Chapter 17

Lily

Home sweet home. After our family drama over the weekend, I was grateful to be back home.

The storm repairs were nearly complete and life in Collier Pack was back to normal. I was still furious with MC and Liam, so a bit of normalcy was a good thing.

Channeling my frustrations, I set to work on all the projects I wanted done before the baby arrives. It didn't just include setting up the nursery either. Being fat and uncomfortable in my own skin made everything take longer too, so I recruited helpers.

"Is Thomas freaking out now that you're in your nesting phase?" Clara asked.

"This isn't nesting. I'm mad at Madelyn and Liam and need to stay busy before I say or do something we'll all regret."

"Wow. She called her Madelyn, guys. Now we know it's serious," Peyton teased.

"Why don't you just come out and tell us what happened?" Ruby said.

"No. I'm staying out of it."

"I talked to Maddie earlier today and got the full rundown. Basically, Oscar's a tiger. They are fine with that," Lizzy informed them.

I scoffed, but she ignored me and continued on.

"It's the fact that he shifted for the first time and knew for two years before telling them that has them so upset."

"He made a mistake," I insisted.

"They'll get over it, Lily, but they just need time," Lizzy insisted.

"You weren't there. You didn't see the way they handled it. It took a lot for Oscar to share that with them."

"Don't get mad, but there's a good chance that you're overly emotional about this because of all those pregnancy hormones," Ruby said.

I growled. "It's not because I'm pregnant."

"I think you and Maddie just need to talk things through," Peyton said.

"Oh no. She made it very clear that Thomas and I need to butt out of their family life."

"She said that?" Ruby asked.

"Yes."

"Okay, that was a bitch move. We all love Oscar and only want what's best for him. I have no doubt you were just trying to help."

"Well, I didn't help. I felt more helpless than anything."

"I still think you should talk it out with her. She's your best friend in the entire world, Lil," Peyton reminded me.

"And I love her, but I do not like her right now."

"Well, let's get started on your list of non-nesting stuff," Ruby teased.

"I'm not nesting," I insisted, but even I had to admit that the list looked pretty much the same as if I were.

We cranked up some music and got to work.

They helped me clean out the fridge and freezer, pull the appliances out and clean behind and under them, Every inch of the kitchen was scrubbed clean before we moved on to the bathrooms, and then the girls' rooms, and finally the laundry room. Really the only room I didn't have them working in was the bedroom I shared with Thomas.

"Now that the cleaning is done, who's up to helping me put together this crib? I swear they get harder every single time."

"Is this another new one, Lil?"

I cringed knowing I'd spent more than I should on it.

"It's not my fault, Clara. I tell him this is it. I'm not getting pregnant anymore, so we donate the baby furniture and pack up all the stuff, and then this happens. So then I have to go and buy all new stuff."

"I'm fairly certain you know how this keeps happening," Ruby teased.

"Yeah, your baby brother is a horndog."

"And let me guess, you had absolutely nothing to do with it?" Lizzy asked.

"Well, don't take it that far. I was a more than willing partner. I mean when he does that thing with. . . "

"Ew! Stop!" Peyton cried, covering her ears.

I just shrugged. "I'm just saying, he knows how to get his way. I should probably just blame all of you for spoiling him. Therefore, it's your fault I'm knocked up again."

Clara laughed. "That definitely sounds like Lily logic."

"Thanks for helping me out today, you guys."

"Anytime. That's what sisters are for," Peyton said.

The girls had been over at the Alpha House along with Ruby and Peyton's kids, but they all returned with Cammie just as we were finishing up.

"Perfect timing."

"Wow. It looks great in here," Audrey praised.

"Us Collier girls are unstoppable when we all pitch in," Lizzy told her.

"Want to see the new nursery?" I asked.

"Yes, but did you have to give up your office for it? Why does Dad get to keep his?" Cammie asked.

"Well, your Dad is a big important man around here and he works everyday. It's basically a requirement for him."

"But you work every day too," she pointed out.

"Most of the time. But he takes priority."

"But why?"

"It's all part of the great hierarchy, kiddo," Lizzy explained. "It doesn't always seem fair, but there are reasons for everything."

"What doesn't seem fair, Aunt Lizzy?"

"Well, like why is the title of Alpha is only passed down to males?"

I shook my head trying to get her attention.

