Page 49 of My Monster, My Choice

“Twice,” Kenny deadpans.

I look down my nose at Relion. “I believe Kenneth, son. You always were a little selfish.”

“I don’t like you being my stepdaddy,” Relion grumbles.

“He can be your steppappy, Ree,” Kenny says helpfully. “Thasa different word.”

Relion tousles Kenny’s hair. “I’ll think about it, buddy.”

I reach up and straighten Kenny’s hair that I brushed carefully earlier, then run the tips of my fingers over his eyebrows to smooth them. I don’t understand the grooming of the hair humans do but I imagine all the strands must stay in place until the females see it. Then he can mess it to his heart’s content.

“I think you have to lick it,” Relion says helpfully.

“We’s not cats,” Kenny says, giving him side-eye.

Relion shrugs just as Tera opens the door.

“Love muffin!” he says, jumping ahead of me and Kenny to kiss his mate. You’d think he’d been away for three lunar cycles instead of a couple of hours.

Kenny makes a gagging motion and I elbow him, but then roll my eyes to show him I understand and that those two are disgusting.

“Isa good thing their baby is so coot,” he says.

“Goddess blesses the goofy,” I agree.

“Where issa Telilah?” he demands, stepping inside.

“In here, baby boy,” Christina calls and Kenny and I leave the two lovebirds kissing at the front door.

In the kitchen, Christina is putting Telilah in a highchair, giggling because the baby keeps winding her tentacles around her arms like she wants to be carried.

“Aww, sweet baby. I canna hold her for you, mum.”

“Alright, sweetie,” Christina says, lifting Telilah back out of the chair.

“Thisa is fer you,” Kenny says, slapping the bouquet of flowers toward hismaman.“An’ you look lovely. Oh, wait. No, you don’t. It’s Tera. Terr!” he yells out over his shoulder. “You do! You look lovely like a cupcake.”

She giggles as she and Relion step into the dining area, his tentacles wound around her. “Thank you, Kenny.”

Christina’s eyes are sparkling with happiness, and she does indeed look lovely having her entire family around her. I feel honored to be included, but I want so much more. I want her to know and accept she’s mine and that my place is always with her. She takes the flowers, setting them on the table while she motions for him to sit so she can set Telilah in his lap.

“Thank you for the gorgeous flowers,” she says, leaning over to kiss his cheek. She runs her finger along his hairline and rubs her finger and thumb together thoughtfully. “You look very handsome.”

His cheeks turn pink. “Aww, mum. You’s the best mommy.”

She smiles, picks up the bouquet of flowers, turns, and takes me in, her eyes roving over me hungrily.

I show her the bottle of wine I brought. It’s her favorite from our Adroki collection.

“Oh, thank you, baby.” She lifts herself onto her tiptoes to kiss me. My tentacles wrap around her, and I can taste her contentment. She’s on happiness overload.

Behind us, I can hear Telilah gurgling, Kenny’s soft murmurings, Tera and Relion’s whisperings and soft lip smacks.

I want this every day. I want my mate by my side every day. “I love you,” I remind her, and smack her bottom. I will tell her every single day until it sinks in. I do not care that she doesn’t say it back. I will be sure to tell her in front of others so she can’t argue.

She smiles and gives me one more peck, then heads to the kitchen to get the food. I follow her and reach for wineglasses, then open the wine.

“You take this, love,” I tell her when she’s about to lift the platters of covered food. “I’ll grab the heavy stuff.”

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