Page 42 of Briggs (Paranormal Council Enforcers #16)

I hurried to the house and immediately heard music coming from upstairs.

I smiled. I was happy John had adjusted to living with us so easily.

After the first week, he seemed to become more comfortable, and he became more of what you would expect from a teenager.

He liked to sleep late, he played video games, and he spent time with his friends.

He was respectful though, and he was quick to help his brother around the house.

That was something that was important to me.

John didn’t add to the workload of the house.

He helped without being asked, which we both greatly appreciated.

When I stepped into the doorway, I found John bopping his head to the music as he placed cute pictures and stuffed animals on the shelves that we’d gotten for the walls.

“Sorry I’m late,” I called out. John turned and smiled at me.

“I’ve only been at it maybe five minutes. I was talking to Liam. Would it be all right if I spend the night at their house tomorrow? Laurent and Harmonie are cool with it. They were going to get a bunch of pizzas and snacks.”

I smiled. “I have no issues with it. You should clear it with Todd first though, but I don’t see it as being a problem.”

John’s smile widened. “Thanks.”

I continued to smile as I walked into the nursery to help.

I didn’t mind John having friends. Liam was seventeen while John was only fourteen, and Liam would be going off to college next year.

There were more kids John’s age down in Honey Creek and Timber Valley, but the logistics of getting him there in the evenings often were tricky.

“Oh, hey,” I said, getting his attention as he added a set of toy blocks to the shelf. “Isn’t the den doing something for Halloween tonight?”

John’s smile fell a little. “Yeah, I guess. I wasn’t really invited though.”

I tilted my head in confusion. “There’s no invite or not. It’s open to everyone around. If you want to go, you can. Is Liam not going?” I was sure he had other plans but didn’t know for certain.

John shook his head. “He’s watching the kids for Laurent and Harmonie so they can go out on a date.”

I nodded in understanding. “Well, if you want to go to Honey Creek for the Halloween thing, or even to go trick-or-treating out in town there, I’m sure Todd wouldn’t mind. He can’t go trick-or-treating because of the humans in town, but you can.”

John sighed. “Naw, I’m good. I’m going to hang out here if that’s all right?” John’s eyes widened. “Did you two want me out of the house? I get it—I’m a bit of an obstacle when it comes to having the house all to yourself.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “You’re fine. I won’t share our private times with you, but despite what you may think, once you’re mated, it’s not all sexy times. Especially when your mate is pregnant and getting to the uncomfortable stage.”

John snorted. “Todd is already there.”

I couldn’t help but wince. My poor mate absolutely was uncomfortable. I was surprised he was still working, actually, but he said he got bored at home and felt terrible when he just slept all day.

“How are we going to hang all of these vines?” John asked. “Or the curtains? Do you have ladders?”

I dropped the rug that I’d been moving. It was rolled and wrapped in plastic, but it could wait.

I crossed the room to the window where John was and looked at the tablet he was staring at.

It was open to the pictures of Todd’s dream nursery for the twins, and in front of my brother-in-law was a box full of faux ivy and purple flowers. I sighed.

“We don’t,” I told him as I pulled out my phone.

“I absolutely do not have a ladder, nor do I know anyone nearby who does. But I can get help.” Who could help on short notice though?

Most everyone was still at work. Frederick had a warlock mate who might be home, but I didn’t know him all that well.

I’d met him a few times, but I wouldn’t say that I knew him. Who did that leave?

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not sure who to reach out to. Benjamin would help in a heartbeat, but he was still at work. Maybe Felix. Let me try him.”

“Who is Felix? I don’t know him.”

“He’s the fae that I have on my team.”

“But wouldn’t he be at work too?”

I sighed in frustration. “Yes. And I really want to be able to surprise Todd with this.” I suddenly had an idea.

“Give me a sec,” I told John. I quickly pulled up Dr. King’s contact and started a message.

He’d given it to me when Todd and I had first scented one another because he told me I’d eventually need it.

Sure, he probably didn’t mean to help decorate the nursery, but he was the only one I could think to ask for help.

