Page 59

Tenzin

T he car pulled up to a massive three story gated house. The gates stood open and several cars sat in the snowy gravel drive. What a house–large, yet not completely ostentatious.

I gazed up at the windows. What room was hers?

“Thank you,” I told the driver as he grabbed the stroller out of the trunk for me. I snapped the baby seats in, hung the diaper bag from the handles, and pushed the awkward contraption over the gravel, toward the door.

It was early, but given I’d already gotten pictures of cinnamon rolls, she was up.

Imogen was still in labor. Everyone was at the hospital with her. The babies weren’t allowed, and Morgan’s family was elsewhere this morning.

Which meant I was still alone with the babies. It was their first Christmas. I wanted to make it special for them, the way my sister always made it magical for me. Sure, we’d video chatted with my sister as her kids opened their presents from me–and the babies opened the gifts from them. But it wasn’t the same.

So, we might as well surprise Gwen. She was still feeling so conflicted about finding out about her bio-dad, and everything that happened to her yesterday.

If she needed to come back with us until she played the Belugas, well, so be it.

A lot of people were coming to surprise her tomorrow, including Cooter, Clark, her coach from NYIT and a whole lot of Knights and Maimers. She only knew that Mercy, Verity, and their pack were coming on their sister’s jet, with Gwen’s equipment and some of her things.

Making sure my blinking Santa hat was on, I knocked on the door, nerves shooting through me. This was what happened when I took advice from Cooter. Though Clark thought it was a good idea, too.

“Why hello, Bucket.” One of Gwen’s brothers, Matty, answered the door. He wore a T-shirt and snowflake pajama pants.

“Who rang the doorbell?” One of the dads, the one Clark thought of as Scary Dad , the one Gwen called Popi , stood at his shoulder, tall and formidable despite his age. He also wore snowflake pajama pants.

“Um, hi. Merry Christmas. Is it okay if we join you? I’m happy to ask First Dad if I need to. Um, it’s their first Christmas, and everyone’s still at the hospital, waiting for their sister to be born. I’ve been alone with them and have no idea how to make their holiday special. I don’t even know why they left the babies with me. What do I know about tiny humans?” I blinked. Sure, I’d kept the babies fed and changed, but it was a lot to do even that.

Scary Dad laughed. “Said every first-time parent ever. Happy Christmas. Oh, they're so little. Um, First Dad?”

“I don’t know any of your first names, just your dad names, and you all are Mr. Capaldi.” I felt so awkward standing there on the doorstep. Clark called him that, too, and it made so much sense.

Though, according to Cooter, both First Dad and Second Dad were equally important. First Dad ran the shipping business, Second Dad ran the family business, with the help of Scary Dad. Nice Dad threw charity parties and went to a lot of social events.

“Is everything okay?” As if summoned, First Dad joined us. He, too, wore snowflake pajama pants.

Who would’ve thought?

“Buttons has a delivery. Should we let him in?” Popi chuckled.

First Dad’s eyes fell on the babies. “Yes, let’s bring those tiny babies in from the cold. I didn’t know you were coming. You look exhausted.”

I was exhausted. Taking care of twins on my own, when I didn’t know what I was doing, was a lot of work.

“Surprise? I just wanted to give them a nice first Christmas. I don’t mean to intrude. We’ll only stay a little while. Because I can’t leave the dog for too long. Sorry,” I said as I grabbed the diaper bag and got Asher out of his seat. He wore a little coat and hat with holiday pajamas and snowflake socks.

“Why are you all standing at the door?” A tiny, fierce woman who looked a lot like Gwen, stood there, wearing snowflake pajama pants that had clearly been tailored, a silk blouse, and heels . “Oooh. Come here, little baby. They’re so small. Is it okay for them to be around so many people?” She took Asher from me.

“Um. I don’t know.” Is that something I needed to worry about? I took Aden out of the seat, also in a coat, hat and holiday pajamas and socks.

“Make everyone wash their hands before holding them and tell them not to kiss their faces or touch their hands and it should be okay. No one’s sick,” First Dad said.

