Page 38 of A Bunny for the Bear
While the man didn’t actually knot me, something about that day did it. Or maybe it was another day and the condom broke? Who fucking knew?
The thoughts served to make me even more nervous. I knew my mate was open to the idea of a big family. He’d been working to make sure we had enough space in our new home. He’d also reassured me about a million times during late night feedings and early morning diapers changes.
“Do you think your dad will love it?” I asked the four sets of cuteness watching my every move.
Even at four months old, the babies were big. Could be because they’d all turned out to be bear shifters like my mate. To say he was thrilled to have his own pack of mini bears would be an understatement.
I also felt relief knowing I wasn’t going to have to teach anyone about being a bunny. Honestly, I still didn’t know everything myself.
My hands drifted over my stomach for the thousandth time this morning. Since Hutton left before the sun was up, it’d just been me and the kids. I’m still only working part-time, thank goodness. And my manager even suggested we build a station at my home to accommodate my time with the kids.
Souli wasn't happy when we told her. She’s taken her role as grandma very seriously. Anything that suggested she would get less time with our kids was not good in her world.
The sound of the front door opening drew my attention. I closed the lid on the cake box before plastering a smile.
“Where are my babies?”
I sighed at the sound of Souli’s voice. Champ followed behind her muttering about how she’d likely wake up said babies if she kept yelling.
“We’re in the kitchen,” I said, drawing their attention around the stacks of boxes.
Did I mention we were moving this weekend? Oh, yeah. Another delightful surprise would be getting to set up a new house much more quickly than expected because of more children.
It only took one look from my aunt/mother-in-law for her to know. She launched herself across the space, wrapping me in a tight hug.
“More? Oh, I’m so happy for you two,” she said.
Champ chuckled as he greeted the babies. “I knew it wouldn’t be long before we had more. These nuggets want friends to play with.”
“They have plenty of friends around. Or did you forget about all the people who have given birth or are about to?” I rolled my eyes as I pointed out the obvious.
He waved my words away. “Nothing like a sibling who lives with you. It’s a different energy.”
“I wouldn’t know anything about it.” Souli gave me sad eyes at the confession. “Don’t feel bad for me. We’ve been over this. I’m fine with it. Being alone all that time prepared me to have more patience now that I’m building a small sports team.”
She smiled, then promptly left me as if she just remembered the babies were in the room. Champ grunted when she hip-checked him.
“There are plenty of them. You can share, mate.”
“I don’t want any of them to think I’m picking favorites. Grandma loves all her babies equally,” she cooed at them.
I watched as she pulled Emilie and RJ out and sat them on each hip. Their chunky little hands immediately grabbed at her, likely from mimicking the way Champ had been tickling them earlier.
Speaking of Champ, he’d snuck the other two out of their seats as his mate held the others. He looked awfully proud of himself as he shuffled around the space to stand beside me.
I took HJ from him since he would be the next to eat. We’d built a very specific routine around it all. If we didn’t stick to the schedules, the kids would riot. No one wanted that.
After getting him settled with a bottle, I looked over to find Champ peeking in on the cake. He snorted at the words, then shot me a look.
“You couldn’t come up with anything better?”
I shrugged. “It’s kind of hard to top the last time. My only hope is that he isn’t upset about it.”
“Upset?” Souli asked. “Why in the world would Hutton be upset?”
“That’s my question too.” My mate stood in the entry to the kitchen, his gaze firmly locked on me.
Champ walked behind me and over to his mate. “We’re going to take the babies out back. Just whistle when you’re done.”
