The Omega's Price

Chapter 26: A Team

Gulf gently lowered himself to the soft, off-white sofa and sighed in exhaustion. They had finally made it out of the clinic and back home, but just the excursion of wrangling four babies, two of which were crying and one which was making weird grunting noises that turned out to be a full diaper, was as tiring as being in the delivery room. This was his life now, juggling four human beings. Part of him was excited at the prospect of having four little ones giving him the family he had always dreamed of, while the other part was terrified. What if he couldn't do this?

A large gust of air flowed in the room as Mew plopped down next to him and handed him a sanitizing wipe before slipping his arm around Gulf and pulling him to his side. They had just spent god knows how long feeding and changing their children before putting them in their cribs for a nap. Gulf wiped his hands with the wipe before setting it to the side and pulling Mew down until his head was resting in Gulf's lap, mindful of his incision, and his fingers carded through his hair.

"Sleep paaka. You deserve it."

"I can't", his mate mumbled sleepily, "Grandmother and Jom are coming."

"I already called them. They're going to give us a couple of hours before coming. Take a nap paaka."

"I need to help with the babies, what if they need changed?" Mew's tone lowered the sleepier he became, and Gulf smiled down at him as his fingers massaged his scalp.

"I can take care of them for a few hours", Gulf replied with amusement.

"You have to watch out for their tails, they are sensitive..." Mew trailed off.

Gulf chuckled, "I know paaka, stop worrying and sleep" he crooned as he twisted his fingers in Mew's hair and began to hum. Mew fell asleep instantly and Gulf shifted until he was more comfortable, his lap cradling Mew's head.

His own head leaned back against the sofa as he shut his eyes to rest them. What felt like minutes later, loud vibrations of his phone had him startling awake from his nap. He looked towards the cribs and listened for any noises, but they were sound asleep.

"Hello?" he asked as he swiped to answer his phone without checking the caller ID.

"Gulf, are you guys, okay? We've been calling Mew for a few hours, but he isn't answering" Jom replied on the other end, voice worried.

"Sorry svaku, we were both really tired and took a quick nap. You can come over if you want though."

There was a brief pause before Jom answered cheerfully, "we can wait until tomorrow. Rest up! I can't wait to hold those babies."

Gulf grinned eagerly. He couldn't wait to introduce them to Grandmother and Jom, "I promise we'll be rested and ready tomorrow."

A small gasp from one of the cribs had Gulf wincing as he moved too hastily. He muttered his goodbyes to Jom as he moved Mew from his lap and quickly went to check on the baby. Alexander peered up at him drowsily as he hovered over his crib and smiled back at his sweet, docile boy.

"Are you hungry? Or do you just want to be held?" Gulf cooed as he slipped his arms around his child, mindful of the soft protrusion at his back. The doctor was confident that after a week the tails would be fully developed, and they wouldn't have to be as careful.

Alexander's lips drew into a semblance of a smile as his balled-up fist tapped against Gulf's cheek repeatedly, a soft pressure against his face that had him smiling, "are you trying to beat me up sweet boy?" Gulf asked, snickering.

A huff escaped Alexander; his fist slowly unclenched and grabbed onto Gulf's nose. Gulf laughed in pleasure before moving towards a large, thick mat that was spread out in the middle of the floor for when the babies were old enough for tummy time. Gulf laid Alexander down delicately before moving his face to his small belly to blow raspberries against the cotton of his onesie. Stuttered breathing left Alexander in an attempt at laughing before Gulf popped back up and curled on his side, leaning over to brush kisses against his soft skin as he caressed his boy until his eyes were drooping and rapid breathing moved his chest.