The coffee shop is completely crowded, way more people than we had originally planned for. Last year when we had the karaoke contest, only about thirty people showed up. Too say that I was surprised when Xania read me the final count- one hundred and thirty-three- would be an understatement.
Ollie is currently in charge of keeping score, marking who is going to sing against who in the next round. Laughter is filling the air as two of the regulars at the coffee shop, an elderly couple, battle it out to a song about poker faces.
"This is great, Milo," Maya says from beside me, sipping at her peppermint hot chocolate.
"Thanks," I say, a smile on my face as I adjust Adalia in my arms. She is nearly a month old, still pretty scrunched looking, but cute anyway. She is fast asleep in my arms, not minding the loud music. "So far, we hit our goal, and the contest isn't even half over yet."
"It was a great idea. A fun way to get everyone out of the rain and buying your goodies. And all the works that you are allowing the local artists to show are amazing."
They really are. A couple times a year, I like to have an exhibit for some of the artists from Willow Creek and some of the other smaller towns close by. There are sixteen of them this time, their works displayed in the bookshop. I have been checking on them periodically, but David is the one running the show in there. People are bidding on the pieces, and it is easy to see that the artists are excited.
Shrugging my shoulders, I readjust Adalia so that she is laying on my shoulder. "It's fun for all of us. Besides, this way I can have a few hours without Ollie hovering over me."
"Oh please, like you don't love it," she says, readjusting the sock that is about to fall off of her daughter's foot. "Every time he dotes you practically preen."
"I do not!" I say, and Maya just rolls her eyes.
"Milo, you two are so in love it is practically gross. Add in the fact that you are actually starting to show, and the two of you are inseparable. You love the attention just as much as he loves giving it."
My mouth falls open to argue with her, but when no words come out, I snap it closed. She just raises an eyebrow at me, knowing that I can't argue with her.
We sit there silently for a few minutes, before Maya reaches over, setting her hand on my arm and giving it a small squeeze. "You two are good for each other. I don't think I have ever seen you this happy."
A small smile spreads across my face as one of my hands drops down to my stomach. I really am starting to show now. At my last appointment, I had been worried that I wasn't showing yet, nervous that I wasn't gaining enough weight. Dr. Romero had been quick to assure me that everything is progressing nicely. Next week we would even be able to find out the genders.
"He makes me feel like I am worth it."
"You are worth it," Maya says, wrapping an arm around my waist and giving me a tight hug. "Nico and I worried about you for years, but it looks like you have everything figured out now."
Nodding my head, I lean against her, taking comfort in her presence as we watch the next few singers get up on the makeshift stage that Nico and Ollie had spent all of last night constructing.
It isn't until Adalia wakes up, crying from hunger, that Maya steps away. "Mind if I nurse her in your office?"
"Not at all," I tell her, digging around in my pocket for my keys. She takes them, giving me a grateful smile while carrying her whining baby into the only quite part of the building.
Arms wrap around me not a second later, causing me to startle slightly. A familiar laugh greets me as Ollie presses a soft kiss against my ear, hands coming up to rest on my stomach. "How are all of my loves doing?"
A blush spreads up my cheeks, but I roll my eyes at his ridiculousness. Leaning back into him, I rest my hands over his, reveling in his warmth. The snow just started up again outside, making it chilly here by the windows.
"We're fine, maybe a little tired, but nothing too unusual."
"Do you want to go lay down?" he asks, thumb rubbing a gentle caress on my hip. "Nico and I have everything covered out here, and David seems to be doing okay with the art exhibit."
"No, I like it out here," I murmur, turning my head to catch Ollie's lips in a quick kiss. "Besides, I can't sleep well when I'm alone."
Ollie's lips turn up into a grin, for once, being appeased by my words instead of worrying. I guess there really is a first time for everything.
Someone is calling Ollie's name, causing us both to turn in the direction it is coming from. Nico is standing to the right, frantically waving his arm in an effort to catch our attention. He quickly waves Ollie over while trying to appease the arguing couple in front of him. It really can be hard to judge who wins the round sometimes, and it seems like Nico is in some need of help.
