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Gideon stared into the distance for a moment, deep in thought. “Well, I haven’t had time to fully plan for that. I assume we would set her up with a sizable trust fund so she can afford anything she wants while she’s away, and one of us would move our work so we were somewhat near. Not so near we were crowding her, but near enough that we would be there if she ever needed us.”

“You would just uproot your lives for her?”

“Of course. She’s our daughter. That’s what parents are supposed to do.”

“I think—ow.” I broke off with a groan, my hand going to my temple as splitting pain ricocheted through my skull.

Gideon grimaced, eyes raking over me. “Get some more rest. Cullen is cooking us some food. It will be an hour at least, and hopefully by then, the pills will have kicked in.” Gideon lifted the blanket as I nestled down.

“You’re being too nice,” I grumbled.

“I’ll be mean to you tomorrow if you want.” He chuckled, but I was already falling asleep and unable to respond.

Chapter 16

Cullen

“Daddyyyy,” Joey whined, bouncing around the kitchen. “Is dinner almost done? Can I wake Bethany yet?” she asked, pouting at me with wide, adorable eyes.

She had bounded home from school so excited to see Bethany. When Jensen had dropped her off in the morning, he had told her that the omega she adored wasn’t feeling well and was sleeping in the guest room. Joey had wanted to go see her immediately, but after some coaxing, Jensen convinced her that they should wait until dinner so she could rest.

Usually saying no to my daughter was a struggle, especially when she was making a face like that, but I knew that Bethany needed as much rest as she could get.

So, while I threw together dinner, Joey was bouncing around, telling me to hurry up.

I had decided to make chicken noodle soup for Bethany, with freshly baked rolls. There was also some chicken alfredo if she wanted it.

“How about you go grab a tray, and we can start getting it all ready for Bethany?” I suggested.

“Yes!” Joey nodded enthusiastically and darted to the pantry where we kept the trays, happy to have a job.

“She’s so excited.” Jensen chuckled from the doorway, where he stood wearing jeans and a California Chargers jacket.

“Just got in?” I asked. “Have you managed to go check on Bethany yet?”

He nodded. “That was the first thing I did. She’s awake but a little groggy from all the medications.”

“Is she okay to eat?”

Jensen smirked. “Judging by the way she was grumbling at me that she was perfectly fine and ready to go home, I think she can handle a meal.”

“Is she being stubborn still?”

“Of course, she is. Apparently, Gideon had to glare at her to make her take her medication earlier.”

“I don’t envy her, then.”

Gideon was kind and fair, but also unrelenting and straightforward—especially when it came to looking after those he cared about.

“Hi, Daddy!” our daughter greeted Jensen as she bounded out of the pantry, tray in hand. “I’m going to take Bethany’s food up to her!”

“Maybe it’s best to let one of us carry it,” Jensen said, his smile never wavering.

Joey thought for a moment before nodding. “Yeah, I spill things.”

I snorted. That was an understatement. Joey had all the grace of a bull in a china shop when she was excited. When she had first expressed an interest in skating lessons, I had been concerned, but somehow, she took to it like a duck to water. On the ice, she was graceful. Off the ice, she was rambunctious.

We made quick work of filling the tray. A large bowl of soup with plenty of noodles in it, several pieces of bread, and somefresh butter on the side. A bottle of water and a glass of fruit juice. I wanted her to have options.