Page 67 of Surprise Mother Pucker

I nodded. “Yep. Now, are you going to let me in? I’ve got textbooks and a shit ton of ice cream in here,” I said, holding up my bags.

Kennedy’s eyes lit up at the mention of ice cream. She took a step back, opening the door wider. “I really do need to study, though,” she said.

“Me too.” I smiled as I entered the apartment. “Do you want the ice cream now, or should I pop it in the freezer? There's also popcorn.”

“I say we start with popcorn, then have the ice cream in an hour or two?”

“I love a woman with a plan.” I smirked as I made my way to her kitchen and stashed the three pints of ice cream. Pulling out the popcorn, I chucked a bag into the microwave and turned it on.

As it was cooking, I wandered into the living room, where Kennedy was sitting on the floor, facing Charlotte, who was sitting up on a blanket, playing with several stuffed animals.

“There’s my little tiny terror,” I declared gleefully. As I made my way toward her, Charlotte turned to me and reached out her arms.

“She recognizes you,” Kennedy blurted out in surprise before her face broke out in a large grin as I scooped up the baby, snuggling her to my chest.

“Of course, she does. I’m the coolest member of Pack Daniels,” I declared happily as I started to bounce her.

“I don’t know. Eli got her a stuffed monkey she’s been pretty obsessed with…” Kennedy trailed off.

I frowned. “Well, I’ll get her a stuffed hippo! They’re better than monkeys.”

“Are they now?” Kennedy asked with fake surprise.

“They are!” I said seriously. “You know, when we don’t need to study, we should take this one to the zoo. It’s like two hours away from here. Have you guys been yet?” I asked as Charlotte snuggled into my neck.

Kennedy grimaced. “I’ve been wanting to take her for a while, but it’s so far away, and I don’t have a car. She loves watching animal videos online, so I think she'll love it.”

“Pack date it is, then!” I declared happily. “Just tell us when it works for you, and we'll do it. We went there a few months ago with Sunny and her son, Luka. He's a little bit older than the tiny terror, and he freaking loves it there. He was obsessed with the tigers.”

“I wonder what animal Charlotte will be obsessed with,” Kennedy said with a smile. “I wouldn't say no to a day trip to the zoo, because I know she'll really enjoy it.” As she spoke, she stood and gently brushed some hair out of Charlotte's face as she snuggled deeper into me.

I hummed thoughtfully. “So, is that the trick to getting you to accept gifts? If they're beneficial to Charlotte, you'll accept with minimal resistance?” I asked, raising my eyebrows.

Kennedy shrugged. “I don't deserve that sort of attention, but she deserves everything,” she said wistfully as she looked at her daughter in my arms.

I frowned at the omega. “Well, I disagree with you not deserving it, but that’s a discussion for another day.”

We were going to have to show Kennedy that she was wortheverything.She was too cute for her own good, and I was going to make sure she knew it.

Kennedy’s books were spread out on the coffee table, and she had clearly been working hard while also playing with her daughter.

“When is the tiny terror at day care next?” I asked.

“Tomorrow. I try to use the day care as little as possible, because while it’s subsidized, it is still expensive. I also want to spend as much time with her as possible. She’s only this little once,” she said, gazing wistfully at her daughter.

“Well, you’ll have another tiny one soon,” I reminded her.

Kennedy nodded. “Is it bad that I keep forgetting that?” She grimaced. “Well, until the nausea kicks in, then I brutally remember.”

“Have you been able to keep food down?” I asked, concerned.

She nodded, but the movement was slow. Though she looked beautiful, her exhaustion was evident. Her skin was paler than I remembered, and she had dark bags under her eyes.

“Some. One of you guys is usually around to feed me every time I'm sick. I've consumed so much chicken noodle soup that I'm pretty sure I'm going to start looking like a noodle.”

I chuckled. “Good. I'm glad my pack mates are taking care of you. What about sleep?”

She grimaced. “Pretty much nonexistent. Charlotte is a sensitive baby. I think she can tell that something's been up with me, so she's been waking up a lot more in the night. Storm's been here a few times to watch her and see what it's like, but he usually needs my help and guidance. Trust me, the first time you wake up to a screaming baby, it is jarring and it takes a bit of getting used to it.”

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