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In response, Nix runs a hand through Grayson’s long hair to offer some comfort or to gain some, it’s hard to tell.

“Hayes didn’t like my MeeMaw. Said she was an interfering bitch. Can you imagine?” He shakes his head. “I mean, shewas, but I think I can say the dislike was mutual. She said Hayes was no good. Guess she was right, eh?” He whispers the last part and runs both hands over his belly.

“Anyway,” he rallies a little and starts the story again. “He told me to cut ties, and I was afraid she’d say,‘I told you so, Austin,’so I did. I’m not even sure she’s still alive, you know? And she probably wouldn’t want to—” He stops and shakes his head.

Nix told Gideon recently that he’s trying not to hear Hayes in the words he says to himself. There’s no doubt that it’s one of the hardest parts of healing—ofdoing the work.

Gideon can’t relate as more often than not, it’s his own voice he hearswhen he fucks up.

“I can find her for you?” Finn offers, sitting next Grayson and pulling Nix’s soft legs over his lap.

The room is flooded with vanilla, then burnt cookies, then back to sweet vanilla until Nix just sucks it right up.

Grayson growls and presses his nose under Nix’s ear. “Angel, just think about it. No pressure.” He glances at Finn. “Right, Finn?”

“Of course, no pressure. I just want to help. First, we should see your house when you’re ready.”

“When I’m ready.” Nix nods.

The timer buzzes, and Gideon pulls his rolls from the oven, letting them cool while he dishes up the stew. “Let’s eat. Can someone set the table?”

Jay grabs the bowls and sets them out. There are only six chairs at the table, but Luca pulls the piano bench over and Nix sits on Jay’s lap anyway, so it’s perfect.

They shuffle in, and it’s then that Gideon notices Rowan is still naked. “Ya! Rowan, I asked you to cover your dick!”

Rowan stands up with both hands pointing to the member in question. And there, on The Cock™ is a white sports sock.

“That’ll teach you to be more specific, my love,” Jay whispers.

And what can Gideon do but pick up his spoon and be thankful there’s no damn cilantro in his food tonight, and that his family is eating something he’s made with his own two hands and his very full heart.

***

It’s 3:00 a.m. when Gideon creeps into the kitchen. His thoughts are filled with memories of the mountains and his mother’s cottage. Ever since Nix returned from the house, he’s been thinking about his mother, unable to find rest despite his exhaustion.

Earlier in the evening, Gideon had been grateful that their omega had easily fallen asleep with his head resting on Leo’s thigh, arms wrapped protectively around their babies. Grayson had sprawled on the floor beneath Leo’s legs, which were propped on the coffee table, his hand clasped in Nix’s. Meanwhile, Rowan—finally somewhat clothed—had attempted tostay still on the back of the couch like a giant cat, one eye on Nix and the other on the television.

After the movie about a small, hairy omega and his pack delivering jewelry to a giant eye, only to throw it into a volcano at the end, Jay had carried Nix to bed in yet another temporary nest constructed by their brilliant Luca.

But that had been four hours ago, and Gideon still hadn’t been able to close his eyes without thinking of his mother.

Her smile. Her gentle eyes. How she’d made him laugh. How her buttery scent had calmed him, made him feel loved.

The older man in the park, who’d sent them on this journey, had seemed to know her, too. Enough to think she was funny. Enough to know she would want Gideon to be true to his heart…and his pack. Finn had asked Nix if he wanted help in locating his grandmother, and maybe Gideon needed to ask for help in figuring out who the older man was. Why he was concerned that Gideon fed the birds and took care of his heart?

Thinking he’ll grab a bottle of water and sit outside on the lanai, he’s surprised when Nix pads silently in after him. “Gideon?”

“Kitten. Can’t sleep?” Gideon opens his arms for a warm hug. Omegas were naturally warmer than others, according to Finn, and it was always a pleasure to hold Nix and the babies against his chest in the dark.

“Already slept too long. Hey, would you…go with me?”

“Where? It’s not even morning yet.”

“Home,” he says, holding up the keys. A tiny handwritten tag is attached, marked with a single numeric code.

“Now? We should wake up the others. Jay, at least.”

“No. I was going to go by myself, but now it feels right that you go with me. Like it’s supposed to be you and me. Will you?”