20. Nitro/ Tommy

20

NITRO/ TOMMY

NITRO

Using the spare key that Tommy had given me, I quietly entered his apartment

In my hands, I carried take-out from Tommy's favorite pizza place. Alongside it, I had some extra medicine for Marc.

As I stepped into the living room, I found Marc resting on the sofa.

For a guy who nearly got his throat torn out a week before, he looked remarkably well.

Nearby, Tommy was sleeping peacefully on an armchair.

Spotting me, Marc raised a finger to his lips, a silent request for quiet. I nodded in understanding, not wanting to wake Tommy.

Tommy had taken leave from work to look after Marc and he must be exhausted.

I insisted on taking turns, but Tommy stated he needed to do this for his brother.

Carefully, I set the food and medicine on the coffee table.

Then with utmost care, I lifted Tommy from the armchair. He was surprisingly light in my arms.

With careful steps I moved from the living room to the bedroom.

As I gently laid Tommy down on the bed, I couldn't help but place a kiss on his mouth.

After tucking him in, ensuring he was comfortable, I quietly retraced my steps to the living room.

“How are you really feeling?" I asked him.

Marc met my gaze.

"Getting stronger every day," he replied, reaching for a slice of pizza from the box on the coffee table.

"Not giving Tommy any trouble, I hope?" I asked.

Marc chuckled, shaking his head. "I wouldn't think of it. Don't worry; I'll be out of your fur once I'm better,” Marc said.

I couldn't help but shake my head at his attempt to reassure me.

"In a way, Marc, since I mated Tommy, you're a part of my family too," I told him honestly.

Marc blinked and didn’t answer right away.

"Have you considered moving to Moon Burrow?" I asked.

It was a notion that had crossed my mind often, and I was curious to gauge Marc's thoughts on the matter.

To my surprise, Marc's expression shifted, thoughtful and contemplative.

"I've been discussing it with Tommy, and I'm actually thinking about it," he admitted.

"That sounds good," I responded, relieved.

Reconnecting after everything that happened to them both, would be easier if they lived nearby.

As we discussed the potential move, Marc shifted the conversation with an unexpected question.

"How's the adoption process going?" he asked, catching me momentarily off guard.

Tommy and I had only just initiated the process a day after Marc's rescue, and we hadn't disclosed this information to anyone yet.

However, it seemed Tommy had shared this secret with his brother.

I took a moment to collect myself before responding, "It's slow going, but we're patient."

Tommy hadn’t made this decision lightly. We both agreed we wanted kids down the line.

Marc asked more questions about the adoption process and I found myself relaxing in his company, something that I never thought would happen.

Tommy soon appeared in the doorway, looking gorgeous and disheveled.

I wanted to eat him right up but decided to behave myself.

Rubbing his eyes, he blinked at the two of us, curiosity evident in his gaze.

"What are you two discussing?" he asked, still sounding sleepy.

Marc turned to Tommy.

"We were talking about the adoption," Marc replied.

Tommy's expression shifted, a flicker of concern crossing his features.

"Oh, sorry, Nitro. I didn't mean to discuss it without you," Tommy, said.

I shook my head, walking up to him and giving his hand a squeeze.

"It's fine, Tommy. Marc's family," I said.

A smile tugged at the corners of Tommy's lips at those words.

“The pizza’s getting cold,” Marc pointed out.

Tommy, noticing the empty boxes, let out a groan.

“Why did you leave tw0 slices for me?” Tommy asked his brother.

"Sorry, bro," Marc replied with a chuckle. “I’ll repay you some other time.”

I observed their interaction with interest. The two brothers had a long way to go, but they'd get to a good place eventually.

TOMMY

1 Year Later

Juggling two bags of groceries, I wrestled the door open with a grunt.

"I'm back!" I announced.

Interestingly, there was no answer. Nitro would usually help me out with the groceries. A year had passed since Marc’s kidnapping.

Plenty of things had happened since then. Marc had made the official move to Moon Burrow.

Nitro and I had also relocated to a more spacious apartment close to town. The decision had been a good one.

The neighborhood was ideal—close to schools, the main town area, and for Nitro's convenience, only a fifteen-minute ride to the MC compound.

The place suited us perfectly, and we never regretted the decision. Finally, I spotted my mate and baby in the living room.

Nitro was in the armchair, his eyes closed in peaceful slumber, cradling Freya in his arms.

A surge of warmth and affection filled me at the sight.

Deciding not to disturb the two, I tiptoed to the kitchen, gently setting down the bags of groceries.

As I unpacked the groceries, I couldn't shake the feeling that Venom had played a role in expediting the adoption process.

We had faced rejection once before, but this time, it felt as if unseen forces had nudged the wheels of bureaucracy in our favor.

Nitro's lead alpha would never openly admit his involvement though and that was fine with us.

Sorting through the groceries, I noticed the familiar envelope I had hastily discarded into the trash earlier that morning.

My heart skipped a beat as I wondered if Nitro had seen the letter from Gin and Benji.

But as I glanced at Nitro, who had since entered the kitchen with Freya in his arms, I realized there was no need to ask.

Nitro had moved beyond the shadows of the past and so had I.

Seeing the grin on Nitro’s face, eased the tension that momentarily gripped my chest.

Freya's giggles filled the air as she saw me, and her laugh was infectious.

Leaning in, I planted a gentle kiss on Freya's little cheek. Another kiss found its way to Nitro's waiting lips.

"You took so long, we fell asleep," Nitro complained, his voice carrying a teasing tone that made me chuckle.

"Well, maybe next time you can handle the groceries while I babysit Freya," I countered.

Gosh, but I couldn’t get enough of our playful bather.

"What do you want for dinner?" I asked.

"You take a long bath, and I'll make dinner," Nitro suggested. He gave me a once over. "You look a little beat."

"Are you sure?" I asked, appreciating the genuine offer.

Nitro had certainly come a long way in the kitchen.

While not a culinary expert, he had mastered the art of preparing basic meals. Well, at least he no longer burned everything.

"Of course," Nitro assured, gently placing Freya in a nearby baby seat.

"How about some mac and cheese, plus some leftover chicken?" Nitro asked.

"Perfect," I replied.

Leaning in, I planted a tender kiss on Nitro's lips.

"Love you,” I whispered.

“Love you back,” Nitro said automatically.

THE END