Page 19 of Admiring His Omega (Hobson Hills Omegas #12)

“ T he oatcakes I make are sweetened and are more like cookies or biscuits than cake. They use oats and eggs, all good stuff for a recuperating new parent.” Mal kissed the top of Teddy’s head and checked the oatcakes in the oven.

The newborn stayed with Mal as much as possible.

At the moment, he slept in the newborn sling Mal wore, his curly brown hair the only thing in view of the cameras.

“Postnatal care is just as important as prenatal care. It speeds your recovery and helps your overall wellbeing. Plus, if you are breastfeeding, then it even helps nourish your newborn.” Noting the nice brown color, Mal took the pan out of the oven and quickly moved each oatcake to the cooling rack.

“I’m going to let these cool, then add some fresh berries and diced mango and banana to half of them.

Bianca likes sweet oatcakes, but you can also make them a little more savory by adding scrambled eggs and avocado slices.

You can also just eat them as is or with jam.

These are Canadian oatcakes rather than Scottish, so they’re already sweet.

That means savory for me, so I’m going to add egg, avocado, and a bit of parsley to mine. ”

Mal took his time gathering the ingredients to top the oatcakes, explaining the good and bad qualities of each for the camera.

Then he topped each oatcake a little differently, making sure the camera caught as much footage as possible.

It always took him forever to film an episode and edit it.

He discovered early on that getting as much footage as possible was the best way to avoid having to refilm anything.

He had videos as short as thirty seconds and as long as an hour, but they all needed footage.

By the time he had finished filming and set the small bar table, Bianca was stirring. It had only been a month since she had given birth to Teddy, but it felt like ages had passed. She seemed happier and more at peace with herself.

She yawned as she crawled out of the sofa bed. “That smells really good.”

“Eat up, sweetheart. Are you sure about today?”

“I’m ready to see Mom and Paula again.” Bianca smiled at him, then tucked into her food.

They were going home today. Van and Bianca both had okayed the idea.

Mal still wasn’t sure why Bianca had needed to leave Hobson Hills in the first place, but to each their own.

He still held hopes that Bianca would let the name of the birth father slip so Mal could send Cain after him.

So far, she had remained silent about it.

Teddy gurgled, waking up. He blinked his big brown eyes a couple of times, and Mal fell in love all over again.

He loved this little boy as much as he would love his own blood once the little monster was born.

Teddy had been an angel for Bianca. However, his daughter was already practicing to be a professional soccer player. She had the talent too.

Mal was happy they were returning to Hobson Hills mostly because Cain had made the permanent move a few days ago. His alpha was working on the nursery for Teddy and their monster baby. Soon, there would be more space for everyone, Mal included.

Pulling Bianca into a hug, he tried to squeeze as much love and gratitude into their embrace as he could without squashing Teddy. “Thank you for letting me be a part of your life. I love you and am so happy you’re my daughter.”

The teen sniffled and hugged him back. “I love you too. I don’t know what I would do without you. Thank you for supporting me, Mal. Adulting is hard, and thanks to you, I got to put it off a little longer.”

“You promise you’ll keep up with the therapy appointments even if I’m not there to push you?” He swayed back and forth, enjoying the hug.

“I promise. Mom even signed me up to visit the counselor at Noah Wilson’s horse ranch. You remember the one we broke into?”

“I don’t recall that at all. You must be confusing me for someone else.”

Bianca snorted a laugh. “Trust me. There’s no one else like you. Now, you have to let me go if you want to drive us home.”

He groaned. “I don’t wanna.”

“You said adults have to do things they don’t want too sometimes. Remember?”

“Yeah, yeah. Why do you listen so well?”

“Because you keep talking until I do. Otherwise, I’d never get you to hush.”

After arriving in Hobson Hills, Mal left Bianca and Teddy with Van and headed home.

Home , he thought, excitement building. It had been a long time since a place had been home.

He was finished with running from his feelings and his desires.

