This ran long but too much was happening, I wanted to get you another chapter tonight!
~Jack’s Point of View~I completely get why Grace is doing this, where she’s coming from, but talking out my damn “feelings” with Warrick? The last flipping thing I want to be doing right now. But I heard everything she said and she’s 100% right. There isn’t a chance in hell I could ever let him hurt one of my girls the way he hurt me so many times. Disappointed me and left me. Those girls are literally my everything next to Grace, it was hard to imagine I could hold so much love in my heart for the little creatures I didn’t even really know yet but I do. Four girls. Still unreal. Two female dragons. Brenda joked that I needed to hire professional security, bodyguards. But I wasn’t sure that was a bad idea. If it ever got out… what they are… Nox was desperate to shift and sniff them, check them out. But it was far too chilly to bring them outside in the middle of winter, even though for Atlanta it was mild. I promised him in the next week or so we could take them to the Sky Light s
~Two Years Later~ “One, you’re really sure? This isn’t going to be some sick joke later on,” I said, wagging my finger at the doctor. “Just one baby Grace. ONE. I swear,” she giggled. I nodded, relieved beyond all measure. One baby. Wolf or dragon? I’m willing to bet this will be a fight. While the guys knew I was pregnant they didn’t know that I’d snuck to the doctor without them. I knew they’d be mad but I needed to know. I had been desperate to find out on my own. Only one more, I can handle that. I’d made the guys wear condoms for well over a year after I had the quads, desperate to not have a repeat. They absolutely hated it, and so did I. But it was too risky. Everyone assured me the chances of having another set of four was basically no chance. The guys also tried to convince me they didn’t need to wear them or could pull out during my less fertile times. I’m Grace Astor, things happen to me that never happen to other people. That is a fact. Although we hadn’t been car
~Grace’s Point of View~“I don’t look anything like myself,” I said, in shock as my fingers feathered over my cheek.They actually had color, I didn’t look like my usual pale death. Damn it, I looked hot! “That’s the whole point! You need to grow up, look professional. Prof-ession-al, it’s a word that describes people who work for a living out in the real world. Not to mention you’re 31 now and no spring chicken. I have serious concerns about your eggs. You have to wear a girdle everyday with that pudge, they're probably squeezed to death in there,” my mom snapped.I rolled my eyes and sighed. I’d never be good enough for her, not until I was barefoot and pregnant.But not in a kitchen behind a stove, oh no. Behind a servant that I was ordering around Because like my mom I was expected to give the appearance of working but not actually do it. Oh and likely not barefoot, in some kind of silk robe with slippers.“I’ve got plenty of eggs,” I mumbled, making a pathetic attempt to defend
~Finch’s Point of View~*Dude, do you smell that,* I asked my brother Jack, over mind-link.I watched as he took a few deep breaths, then his eyes flicked to black. I heard a faint rumble from his chest, his beast certainly catching wind of the scent. Another indication of it blew out of his nose.Our eyes collectively darted everywhere, then we moved like a single unit. That was common with us, we were never far apart. “Damn it’s… Ohhh,” he whispered, as we left the wedding reception and moved inside.It was so rare to find an Omega anymore, an unmarked one anyhow. How has no one claimed her? Fuck! Her scent is beyond intoxicating, almost like a sweet melon. It was nearly paralyzing me.“In here,” I whispered, having tracked it into what looked like a sunroom. I moved straight for a couch and began to rub my face against the cushions, my brother picked up a pillow and inhaled it, his beast making low growls of satisfaction.“She was just here, we have to fucking find her. We have t
~Grace’s Point of View~“Fuck it’s cold,” I mumbled, biting my lip nervously. Of course I would get outside and forget my coat, I really liked that one too. Going back in for it was not at all an option.When I finally saw my Uber, I couldn’t run to it fast enough. I’d never had to do a walk of shame before, and I knew my mom was gonna kill me.But the ache all over my entire body reminded me … it was damn well worth it. A night I’ll never forget. The kind of night they make movies about, of that I was certain. I pulled my phone out of my little purse, thankfully I hadn’t forgotten that in my haste to leave.Thirty-two missed calls and twenty-one voicemails. Jesus! I closed my eyes and leaned back into the seat, desperate for a few more minutes of peace, and I got it for exactly two minutes.“If you’re just tuning in, let's recap the news. Billionaire tycoon Grover Astor was pronounced dead early this morning inside a hotel room in Jakarta. The official cause of death hasn’t yet bee
~Grace’s Point of View~After being in my dad’s building for over an hour, and seeing his touches everywhere but not him … it really and truly started to sink in that he was gone. I don’t have him to ask for anything anymore, no advice, no explanations. Everytime I started to get emotional about it my stone faced mother was right there to glare at me. It was like someone dropping a tray of ice down my back.My dad’s assistant was a fifty something named Michelle, never married with no kids who seemed completely frazzled. Her life was Astor Connects. It took me a bit but I realized it was because she thought she was going to lose her job. Did these people all not realize how desperately I needed them? There was no way in hell I was letting anyone go.“We’ll announce Grace as the interim CEO and President,” Harland said, matter of fact.“Interim? That won’t do. She is “IT”. We’re not slapping on a band-aid,” mom said, scoffing.They’d been going back and forth like this … like I wasn’t
