Page 35

Tenzin

“S he what? ” My voice rose and the driver of the car, taking me to the hospital from the airport, flinched. “I thought it was a different sister that hated her.”

“I guess this one mostly sides with that other one,” Clark explained over the phone. “It was awful to watch. I really wanted to punch one of them, but I know we don’t need that right now. Even if I hit the alpha.”

Looking out the window, as the familiar scenery streaked by, I listened in horror as he continued to fill me in as to what happened at the ballet. Her sister told her stalker where she was and was dating her stalker’s sister? That was fucked up.

“But otherwise, the date went great. She’s petting the tutus, then we might ice skate in the outdoor rink here and have some hot chocolate,” he added.

“I’m glad.” When Clark had told me about the night he’d planned, it had sounded exactly like something Gwen would enjoy. “I’m on the way to the hospital now. I’ll talk to you later. Love you.”

I missed them already.

“Love you, too. We can’t wait to see a picture of Squiggles.” He ended the call.

The car filled with the scent of Morgan’s favorite takeout. I hoped she was well enough to eat it. Jacen called me during family skate, panicked. Morgan’s appointment hadn’t gone well, so they sent her to the hospital for tests and the doctor decided she was having the babies now. It was about how they thought it would go, but thinking it could happen and it happening were two entirely different things.

The only update I’d gotten was where to go and that he’d tell me everything when I got to the hospital. I wished Cooter were here with me, but he had a game.

The car pulled up to the hospital. I got out my overnight bag, as well as the bags of takeout, waved to the driver, then went inside. Signing in, I made my way to a small waiting room in the maternity ward. Ilya was alone, wearing his doctor’s coat and pacing, the room reeking of worried alpha.

“How is she?” I rushed in.

Ilya growled. “I didn’t think you’d actually show up.”

He stood nearly seven inches shorter than me, though he was stocky and muscular. One of his hobbies was boxing.

“Morgan asked me to come. How is she?” I asked.

His blue eyes narrowed. “I’m not sure she’d like me to share her medical information with you.”

“Really? I literally dropped everything when Jacen called. I paid an exorbitant amount of money to fly coach and rushed here and you won’t even tell me if she’s okay ?” The audacity of that man. Once he’d been my friend. We’d joke around, especially when he worked with the Sasquatches.

Now he wouldn’t even tell me how she was doing?

He harrumphed, arms crossed over his chest. “Coach. Poor you.”

“More like poor people on both sides, in front of, and behind me.” I rolled my eyes. I flew first class because I was six-foot-eight and not dainty in stature.

“You left us,” Ilya spat.

We were doing this now? Fine. I was exhausted, so my filter wasn’t working properly.

“I left you? ” I put the bags of food on the table. “You and your mates had a secret relationship with my girlfriend for a year . Then you gaslit, harangued, and badgered me so badly that I had to leave my home to think. That wasn't the worst part–all of you invalidating my feelings, telling me I was overreacting, not letting me have a moment to get my head together.”

“Morgan was lonely.” His look grew challenging.

“If you would’ve brought up courting her, or if she’d expressed she was lonely and wanted more, I could’ve been all for it. You all know that. I sort of understand Jacen and Morgan not meaning to not tell me. But you? You know how to communicate.” I glared. “You also know that people are allowed to have feelings.”

“I thought you loved her. You were going to take her to Paris and mate her. You were excited for the baby. You threw it all away, for what?” Ilya seemed genuinely puzzled.

“How can I be in a pack with people I don’t trust? With people who ignore my feelings and don’t respect my request for space? I might have forgiven all of you and gone along with it, if it weren’t for all of that. You drove me away. It’s like you didn’t even want me in your pack to begin with and were just asking me out of obligation because of Morgan. Then you found every reason to push me away, while making me look like the bad guy,” I retorted.

Being friends with someone and being packmates were very different things. Ilya, naturally, wanted to be head of the pack. Perhaps he felt I’d object or complicate things? I was at a different place in my life. They had long-term careers. Mine only lasted until my body gave out.

“Ilya and I didn’t know you weren’t aware about everything.” Imogen’s voice grew soft as she slipped an arm around his waist. She was just over five feet, her belly massive. Her orange and pink dress offset her golden-brown skin. A little hoop gleamed in her nose, and bracelets clinked on her wrists.

I gave her a skeptical look. “Really?”

“Jacen and Morgan were supposed to have told you about our relationship before you were asked if you wanted to form a pack with us,” she told me. “It wasn’t until after you left for New York we truly understood. Also, Jacen fucked it all up with telling you the baby was his, since at that point we had no idea. That’s why it seemed to us like you were overreacting. Ilya thought maybe you didn’t want him to be head alpha.”

