Reckless Regrets
Chapter 77

Kade

“Before you even say anything, we didn’t know during the morning meeting. The three of us found out afterward when you were getting your ultrasound done. Congrats on the baby girl, by the way, that’s what I’m hoping for,” Tyson said as I walked into his kitchen. He and Matt were sitting and sharing a drink while Taylor was asleep on the couch. She always needed a good nap when pregnant, so it looked like business as usual.

“Thanks, I’m really excited about it. My princess is everything I’d ever wanted in life, well, her, Cameron, and Morgan,” I replied.

“We get it,” Matt laughed and said.

I walked to the cupboard and pulled out a glass of my own, then joined them at the island. “So what are you hoping for, Matt? Do your parents know yet?” I asked.

“I want whatever Taylor wants. I love our boys and our daughter equally, so either one is fine with me. And no, I haven’t told my parents. I made that mistake with the twins, and they didn’t give my Tesoro a moment’s peace. She can tell them when she’s ready.”

“I have to admit, your pregnancies are the best. Is it a bear or a wolf? Teal eyes or hazel? Single or multiple? Oh, the possibilities!” I shouted.

“If you wake that woman up, you won’t live to see what we have. She just got comfortable, so chill the hell out,” Matt stated.

“Sorry, but I’m excited for you three. And Henry and Aires; all of our kids get to grow up together like we did. And for the record, I’m putting my money on another split decision; one wolf and one hybrid, both girls,” I said.

“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Taylor wants another girl to balance things out, but I think we’ll have another set of doubles too,” Tyson told me.

Thinking back to the beginning when the house was a bachelor pad with no women and no kids, I never could have pictured it the way it is now. No matter how much we clean, there is always a toy or a juice box someplace it wasn’t supposed to be, and it had become the norm. The next generation of this packs leaders and fighters, and I was proud of every one of them.

I finished the drink I’d poured and placed my cup in the sink. “Let Taylor know I stopped by, and that I’ll see her later on. I need to hit the office and get some work done, so I don’t leave you two with a mess while I’m gone,” I stated.

“We appreciate it, especially now. Obviously, we won’t let the warriors or patrols go unattended, but the least we have to do the better; our plates are overflowing right now,” Tyson responded.

“I’m sure. I’ll have everything in order, I promise,” I stated. I left the guys to continue their talk and walked back to the house and up to my office. I really wanted to go replace Cameron and play with him outside on the new swing set we’d had installed, but I had an obligation to my pack to take care of them as well. Paperwork was boring as hell and always made me sleepy and cross-eyed, but because we kept such thorough reports on our team and everyone’s progress, we always knew where our strengths and weaknesses fell. That knowledge would be golden in the event of an attack, so I’d get this done even if it killed me.

I didn’t think anyone had actually died from boredom before and didn’t think it was possible, but I didn’t want to test the theory. I sat at my desk and looked down at a picture Taylor had given me as a part of her wedding gift. It was of Morgan, Cameron, and I during one of our movie nights, and it brought the biggest smile to my face. Cameron had popcorn stuck up his nose, and Morgan was tickling him while I tickled her. We didn’t watch much of the movie, but we had a great time, and I looked forward to the next event. But first, paperwork.

***

Morgan

I didn’t want to, but I ran through the week fed by my excitement for Paris and my honeymoon. I’d always loved to travel, even if it was just to a new city or state, so to say I was happy was a gross understatement. When it was time for me to pack, I was surprised to see that I didn’t have to buy anything new; my closet was always full, and I wondered how Kade managed to keep so many items with their tags still on, hidden away. Every day, my bump got a little bigger, but my selection of maternity clothing took care of me entirely.

“Come on, Sugar, you’ve packed everything you’ll need, and it’s time to go. If you’ve forgotten anything, we can just buy it in Paris,” Kade stated.

I’d been looking at my open suitcase lying on the floor of the closet and the hanging clothes, trying to decide if anything needed to be added. I just needed a few more minutes to figure it out; then I’d be ready.

Kade had other plans, though. He smiled at me, then walked by and zipped my suitcase, carrying it out. I guess my time was up, and I packed all that I was going to.

I followed him back to the room where Cameron was sitting on the bed, waiting for me.

“Hi, Mom. Are you sure I can’t go too? I think it would be okay for me to miss school; I won’t mind at all,” he pleaded. The little guy had been trying to get on that plane ever since he was told about the trip and was so hurt when he was told that is was only for Kade and me.

“I’m going to miss you so much, my sweet boy, but this trip is just for Mommy and Daddy. How about we go somewhere together after we get back and the baby is born. Would you like that?” I asked.

His face lit up, and he quickly nodded. “Could I take my little sister to Oregon? I want all of my friends from school to meet her and see how cool she is,” he replied. I was thinking of going somewhere a little farther away, but the world of a four-year-old wasn’t that big and didn’t require much.

“Sure, that sounds like a great idea. We’ll all go to Oregon to visit.”

“Cool. I guess I can stay with Aunt Alaia and Aunt Taylor. They’re nice, and they always give me cookies. Will you be gone long?”

“Just ten days, but we can have FaceTime calls every day, and if you get sad and miss Daddy or me, just call us, alright?”

“I’m a big boy; I won’t get sad. But maybe I will still want to call sometimes,” he replied. Lately, he was making a point of showing us that he was “a big boy” and could do things for himself. He was very independent and had almost figured out how to tie his shoes without help. Almost. I was in awe of how smart and strong he was at times, and wished that Marisol and Nate could have had more time to watch him grow.

“Alright, buddy. Will you help me out and grab Mommy’s small bag, and I’ll take the big one? We’ve got to get them in the car,” Kade walked over and asked.

“Yeah! I can carry it down all by myself, watch this!” Cameron replied. He hopped off the bed and picked up my toiletry bag, which I was thankful I hadn’t overpacked, and held it in one hand then reached out for me with his other.

“Come on, Mom, I’ll help you down to the car; Dad and Uncle Xander said that you shouldn’t walk down the stairs by yourself just in case you fall,” he advised.

I frowned and looked over at my husband, who tried to plaster an innocent look on his face, but I knew without a doubt that he’d told Cameron this nonsense, and I’d have an escort everywhere from now on. Oh well, I’d just have to deal with that later because he’d taken my hand in his and began to pull me out of the room. He was a perfect little gentleman and made sure that my footing was perfect on each step before we moved on to the next, and I couldn’t help but smile. I hated the idea of being treated like I was handicapped because of the pregnancy, but if I got to have Cameron walk with me everywhere, it might just be worth it after all.

Once we’d safely made it down, Cameron kept his grip on my hand and led me to the car. “I’m going to go play now, okay? But you can call me later if you get sad and miss me,” he offered, turning my words back on me.

I leaned down and gave him a big hug and k**s. I wasn’t a big boy like him, so I wasn’t ashamed to admit that I would miss my little guy. “I’ll call you every day, I promise,” I told him. Cameron smiled at me then kissed my cheek before he ran outside to the back yard.

“You ready to hit to the road? Our flight leaves in about two hours,” Kade said as he buckled me in. “I’m so ready. This is going to be the best vacation ever; I can already tell,” I replied. As we drove away, I looked out the window and watched the lush green forest past by and was overcome with joy knowing that this time tomorrow, my view would be to totally different, and instead of the smell of grass and trees, I’d be smelling freshly baked bread and fragrant flowers. Yeah, I was so ready for this.