Page 85 of Talk About… Trouble

“Speaking of big announcements,” I said, “Devon, maybe it’s time to bring out dessert.”

We wanted to announce the pregnancy before the bonding, and since it was confirmed by the doctor, the only right way felt like telling Mama Whitaker first. She was truly the matriarch of this huge clan we now had and deserved that honor.

Devon pulled me into the kitchen, dragging our alphas and beta with us as we passed them.

“Is it time?” Shepherd asked. He looked nervous now, but he had no reason to worry, he’d been accepted just the way I had.

“It is,” Devon said. “Wren, you take the bag. Nash, why don’t you carry out the cake?”

Nash jumped up, giving me a kiss, then Devon, before taking the cake.

The top of it just said,Oh Baby.

When we walked out, it was like everybody knew something was coming, especially when there was a gift bag involved.

The kids quieted down, gathering around, and all the adults were waiting. The only ones who had secret smiles on their faces were Sydney’s pack.

“What is all this?” Mama Whitaker asked Nash as he walked up, placing the chocolate cake in front of her.

“Oh Baby?” she questioned, and that was my cue to hand over the bag.

She reached inside, finding the custom onesie that Devon had somehow managed to find on short notice.

“One more Whitaker on the way,” she said, laughing excitedly before tossing the onesie at Charlie and rushing around the table. She gave her baby a hug first, Nash chuckling as his mama squeezed him, before she moved on to me, a lot more delicate this time.

“I thought you looked radiant,” she said. “It’s probably just happiness, but I think it’s a little of both now, isn’t it?” she said, giving my stomach a soft pat.

“I’m going to be an auntie!” Trinity’s voice cut through the crowd before the kids erupted in excitement, tackling Braxton in a hug while Trinity came to me, her eyes glossy.

I hugged her tight.

“You’re going to be the best aunt my kid could ever ask for,” I promised her.

A sharp but sweet scent hit my nostrils as I pulled away, my attention snapping to my omega. That thin layer of sweat on his forehead was now covering every inch of skin I could see. He looked like he was shaky, his cheeks flushed, and I knew that it was time.

“Shepherd,” I hissed. “Our omega is in heat.”

The chaos of the day must have launched him right into it.

“Me and Charlie will take the kids. Do we have time to pack them up?”

“He’s in heat?” Trinity asked, looking worried. Then she turned to Nash. “I’ll get everyone ready.”

And just like that, the oldest two jumped in like they always had, a well-oiled machine. Despite their reluctance to do it for their parents, these kids would do anything for their brother.

Everyone else said quick goodbyes and left us to it.

“Are you sure you can handle them?” Braxton asked, looking worried. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Nash’s family, but these were his babies in a way. He helped raise them.

“We can handle them,” she promised. “If I raised triplets, your siblings are going to be like a cakewalk,” she said, giving him a wink. “If I have any trouble, I’ll give you a call. Actually, if I have any trouble, I’ll just call one of the others. We’ll have a whole pack party.”

“Okay,” he said, letting out a breath before digging in his pocket for the van keys. “If one of you wants to drive them back, they’ll fit in this.”

As he continued to give her instructions on how to get them home safely the next day, I made sure everything was shut down out here. Shepherd had already taken our omega upstairs, getting him comfortable long enough for everybody to leave.

Despite their energy this weekend, the kids were so good, following directions and getting everything they needed quickly. They were disappointed that our party was ending, but they were excited to check out Mama Whitaker’s ranch. When she told them about all the acres she had, they were eager to go run around.

Finally, in about twenty minutes, we were alone.

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