"Go, before they decide to take my brother out," I say, barely containing my laughter as the couple turns on Nico, his eyes widening significantly.
"Be back soon, love," Ollie says, pressing one more kiss to my lips before heading in the direction of my brother.
Letting out a tired sigh, I head back over to the recliner that sits in front of the fireplace. It feels wonderful to sink into the cushions, and not a minute later, Joey is bustling over, bringing me a cup of steaming tea, as well as a pumpkin muffin.
"Everything is under control, so go ahead and rest, Mr. Katz," he says, not letting me protest before heading back over to the coffee bar, where a line of people are waiting. Xania is handling them fine, used to being hassled for drinks.
The rest of the night passes quickly, with a young beta winning the karaoke competition. He left this place completely flustered, a one-hundred-dollar gift card that he can use interchangeably between the coffee shop and bookstore, a box full of free books of his choosing, and two tickets to the touring Broadway show that will be coming in a few months. After I had finished handing him everything, he had quietly asked if we are hiring, and I had quickly said yes, scheduling an interview for tomorrow afternoon.
Overall, it had been a successful night. We had over tripled our sales goal, something that I had never even imagined. Some of the artists had left their paintings behind to be sold later on, and every customer had left happy. By the time we are finally locking up at ten, I am completely exhausted but satisfied.
"My feet are killing me," I grumble, quickly climbing into the car as Ollie turns the engine over.
"Good thing you got the morning off tomorrow. We can both sleep in for as long as we want, and I'll make breakfast for us in the morning."
"Isn't Virginia expecting us tomorrow?" I ask, barely managing to keep my eyes open. "I don't want to let her down."
Ollie just chuckles. "I talked to her a few hours ago, telling her that we wouldn't be able to make it. She was fine with it, but made me promise that we would be coming over Sunday morning instead."
His words bring a smile to my face. Virginia has been wonderful, but completely overbearing, lately. She has been stopping by a couple times a week, every time bringing over something new for me or the babies. She is almost more excited than we are, already having bought a crib for the babies to share at her place.
It always makes a bit of sadness spread through me when I hear her gushing about the babies, wishing my own parents were as supportive as her.
Nico had talked to them a couple of times since Christmas. Apparently they have been asking about me even more, which makes me nervous. They have even started calling me, something that hasn't happened in a while. But the thought of talking to them and hearing them scold me about how I am not acting as an omega should, has me frowning. Every call has been sent to voicemail.
"Milo, love, we're home."
Ollie's voice has me blinking open my eyes, surprised that I had managed to fall asleep. Never before have I been able to fall asleep in the car. This pregnancy has thrown me completely off of my usual habits.
"Bed," I grumble, causing Ollie to laugh.
He helps me out of the car, locking it quickly before pulling me to the house. Emmie is waiting for us as usual, walking between our legs while Ollie locks the door and guides us to the bathroom.
"I'll take care of Emmie, while you get ready for bed."
Nodding my head, I watch as he bends down to pick up the cat, cuddling her close to his chest as he walks out of the bathroom. While he takes care of her, I take the quickest shower possible while being half asleep, brushing my teeth as well.
It can't be more than five minutes later when I am crawling into the bed, too tired to put on any pajamas. The bed shifts a little while later as Ollie crawls in after me. It feels wonderful to have him holding me, hand resting on the curve of my stomach. It had become impossible to sleep without him, and without either of us even talking about it, I had moved into his room. It had been the best decision I have made in a while.
It seems like I have just fallen asleep when I am being woken again. Ollie is grumbling beside me, already rolling out of bed. Looking around the room, I see that the sun is just starting to rise, making me wonder what could have possibly woken me up.
Voices come from the front room, heated ones. My heart starts to pound as I recognize those voices. With shaky arms, I push myself out of bed, slipping my robe on and tying it closed.
The voices get louder as I walk into the living room, suddenly stopping when the owners of the voices notice that I am in the room.
My heart stops when my eyes land on them. "Ama, Oma, what are you doing here?"
*****
For the month of November, updates are only going to be once a week. This is so I can balance writing two books at once without getting overwhelmed. But, once November is over, the twice-a-week updates will continue.