“Good luck,” I tell them both as they head outside into the cold frigged winter air while I stay inside warm and cozy with my other Alpha.
“Elliot totally knows how to ski, doesn’t he?” Forrest asks, totally calling out our pack mates bullshit.
“Hmm. I’m not sure.”
I shove another bite of waffle into my mouth and Forrest rubs my back, knowing that Elliot is definitely playing Wells.
“Everything is all set for next weekend. It’s going to be a packed house with everyone’s family,” Forrest says, and I can feel a sense of sadness radiating off him.
I obviously have known Elliot’s small family my whole life and getting to know Wells’ family has been exciting. It’s going to be difficult managing my time with everyone who’s coming. That just means I have no time to ski. What a shame.
“We’re all a family now, a sizable one,” I tell him, placing a hand on his large thigh.
“I know that. I just wish my grandpa could see this place, see you. I wish I had someone to invite for the weekend is all.”
Well, great, I’m going to fucking cry. In my snowsuit, waffle still in hand, I sit on my Alpha’s lap and kiss his cheek, even giving him a bite of my waffle.
“One day we’ll be someone’s parents who they invite on trips. Our family is only going to get bigger over the years. You’ll always have someone to invite.”
It’s the wrong thing to say, because Forrest has become slightly obsessed with getting me pregnant. He plants a hand over my stomach and I swat it away.
“The only thing in there is a waffle, but I think maybe next year.”
It’s the first time I’ve given him a definitive date and his deep brown eyes wrinkled with his smile make it all worth it. I know it won’t matter who is biologically the father of my children. I’ve seen it firsthand with my own parents, but I definitely want each of my men to have that experience.
“I think the fairest way would be oldest to youngest,” I muse and that earns me more kisses on the cheek.
After I finish my food, Forrest and I stay in the lodge for a bit longer, until we get a text that Elliot’s lesson is over and we’re meeting on the Highway to Hell lift. At first, I speculated that this lift led to the worst of the worst slopes, but it turns out Forrest’s grandfather was just a big AC/DC fan.
As much as I want to get these ski boots off, I also need to see how this pans out.
“How did he do, Lucy?” Wells asks Elliot’s instructor.
She’s a Beta I’ve gotten to know a little since the season started and I’m on a mission to make her my friend. She’s had a rough couple of years and working here seems to be the one bright spot in her life. While there’s a hint of sadness that shows in her smile, she’s got a wicked dry sense of humor.
I tilt my head and appraise her again. She’s a tiny little thing, cute as a button. I smile to myself; I think I know a particularly tortured Beta she might just hit it off with.
“I think another lesson or two and we’ll be on to some harder greens,” Lucy says.
Before Wells can respond, I shuffle on my skis between them.
“Lucy, are you working next weekend?”
“I’ll be here. Why do you need a lesson from a real professional?” she asks, pointing her pole at Wells.
“You’re all giving me a fucking complex,” Wells complains and we laugh.
“Just wondering. I have a lot of family coming into town and some of them could definitely use a refresher lesson.”
“Absolutely. I could use as many lessons as I can take right now,” Lucy says, and I jab Elliot with my pole.
It takes him a moment as he unzips his pocket and hands her a tip.
“See you next weekend, Lucy,” I say with a happy wave.
“You know he doesn’t like to be set up,” Elliot says, already knowing my devious plans.
“I just want to help Shiloh, she’s never been skiing before.”