Abort! Abort! I thought.

What the hell are we aborting? Thomas asked me.

Lizzy's bringing up the whole Alpha lineage thing with Cammie.

Are we mad about that? I know you've been dreading having that conversation with her as much as I have.

Just dreading the fall out.

How's it going otherwise?

Great. We have a clean house ready for this baby.

What?

I deep cleaned today. Your sisters helped me.

Why?

Because it needed to be done. Why would you ask why?

Shit! It's too soon, Lily.

For crying out loud. I am not nesting.

Why did everyone keep asking me about that? I was fine.

Just as Cammie started peppering Lizzy with questions, Eve and Opal (Peyton and Ruby's daughters) started fighting.

Everyone ran to see what the commotion was all about, but Lizzy stayed back with me.

"I should probably thank them for this," she told me.

I chuckled. "I was just telling Thomas that and we agreed we should probably thank you for tackling this subject with her."

"When did you call Thomas?"

"Huh?"

"You said you were just telling Thomas, but I didn't see you even touch your phone."

"Oh, right."

We hadn't told anyone about our bond sealing.

Uh-oh. I think I slipped up and Lizzy noticed.

What do you mean?

We were talking and I mentioned talking to you but she noticed I didn't call you. Now she's questioning me. What do I say?

I don't know. I guess I didn't realize it was a secret.

Have you been telling people?

No, but if they asked I wouldn't lie about it.

"Oh my gosh!" she squealed causing the others to come running. "I know that look. You're communicating with him telepathically, aren't you?"

I shrugged and smiled.

"What's going on?" Ruby asked.

"Admit it, Lily. I know what I saw."

Can I tell your sisters or not??

"Look, she's doing it again."

"That's the same glassy eyed look you and Cole get when you're doing it," Peyton said.

"Is it true?" Clara asked.

Don't tell them. Thomas said.

My eyes grew wider and I suck in a sharp breath, lifted my chin and lied.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

They didn't really look as if they believed me and suddenly deep, rich male laughter filled my head.

I wish I could see their faces.

Watching them, I thought about what they looked like staring back at me with a mix of confusion, frustrations, and outright determination.

Thomas laughed in my head again.

Thanks.

For what?

You projected their reactions in pictures. It was priceless. But I was only trying to mess with them. I don't really care if you tell them. I know our bond is personal though, so only if you want to.

"Thomas wanted me to screw with you. Our bond sealed in the middle of the family picnic while we were in San Marco," I blurted out.

Well that didn't take long.

You said you didn't care. Oh my gosh, did you want to tell them? Did you want us to tell them together?

It's fine, Slugger. I love you so much I still want to just shout it from the rooftop. This is just another affirmation of that love for me and the security that I will never have to live a day of my life without you.

Tears pricked my eyes as I nodded.

I love you, too .

"Oh no. What did he say?" Lizzy demanded. "The whole telepathic thing is super weird to adjust to, but it will bring you two even closer than you can possibly image. Maybe not always in a good way. But you'll both be stronger for it."

"It's not that," I admitted. "He's just being sweet right now."

"Pregnancy hormones," Peyton said.

"Tell him to go away and leave us alone. This is girl time," Ruby complained.

"Can he even do that now?" Clara asked. "I just assume Cole is always listening in when Lizzy's around."

She laughed. "No. It's not like that at all. Cole and I have been bonded long enough that we don't even think about it most of the time. Plus, it gets easy to tune the other person out and you can learn to block each other's thoughts, too."

"You can?" I asked.

"Yes. It's not even that hard. Once you accidentally do it once, you'll know."

"Accidentally?"

She shrugged. "That's what happened to me. At first it can all be very overwhelming emotionally dealing with your mate's thoughts and feelings and just everything. But eventually it just becomes a part of you and you won't be able to imagine not having him there with you all the time."

"You never talk about this," Peyton said.

Lizzy gave a weak smile. "It's just personal, Pey. And I know you guys haven't gotten there yet. So aside from Mom and Kelsey, I've just never had anyone to talk to it about."

"Well, I'm probably going to need to talk about it," I confessed.

"As long as you maintain the sister code," Ruby reminded me.

I have always had a bad habit of oversharing and Thomas's sisters don't particularly care to hear about the more personal details of our intimacy. I get it and try to be respectful of it, but sometimes, a girl just needs to talk.