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I bit back a smile. “If Zoey is anything like her sister, she will be plotting plenty all by herself. As soon as she could crawl, if we took our eyes off her for a second, she was gone—under the bed, down the hall, even into the washing machine. It gave me nightmares. We may need to put a bell on Zoey if she’s the same. I don’t think my heart could take it otherwise.”

Bethany chuckled, brushing some hair off my forehead. “Well, you are getting old now. Your heart can’t take as much…”

My mouth dropped in faux outrage.

“You’re not wrong, but it’s rude to say it,” I scolded lightly.

Bethany burst into laughter, a beautiful sound. “Rude? I think we are past rude, Gideon Noble, considering the things you did to me to make Zoey!”

“The next few weeks can’t pass soon enough!” I groaned. “I love all the cuddling. Fuck, I adore it—I never thought I was a cuddler, but I digress. But you, Bethany Noble, turn me into a horny teenage boy.”

She kissed my cheek playfully. “If it’s any consolation, the wait is just as horrible for me as it is for you!”

“I doubt it,” I grumbled. “You’re going to regret bonding a bunch of old men when our cocks shrivel up.”

Her giggles were probably heard throughout the house.

“Well, I happen to love my old men and my girls, and I think it’s going to be a long time before your…appendage is out of commission!”

This woman. Strong, powerful, sweet, and all mine.

Standing, I swept her up into my arms. “I think we need nest cuddles,” I said, striding out of the room with ease. Thankfully my back didn’t twinge, because that would make me seem like even more of an old man than I felt.

Bethany wrapped her arms around me, snuggling deeper into my chest as I strode into the nest room, knee-walking across the nest, omega still in my arms.

The nest was one of my favorite places in the house, and I would take any opportunity for a little cozy time with my omega. Every surface of my home had apple or bubble gum scent on them—my omega and my daughter.

We were just snuggling down happily when the door burst open, and Jensen came ambling in, his hair sticking up in different directions, clearly having just woke from a nap.

“You sneaking in some cuddles without me?” He pouted playfully.

“You were busy.” Bethany snorted, her lips pressed against my neck, unwilling to move from her position tangled around me.

Jensen turned to the open nest door. “Hey, Cullen! Pack cuddle puddle!” he shouted.

I glowered at him over the top of Bethany’s head, but I couldn’t stay mad at him as he dove into the nest, pressing against her back. He was pack.

We were family.

“Mom!” Joey shouted, dashing into the room and climbing into the nest, Cullen hot on her heels. She wasted no time sliding between Bethany and me. My omega pulled away from me the instant our daughter was near, dragging her into an embrace.

“Come here, baby,” she muttered, kissing the top of Joey’s curls.

“I heard there was a cuddle puddle,” Cullen said, kicking off his shoes and joining us.

“This nest is getting rather full,” I commented.

“You’re welcome to leave.” Cullen laughed as he joined the party.

I may have sounded like a grouch, but I was blissfully happy. Life had taken some rather unexpected turns, but fuck if I didn’t love it.

“No, we just need a bigger nest,” I said.

“We can go shopping!” Joey whispered excitedly to Bethany, beaming up at her as they cuddled.

“That sounds like a perfect idea,” she agreed with a sleepy, loving smile. “I love you, baby.”

“I love you too, Mom.” I could hear the joy in my daughter’s voice as she said those words.