~Grace’s Point of View~~Two Days Later~“Enough with the cloak and dagger Vince, get on with it,” mom said, irritated.I gripped the stress ball in my hand, I hadn’t been able to let it go for two days. I was on complete information overload with no sleep and it wasn’t gonna get better anytime soon.The attorney made a face and held up a remote, turning on a TV in his conference room. Suddenly my dad’s face filled the screen. He was seated at his desk, well my desk now.“He made this two years ago,” Vince said.“Hi bunny, hi Gracie,” he said, smiling.My lip quivered, and instantly I hoped I’d get a copy of this. I didn’t have many videos of my dad and it suddenly hit me that I’d waited so long to have kids, they wouldn’t know him. He was an asshole sixty percent of the time, laser focused on the business and not so much being a dad. But he was a softie for me when I could get his attention. Somehow I thought if I just could have made him a grandpa, he’d have been a great one. Maybe
~Jack’s Point of View~Sitting outside Grace’s office was like torture. Her scent was everywhere, overwhelming. I had no clue why I was here, if it was even work related. Finch was meeting with her too, and we were both scared shitless she’d find some reason to fire us. But it was odd we weren’t meeting together if that was the case.I wasn’t giving her enough credit, surely she knew having the three of us in the same room would be dangerous. She’d be very outnumbered.Finding her had been the best night of our lives, but now I wasn’t so sure. My beast stirred, not fully understanding my human bullshit drama but he just knew I was uneasy. It was only in his nature to project absolute confidence at all times, weakness wasn’t an option. That wasn’t how we were raised and I’d shifted long before most in our clan. I’d had Nox since I was ten and I didn’t know what it meant to be without him. I couldn’t even really remember it.When a bubbly blonde I didn’t recognize came out of the office
~Two Years Later~ “One, you’re really sure? This isn’t going to be some sick joke later on,” I said, wagging my finger at the doctor. “Just one baby Grace. ONE. I swear,” she giggled. I nodded, relieved beyond all measure. One baby. Wolf or dragon? I’m willing to bet this will be a fight. While the guys knew I was pregnant they didn’t know that I’d snuck to the doctor without them. I knew they’d be mad but I needed to know. I had been desperate to find out on my own. Only one more, I can handle that. I’d made the guys wear condoms for well over a year after I had the quads, desperate to not have a repeat. They absolutely hated it, and so did I. But it was too risky. Everyone assured me the chances of having another set of four was basically no chance. The guys also tried to convince me they didn’t need to wear them or could pull out during my less fertile times. I’m Grace Astor, things happen to me that never happen to other people. That is a fact. Although we hadn’t been car
~Jack’s Point of View~I completely get why Grace is doing this, where she’s coming from, but talking out my damn “feelings” with Warrick? The last flipping thing I want to be doing right now. But I heard everything she said and she’s 100% right. There isn’t a chance in hell I could ever let him hurt one of my girls the way he hurt me so many times. Disappointed me and left me. Those girls are literally my everything next to Grace, it was hard to imagine I could hold so much love in my heart for the little creatures I didn’t even really know yet but I do. Four girls. Still unreal. Two female dragons. Brenda joked that I needed to hire professional security, bodyguards. But I wasn’t sure that was a bad idea. If it ever got out… what they are… Nox was desperate to shift and sniff them, check them out. But it was far too chilly to bring them outside in the middle of winter, even though for Atlanta it was mild. I promised him in the next week or so we could take them to the Sky Light s
~Grace’s Point of View~ Before I knew what was happening I was splayed out on my bed, my clothes gone except for my sports bra. How the hell does he move so fast? “Clock! Bring me the clock,” I moaned, as another sharp pain hit me, paralyzing me. “No. I’ve helped birth many babies, I helped with Jack and Finch. We’ll be fine,” he said, running into the room with a large bowl and some towels. My eyes practically rolled into the back of my head. “Are you out of your fucking mind? I need my doctor! I need… Brenda, get my phone,” I shouted, as I screamed in pain. Brenda had been acting as my breathing coach and also helping me with what to expect. I wouldn’t say we had gotten close but I enjoyed her company and there was a weird familiarity to her. When he left the room again it was all I could to try and reach the house phone on the side table. Thank god Jack insisted on putting it there though literally no one ever calls it. I didn’t have many numbers memorized, but I knew the o
