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LU

C y and Ben waddle into my room before Sam gets here with the kids. Ben is chipper and offers me one of a dozen bright pink cupcakes he’s brought with him.

“No thanks. I won’t be able to keep that down,” I say.

Cy sits on the recliner by my bed. “They taste like lemonade anyway, which is not how a cupcake should taste.”

Ben sits next to him. “Says you. There are no rules for cupcake flavors. You’re just grumpy because I made you go shopping for baby stuff.” Ben turns to me. “You look great, Lu. Have you gained weight?”

I laugh because normally that’s not a polite question, but in this case, I don’t mind. “Yeah. Sam was relieved. He’s been so worried.”

“We’ve been worried too. Axe will be happy to hear that you’re doing better,” Cy says. “Can we do anything to help besides watch the kids tonight?”

I would normally shake my head and insist that I didn’t need the help. I hate being a burden on people. But Cy and Ben will have kids too soon. That help can go both ways. I want all of us to be able to take care of one another.

“Daniel offered to take Mary whenever Sam needed to work, but I don’t think Sam’s taking him up on it, and I know he has a few deadlines this week. Would you mind driving Mary over to Daniel’s place tomorrow? Mary adores Daniel and his kids.”

She’s taken to all of her little penguin shifter friends a lot faster than I ever could have expected.

“Of course. It’ll give us an excuse to go see Ansel. Hey, there’s some clothing at the foot of your bed. Should I put it in the closet for you?” Ben asks, lifting Sam’s clothing.

“Put it back!”

Ben drops the clothes.

Cy threads his fingers through Ben’s. “It’s okay. You didn’t know. But don’t touch anything around the bed of a pregnant omega who’s carrying an egg.”

Ben smiles sheepishly. “Right. I forgot.”

The door to my room opens, and my children burst inside—all four of them.

“Daddy!” Mary calls out and launches herself at the side of my bed, not paying attention to any of the wires or cords. Sam lifts her into his arms, but he’s carrying a suitcase, so it’s a bit awkward.

“Why do you have a suitcase?” I ask.

Ben points to the clothes at the foot of the bed, and mouths, “Are these yours?”

Sam nods then turns to smile at me. “I have a suitcase because I’m staying with you tonight, remember?”

He usually just brings his laptop case.

Mary wriggles out of Sam’s arms and launches herself at Cy, who “oofs” from the impact. “How are you, little Mary?”

“Stawbewies,” she says, holding out her hand.

He chuckles. “Not here, sweetheart. But I do have a cupcake for you.”

“Cupcakes before dinner?” Sam asks.

Cy waves him off. “I’m her uncle. I’m allowed to give her cupcakes.” He grabs a cupcake from Ben’s plate and offers it to Mary. She takes an eager bite—getting a good chunk of the cupcake liner in her mouth too.

Sam rolls his eyes and gestures to the situation, as if to say, “See? This is what he’s like.”

The other kids crowd around Ben, each taking a cupcake. Which honestly, is fine with me. Cy and Ben are the ones who will have to deal with the oncoming sugar high.

“Why don’t we take you home and get dinner started,” Ben says, as he distributes the cupcakes.

“What are we having?” Parker asks, their mouth full of cupcake.

“Pilot bread.” Cy says with a straight face. Parker’s eyes widen, and they look back at their father, as if to ask if Sam would allow such a thing.

“He’s just kidding. We’re having tacos,” Ben assures the children.

Cy smiles at Parker and ruffles their hair. “I got you, didn’t I?”

Parker giggles. “Yeah.”

Sam clenches his jaw. He doesn’t understand Cy’s brand of love yet. Someday he will.

Cy stands and reaches for Mary’s hand. “Let’s get you home to your strawberries, little Mary. And I might have something for you too, Parker.”

Parker skips next to Cy as he heads for the door. “What is it? What is it?”

“Wait!” I call out.

Cy stops. “What is it?”

“Your shirts. They go at the foot of the bed.”

Sam smiles at Cy, then walks over to the wardrobe on the other side of my room, and opens it to reveal the stacks of gowns Kevin stocked my room with this afternoon. “Go on. Take off your shirts.”

Cy glances at where Sam’s clothes lie at the foot of my bed. “That would make you happy Lu?”

“Yes. It’s where they belong.” Why does everyone have a problem understanding this?

Without any more hesitation, Cy pulls off his shirt. “Where do you want it?”

I point to the other corner of the bed. Cy tosses it to the floor. He gestures for Ben to do the same. Ben glances around nervously.

Sam hands him a robe. He tries handing one to Cy, too, but Cy shakes his head. “I don’t feel uncomfortable without my shirt on.”

Of course he doesn’t. Even at nine months pregnant.

“No shit!” Mary says, pointing to Cy.

The room erupts in laughter. This time I don’t bother to correct her. In time, she’ll figure it out.

Sam gives each of our children a robe and teaches them how to put it on. They all drop a shirt at the foot of my bed. The collection brings me a peace I’ve never felt before.

Cy and Ben lead the children outside my hospital room. Parker makes animated guesses about what Cy’s surprise is, and Liam gives me a quick hug before running to catch up to them.

“How did you brother end up with that asshole?” Sam asks as he closes the door.

“Oh, you mean the guy our children adore?”

He slips his shoes off and pulls back the covers. “Yeah. That guy.”

I grab the hem of his shirt. “This goes at the foot of the bed.”

He smiles. “You’re not even going to let me get in bed with you first?”

I shake my head.

He kisses my forehead, then pulls his shirt off, and tosses it to the foot of the bed before climbing in next to me. “God, I’ve missed you.”

I close my eyes as his arms and scent surround me.

“I missed you too, Sam.”

Soon, we won’t have to live apart anymore.