Shay's Point of view.
I wake up slowly, blinking my eyes trying to figure out what woke me. I feel something move next to me and turn my head looking into two excited little eyes.
"Morning mommy"
Zayde sing songs and I groan, running my hand over my face.
"Zayde, it's still dark out. What time is it?"
I ask looking at the clock.
"It's barely 6:30 am. Why are you awake?"
Zayde shrugs.
"I couldn't sleep. I want to watch some cartoons."
I nod and open the covers for him.
"Fine, get in. I'll put on some cartoons for you will I sleep a little while longer yeah?"
Zayde nods and gives me a big smile while climbing into bed with me.
"Okay mommy! I love you."
I kiss his head after I put on some cartoons for him.
"I love you too baby."
I lay down next to him and close my eyes.
A little over an hour later I wake up again, looking beside me to see Zayde fast asleep with the cartoons still playing on the tv.
I smile and shake my head as I sit up and stretch.
I head over to the bathroom to do my morning routine before I make myself some coffee, and head to my laptop. Might as well check in with the shop and get some work done.
Two hours in I hear Zayde starting to toss and turn, indicating he's about the wake up. I look up and wait for him to open his eyes before I give him a big smile.
"Good morning baby! Did you have a nice sleep?"
He nods at me with a sleepy smile before he yawns.
"I'm hungry now."
I look down at my watch and nod at him.
"Okay. Lets go get you dressed and then we can head down for breakfast."
He nods and gets out of bed, making his way over to the door connecting our rooms.
It doesn't take long to get Zayde dressed and we make our way down the stairs, hand in hand.
"Is daddy done yet?"
Zayde looks up at me questioningly and I shake my head.
"No, baby. I'm sorry but he's still busy. He'll only be done sometime after lunch."
Zayde sighs.
"Why does he have to work? Isn't the Alpha the boss?"
He asks with a frown and I smile.
"That's exactly why he has to work. Yes technically the Alpha is the boss. But you have to lead by example. Daddy has to work to motivate the other pack members. An Alpha has the most important job in the pack. He has to make sure the pack has money; food; housing and he has to make sure that the pack is kept safe."
"Being alpha sounds hard."
I nod.
"It is. And it's a very big responsibility."
"So an alpha protects the pack when it's attack? Like when we were at uncle Dan's? And daddy come to help too?"
"Yes baby. A good alpha fights and protects his people. A good alpha also helps does that need it."
He frowns, thinking.
"Am I going to be an Alpha someday?"
"Well.. Yes.. Technically you are the next alpha of this pack. Just like your grandfather handed the pack over to daddy, one day when you're all grown up daddy will hand down the pack to you."
"And then I'd have to do all the hard work?"
"Yes. Then you'll do all the hard work."
"And protect the pack?"
"Yes, and protect the pack."
He looks down at his shoes, a frown on his face and clearly thinking hard about something. But before I can ask him he nods his head and looks up.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
I ask confused.
"Yes. Okay. I'll be a good Alpha someday. Like daddy. I'll do all the hard work and make sure were safe. I don't want anyone getting hurt like grandpa."
I hear the tinge of sadness in his voice and I pull him close to me.
"Then you are going to be a great alpha baby."
He gives me a big smile and I smile back just as we enter the dining hall.
"Zayde!"
"Jason!"
The two yell simultaneously and run to each other.
I smile at them and shake my head before grabbing us plates and heading over to the buffet.
As soon as I'm done getting food I make my way over to the table where Zayde is already seated next to Jason.
I smile at Amy and Diana and they both smile back at me..
"Hi, how did you sleep?"
"Good morning Diana. Good thank you. Although Zayde woke me up early to watch cartoons. Luckily I got in a little more sleep while he was watching cartoons, and he fell asleep as well so I got a chance to get some work done that's been pilling up."
"Good, I'm glad you had a good sleep. Is everything okay back home? Is it okay for you to be away this long?"
I shrug.
"My manager is pretty good at her job. There are a few appointments we had to cancel because people wanted to meet with me personally but I told them I'm on indefinite leave until further notice. For the most part everything is going good over there without me. But at some point I would have to go back to sort some things out."
"Have you and Zane talked about you going back?"
Amy asks, eating some of her scrambled eggs and I nod.
"Briefly.. He mentioned at some point we'd all go down to get our stuff but we haven't really discussed it yet. We've decided to just enjoy these few days together."
Diana and Amy both nod.
"So what are your plans for today?"
I shrug again eating my bacon, watching Zayde and Jason eating and talking.
"I have no idea. But I'm starting to think whatever it is, it's going to involve Jason."
Diana and Amy both look over at the boys and smile.
"It would seem that way. Gosh.. This reminds me so much of when Zane; Jake and Ryan were little. They were inseparable."
I smile and nod.
"Dan; Liam and Austin were the same. I'm glad they bonded this quickly. Now they just need their third."
Amy nods.
"Yes, I know he's free to choose his own beta and gamma.. But I really do hope they come out of the current families."
"Me too. I'm pretty sure Jason is going to be in the mix, but Megan's little one is going to be quite a bit younger than them.. I guess we'll just have to wait and see."
They both nod, all of us still looking at the boys, before Amy turns to me again with a smile.
"Okay, so back to what you are doing today. I know Zane wants to show you around, so how about we just head out to the park with the boys and pack a picnic basket?"
I smile and nod.
"That actually sounds great. Would you like to join us?"
I ask, turning to Diana and she nods giving me a big smile.
"I would love to join you."
Amy stands and nods.
"Great, I'm just going to go get Jason ready and then we'll meet in the kitchen in 20?"
Diana and I nod at her before she picks up her little one, heading for the stairs.
Diana stands up and motions to me and Zayde.
"Come on, let's go get the picnic basket ready while we wait for Amy and Jason to come back. You can pick anythingyou want, would you like that?"
Zayde nods excitedly and rushes into the kitchen. Diana and I laugh, shaking our heads and follow him into the kitchen.