He wanted a home and family with Cain. Thanks to Bianca, they had an early start on the family, but Mal wasn’t worried. He wasn’t alone in this.

A cool spring breeze blew through the new leaves only now sprouting on the oaks and maples filling the forest next to the house. The air was damp and cold, slowly heating as the ice of winter melted. Another week, and it would be warm enough to start foraging for mushrooms.

Three more weeks, and he could likely start planting his spring garden full of broccoli, lettuce, greens, leeks, chives, and onions.

He planned on planting herbs in May as well – ginger, lavender, basil, oregano, and as many more as he could think of.

He had spent months researching what herbs, vegetables, and flowers to plant in central Maine and had a schedule for each month of the year now that he was home.

Mal frowned when he noticed the number of cars parked around the house.

Cain knew he was arriving, so Mal thought for sure he would be alone.

Months apart hadn’t strained their relationship, but they needed time together.

He still needed to introduce Cain to his family, and tell them all about Teddy’s little sister.

That was not a conversation Mal wanted to have.

After Mal went on and on about how responsible he was, Grandpa David was going to enjoy teasing him about the unplanned pregnancy.

He parked and awkwardly climbed down from the truck. The baby had somehow managed to throw Mal’s balance completely off. He waddled instead of striding, careful not to fall.

Cain waited for him on the front porch, face solemn, but eyes dancing with exhilaration. “You’re home.”

“I’m home,” Mal said, grinning.

Cain was suddenly there in front of him, holding him close and pulling his face down for a kiss.

The world disappeared and all Mal knew was the taste and feel of his man.

For the first time in months, he felt safe and loved, warmth spreading through him.

They had tried so hard to not let the distance get to them, but there was nothing so intimate as touching his lips to Cain’s.

“You’ll have time for that tonight,” a laughing voice interrupted their kiss. “When we’re all gone.”

Mal frowned, pulling away from Cain. That voice sounded familiar.

Sure enough, Grandpa David stood in the doorway, smirking.

“What the fudge?” he asked, blinking several times to hopefully clear the blight on his vision.

“Nice to see you too.” David pulled Mal away from Cain and hugged him tightly. “What’s with the non-cursing. Boy, I taught you better.”

“I’ve been watching The Good Place with Bianca, and well, I need to avoid cursing in front of the kids.”

David patted Mal’s extended abdomen. “Thought you could hide being pregnant, didn’t you? We all watch your cooking videos, son. You’re just lucky it’s only the grandparents here.”

Mal’s eyes watered as he rubbed his face against his grandpa’s shoulder. His familiar scent meant safety and love. He hadn’t realized how much he had missed his grandpa.

“Did you talk to Gramps Wilson?”

“Yes, I did. His wife and he are here too. Hasn’t told the rest of his family yet. We’re going to have a family dinner and do it together.”

His head shot up. “Wait. Grandpa Lucas is here?”

David scowled. “Yes, your favorite came too. All the grandparents are here, even Kat and Paul.” He looked at Cain. “Those are his mother’s parents.”

One of Cain’s eyebrows shot up. “Mal, I thought you said they were the normal ones?”

“Oh, no.” Mal made a face. “Did they bring more taxidermy squirrels?”

“More?” Cain looked worried. “There are more? They brought three. One each for Teddy, the baby, and me.”

“I have seven in storage,” Mal admitted, smiling brightly. “After retiring, Grandpa Paul started gardening and squirrels became his enemies. He collects squirrels now and puts them in his garden. Says they warn the live squirrels of what will happen if they get his vegetables.”

Cain’s eyes narrowed. “That doesn’t explain why they’re wearing knitted costumes.”

“Grandma Kat took up knitting when she retired.”

“Dear God.” Cain rubbed his hands down his face. “Here I thought you were a little weird, but it’s really your whole family.”

The phone rang and Mal answered it, still laughing. “Hey Van. You should bring Teddy and Bianca here. My grandparents are here and –”

“Mal,” Van said, sobbing. “Bianca went to the police station. She turned herself in for murder.”