Me: Dr. King, it’s Briggs. I know when you said I could reach out, it probably didn’t include asking for help with the nursery, but I was wondering if you’d be able to do that? Todd wants fake ivy and flowers, and the curtains need to be hung, but I don’t have a ladder. Is it possible to get help?

I waited, wondering if he’d get the message before I needed to go pick up Todd. The hope was that he would be able to come and help before I needed to walk Todd home, but at this point, I couldn’t be too picky.

“Who did you ask?”

“Dr. King.” I shrugged. “I didn’t know who else to ask. Everyone else is at work. There are some warlock mates, but I don’t really know them, and, well, it seems a bit rude to ask them to come and use their magic to put together my nursery for me.”

“Does it drain them?” John asked. “You know, like in movies and stuff. Does using their magic make them tired?”

I was about to answer but then thought about it because I was unsure. “I don’t think so,” I said but held up my finger.

Dr. King: I can come now and help. Todd left about five minutes ago.

My eyes widened.

Me: What? He was going to wait for me to walk him home.

Dr. King: He said he wanted to go to the bakery. Banner said something about a batch of maple donuts or something. I’ll be right there.

Me: Thanks.

I looked at John with wide eyes. “When the doctor gets here, show him the pictures. I need to go get your brother. Dr. King said he left the clinic already.”

“Why didn’t he wait?”

I shrugged. “Not sure. But I don’t want him walking alone.

He’s safe, but what if something happens and he gets hurt?

” I called out as I rushed into the hallway.

There was a knock on the door, and I hurried down to answer it.

I wasn’t surprised that Dr. King was on the other side.

“John will show you the pictures Todd fell in love with. I need to go get my mate, who wasn’t supposed to leave without me. What if he falls?”

Dr. King stopped me. “Don’t worry. I know that Banner was going to walk home with him. But when I walked out of the clinic, I did see them walking this way. Is this supposed to be done before he gets here?”

I tried to lean out the door to see if I could get a glimpse of Todd, but even with where our house was located, I couldn’t see the entryway to the neighborhood.

“He was supposed to wait for me.”

“Yes, you’ve said that. Now, about the nursery. Did you wish for help?”

I nodded. “Yes, please.” I stepped back. “Come in.” Dr. King followed me up the stairs and into the nursery, where John was unpacking what looked like yards and yards of ivy.

“I see that purple won.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Todd had two pictures at work. One of a purple nursery, the other of a pink one.”

John snorted, and I laughed. “Todd said the pink one would end up looking like cotton candy, and he didn’t want that.”

“Do you have an inspiration pic?” Dr. King asked.

“We have several,” I told him. I took the tablet from John when he held it out.

Dr. King swiped through the pictures, and I heard John make a noise but didn’t know why until I looked up and away from the tablet.

I was surrounded by the perfectly purple-and-green-ivy nursery.

It was gorgeous and just like the inspiration pictures that Todd had saved in his inspiration board that he’d put together.

“Oh, wow,” John said.

I smiled at Dr. King. “I cannot thank you enough.”

Dr. King shrugged. “It’s not the first time I’ve helped decorate places. Oh, and your cribs are now level. Both of them were off by a hole in the back.”

John groaned. “I knew they looked wonky.”

Dr. King and I both chuckled.

“Briggs?” Todd called out from downstairs.

“Be right back,” I told the others before rushing out of the nursery and down to my mate. When I saw him, he looked exhausted. Immediately, my protective instincts kicked in, and I knew it was probably time to start suggesting some limits for him and the things he was doing.

For whatever reason, I thought back to before I’d had a mate and Dimitri was talking about Caspian being pregnant with their baby and how, despite being mated, that didn’t mean it was sex all the time.

Just looking at Todd, the last thing on my mind at the moment was getting him naked.

Sure, I’d be more than willing, but I knew that wasn’t what he needed at the moment and, most likely, not what he wanted.

“There you are. How was work? You got off early, I was told.”

“Did you stop by the council? Why didn’t you just reach out through our bond?”

“Because I didn’t want to bother you if you were at work.”

