Chapter Eleven

Tatum

"Alright," I whisper to myself. "I've got this."

I strap one backpack onto my back before sliding my arms through the other backpack, wearing it backwards and strapping it to my chest. I bounce on my toes a few times, making sure they're secure and safe before picking up my key and stepping out the front door.

As I head down the stairs, a thrill goes through me. It's such a novel thing, having my own key to Vinnie's apartment, but it's still special and domestic. Slowly, I'm starting to accept that this isn't his apartment but ours. Though, I still think we should really be looking into upgrading to something a bit bigger. Even though our babies are still in their eggs, soon enough they'll be out and running around, demanding space to better get into trouble.

The weather outside is beautiful as I step outside. The wind blows, ruffling my hair, making me realize I haven't cut it since coming here. The top is growing out a bit longer than I'm used to but I'm finding that I don't mind it. I'll never let it grow like Vinnie's but having it a bit longer gives him something to hold onto when I'm blowing him. A wonderful discovery for us both.

The sun is shining and I tilt my face up, smiling up into the sunshine. I feel my best opening up, like it's accepting the sunshine directly inside of myself. I stretch my arms over my head, tilting myself one way and then the other, groaning in pleasure as my spine seems to pop before continuing on my way.

I often find myself just staying in the apartment with the eggs while Vinnie is working at the diner but today he talked me into coming and visiting him. I'm glad he did. I need the sunshine and the fresh air.

I'm glad to have a mate who looks out for me and pushes me to better myself.

It's still hard to believe that I've found myself here. Not that long ago, I was a complete stranger and now this place feels like home, and not just because I'm with Vinnie. I'm starting to learn everyone by name and now that I'm here to stay, people have stopped giving me the stink eye like I'm going to take Vinnie away from them. I'd never do that to them or to my mate, he loves living here.

I'm pretty sure I can love to live here too.

As I step through the door of the diner, I look around until I find Vinnie. I can't stop my smile, watching as he pops his hip to one side, giving a customer some attitude about something they've said to him. His gorgeous auburn hair is done up in a braid today. For someone so pretty, he sure can put someone in their place when he wants to. One of the many things I love about him.

If someone on the outside looked at us, they'd assume I was the one who ‘wore the pants' or took charge, but that person couldn't be more wrong. I would get on my knees and kiss that man's feet just to hear him call me sweetheart. I'm so far gone on Vinnie and I'm not the least bit sorry. We probably look like total opposites but we somehow slide together, fitting like perfect puzzle pieces.

"Howdy Tatum," the hostess, a younger woman named Penelope, greets me with a wide smile. "Would you like your usual booth?"

"Yes, please. So long as it's not taken of course, wouldn't want to put anyone out."

"Oh shush you. We all know that's your favorite spot. I made sure it was empty the moment Vinnie let me know you'd be stopping by today."

I give her a little smile, wrapping my fingers around the straps of my backpacks. "You're all incredibly kind. Thank you."

Penelope pats my shoulder, careful not to actually touch my backpacks. Not everyone who lives here is a shifter but Vinnie's let me know there are far more than I thought one town could hold. Penelope happens to be one of those shifters so she knows exactly what these bags hold. I appreciate the gesture of not touching them.

"We take care of our people," she tells me with a smile before heading back to the front counter.

Once I've gotten my backpacks off and placed on the booth seat beside me, I sit back and take a look over the diner. Chief gives me a little wave from the kitchen window that I return. There's a handful of regulars here, all of them catching my eye in order to give me a smile or a wave.

It hits me all at once. These are my people. They're just as much mine as they are Vinnie's. They've brought me into the fold and adopted me. I belong here.

It's a heady feeling, being in a place where I'm wanted.

Vinnie comes into view, holding a tray filled with food. He catches my eyes, gives me a wink, and continues on his way. I love watching him in his element like this. Once he's back in the kitchen, I turn towards the window, watching as a car drives by.

More and more I'm glad that Vinnie made me leave the house today.

Someone clears their throat and my eyes shoot up, recognizing that voice. "Mom!"

I stand up from my table so quickly I almost knock the salt and pepper shakers onto the ground but I don't care. I pull my mothers into a tight hug, laughing with excitement to have them here with me.

"Tatum! I've missed you so much, baby."

"I've missed you both as well. Gods, I can't believe you're here!"

We slide into the booth, my moms sitting across from me. They look so happy to be here and I find myself mirroring their grins. "Your mate got our number from your phone and gave us a call. Apparently someone's been keeping themselves cooped up lately and he wanted to give you a little surprise to brighten you up."

"You're joking," I say, shaking my head. "I cannot believe he set this up. Gods, that man."

Said man has impeccable timing before just then, he's walking over to our table. He sets coffees down for us all, leaning over to give my head a kiss before straightening once more.

"It's so wonderful to officially meet you," he says to my moms. "You've raised a wonderful man."

"Thank you. We've heard nothing but good things about you, Vinnie. I'm looking forward to finally sitting down and getting to know you properly."

