Inside the beach house the whole family was sitting down to a meal including Seraph and Jae. Isabelle was sitting in Ant’s lap eating a taco that smelled divine. I was that hungry – almost ravenous. My stomach grumbled and I left Alex and Griffin standing in the doorway while I made my own plate.
There was chicken and ground beef all seasoned to perfection. And of course the plethora of vegetables mostly for me. Isabelle’s plate seemed to be full of them as well. But most of the others were just meat and cheese and sour cream.
They were missing out. Ryan was leaning against the counters while he ate. He gave me a bright smile, “I’m glad you approve.”
“Always. You make life so much more interesting. They are happy.” I could feel that. The whole room beamed with adventure right now. I bored them that much.
Ryan laughed, “Don’t start in on that.”
Alex moved behind me and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Don’t start. No one is bored.”
I chuckled softly and sat down next to Rider on one of the couches. No one was playing video games or watching TV it was just the dinning table wasn’t big enough for everyone. And it was vacation. We all sat around the living room chatting. The kids ate at the table chatting loudly away with one another. Quinn was on the other side of Rider slowly eating her own food.
Griffin was behind me and he was whispering to Alex. “So what kinda con you pulling here? And why does he need protection. Not from you I hope.”
Alex snickered, “No con. He’s mine. And he’s worth protecting.”
“Your’s how? He got money or something?” Griffin sounded like he didn’t believe a thing Alex was saying.
But it was Rider who spoke up. “Hey new guy.” He said with a grin as he stood up, “Everyone in this room can hear a whisper except Isabelle. Just so you know there are no secrets around here.” He looked at Alex with that over protective brother stance, “And if you ever think of hurting my big brother again you’ll have a whole lot to pay for.”
Griffin laughed, “Look Alex the kid’s theatening you.”
Alex smiled at Griffin and walked over to Rider where he was sitting, “I’m well aware of all the people who will hurt me if I leave him again. And just so we are clear Grif, Rider could probably hurt me if he had the chance. No one here is just human. Including you. So don’t pretend to take offense.”
“Hey Rider,” I tapped his hand with the bracelet that was in my pocked and handed Rider his bracelet. “I don’t need this anymore.”
“You still look like shit.” he grinned, “But you do look better.”
“I probably will but I need to be me. And I’m not me with that.” I grinned at my brother and picked up my son.
Isabelle stood up taking Ant’s plate with her to get them both more food. Even though I was eating I still felt ravenous. It was mildly concerning. Isabelle was pretty and I swore I saw the beginning of the buldge. She couldn’t be that far along. I blinked again and Ant laughed, “Under normal circumstances I’d tell you off for that sort of reaction.” My heart started to race and Alex’s hand was on my knee as he sat down in place of Rider. Quinn curled up next to him.
I looked at Ant and blinked my confusion. “Most people don’t panic when they see a pretty girl wearing nothing unless they like them.”
“I like Isabelle.”
“She doesn’t make you hot and bothered though.” Ant chuckled. “Like a normal hot blooded boy.”
“She is a she and I kinda sort of like boys and I’m taken.” I leaned against Alex’s arm and hoped we were okay. _We are good petty boy. Sorry about Griff. He’s just a friend._
Isabelle laughed and wrapped her arms around me and Hunter. “I like that the first thing out of your mouth is she’s a she, like you have never liked women.”
Ant laughed. “He’s never liked women like he likes Alex. I know I’ve only known him for five years, but in those five years he has never openly stared at a woman and gotten a hard on. Have I seen him get busy with a girl – yes. In the moment yes, but she could be ugly as dirt to the rest of us – all he cares about is willing.” Alex was smirking as Ant told Isabelle and the rest of the room all about my preferences. I could almost feel the shock on Griffin’s face. He didn’t believe it.
I shrugged. “He’s right. Girls don’t do it for me. But it’s easier to get laid when you bat for the right team.” _I know._ I said to Alex in my head. _I trust you. I’m just getting a strange vibe from him._
Isabelle sighed and rolled her eyes. “Is that what you are going to teach your kids. That sex is just sex and shouldn’t be between two people who love each other?”
“Did you love the guy who you slept with the first time?” I asked.
“I thought I did at the time.”
“Love is fleeting when you are young. Sex is a physical reaction to a stimulus. You love who you love but sex is an enjoyable outlet as long as you protect yourself and others,” I said.
“And that’s what you want your kids to hear? You have four teenage boys living with you and you want them fucking their brains out?”
I shrugged. “As long as they are safe and don’t get anyone pregnant.”
Matt was the first one to interrupt. “No chance of that happening here.” Lake was a bright red ball of blush as his mate spoke the truth.
Rider added, “And I’m always careful.”
Ant pulled Isabelle away from me. “Nox grew up in a world where marriage isn’t a thing Izz. He’s not traditional. Look at him. Really Izz. Does he look like he’s going to have your moral standards?”
She sighed. “But he’s worried about my reproductive organs.”
I felt a small hand on my arm and Hunter was there with his empty plate and crawling into my lap. “He little man.” I said softly so not to interrupt the conversation.”No. Isabelle I’m not.”I said to everyone, ” I don’t care about your reproductive organs. I care about your fucking life. And the life of the children you possess inside you. I won’t worry about your life if you think it means so little to me,” I said and walked away with Hunter in my arms.
He wrapped his little hands around my chin and made me look at him. “Daddy, she’ll be okay. She’s with us.”
“You mean after all this?”
He nodded and I accepted that but it didn’t alleviate my fears but if she would be with us then that was good. And it means she made it through the birth of the twins. “You’re gonna have two new siblings.”
“New brothers,” Hunter said.
I sighed. “You know you make waiting hard.”
Hunter giggled and buried himself against me. And we all finished dinner.
The Mind of Nox 