Chapter Twenty-Three
Brent
#nestingtime
Moving was never fun, but at least this time it was for good, and our minimal belongings were put away. That didn’t mean everything was ready, though.
My pots and pans would suffice, but I only had a folding card table, so a kitchen needed to be purchased. The shower gifts were helpful—we had plenty of towels and such. Quite a few of the rooms, however, were completely empty, but that was okay. What wasn’t okay was our lack of baby things. The amazingly cute onesies we got were great and all, but babies needed so much more than that.
I didn’t want to ask my mate, or was it fiancé? Heck, he was both. After all he’d already done, buying a house and such, it felt like I was contributing too little even though he’d argue I was growing two humans, but still. A man needs to feel like he contributes, so I did what any self-respecting omega would do. I went to ask my mommy.
“Hey, Mom.” I gave her a hug and settled at her kitchen table. As I was growing up, the kitchen table was where all the big talks happened. I kind of felt like that kid again, asking Mommy to bail him out. But sometimes being responsible meant asking for help. Or so my mom had told me a thousand times when I was struggling to find decent employment before going back to school. My mom was right. Who knew?
“Let me see my babies.” She rushed to my seat, bending over to watch my belly as she rubbed it, looking for I didn’t even know what. “Look at you guys all growing so big. Stay in there, guys. You need to cook more. Thirty weeks does not a big baby make.” She was so adorable when she talked to them. Not that I would tell her. She’d probably ask me to video it and put it on the Twitter and hashtag her store. She was all about social media after she got her small boon.
“They’re staying in there, Mom,” I reassured and patted her head, knowing it would instantly have her standing. She liked her hair just so ,and patting it wasn’t going to help.
“And are you taking your medicine and eating right?” She gave me her best I’m not even kidding stare.
“Have you met my mate?” Which was really the only reason I was able to manage the harsh guidelines he and my mother decided I needed to follow because I guess the doctor left off tons of things. The two of them were downright dangerous when they got their heads together. I loved it.
“Fair enough.”
“So, I came here for—reasons.”
“I assumed. Stay here. I’ll make tea.” She grabbed the kettle and then filled it at the sink.
“You hate tea,” I reminded her.
“Let me rephrase. I’m making tea for you while I have coffee.”
That sounded more like Mom.
“Now you’re just being mean.” Not that I wanted coffee anymore. It was like the babies gave me insta hate for the stuff. Which was a shame because it had been my favorite for so long. The nurse assured me the dislike would go away. She’d best be right.
“Soon you can have all the coffee you want.
“Thanks.”
I knew my mom was referring to her time in the hospital when my dad was there, but for the first time, the pain she felt wasn’t visible. I knew Henry was a big part in that and I was grateful.
“So, reasons?” she asked as she settled the cup in front of me and took a seat across the table.
“Reasons.” I took a deep breath. “See, we just moved, and Joaquim bought the house.”
“It’s a great house.”
“It is.” The perfect house for a family. But I wasn’t there to talk about the house.
“But?” My mom knew me so well.
“But there is nothing in the nursery, and I feel like I’m already mooching as it is, and it is red. Who paints a room red? And two babies need diapers and clothes and rock-n-somethings I don’t even know what and car seats. They need car seats to even get them home.” I sputtered out all the things in my head a mile a minute. I was pretty sure no one on the planet would be able to decipher my words, but I felt instantly better saying them.
“Breathe, Brent, breathe.” She reached across and patted my arm. “First of all, your mate would be honored to provide all the things your babies need. You know this. You are just a hot hormonal mess.”
She was so very much not wrong.
“I am.” I even caught times knowing I was being irrational but still not able to reel it in. “He would provide.” He probably wanted to. “I know all of that, but I feel like I already am a burden.”
“I can assure you, you are not a burden.”
“And how do you know?” I sobbed out of nowhere. I was so blaming that one on the hormones.
“She knows.” Henry had walked in without my noticing. He was there more often than not. He probably should just move in already, but he wanted the wedding and all. Romantic fool. I was super happy for Mom.
“Hi, Henry.” I wiped my tears.
“How are those babies doing?” He reached over and rubbed my belly. I’d long since given up trying to thwart belly rubbers. Apparently, huge-ass twin bellies were public domain.
“They’re awesome and before you ask, I’m fine, too.”
He bent down and kissed my mom’s cheek. I couldn’t be sure from the angle and the lighting, but I think she might’ve blushed.
“They’re in my truck, love.”
“Excellent.” She clapped before bounding out of her seat and to the back door. “Come on out.”
I followed her as fast as my perpetual state of waddling allowed, and sitting on the bed of his truck were two cradles, just like the one she gave Kayson and his mate for their baby.
“Those look like—” And the tears were coming back, only this time happy tears.
“They are exactly like. I had them made for my grandbabies.”
I grabbed my phone and snapped a picture, wanting to share them with my man.
“What are you doing?” she asked, probably thinking I was tweeting.
“Sending a picture to Jay”
“He’s already seen them, honey.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulder, far too proud of herself.
“Quit teasing him, Viv. He’s got blood pressure issues and two humans playing hockey on his organs. Cut him a break.”
“Fine,” she huffed before turning on her super-sweet voice, the one she usually reserved for talking to my belly. “Joaquim and I had a little chat during your homecoming, and he agreed to let me get the nursery ready. And the cradles for your room.”
“He agreed?” I quirked an eyebrow. That very much did not sound like him.
“She demanded,” Henry chortled. “You know her.”
“And that’s why he doesn’t seem at all worried about the house not being done.” Which solved a huge mystery I’d been working on in my head. I had been leaning toward his not wanting to stress me out but inwardly stressing himself. This was better.
“Oh, no he’s worried about the lack of a decent bathroom, but he plans for your birthday, so feign surprise, and before you say a word, I bought your cousin a house. Your mate ruined my chance to do that for you, so just be grateful and tell your mate I’m fixing that disaster that is your bathroom along with the kitchen and nursery.”
It wasn’t a disaster, but I wasn’t going to argue with her over that when she’d already made up her mind.
“I can do that,” I promised. “Thanks, Mom.”
“No thanks needed.” She enveloped me in a ginormous hug.
“And thanks, Henry,” I said as I hugged him, too, after Mom finally let go.
“I had nothing to do with it.” He thought I was referring to the cradles and kitchen. Silly man. He’d done so much more.
“Except you sent me to Mardi Gras where I met Jay” I reminded him, leaving out the part about his idiot son.
“Well then, I get all the credit.” He puffed out his chest. “If you have a boy, his name is Henry.”
Please let it be girls.