The omega looked up at me. “You’re a big boy. Is their baby sister born yet? Gwen told me yesterday that she went into labor.”

“She’s still in labor.” Holding Aden, I moved the stroller to the side of the doorway.

“Oh, that poor woman.” She disappeared inside, holding my son.

While I faced a wall of alphas.

“Come in, Tenzin,” First Dad told me, stepping aside. “It’s nice of you to want the babies to have a Christmas. Um, whose babies are they?”

I came inside; the warmth enveloping me. Awkwardly, I tried to explain, as I took off our coats.

“Tens. Happy Christmas.” Gwen barreled into me, wrapping her arms around me. She had on blue snowflake pajama pants and a top that said Pucking Amazing.

“Surprise. Merry Christmas. I didn’t want to intrude, I just wanted to let you know how proud of you I am for being signed.” I hugged her. Aden squeaked.

“I know how much you like Christmas. Sorry, little baby. This is Aden? That red hair,” Gwen asked. “She’ll blend right in with Luca’s girls. His omega’s a redhead.”

“This is Aden, also known as Bean.” I gave her that sweet tiny soul and took off my coat, in the foyer, which had a spectacular landscape painting hanging in it. Scary Dad, First Dad, and Matty still stood there, watching me.

“Oh, hi there, Baby Bean. Come on.” She tugged on my hand, cradling Aden.

I took off my shoes and grabbed the diaper bag, as we left the foyer. The giant living room was incredibly elegant, with more art, a gigantic fireplace, a beautiful piano, and a large and beautifully decorated tree, full of presents.

About a dozen kids, all wearing button-down snowflake pajamas, onesies, or nightgowns, cheerfully threw wrapping paper everywhere as they opened gifts. A bunch of adults sat on the couches, in chairs, or were on the floor.

By the window was a table of food.

Every single one of them stared at me. They all wore blue snowflake pajama pants.

There were so many people. Sure, my parents had extended families, but we rarely saw them and certainly weren’t all together like that. One of them looked like a famous director that did a lot of French films… and a French actor.

“This is Buttons’ big daddy hockey defender. He brought these sweet little twins,” that small omega in heels cooed as she held Asher.

“Oh my god, Isa.” Gwen rolled her eyes. “This is my boyfriend, Tenzin. This is baby Aden, Isa is holding her twin, baby Asher.”

“Yeti.” A little boy ran over to me and hugged me. Oh, right, this was Gwen’s nephew, Davey.

“Hi. Merry Christmas.” I ruffled his hair.

“Buttons’ boyfriend is a hockey player, his hockey name is Yeti,” Matty told everyone as he held a small child.

“You’re courting Zia G now, right?” Davey asked me. “You and Wonder Boy. After all, you got her a house, and a tattoo, and a cat. I’m going to one day get my person a house, and a tattoo, and a puppy.”

Several adults chuckled.

“As long as those are things your person wants, that sounds like a good plan,” I told him. “Yes, we might want to keep your Zia G.”

“Awww, you do?” Gwen grinned as she took Aden over to the tree, to show her the lights.

“Hey, Bucket. She’s going to the Tigres, you know.” Lenny stood there, holding a cup of coffee, also wearing blue pajama pants. Stickers covered his shirt, like the children used him as a sticker book.

“I know. I’m so proud. Oh, I can’t wait to see you play tomorrow,” I told her. While I wanted to hold Gwen, everyone was watching us.

“You’re coming?” Gwen looked adorable, with Aden in her arms.

“I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Clark’s trying to come, too. It’s harder though, because he’s not close to an airport or fast trains,” I told her.

“Any of your other interesting friends joining us this morning?” Luca, her big scary brother, asked from his place on the floor, as he helped a little girl open something. “Belikovs perhaps?”

“There are Belikovs in New York?” A small woman, probably another sister, looked startled from her place on the sofa.

Lenny waved it off with his hand. “This one’s fine. One of the younger ones literally pulled a Buttons. He just took his little siblings and money with him when he left the country to play hockey.”