I gave him a look that he absolutely could understand. “You should have reached out after you found out I was already at home.” I looked behind him at the closed door. “Is Banner gone?”

“How did you know I was with Banner?”

“Dr. King told me.” I took Todd’s hands. “I needed his help,” I said. I started walking, but when we reached the stairs, I traded places and moved to behind my mate. “Do you need me to carry you?”

Todd glared. “I’m pregnant, and I’m as big as a whale, but I can still climb the stairs.”

I bit my lip to keep from saying anything.

Todd wasn’t as big as a whale, but he definitely looked uncomfortable.

And he certainly waddled when he walked.

Instead, I just held his waist as he slowly made his way up the stairs.

When we finally reached the top, I could feel Todd’s exhaustion through our bond.

I wrapped my arm around his shoulders and led him down the hallway.

He seemed surprised that the nursery door was open, but I knew the exact moment he saw everything. Todd stepped into the room and gasped. “Nooo…” he whispered. He looked over at me, and immediately, I could see he was fighting tears. “You did this?”

“Yes and no,” I said. “I bought everything from your inspiration board, but I needed a bit of magical help to hang things.” I gestured to our right. “And to put in the little playroom tower thing.”

Todd looked around, the tears now falling from his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said, swiping at his eyes. “I love it.” He looked up at Dr. King. “Thank you for helping. For everything.”

“You’re welcome,” Dr. King said. “Now remember, you’re not to come in starting Monday.”

Todd nodded slowly. This was news to me. But I’d not had much of a chance to talk to either just yet. “Is something wrong?”

“No. Todd is doing well, but his omega line was a bit pink today when we did a quick check, and I’d rather he stay at home resting.”

I looked at my mate, confused. “You didn’t say anything.”

Todd shook his head and took the tissue Dr. King held out. “I was going to this evening when you got home. But you’re home early, and you distracted me.”

“He truly is fine. It’s just turned from the barely there silver to pink. When it turns red and looks angry, that’s when we need to worry. There were no contractions, so that’s good. But Todd is carrying twins, and he should spend these last few weeks resting.”

“I will.” Todd moved over to one of the plush chairs and sat.

When he leaned back and sighed, any irritation I’d had left.

“These are perfect. The nursery was the last thing I was worrying about, and now I don’t need to.

” Todd sighed again and closed his eyes.

I thought he might doze off, but he quickly opened them before he started to try to stand.

I hurried over to help him. “I’ll have to wait to sit in these after the babies arrive, I think.

” Todd looked at Dr. King. “I really appreciate it. This is just…it’s more than I ever thought I’d be able to have. ”

“You are most welcome,” Dr. King said again. “Now, I’ll see you next Friday, here, for a checkup unless…”

Todd sighed. “Unless contractions start or my line changes drastically or opens.”

“I’d say that’s a drastic change,” John said. “You look tired. Should you take a nap or something?”

“So kind of you,” Todd said but rolled his eyes. “And yes, probably.” He looked over at Dr. King. “It’s why I’m home early. I just ran out of energy.”

Immediately, I started walking Todd to the door. “We can sit in the nursery later. Let’s get you down for a rest,” I said.

“I’ll be going,” Dr. King said. “I’ll check in though,” he added. Before I could say anything, he was gone in a blink. I’d have to remember to text him again as soon as I had Todd situated.

“I’m going to go downstairs and find a snack. Is that all right?” John said.

“Of course,” I told him.

“Thanks, John,” Todd said. His voice was getting quieter, and as we walked toward the bedroom, I felt his energy draining.

“You should have let me come get you,” I said as I helped Todd into bed.

“You’re right.” He sighed. “I love you. And what you did for the nursery, that was so sweet.”

I smiled and leaned down to kiss Todd’s forehead. “I love you too, and I’d do anything for you.”

Todd’s eyes opened. “I know. Will you stay? At least until I fall asleep?”

I kissed him again, this time a gentle touch to his lips. “I’ll always stay,” I whispered. Todd was asleep before I could even stand up. That didn’t stop me from sitting in the chair and watching over my pregnant mate while he rested.