“There’s still no reason to roll over my feelings. Morgan asked me to be here and I’m pretty sure you knew I was on my way. Anyhow, I brought Morgan’s favorite takeout. I got salad for the pretty princess that doesn’t like that place.” I scowled. He was making it about him.

“Did you just call me a pretty princess?” Ilya grumped.

Imogen laughed. “He did.”

“I’m not asking for sensitive medical information. I just want to know if she’s alive,” I pleaded with Imogen.

Imogen slugged Ilya. “You couldn’t tell him that? Hurt aside, Tenzie is still our friend and co-parent.” Her look went soft. “It was rough. She’s in a recovery room with her doula. But she’ll be fine. Cranky, because she won’t be able to re-join clinicals next week like she wanted.”

“Thank you.” Relief sluiced over me. “The twins?”

“They’re in baby care for observation, but they’ll be okay. We can see them later. Jacen and her mom are with them now,” Imogen told me.

“I’d like that.” I sighed. “I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings. I do care for Morgan. It’s just that I couldn’t be part of your pack after everything that happened–and that is a me problem, not a you problem. She’s doing well with you, and that’s what’s most important.”

He grunted, but no longer looked like he wanted to murder me.

“Fooood. Any of this for me?” Harper, Morgan’s teenage sister, bounded in. She’d grown up considerably in the last six months. Her red hair was in a braid and she wore a hoodie with pajama pants.

“Yes. I got your favorite as I remembered. Perhaps someone will trade if you don’t like it anymore? I got your mom a salad, dressing on the side. I did the same for the doula because I have no idea what she likes but I didn’t want to leave her out.” I winced, because Harper wasn't really a kid anymore.

She was rummaging through the bag. “You got me a dino-nugget kid's meal with curly fries and a chocolate shake? That is better than a blow job from a dinosaur. Thanks, Tenzie. You’re the best.”

“Harper, you know you’re not supposed to say things like that,” Ilya scolded.

Harper rolled her eyes. “Oh, Mom went to go get some stuff for Morgan, she’ll be back.” She turned to me. “How’s New York? Can I come see the Knights play the Sasquatches? I miss going to your games. But it’s still fun watching you on TV.”

“If they all come and see me play when we’re in Portland, I’ll get a ticket for you, too. New York is very different from here. But I enjoy playing for the Knights. I miss Cooter, though,” I told her. Harper liked to go axe throwing with us.

“Tenzie, you made it.” Jacen came in, looking worse for wear. His arms wrapped around me. “I’m so glad you’re here. Thanks for coming, man.”

“He flew coach.” Ilya’s tone was almost joking.

“I brought food, just make sure no one eats Morgan’s,” I told him, giving his shoulder an awkward pat.

“Thank you. I’m starving. We can see Morgan now,” Jacen told me. “How about if we eat, then you can meet your son?”

“I’d love that.” I picked up the bags.

“Only if she wants him there,” Ilya growled.

“If she doesn’t, I’ll leave,” I promised.

We followed Jacen through the hospital. Harper drank her milkshake and hopped on one foot, while asking me questions about the Knights, mostly about Grif Graf and Double D.

A no-nonsense beta appraised us as we walked in, as she sat by Morgan. “Morgan, do you want them all at once?”

“It’s fine. Thanks.” Morgan sat up in a hospital bed. Her red hair was in a bun and she looked exhausted. While this wasn’t an omega unit, like Gwen had been in, it was a pack-sized room, with a large bed, a recliner, and a fold-out couch.

I came all the way in and put the food on the table. “Hi, Morgan. Thanks for calling me.” I turned to the doula. “Hi, I’m Tenzin.”

“Tenzie, where’s my dinner? I’m starving and I don’t like their options.” Morgan gave me a tired grin as she pulled the food tray over her bed.

“Here you go.” I set out a double cheddar chicken burger, onion rings, and a lime freeze for her.

“Thanks.” She took a bite of her burger. “This is so good. I deserve takeout after this.”

I gave Imogen and Jacen their food. Ilya got out his salad and placed the one for Morgan’s mom on the table. I wasn’t sure where she was. Harper sat at the table and started biting the heads off of the nuggets.

“Oh, this is for you. I didn’t know what you like.” I handed the salad to the doula.

“Thank you.” She looked at Morgan. “Do you want me to ask the nurse if you can see the babies after you eat?”

“Please.” Morgan looked at me. “It was nice of you to bring food. I guess you forgot my actual dinner?”

“It’s in my bag. But it was frozen solid when I left New York. It also needs an oven and should be refrigerated,” I told her as the doula slipped out.

Morgan paused mid-bite. “Your little student actually made me dinner?”

“Yes.” I got out my food and put it on the table next to Harper. Three grilled chicken sandwiches and a side salad.

“Wow. Is she just nicey-nice or something?” Morgan ate some onion rings. “Yeah, this is it right here.”

