Chapter 60 PROPER ARRANGEMENTS
GALLAHAN’S POV
“That is not a problem for me,” I said carefully, keeping my voice even and my face passive to try and hide my glee over the fact that after six fucking long years, my bond with Willa would finally be complete. “The person you should be talking to now is Willa. She loathes me with burning passion, so… I believe it’s her who needs to be sat down with and be talked to. I highly doubt she will agree.”
Bullcrap.
I was certain Willa had already agreed. As a mother, there was no way she wouldn’t swallow her pride for the sake of our children. Greggory Alfiero wouldn’t also have brought this up if he knew his own granddaughter didn’t consent.
“Willa has already agreed,” Greggory replied, levelling me with his gaze that was slightly unnerving in its shrewdness. “She is willing to do whatever is necessary for Calisto and Gillian.”
“Then all is well.”
“Indeed,” he said slowly, his eyes still studying my face as if trying to decipher the thoughts and emotions that lay beneath my carefully constructed mask.
But then a heartbeat later, he huffed a sigh and said, “Very well. Let us head downstairs to discuss the necessary arrangements for the long nesting period. I suspect it could last for two weeks to a month.”
“Right,” I mumbled, my gaze darting to the faces of my children.
As if sensing my hesitation to leave their side, Greggory suddenly said as he rose from the bed, “You may stay here if you wish. We shall discuss it Willa, and she can just inform you later.”
“Thank you,” I said without bothering to look up.
His cane thunked repeatedly as he made his exit, and it faded into nothing after the door clicked shut, leaving me in utter stillness with my pups.
“Hi,” I murmured to Calisto and Gillian, shifting slightly to make myself a tad bit more comfortable. “I don’t know for certain if you can hear me, but sweethearts, I’m here now. Daddy’s here, and I cannot wait to meet you properly. To know you and spend time with you…”
My voice faltered as a lump gradually formed in my throat.
Fucking hell.
It had only been my first night of fatherhood, and yet it already managed to throw me into a whirlpool of emotions I didn’t know I was capable of feeling.
Ultimately, it made me too soft to a degree that was uncomfortable and foreign.
Still, I continued my monologue, taking comfort in the fact that there was no one else in the room.
“I’m sorry, my little ones. I’m sorry I haven’t been with you since the beginning, but I swear under the moon that I will stay from now on. That I will make it up to you. Your Mommy will simply have to deal with it."
It was then that I finally took notice of William’s ceremonial robe, making me scowl. Quietly and ever so carefully, I removed the offending garment and replaced it with mine.
“This is the first of the many times I will be tucking you in bed, little ones,” I murmured as I patted the robe in place.
Satisfied in seeing one of my own stuff on the nest, I settled back on the floor, while I let my arms fold on the edge of the bed.
Tranquil silence consumed the room as I contented myself in watching the steady rise and fall of Calisto’s and Gillian’s chest as they breathed.
I wasn’t sure how long I spent just sitting there and watching, but it didn’t feel that long before my little moment with my pups was interrupted by three hesitant knocks and Willa’s mildly muffled voice.
“May I come in?”
My back straightened like an iron rod, and my arms fell from where they were perched on the bed. Still, I didn’t bother getting back on my feet.
“G-Gallahan?”
At the cautious call of my name, I quietly cleared my throat free of any emotions that might cling to my voice when I speak.
Then, after taking a deep breath, I said, “Feel free to come in, Miss Alfiero. After all, this is your home, and I am the guest.”
The door slowly swung open, and Willa came in, looking unsure of herself. Her eyes refused to meet mine, and her left hand was busily pulling at the fingers on her right.
“I am just here to inform you that we will be staying here for the nesting. We will move Gillian and Calisto in my bedroom, since it’s the most spacious one in the house. Sarina, my friend, had already resized the bed to fit all four of us and the things we wish to have in our nest.”
She paused for a moment, as if she was giving me a chance to give my input about the matter.
However, all I said in return was, “Anything else?”
“Uh, yes. With regards to the matter of your personal belongings, William will see to it that Miss Banfey will prepare them for you. He will also personally bring them over. Probably by tomorrow. Then about our meals. It will be taken care of, of course. Rorie and Nattie, our family munchkins, will just come and go to serve us meals and collect them afterwards. They will also leave us some nourishing potions for the kids. It’s for when they regain consciousness.”
Again, Willa paused, seemingly waiting for me to say something.
But what was I supposed to say when everything seemed to be taken care of already?
So I simply settled with an acknowledging hum and a simple, “I see.”
“Also…” Willia trailed off, her face taking a deep shade of pink. “All of them left already to give us some privacy to… to…”
Willa visibly swallowed. Her fidgeting grew harsher, and she began to gnaw on her lower lip.
“I understand,” I said softly as I got back on my feet. Then I gestured at the door, saying, “Lead the way. Surely, we wouldn’t be doing it here.”
The pinkish tint on Willa’s face just grew more prominent, and I almost worried about the possibility that she might just end up combusting.
“Of course,” she mumbled before she stiffly made her exit out of the room.
But I didn’t follow her immediately. I took a moment to bend down and place a kiss on Calisto’s and Gillian’s forehead, whispering a promise that Willa and I will be back for them soon and ignoring the hint of wolf ears that had begun to protrude on their heads.
It was worrying how fast their inner wolves were gaining control over them, but I shoved down the concern and took comfort in the fact that we were already doing something to solve the problem.
But that ‘something’ might not be one I could stomach. Sure, I had my fair share of killings and tortures, but I had never, ever, forced myself on a woman.
And I wasn’t going to start now.
“Miss Alfiero,” I said, calling the attention of the woman who looked seconds away from bolting out of the small and plain guest room as she stood by the twin-sized bed and ceaselessly pulled on her fingers.
With a defeated sigh, I said, “I don’t think I can do this.”