~Grace’s Point of View~ I yawned, feeling utterly exhausted. I glanced around the living room at the heap of gifts we’d brought in from work yesterday. I had little to no desire to go through it all. What did I want? Outside of a nap and food the thing I loved so much was laying on the beach at the Sky Light. I’d since learned they called the beach “Bonnie” which is the Scottish word for beautiful. Jack had made me a hammock between two trees and it was my favorite place. When you’re big as a beached whale, getting to swing in a hammock that makes you feel weightless is a welcome treat. At our doctor’s appointment a couple of days ago the doc said the babies were each about 4 ½ pounds a piece and anytime they came would be okay. “Are you sure you want to go? Everyone would understand if we skipped. I mean you could literally give birth anytime now,” Jack asked, rubbing my back. I smiled at him and went about packing some snacks. “Of course I want to lay in my hammock. It’s my th
~Three Months Later~ ~Finch’s Point of View~ “Everyday, better and better,” I laughed, staring down at the headlines of several newspapers. I’d started a little collection. Might even use them as wallpaper. “Downfall of Astor Connects Execs: Guilty Pleas All Around” “Millions Swindled From Payroll At AC By Its Own Lawyer Recovered” “Grace Astor Turns AC Into The Most Diverse and Inclusive Employer” “AC Stocks Soar As Company Reinvents Itself” I ran my fingers over the one about Grace. So … damn proud of her. Just then the door burst open and I moved my laptop onto the table with the papers. “Cover of Forbes,” Grace shouted, squealing. I grinned as she ran into her office and fell into my lap on the couch. Well, as much as a woman who is a couple weeks away from having quadruplets can do. She kind of just waddles at this point but it's too cute. Her poor feet get so swollen that she wears slippers now everywhere she goes. The smile and happiness that radiated off of her fill
~Grace’s Point of View~ “There’s no way I’m leaving you alone with him. He could shift and snatch you up and--” I held up my hand to indicate Jack needed to calm down. I rubbed my belly and then grabbed his hand to put it on there too. “Jack, he’s not going to hurt a preggo. He won’t,” I said, trying to believe myself. It seemed like the babies were literally all Warrick cared about, so he would protect them. He had to. Jack’s eyes darted to Finch, who shrugged. “What would you even say,” Finch asked, adding his hand to my tummy. “I do better when I’m on the spot, when I’m just speaking from the heart. I’ll figure it out,” I said, putting my hands on each of their shoulders. “Who even knows where he is right now. Probably tormenting someone,” Jack said, sighing. I looked up to the sky. For all I cared I could just march out into a big open space, or the beach and scream for him. Supposed to have that good shifter hearing right? That was all I had anyhow, seemed like a good pl
~Grace’s Point of View~ I laid still, staring at Finch as he slept. Needless to say, their revelation about what my father did definitely destroyed my mood. My father … gave years of his life to help a stranger? He wouldn’t even meet me for dinner? I had boyfriends on and off in my 20’s all the time, several I brought home. Mom would either smile or stick her nose up. Dad hardly ever met them, he was never around. He never asked about them, if they made me happy. He never asked much about me … as a person. Of course all I wanted to know was the big question… Why did he do it? Would he have even done it for me? That thought, made me sick. A shadow cast over the back of the teepee, and I knew someone was there. I had no clue if they were here for me, or if I could even get up without waking my mates. The answer came on its own, when the woman I knew to be Ensley stuck her head in the flap, nearly making me jump. She gave a big wave of her arm and a smile. I sat up and looked at Jac
~Grace’s Point of View~ “And would you believe little Jack got bit by that snake right on his--” “Mom! Really,” Jack whined, not enjoying the story hour. I giggled and slapped his leg. Iris and his entire family, minus the absent father were incredible. Really just sweet people even if they’re all okay with lots of nudity. In front of their family. Weird. They also had a different vocabulary on a lot of things, though I was able to mostly follow along. I was relieved Jack thought to pack some drinks and food he knew I’d like. They’re both just so damn thoughtful. I yawned, stretching out in front of the fire. I’d never been camping before, nothing even close to this. But I supposed as a shifter this was just natural, normal. Jack moved behind me and held me tight. “Can I take you somewhere,” he whispered, his voice dangerous. It sent tingles all over my body. Though it doesn’t take much anymore. I’m now like the female version of Finch, it’s all I think about. It’s just a matter
~Jack’s Point of View~ DING DONG Nox immediately put up his guard, who the hell was ringing my bell at 8am? His shifter senses knew right away though who it was, well the two people. “Brenda, morning, Felix. You guys are awfully…” I trailed off, taking in the backpacks they had on. “Morning, so glad you wanted to come,” Grace said, practically shoving me aside. *What is going on? I thought we were going away with our mate. ALONE,* Nox bellowed, not happy. I let out a weak laugh, so did I. So did I. What are you doing Grace? *Did you know about this,* I asked Finch, over mind-link. He popped out of the bathroom, toothbrush still in hand. *Uhm, what the…* he trailed off. “Morning newlyweds,” Brenda said, a little too chipper. She had a huge tote bag that Nox was telling me had a lot of herbs and spices. Oh no. No, no no no no. “Grace, baby… Are we… Having our honeymoon at the Sky Light,” I asked, timidly. “Yeah! I thought it was a great idea. I hardly got to see much o