“Nicey-nice? No. She just tries to treat people the way she likes to be treated. She likes to eat food. Gwen made a lasagna for you,” I explained. “Something that you can just pop into the oven for a quick meal. She made it with pork sausage and not beef. Though it is mostly cheese.”

“I like cheese,” Jacen told me.

“I can’t believe you’re dating Ladybug. Her channel is fire. I love how she dresses weird on purpose to annoy that fashion influencer. If I go to New York, can I meet her and Have No Mercy and run through the aisles of Athlete’s World?” Harper slurped her milkshake.

“Harper, you say words, but they have no meaning,” Jacen teased.

Ilya froze. “You’re dating?”

“Yeah, do you not spend any time on social media? He’s with an underwear model and a collegiate goalie.” Jacen’s eyebrows rose.

Morgan looked around. “Did they come with you? I’m so curious.”

“They’re at the ballet.” While I’m sure they’d meet eventually, I still wanted to protect Clark and Gwen from them as much as I could.

“Oooh, they’re ballet people? Is that better or worse than people who like art museums?” Morgan snickered.

“Gwen likes Once Upon a Snowflake. Clark likes to make Gwen happy.” I cut my sandwich in half. He’d texted me how bored he was.

“You’re dating an underwear model?” Imogen asked.

“He’s dating Clark from the Knights. He makes that commercial, you know, the one with the guy running across a roof in his underwear,” Harper explained. “You three are adorbs. I know you care for my sister, but you need people you can actually take care of. Morgan’s independent, and Ilya’s a territorial mofo. Also, they’re so old .” She grinned.

Harper, like most people, thought the breakup was amicable, because of the distance.

“You should be very glad I’m too sore to get out of bed and smack you, Harp.” Morgan took another bite of burger.

Imogen sucked in a breath, her bangles clicking as she picked up her veggie burger, with extra pickles. “They’re younger. That makes so much sense.”

“Gwen’s a student, ” Morgan laughed. “I know, I know, she’s twenty-two, not eighteen. Did she make me something in art class?”

I rolled my eyes. “Art class? She’s not in high school.” Getting up, I went over to my bag and got out the two ribboned and tissue-wrapped parcels. “One for Imogen, one for Morgan.” I looked at Harper. “Arts and crafts at Have No Mercy’s house.”

“Who the fuck is Have No Mercy? Sounds like a skate-smasher,” Jacen replied.

Harper laughed. “She’s a crusher for the Maimers. Wait, is this from when they were ice-dying? The video they posted made it look so fun. Mom said I could do it at my next sleepover.”

“She made me something?” Morgan blinked. She undid the paper and pulled out two silver and black onesies that were crinkly in their colorway. “Awww.”

“They’re Knights colors.” Harper beamed. “Amazing.”

“I have one to match. Go team?” Imogen held up hers. “That was so sweet. She’s an art major?”

“Forensic accounting. No, she doesn’t do taxes for dead people.” I rolled my eyes.

“Thank her for me. Your underwear model didn’t make me anything? Should I be hurt?” Morgan laughed, carefully folding up the onesies.

“He’s designing a treehouse for them to build together. For when we have a tree. Engineering major, before he joined the Knights,” I explained.

“You didn’t tell me you wanted a house with trees.” Jacen looked surprised

“ Later, ” I assured. “Our place is perfect for now. Thank you for all your help. I’m excited for everything to be finalized.” Also, Dimitri and Carlos had been an immense help in referrals for contractors. While I’d looked at a few places, including the one Dimitri recommended, ultimately, that was the one. Our home.

Ilya shot me a look. “He’s your client in New York?”

Jacen shrugged. “We have three more mouths to feed and it’s a tidy commission.”

I put my hands up. “I’m not trying to make trouble, Ilya. Just help my son.”

“You’re okay with him dating again?” Ilya looked at Morgan.

“Ilya, Tenzie’s an adult. He’s allowed to date and to stay up late and go out without his chores being done.” Her eyes rolled. “Also, why wouldn't I? After all, I have a pack, mates, and two healthy babies. I’m happy. So fucking happy. Do I wish Tenzie was with us? Sure, but I also know how hockey works. Him dating other hockey players makes sense. I just wince at their grocery bill.”

“Also the smelly sports laundry situation.” Jacen laughed. “Good thing you have a laundry room in the new place.”

Ilya grunted. “Okay. Are you staying at our house?”

“Cooter’s. But I’d love to see Bear at some point.” I missed that dog. I checked my phone. Cooter was at the bar with his team, celebrating their win.

“Bear would love to see you. I miss Cooter,” Morgan replied.

The doula came back in. “The babies are ready for you when you are, Mama. Let me know and I’ll bring the wheelchair.”

