Playing You (Omega's Luck #3) - Claire Cullen Page 0,74

get settled in,” Zac said, pushing to his feet. “Remember, we’re only a phone call away, day or night.”

“Thanks for welcoming us home,” Riley said, wiping at his eyes again but managing a genuine smile that lit them up.

“Wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” Harper said. “The twins are adorable. I can’t wait until they’re old enough to play with our kiddos. It’ll be the best kind of chaos.”

Brendan walked the omegas to the door, thanking them again, before heading back inside to sit with Riley. The omega looked tired, struggling to keep his eyes open.

“Do you want to go lie down upstairs for a while ?”

“Too tired. I think I’ll stay right here. Would you stay with me?”

“Of course.”

Brendan checked on the babies, making sure they were both sleeping soundly, then kicked off his shoes. He helped Riley stretch out along the comfortable couch, then slid in behind him, wrapping his arms around the omega while being mindful of his bandages.

“This okay?”

Riley snuggled against him with a sigh. “Better than okay. I’m so glad we’re home.”

“Me, too.” Home had just gotten bigger somehow, more important. His house hadn’t really been a home until he’d brought Riley into it. And now their little family had doubled in an instant. It should have felt overwhelming, but it didn’t. It felt complete.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

When Brendan offered to put off his family’s visit for another week, Riley wouldn’t let him. But as the time of their arrival drew near, he started to wish he had. They were only home from the hospital a week, the house seemed to be perpetually messy, and he felt like he spent all his time feeding babies and sleeping. Brendan was doing the lion’s share of everything else, and Riley couldn’t help but feel guilty. What would Angie and Grams think when they saw? But it was too late to change his mind, and Brendan flat out refused to let Riley pick up a dishcloth let alone a broom. He had to content himself with sitting on the couch and watching as the alpha blitzed around the place cleaning.

“Couldn’t I just—”

“No.”

“But what about—”

Brendan stopped what he was doing and turned to him. “They’re not expecting perfection, Riley. Both Grams and Angie have lived through the newborn stage, multiple times. They’re excited to see us. They’re not going to care if the house looks lived in.”

“There’s spit-up on the couch cushion,” Riley said morosely.

“Then I’ll clean it. Just try to relax.”

But he couldn’t, not with all the anticipation. He’d dressed the babies in their nicest outfits and gotten himself showered and dressed for what felt like the first time in days. He wanted to make a good impression. Or, at least, he didn’t want to make a terrible one.

The sound of a car pulling up outside had dread rolling through him.

“I’ll let them in. Stay here, let them come to you.” Brendan set aside the cleaning cloth and hurried out to the hall.

Riley forced himself not to follow, though he did quickly check on the babies asleep in their bassinets. It was just coming to the end of their nap time, perfect timing for Grams and Angie to meet them.

Footsteps came his way, the door opening to reveal Grams.

“There’s my darling son-in-law.” She kept her voice to a whisper as she tiptoed across the floor. “Brendan said the little ones were sleeping.” She peered into the bassinets, her gaze fond. “Aren’t they dotes?”

To Riley’s surprise, she came and sat down next to him. “We’ll let them sleep while we catch up. Angie and Brendan are just bringing in the bags. How are you, dear? You look pale.”

“I’m okay,” Riley hurried to assure her. “The babies are feeding well.”

“If there’s one thing most babies are good at, it’s eating. Now, I brought some cream my friend Mavis gave me. It’s supposed to be wonderful for promoting healing. You can put it in your bath water or massage it into the skin once the wound is closed. It smells heavenly too.”

“I… I guess I could try it.”

“Angie used it after her C-section, didn’t you, dear?”

“Yes, Grams. I can’t say whether it made a difference or I just felt it did. Though it is very soothing.” Angie moved over to the bassinets, watching the babies with a smile on her face.

“You had a C-section?”

“With my youngest. My blood pressure rocketed, his heartbeat dropped. It was all very dramatic.” She shuddered at the recollection.

“Did it feel different to your other kids?”

Riley had managed