Colton reached over and placed a supporting hand on Rheia's shoulder. She smiled at him gratefully.
Aiden paled and pulled Meryn into his lap. "What does that mean exactly?"
"It means I'll have to have a C-section for sure. I'll be cut from here," she pointed to one side then dragged her finger horizontally across her midsection, "to here."
"My poor mate," Aiden said sounding slightly ill.
"That's right buddy, I may not be able to have chocolate, but you owe me desserts and lots of them." Meryn said snuggling close.
Colton noticed that Rheia had to look away to hide her smile. Poor Aiden.
Colton frowned when suddenly something very warm spilled across his lap and down his legs. He looked down and Penny had a blissful expression on her face. Stirring, she opened her eyes and blinked. He knew the exact second she realized what she'd done. Her tiny face contorted into silent tears and she reached out for Rheia.
"What happened?" Rheia demanded.
Colton winced looking down. "I think we may have had an accident."
Penny's small frame shook with sobs as she hid her face in embarrassment.
"Shh, baby, it's okay. Look, Colton doesn't mind, do you?" she asked giving him a look.
Colton scooted over until he was in Penny's old seat next to Rheia.
"Of course I don't mind. Look at it this way kiddo, you marked me, now you have to keep me," he said, rubbing her back.
When Penny looked up her bottom lip trembled. He took her tiny hand and kissed it. "Accidents happen; it's nothing a little water won't fix. I'm not mad at all and no one minds. Everyone's had accidents before, right guys?" Colton asked giving everyone a look identical to the one he'd just received from Rheia.
A chorus of agreements sounded off around the table. Penny sniffled, but didn't hide her face again.
Rheia turned to Colton. "Can you do me a huge favor and run to the store to get her some pull-ups for nights? We've had a lot of excitement and scary things happen in the past couple days, plus she's in an unfamiliar place, so I'd rather be safe than sorry. I think she'll be back to normal after she adjusts."
"Sure I can get some, no problem," Colton said.
Relief filled his mate's eyes. He could tell this was the first time she had someone around to ask for help. He couldn't imagine the hardships she'd faced over the past year raising Penny alone.
Rheia stood. "Come on, doodlebug, let's get you washed up and ready for bed."
Penny turned and stared at Aiden. He nodded. "I didn't forget. I'm going to the store with Colton and I'll pick you up something special. Get ready for bed and if your mommy says you can, maybe you can have it for breakfast in the morning," he promised.
Penny nodded and rested her head on Rheia's shoulder. Rheia turned to Aiden. "If you promised her sweets, she can have small powdered donuts for breakfast. How's that pumpkin?"
Penny nodded and popped her thumb back in her mouth. Rheia went to walk past Colton then paused. She leaned down and kissed him on the lips. "Thank you," she whispered and left with Penny.
Aiden stood. "Come on men, this time Colton needs our help."
"Gods, I hope Bart is working tonight," Darian muttered.
Colton stood and followed the men out to the foyer.
"Colton, I thought you may need these," Ryuu said, holding out a wet washcloth and clean pair of sweatpants.
"You are a lifesaver!" Colton dropped his pants right there in the foyer and quickly washed up with the washcloth.
"See, I told you he had a great ass." Colton heard Meryn say.
He turned slowly and saw that Meryn and Beth were watching them with huge smiles on their faces. Grinning, he strutted a bit. He heard their growls only seconds before Aiden and Gavriel dragged him backwards out into the cold, barefoot and in his underwear. They threw him in the SUV and dropped his shoes and pants on his head before closing the door. Colton quickly got dressed and into his seat.
When everyone was inside, he spoke up. "Okay, I lied. I have no idea what in the hell pull-ups are."
Aiden started the SUV. "Okay Keelan, look them up on the Google."
Keelan swallowed hard. "Do I have to? Human stuff is scary. I'm still having nightmares about lambs stomachs exploding all over my..." The men turned to look at him. "Never mind."
"Please, Keelan? It's for baby girl," Colton said, pulling no punches.
Keelan sighed and pulled out his phone. About a minute later, he was smiling. "Guys, I think we're safe this time, they look like they're diapers for humans."
Darian relaxed back in his seat. "Thank the Gods."
Gavriel smiled. "Diapers don't sound too bad."
Colton grinned at his friends. "We're buying diapers for my baby girl. I have a daughter."
The men chuckled.
Keelan turned off his phone and looked around. "Who would have thought we'd be buying diapers a few months ago? It's funny how finding mates has made everything more fun."
Feeling confident, Colton joked with the men all the way to the Duck In. When they arrived, everyone climbed out. This time it was Aiden reaching for the gun.
He looked at Colton. "You had my back when I had to get those important items for Meryn; I could do no less for you."
Colton nodded. "Thank you, my old friend."
Aiden lifted the shotgun then the AR-15. "I'm leaning towards the AR-15, what do you think?"