“As soon as I finish eating, I’m ready. After all, Tenzie flew coach for this.” Morgan laughed.

The doula joined us and ate her salad. We finished, and the doula helped Morgan into a wheelchair.

I frowned at her. “Are you okay?”

“I pushed two pineapples out of a lime. I’ll live; I’m just not comfortable,” she told me as the doula pushed her down the hall.

Jacen and I followed behind. The others didn’t come.

“There’s only so many allowed at a time. Yes, I’ve gotten to hold them before, but it was right when they were born,” Morgan explained.

A nurse met us there. We put on gowns and were led into an area full of tiny babies, some in incubators and full of tubes, others in clear bassinets, with monitors.

“They’re okay?” My heart tightened a little.

“Aden needs some oxygen, but it’s to be expected. Asher is fine. He should be able to join Mama in her room tomorrow,” the nurse told us as she led us in front of a big clear bassinet with two compartments. Aden & Asher Dragomir was written on it, along with today’s date.

In it were two tiny babies, wearing only little hats, diapers, and ankle bands. One wore a tiny oxygen mask, a monitor on her pale little foot, as she slept. Beside her in the other section was another tiny baby, not much bigger. He had a shock of black hair peeking out of the hat.

“Hi babies,” Morgan whispered. “Sit, Tenzie, so you can hold them. Aden will be okay, her little lungs just need help for a moment. It’s pretty normal.”

I sat in the rocker next to them, watching in awe. They were tiny and perfect.

“Here you go, Mama.” The nurse handed her Asher in a blanket.

The look on Morgan’s face was pure joy, as she sat in the wheelchair, holding Asher. Jacen was at her shoulder, bending over. In that moment, something settled over me that was both heartbreaking and comforting.

Those two were okay. They were doing fine in their new life, together, without me.

“We’re okay, Tenzie. We miss you, but we’ll survive without you,” Morgan said softly, mirroring my thoughts, as she kissed Asher’s forehead.

I marveled at his tiny form as she stroked his hair.

“Yep, he’s yours. Look at that hair.” She grinned. “Asher, my love, I want you to meet someone. Tenzie, what’s your dad name? Papa and Dad are taken. Also, I’m Mom and Imogen is Mummy .”

“ Bàba .” My heart fluttered in happiness. I had a dad name.

“Asher, this is your bàba. He lives in New York for work, but that doesn’t mean he loves you any less,” she murmured. “Tenzie, meet your son.” With the help of the nurse, she set Asher in my arms.

“Hi, Asher,” I whispered as I held my son. He was so small, so perfect. “I’m Bàba.”

His tiny hand reached up and touched my nose, like he was saying hi, Bàba.

Oh, my heart.

While I loved Gwen and Clark, this was a whole different type of love.

The nurse gently set Aden in Morgan’s arms, careful of the mask and monitors.

Jacen beamed at me from Morgan’s side. “Look, Tenzie, you’re a dad. We’re dads. We’re parents. ”

His giddiness was contagious. We were parents.

“We are. I am.” I looked over at Aden, who’d opened her eyes, which were green. “Hi, Aden, I’m your brother’s bàba, you can call me whatever you’re comfortable with and you’re always welcome to visit. We’ll teach you to fish and build treehouses, and how to ice skate, too, if you’d like,” I promised the tiny, delicate little soul. “Your other sister, as well.”

I didn’t want them to feel left out. I could see it now, all three of them on tiny skates, holding hands.

“Oh, we have a whole forward line here.” Jacen grinned at me.

“Or two defenders and a goalie. Maybe one of each. You made cute babies, Morgan,” I told her. “I’m glad the three of you are okay.”

“Me, too. You’re going to be a good dad, Tenzie. I won’t let you be a bad one,” Morgan told me. “Jacen, get his phone and take a picture.”

I let him take some photos and sent one to my sister, one to Cooter, and one to Gwen and Clark, who had gone ice skating.

“Awww, Morgan, your babies are so precious. Not sure how that happened with those two as genetic contributors.” Cooter stood there in scrubs.

“Cooter, it’s nice to see you, but how did you get in here?” Morgan looked perplexed.

Had she learned nothing from being around Cooter?

“Did you know that no one really asks you where you’re going when you wear scrubs in a hospital?” Cooter leaned over my shoulder. “Wanna go axe throwing tomorrow, kiddos?”

“Cooter.” Morgan sighed.

“What? I had to greet the babies.” Cooter grinned.

“I know. It’s nice to see you,” she told him.

“Hey, Cooter. Harper’s here and she’d love to go axe throwing. They should learn to walk first.” Jacen tried not to laugh.

Focusing on Asher, I held him to me, rocking him, singing a song my mother sang to me, when I was small. I had a son.

Tonight my heart grew.