The Merry Moose’s Mates (Male-Order Mates #16)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Shay

“I’m making a big roasted chicken and vegetables tonight. Hope that’s okay,” I called out to Briar as Austin and I entered the house after a grocery and supply run. Also, a package pickup since we’d ordered a bunch of paternity clothes online for our omega.

“And we have packages.”

Alice came from the back room with Briar in tow. Our Briar was moving slowly today. But he was handling it like a champ.

“What’s the matter?” I asked, taking Briar into my arms. He had to bend at the waist in order to hug me, but it could be done.

“I’m so tired. We hiked to the stream. It still has ice on top, but little miss had to see it. It was lovely. I can’t wait until we can maybe go and have a picnic there. After this one comes out, of course.” He stood up straight and rubbed circles over his belly.

“How about you go into the bedroom and have a nap?” I asked, kissing his temple. “We can take Alice for a walk or to play outside. It’s about lunchtime too.”

He breathed out a long exhale. My bear felt how tired he was through the bond. “I think lunch and then nap.”

“Sounds perfect. We picked up some subs from the sandwich shop in town. Sit down. I got you some cranberry juice like you asked.”

Briar and Alice sat at the table and dug in. That must’ve been one hell of a hike.

“I saw an ad for the local logging company,” I blurted.

“Oh, outside the market?” Austin asked. “I saw you looking at that.”

“You’re going back to work?” Briar asked. His eyes were wide, and he put down his sandwich.

“Not today.” I put my hand over his. “But eventually, I have to make a living again. We spent a lot of our savings on the additions, which I am so glad about. We had the funds to support it. But I’m a man who needs physical work and who also loves a padded savings account. If something happened to me, I would want all four of you to be secure, financially.”

“You won’t have any time for us. For the baby.”

I knew it was the hormones talking through Briar and his moose. “Of course, I will. Yes, I have to work, but the rest of my time belongs to my family. And from what I read, it’s only four days a week and is seasonal. So when there’s tons of rain or lots of snow, I will be right here. Briar? What do you think?”

Austin sighed. “I have to agree with both of you. Shay is right in that we have a growing family and financial security is important, to all of us. And Briar is right as well. I don’t want to be missing one of my mates on account of money.”

I snorted. “We don’t have to decide today, but I have to work somehow, and this is what I’m good at.”

“Let’s table it for now,” Briar said. He had only eaten half of his sandwich but, for the last month or so, he’d favored smaller, more frequent meals. “I need to take that nap.”

Poor, sweet omega. This pregnancy was taking its toll on him. He was like a roller-coaster with his energy levels. “I’ve got you.” I stood and picked my omega up, honeymoon style and put him in our new and very large bedroom. I pulled back the covers and tucked him in. His eyes were closed before his head hit the pillow.

When I went back into the kitchen, Alice, despite her earlier burst of energy was out like a light.

We placed her in her bedroom and then unloaded all the groceries and packages, laying out the paternity clothes for Briar to see later.

I put the chicken and vegetables into the oven to roast and sat down on the couch next to Austin. “What?” I asked as he stared at me.

“Sometimes I look at both of you, and I’m in awe. That’s all.”

“Same here.”

He turned to me, and one kiss became more. In seconds, he was in my lap, straddling my hips and rocking his against mine. “We can’t in the living room,” I whispered in his ear and then nipped his earlobe with my teeth. “Alice could walk in at any minute.”

“Hmm,” he said. “You’re right, but…” He took my hand and guided it to graze across his groin. “I need you so badly.”

“How long has Briar been asleep?” I asked as he drove me crazy kissing my neck.

“Long enough,” our omega’s voice rang out. He was standing in the hallway, watching us. No shirt on. Damn, he was so beautiful. “Why don’t you two come to bed.”

“Mmm,” I said. “I was hoping you were up.”

“I’m up in all kinds of ways. Get in the bedroom, alphas. I’m ready. More than ready.”