"I'd love that." Seeing my favorite people in the whole wide world interacting fills me with so much joy. I can tell they're going to get on thick as thieves. Before long, they'll be teaming up against me, I just know it. "Did you two want something to eat? I can put an order in right now for you."

My mothers place an order and I watch as my mate saunters back to the kitchen. It's only when my Mama giggles that I snap my eyes away from his ass. My cheeks flame at being caught staring.

"So," Mama says, raising her brow at me. "Things seem to being going well, huh?"

Mom nudges her, the two of them giggling to each other before turning back towards me. "Sorry, we don't mean to tease."

"Yes you do," I say with a dramatic groan. "But it's fine. I kinda deserved that one." I pick up my coffee and take a sip, smiling at the way it's exactly the way I like it. Vinnie spoils me. "Things are going really well. Vinnie is wonderful," I tell them, not even trying to hide my love sick sigh. "He's everything I'd dreamed of having in a mate."

Mama reaches across the table, placing her hand in mine. She gives me a gentle squeeze. "That makes me so happy, Tatum. It was always my hope you'd find someone special to love, the same way I have your mom."

"Thank you," I say softly, squeezing her hand back. "There's more. I'm not sure how much Vinnie told you when you guys went behind my back and planned this little meetup."

"Oh my gods, don't go getting all defensive," Mom says, rolling her eyes at me. "It was a fun little surprise, don't pretend like you're upset."

"You're right, I'm not even a little upset that you're here. But there is another surprise."

"Yeah? Are you pregnant or something?"

I almost spit my coffee out. How the fuck did she guess that? I shake my head. "No, not exactly. Well, maybe the right way to say it is that I'm not anymore." I pick up one of my backpacks, unzipping it and showing off my orange crystal babe.

"Wait, what?" Mama almost stands completely up, bumping the table with her legs and almost spilling all of our coffees. Mom drags her back down.

"We have a couple of eggs," I explain. "This one came second. The shell is really hot and Vinnie is pretty sure they're a phoenix, just like him." Then I pull open the second backpack, showing off our pearl egg. "And this one I'm fairly certain is a dragon."

Mama's eyes are wet with unshed tears. I look to Mom and frown. "Are you okay?"

She nods her head. "I'm not ready to be a grandmother," she says with a dramatic pout. "I'm too young for this, Tatum." Finally, she cracks a smile.

"I'm so happy," Mama says, wiping at her eyes. "Gods, Tatum, I'm just so happy for you. I can't wait to meet my grandbabies and spoil them rotten."

Vinnie steps over to our table, looking at all of us. "Is everything alright over here? I leave and come back to tears."

"We're good," I reassure him, nodding at our eggs. "They just learned they're old."

"They are not," Vinnie says with a warm chuckle. "Respect your parents, sweetheart." He sets all of our plates down in front of us, including a fourth plate that has fries and chicken tenders on it. I scoot over, making room for him beside me.

I steal one of his fries and he gives me a soft smile in return, like he's pleased with how I'm comfortable enough to steal his food.

"Please tell me you have embarrassing stories about Tatum," Vinnie says to my moms, making me groan.

"Don't you dare," I tell them with a glare that they completely ignore.

"Has he told you about the time he found out about the word ‘fucking'?" Vinnie shakes his head, chuckling to himself, his eyes glued to Mama. "I said ‘you're fucking joking' about something and he asked what that meant. Instead of just being honest I panicked and told him it was the adult version of ‘really'. The first time we went into town after that he looked at the cashier and said ‘you're fucking pretty'. I just about died with embarrassment!"

We spend the next hour catching up, talking about everything and anything. Vinnie keeps a hand on my thigh under the table, warming me from the tips of my toes to the crown of my head. I love that my moms are here, but I realize with an ache in my chest that I don't want them to go back home.

"Sweetie," my mom says, looking at Mama for a moment before looking back at me. "I know this is a new chapter of your life and your Mama and I would never want to insert ourselves, but once Vinnie contacted us, we started looking into things."

"What sort of things?"

"Well for one, we found a journal. It had a few details in there that we didn't know before. We think your parents were a crystal dragon and a topaz dragon who were fated mates. Their last known location wasn't too far from here, actually."

"Oh my gods," I breathe out, looking over at Vinnie. He gives my thigh a reassuring squeeze. "They could be close." I turn back to my moms. "That's fantastic news. Thank you for looking into it for me. I was a little preoccupied," I say, rolling my eyes and gesturing towards my mate.

"The other thing," Mama says, jumping in. "Well, your mom and I have been looking into homes around here."

My moms look at me expectantly, waiting for my reaction. It takes me a long moment before I realize what they're trying to say. When it hits me, my chest alights with something I can only call hope. I want that. I want that desperately.

Turning towards Vinnie, I get a nod from him. "If I could have my parents here with us, I'd jump on the chance. As long as you're okay, I think this is wonderful news, sweetheart."

"I think we should look for a new house too," I say under my breath even though I know my moms can hear me. "I want a place where the kids can run around. Maybe something with a yard."

"Anything you want," Vinnie promises me, leaning over and kissing my head.

I turn back to my mothers and grin. "It sounds like we're all house hunting!"