Page 61 of Surprise Mother Pucker

“Let's pray that she's got your brain, then, because you’re clearly a lot smarter than me. Also, if you want, I can give you my twin sister’s number. I’m sure she would love to get to know you. She’s also an omega, a single mother, and her son isn’t much older than Char. She knows a lot more than me about raising a baby. Don't get me wrong, I intend to learn, but I am under no illusions that I'm going to learn particularly fast. So, in the meantime, I want you to be able to reach out to someone who is competent.”

My eyebrows rose in disbelief. “Actually, I would really appreciate that. It’s been a struggle finding friends with children.”

Not that I had tried particularly hard. Most friendships required time and effort, which I was shockingly low on. With looking after Charlotte and studying, I barely had time to look after my basic needs, let alone attempt to make friends. I was so thankful for Beth, because she didn’t give a damn that I was a mother. From the sounds of it, though, Storm’s twin would understand what I was going through.

“Also, forget about getting a part-time job. I’ve got some savings that I’ll transfer to you immediately.”

“Storm, I can’t let you?—”

“Please.” He cut me off, turning to me with a pleading look. “I should have been supporting you from the start. If I had beenaround to financially help you, you probably would have been in the pack house or in a better place. Not that I'm judging you in any way, because clearly, you have done phenomenally. I want to help because I should. She’s my daughter, and you’ve had to shoulder the burden for far too long.”

I watched him for a long second as he held my gaze. His eyes were desperate, pleading.

“Okay, I would appreciate that.” Storm turned back to Charlotte, a wistful look on his face. “Once you've showered the stench of blood and puck bunny off you, and she wakes up, you're more than welcome to hold her.”

Storm’s head whipped in my direction as he gave me a scared look. “I’m not sure I should hold her. She's so tiny, fragile. What if I hold her wrong?”

“She's not made of glass, and we can always do it with you sitting on the sofa for the first few times, until you get used to it. Didn’t you say you have a nephew?”

“I do… but he’s a boy, who has a general death wish and likes to jump off every surface he finds. He’s kind of hard to damage. Girls are so much smaller! You're being so fucking nice to me when I don't deserve it.”

I shrugged. “I don't think you're completely hopeless yet.”

Storm decided to go home to shower. He had been in such a rush to talk to me, he hadn’t even thought about the smell. As we walked out of the bedroom, Charlie was awake and sitting up, his hair sticking up in all directions.

“Dude, have you seen how cute your baby is… Oh, fuck, Eli got you good.” He laughed.

“Yeah, yeah, I deserved it.” Storm waved him off. “I’m going home to shower, then I’ll come back this evening. You staying?”

“I don’t see the point of going anywhere.” Charlie shrugged, throwing his arms over the back of the sofa in a casual gesture.

“Okay, I’ll see you later,” Storm said before turning to me. “Thank you,” he whispered, pulling me into a hug.

I relaxed into him, even though I probably shouldn’t have. I needed to keep my guard up, but his scent was painfully familiar, under all those unsavory ones.

After he left, Charlie busied himself tidying up the kitchen while insisting that I stay on the sofa and put my feet up. Pulling out my phone, I found my text thread with Eli.

Eli:

Are you okay?

If Storm upsets you more, I will hurt him.

I’m coming over. I’m worried about you.

The last text was sent only two minutes ago. Instead of texting back, I hit the call button.

“Killer,” he answered on the first ring.

“Hey,” I greeted warmly. “I'm happy to hear your voice.”

“Is Storm there?”

“He just left. You did some pretty impressive work to his face.”

Eli chuckled. “Don't tell him, but I'm pretty sure I fractured my hand from hitting his fat skull. It was worth it, though. How are you feeling, Kennedy?”

I took a deep breath, straightening the blanket on my lap for the third time. “I'm not really sure. So much has happened in a short period of time.”

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