Just as I’m hitting the top step, a familiar hand grabs my wrist. “We all set?” Dom asks, and I nod my head and smile. If you asked me when we first met if I thought Dom Bosch would become my best friend, I’d have told you that you’re full of shit. But when I see him now, all I see is comfort. Our relationship is still a platonic one, but I trust Dom with my life, our pack, and our children. We’re partners in the sense that we take care of our pack and family and do what we need to do to hold our family up, to help them through anything, to be our comfort. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Dom has become a person of comfort for me, someone I can always count on.

The way we work together to make sure our Omegas and Beta are taken care of is something I couldn’t have fathomed when we brought this pack together. I’m so grateful that I have him every day, the way we support each other and can confide in one another. I didn’t realize the true power of having another Alpha in your pack.

“We’re all set. So right after we say Happy New Year?”

“Yup, give the three of them kisses, and then back to the nest,” he says with a grin. I smile back as we head to the large living room where all our friends are waiting. My arm snakes around Kelsey’s waist as I kiss the side of her head.

She clutches at my arm and squeezes me back. I love this woman so much it’s sometimes hard to put into words. How she’s selflessly carried all of our children, including mine and Cameron’s. And the way she mothers our kids is something I wish I would have had. She loves our kids so deeply and is so patient and caring with them. I know that when our kids grow up, they won’t carry the same traumas I had and honestly that is all I ever wanted. For my kids to have a childhood they can look back on with fond memories. I think we’ve done a damn good job of that, not that we’re done by a long shot.

“Is something going on?” Kelsey whispers in my ear.

“What makes you say that, sweet girl?” She blushes at her nickname.

“You all are acting suspicious,” she says, giving me narrowed eyes.

“We just can’t wait to kiss our girl when the ball drops. Is that so bad?” I respond. She doesn’t buy it for a second.

“Fine, keep your secrets. See if you get my first kiss,” she taunts.

“You don’t want to start the year off on my naughty list, do you?” I ask.

---