Gwen glared, holding Aden tight. “Dimitri and Valya are excellent friends to me. He also understands what happens when your omega mom dies.”

“A Belikov playing hockey ?” a man said.

“He’s a good man–and a good hockey player,” I told them as I continued to stand there awkwardly. Huh. Would Cooter know anything about Dimitri’s family?

“Don’t background check my friends.” Gwen’s eyes narrowed.

“Too late.” Matty grinned. “Did you know your boyfriend wore an inflatable dinosaur costume for his sister’s concerts when he was younger.”

Her eyes rolled. “I’ve seen pictures. You’re just mad Dimitri made my tail. Speaking of tails, Lenny. Why did my watchers tell me to stay out of the deli? They called it a mob deli. Which I don’t understand. They’re so nice and give me free food.”

“Buttons, it wasn’t free. I opened a tab for you, because I wanted to make sure you had enough to eat.” Lenny shrugged. “But yeah, they like you.”

“It was my idea, Buttons. We were just trying to help you out,” Matty said, as the twins at his feet put tissue paper on their heads.

“Ugh. I’m not a teenager anymore.” She turned to me and put her head on my chest. I wrapped my arms around her and Aden. Asher was still with Isa.

“Is it that deli?” Luca asked.

Matty nodded. “Yep.”

“Oh. It’s just logistics, Buttons. Yeah, those black and white cookies are almost as good as Aldo’s.” Luca shrugged.

“I should lead introductions.” Gwen told me everyone’s names, which I mostly forgot immediately. “These are Isa’s mates, Francois, Francoise, and Claude.”

Oh. I was right.

“You’re Francoise Fontaine, the director. We studied your movies when I was at university,” I told her. “They’re so beautiful and artistic.” Not who I expected to meet in Gwen’s dads’ living room.

“Your hockey boy was a film major?” Isa asked.

“Not everyone can be an accountant.” Gwen bent down and repositioned Aden, so one of the little girls could see her.

“Yes, I’d like to make nature documentaries once I retire from hockey,” I told her.

“Thank you–and that sounds lovely, there’s so many beautiful places in the world,” Francoise said as she held yet another sleeping baby, who matched everyone else. She turned to Gwen and said something in French.

Gwen ducked her head. “Um, yes.”

Several people chuckled.

Gwen looked around and frowned. “Where’s Joe? I haven’t seen him since last night.”

“I don’t know,” Matty replied, getting out his phone.

“Hungover from partying, probably,” Luca muttered.

“Do you want a seat?” the blue-eyed dad, Nice Dad, asked.

“I’m okay, but I’d love some tea if there’s any,” I confessed. Isa was singing to Asher.

“I’ll get you some.” Gwen went to hand me Aden.

“I’ll take her. Don’t worry, I just washed my hands.” Nice Dad held out his arms.

“Aden, this is my Babo.” Gwen handed Aden to her dad.

“Isa, are you going to monopolize the baby?” Matty’s omega joked.

“Yes.” Isa was down on the floor, holding him, as she talked to a little girl who was wearing the same pajamas as everyone else, yet looked right out of a photo shoot. “You two have the cutest height difference. I was a little worried, considering how tall you’ve gotten, Buttons.”

“They’re fine, Isa. Height difference is not a critical part of a relationship,” Luca told her.

“The other one fits perfectly, like he’s halfway between their heights,” Matty’s omega teased.

They fit, didn’t they?

“Come on. The babies will be fine.” Gwen took my hand and pulled me into a beautiful kitchen. “Aldo’s off this morning, so he can open presents with his own family, but I remember where things are.”

She put on a kettle, then climbed up on the counter. “We don’t have jasmine tea, but there is green tea. One of the dads is supposed to drink it for his health.”

“That’s fine,” I told her as I helped her off the counter. I took a photo of us and sent it to Clark.

Me

Wish you were here.

“Thank you for coming.” She wrapped her arms around me. “Oh, Francoise wanted to know if you were the one in the cape who threw me over your shoulder at the hockey game. That’s what she said in French.”

