Filed to story: Sorry Alpha I Am Wolfless Novel
That wasn’t how he was driving right now though. He was barely doing the speed limit, and he was being so cautious that several people were going around him. He would make sure that he had such a large and clear opening for his turn, waiting for the perfect timing, and several people were blaring their horns at him before he actually turned the SUV onto the needed road.
Joaquin was changing lanes slowly and cautiously. He was watching everything with intense scrutiny, and if there wasn’t fifty feet or more between cars, he didn’t merge. I thought it was funny. In all honesty, it was really adorable. Joaquin, my Joaquin used to be a little speed demon, though he was not so little anywhere at all, but now it was like he was afraid of speed.
I know what caused it. I know what made Joaquin go from “Fast and the Furious” to “Driving Miss Daisy” – Reagan and Rika of course. He was driving safe and slow to protect them. He was already such a good father. Though he was doubling our drive time back home. Oh well, that was just more time I got to stare at the tiny little faces on either side of me.
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Riviana
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I had been expecting this. I really had. So when Reese pulled into the garage, the door opened to a spill people – Emmalee, Nikki, Katie, Heather, Falena, Rawlynne, Lana, Ella, and of course Mom. I was told later that Juniper was made to stay home because she was getting so close to her due date, and Acacia was having a hard day with the triplets.
The women that had been there though had flooded out into the garage so that they could welcome Reagan and Rika home. I know they said this was a party for us all, but I wasn’t fooled. This too was a problem with having so many people around you and being in important positions. I didn’t hate it, but it made it so that even going home with your newborn children could become a social event.
Joaquin carried the bags inside while Mom and Lila helped me to unhook the car seats from their bases. There were ten women aside from myself in the garage and half of them were experienced mothers. They showed me what it was that I needed to do and helped us all get inside.
After we were inside, we walked to the main living room that we used as a familyroom. It had been decorated with balloons and banners that said ‘WELCOME HOME RIVIANA’, ‘WELCOME HOME RIKA’, and ‘WELCOME HOME REAGAN’. There were snacks and easy to eat foods placed around and drinks such as juice and water sitting at the ready.
Someone had thought ahead and brought in a pair of bassinets for us to lay the babies in while they were sleeping. Joaquin and I worked together to get Reagan and Rika out of their seats and into our arms.
The change in environment seemed to already be too much for them, and they both started to cry at almost the same time. It was also getting close to their mid-morning meal. Joaquin and I worked hard to calm them down, soothing them and patting their backs. The bad thing was that along with the women in the garage there were all their mates and more for the men: Dad, Grandfather, Noah, Carter, Vincent, Shane, David, Griffin, Riley, Jackson, Devon, and Trevor. All those people, or at least most of them, had been parents before and wanted to give their input on how to sooth our children. I was just glad that we managed to get them calmed down quickly so that they didn’t have to keep trying to ‘help’.
“I think they want their next meal early.” I smiled at Joaquin. “I am going to take them upstairs to feed them. You stay down here with everyone.”
“Are you sure you don’t want my help? I can come with you, you know.” He looked worried, and a little afraid of being left out.
“I am fine Joaquin. We won’t be long; I will come down as soon as we’re done.”
“Do you want me to come with you?” Katie offered. “I haven’t gotten to see them yet, and you might need another pair of hands until you’re used to juggling them.” She was smiling sweetly and she, thankfully, hadn’t been one of those that had been trying to be helpful a moment before.
“Thank you, Katie, that would be nice.”
Together the two of us went to the nursery that Joaquin had prepared for us. Her eyes went wide when she saw it.
“Oh wow! I bet this cost a pretty penny to have designed and remodeled.”
“Actually, Joaquin designed and remodeled the whole room. He did it all by himself. He was even going to make custom furniture from scratch, but I put my foot down for that one. He’s not a carpenter, and it wasn’t going well.” I giggled as I sat in one of the gliding rocker chairs he had gotten for us. Katie sat in the one next to me with Rika in her arms.
“Really? Oh my Goddess, that is some amazing talent that he has. This is phenomenal.”
“I know, I was so proud of him for this.”
I was already pulling down the shoulder of the loose top so that I could feed Reagan. This may be a different place and in a different situation with no nurses here to help me, but I was used to it by now. I was able to get the babies latched quickly most of the time, and they eagerly ate their food that only I could provide for them. That alone made me feel so needed.
After a few minutes Reagan had eaten his fill, which was still less than I ever thought it would be. I placed him on my chest and burped him gently. When he was sleeping soundly, Katie stood to switch babies with me. She handed me Rika whom I tucked into the crook of my arm opposite of Reagan; then she took Reagan and sat back down to rock gently in the chair. I repeated the process for my daughter that I did for my son. After a few minutes, I burped her, and they were done eating.
I wanted to change their diapers as well, I knew they needed that, and it would be best to do it while I had someone here to help. Katie just held one baby while I changed the other. I could tell there was something she wanted to say, but she seemed nervous, like she didn’t know how to start it.
“Just spit it out, Katie.” I giggled at her as I picked Reagan up from the changing table. “You’re dying to tell me something, so what is it?”
“I noticed you were a little, well, let’s say annoyed when the others were offering their advice. Try not to let it get to you. The same happened to me, and it happens to all new moms. All the baby experts within a hundred miles will come out of the woodwork to teach you how to be a good parent. It doesn’t mean they think you can’t do it; it just means they don’t want you to be overwhelmed. My advice is to let them talk, let their words go in one ear and out the other. Filter it maybe if you want. Catch things that sound important. Other than that, don’t let any of it make you feel like less of a mother. I can already tell, Riviana, you’re an amazing mother.”
Her words made my heart melt, and I wanted to cry, but I couldn’t. I needed to get back downstairs to the party, and I didn’t want to have puffy eyes.
“Thank you, Katie. I needed to hear that!” I hugged her from the side awkwardly since we were both holding a baby in our arms. After that, we went back to the party that was being held for me and the babies.
When I went into the room, I saw Joaquin standing near the fireplace with Trevor and Riley. One was a cousin that was also like his brother, and the other was a best friend that he loved like a brother. When I saw that they were here, I knew he was going to be spending time with them since they were not around all that often.
Katie and I went right over to them; since two of the three men were our husbands, it seemed like the normal thing to do.
“Riviana.” Joaquin seemed happy to have me back down at the party. He leaned down to kiss my cheek and then the top of Reagan’s head. “Hey baby.” He was talking to our son, and I thought that baby voice of his was just so adorable. Joaquin was already a great dad.
“Hey there, Riviana.” Riley came over and hugged me then, but only after Joaquin took Reagan from my arms.
“Hey Riley, it’s nice to see you.” I hugged back and watched as Katie went to stand next to him. “These babies are so cute. I am very surprised that Joaquin had anything to do with making them.” There was a hint of laughter in his voice.
“Shut up you f-.”
“Joaquin!” I scolded him before he could finish the word he was about to say. “Do not use that language while holding our children.” His ears turned pink, and he looked embarrassed.
“I’m sorry sweetheart.”
“Haha, now that’s priceless!” Trevor was shaking with laughter. “The big bad Alpha was knocked down by his Luna. Are you gonna go lick your wounds now, Otis?”