I kissed the top of her head, savoring the moment. “If you need to leave, I’m happy to take you with us.”

“Awww, thank you. So far it’s okay. After presents I can take you up to my room, show you my painting?” Her face pressed into my sweater.

I stroked her hair. “That sounds great. I'd love to see it.”

“Thanks for bringing the babies,” she told me.

“I just wanted to make things special. Imogen’s still in labor. Though regardless, Jacen and Morgan have to take the twins to her mother’s this evening. Yes, they know I brought them to you,” I added, just savoring her closeness. It had only been a couple of days and I’d missed her so much.

I glanced toward the doorway, though I couldn’t see the babies.

“Don’t worry, they’re fine. Isa has baby fever and wants a boy, so she’ll hog Asher. But she already has kids, so she knows what she’s doing,” Gwen told me.

“Taking care of babies is exhausting.” I pulled Gwen closer, leaning my head on hers. “When they go have dinner at Morgan’s mom’s, I’m going to Cooter’s and sleeping.”

“You can take a nap here, it’s fine,” she told me. “You can always come back for dinner.”

Tempting.

A door opened, and a shirtless brother, wearing only pajama pants, a Santa hat, and flip-flops, even though there was snow on the ground, strode in, holding a bag of presents.

“Oooh, caught you.” The brother, Joe, if I remember right, grinned at us.

Gwen scratched her nose with her middle finger. She looked over at the kettle on the stove, then got out of my arms. “I’m just making him tea.”

“Yeah, tea.” He laughed.

“Where were you?” Gwen poured the water into a mug.

“Wrapping presents.” He held out the bag and left the room.

“Are you hungry? There’s still food on the table. Though I can find you something.” Gwen handed me the mug.

“I’ll get something in a bit, thank you.” I took it and we went back out into the living room. It looked like photos of different groups were being taken.

The doorbell rang. Several of the dads looked at each other. Matty handed his omega the small child and went to answer the door, Lenny and fierce dad following.

“Before we do a sibling photo, we need a picture of Buttons with her babies and her hockey boy to send to the other hockey boy,” Isa said.

Isa ushered us to the giant beautiful tree. Oh, was that an ornament with a little picture of tiny Gwen on it?

“I’d like that, thank you,” I told her. Yes, I should send some to Morgan and Jacen.

Gwen took my tea, set it down on an end table, and grabbed Aden.

“Buttons, you have another delivery,” Fierce Dad said as he came back in. First Dad gave him a look. Fierce Dad shrugged. “It’s Christmas.”

Wait…

“Sweetness.” Clark flew into the living room, wearing that ugly Defender League holiday sweater of his.

“Clark. Happy Christmas.” She ran into his arms and he gave her a giant hug, almost squishing Aden.

“You’re here. I didn’t know you were coming.” I wrapped my arms around the both of them. “Merry Christmas.”

He looked up at me and gave me a kiss. “Surprise, Gweny, congrats on getting signed. Merry Christmas. Oh, hi, little baby.” Clark kissed the top of Aden’s head.

“I appreciate you both coming so much. Amazing present.” She kissed both of us.

“Awww, you’re right, they fit so well together.” Isa smirked, still holding Asher.

“Oooh, is that Asher? Hi, Asher!” He waved. “Thank you, Gwen’s dads, for letting me inside.” Clark looked over at them, most were just smirking and shaking their heads.

“Are you expecting anyone else, Buttons?” Matty laughed.

Lenny held up Snowball’s carrier. “Do I even want to know?”

“Possum, or raccoon?” Joe said as he passed out gifts to the children.

Luca shook his head. “Fox.”

Clark chuckled. “It’s just a cat, silly.”

Her siblings exchanged looks.

“Bobcat,” Sof said.

“Snowball’s just a farm cat. Oh, my mom sent this.” Clark handed First Dad the bag on his arm. “It’s a pie, and there’s some jam and fudge.”

He looked at it. “Um, thank you so much, Clark.”

“Okay, Buttons, we need a photo of your little family.” Isa handed me Asher. Glancing at Gwen’s shirt, she sighed. “Why do you always insist on wearing profane shirts?”

Gwen grinned. “Because it annoys you.”

“Always a good reason to do anything.” Joe laughed as he went over to the table of food.

Isa positioned us around the tree. “You're too cute. If I’m planning a wedding for summer, I need to know. They take time. I’m designing your dress, right?”

“Wedding?” First Dad nearly choked on his coffee, as one of the other dads took a photo of us.

“Not this summer. Maybe next. Or the one after. But I’ll marry them, eventually. I even proposed with donuts.” Gwen nestled into us. “As for the dress, yes, you promised.”

“She did propose. I accepted.” Clark beamed at her.

“I’ll happily marry her, eventually.” I leaned in and kissed the top of her head. “Merry Christmas, Firecracker. You, too, Sunshine.” I kissed his forehead.

“Very cute,” Isa said. “Now give me back this little baby, while you go get Clark some coffee.”

I dutifully handed her Asher. She held him so naturally, while I was terrified of squishing him. Passing Aden off to one of her dads, she took our hands and dragged us into the kitchen.

“Hi Gweny, I promise I’m not trying to stomp on your boundaries. I know you wanted to do this yourself, and I want to honor your independence. But, well, you got signed and you’re going to be off and I wanted to see you, and Tens was coming and…” Clark blurted as we went into the kitchen.

Gwen pushed him against the refrigerator and sealed her mouth against his, squashing the rest of his sentence.

“It’s the best surprise,” she assured, giving him another kiss.

“It is. Clark, you’re here! I’m so happy to see you.” Leaning in, I kissed him, too. How much would Gwen being gone, sooner than later, change things? Hopefully not too much. It would be nice to spend some alone time with him, figure things out further.

She worked the very fancy coffee machine on the counter. “I know how much Christmas means to your family, so you coming here is incredible. Also, I got through the hard parts that I needed to do by myself already.”

Clark gave me a heated look. “You two are my family, too. You two and Snowball and those tiny tiny babies. You’re my home. I want to be here with you.”

My heart.

“Mmmm. If my entire family wasn’t here, I’d have you both for breakfast right here in the kitchen,” she told me, as the coffee started brewing.

That was a nice thought, but yes, I wasn’t about to do more than kiss her with everyone here. Also, there were the babies to think of.

“Make me coffee, too, please? I’d get my own, but we’re trying to give you a moment,” Joe yelled from the doorway.

Clark grinned. “I love it. It’s like my family at Christmas. We wear matching pajamas too. My aunts make them.”

I realized Clark wore plaid PJ pants with his sweater.

“There are so many babies and little kids, it’s amazing. I should have brought mini sticks and we could have had a little tournament with so many here,” Clark told her.

She laughed as she took some mugs down. “I love it. Next time.”

Getting the coffee, we went back out to the living room, Clark getting some food. The kids were playing with their toys and getting more food, some of her dads and the others playing with them.

“Thank you, Buttons,” Joe said as he took his coffee. “Okay, sibling gift exchange time?”

“I hope Gwen didn’t get me anything from Athlete’s World.” Isa gave Gwen a look.

“I got you a jet ski, I told you that.” Gwen shot her a smug look as she grabbed Aden.

Isa looked panicked, and I shook my head slightly. The earrings and necklace Gwen had gotten her sister were beautiful. With a nod, Isa relaxed slightly.

We settled on the bean bags that had been set out. Gwen leaned into me, as Clark balanced his plate on his knees.

“Okay, Matty, since you’re the oldest, you go first,” Isa directed as she gave me Asher and sat down with Francoise.

“Hi there, having fun?” I nuzzled his little cheek with my nose. They were being so calm amidst all this chaos.

Gwen snuggled into me further, Aden resting on her chest. This felt right, us, the babies, Christmas morning.

Clark was right. They were my home, too–and exactly where I needed to be.