Chapter 240: Family Dinner

Reid’s hand shifted from my waist to gently rub the small of my back, his thumb applying just enough pressure to ease the stubborn ache in my spine.

He didn’t say anything, but the deep, grounding hum of his Alpha pheromones flared just enough to wrap around me, quietly reminding me that I didn’t have to carry the world on my shoulders anymore.

"Besides," Marina continued, a wicked, familiar smirk breaking across her face as she looked over at Reid, "I get to demand that my brother and his rich McCoy husband throw us the absolute grandest rehearsal dinner Seattle has ever seen to make up for it."

"Done," Reid answered without missing a single beat, a cocky, gorgeous grin spreading across his face. "Pick the venue, sister-in-law. It’s on me."

I let out a soft, genuine laugh, shaking my head as I leaned back into Reid’s broad chest, feeling the steady, rhythmic beat of his heart right against my back. "You guys are unbelievable."

"Just taking care of business, honey," Reid murmured close to my ear, his breath warm against my neck. His hand slid further around my waist, pulling me even tighter against him as if to emphasize his point. "If the bride wants a rehearsal dinner, she gets a rehearsal dinner. Besides, it’s the least I can do for the woman who let me steal her little brother."

Marina pointed a dramatic finger at him across the table. "Don’t try to charm your way out of the bill, McCoy. I’m choosing five-star, full-course, top-shelf everything. And Jennifer gets final say on the wine list."

"Not a problem," Reid chuckled, his chest expanding against my back as he laughed. "As long as there’s a quiet corner where Kain can rest if he gets tired, you can order the entire menu."

"Look at him, already negotiating terms," my mother said softly, a fond, amused smile gracing her lips as she looked between the two of us. "You’ve trained him well, Kain."

"I didn’t train him, Mom, he just came like this," I joked, tilting my head back to catch Reid looking down at me with that ridiculously soft, adoring gaze that always made my heart flutter. "Possessive, stubborn, and completely spoiled."

"Hey," Reid protested softly, though the smirk on his face betrayed him as he pressed a lingering kiss right to the tip of my nose. "I’m not spoiled. I just know what’s mine."

"Case in point," I whispered, reaching up to lace my fingers through his thick blonde waves, giving them a small tug.

The rest of the afternoon dissolved into cozy, chaotic chatter. The twins immediately began bombarding Jennifer with endless questions about her dress, while Kelvin and my father got pulled into a discussion with Brad about the estate’s private security setup for the wedding day.

Every now and then, I could feel the baby stir—small, tentative flutters deep beneath my navel—as if they were listening to the rise and fall of their family’s voices.

Every single time it happened, Reid’s hand over my stomach would twitch, his palm flattening out to soak in the feeling, his scent flaring sweet and protective around us.

Brad stepped back into the grand living room just as the afternoon light began to mellow into a rich, golden dusk. With his usual warm, welcoming authority, he didn’t even give my family a chance to talk about heading back to their hotel.

"I’ve already told the kitchen staff to prepare a full spread," Brad announced, smiling warmly as he looked around at everyone. "No one is leaving. This is our first real family dinner since the wedding, and we’re celebrating properly."

My father started to open his mouth—likely to offer a polite decline about not wanting to intrude—but Brad raised a hand with a gentle, disarming laugh. "I insist, Mr. Evans. The estate has more than enough room, and frankly, Kain looks far too comfortable right now to let any of you leave just yet."

I let out a soft laugh, resting my head back against Reid’s shoulder. "He’s right, Dad. Stay. The food here beats any hotel room service."

"Well, if the host insists," my mother said, her face lighting up with genuine pleasure as she gave my father a subtle nudge.

Dinner was served in the grand dining hall, but the atmosphere couldn’t have been more different from the formal, rigid meals of the past. The massive table was filled with incredible food, laughter, and cross-table chatter. Kalvin and the twins were eagerly asking Brad about the estate’s history, while Fidora spent a good portion of the meal discussing logistics with Marina and Jennifer, offering the McCoy legal and security teams for their upcoming wedding without a shred of hesitation.

Beside me, Reid barely touched his own plate for the first twenty minutes. He was too busy making sure my water glass was filled, cutting up my portion of roasted chicken, and surreptitiously sliding extra slices of sweet, glazed strawberries onto my side plate.

"Reid, eat your own food," I whispered, nudging his knee under the table. "I can feed myself."

"You’re eating for two, honey," Reid replied easily, not even looking up as he scooped another spoonful of roasted potatoes onto my plate. "I’m just optimizing your intake."

"You’re ridiculous," I muttered, though the warmth in my chest made it impossible to hide my smile.

From across the table, my mother watched us, trading a soft, knowing look with Brad.

It was peaceful.

Following those few days, everything went smoothly right up until Marina’s wedding. It was amazing—nothing overly grand or flashy, just a warm, intimate gathering of close friends and relations.

And best of all, there wasn’t a single reporter in sight. For the first time, our family celebrated without the flashing of cameras or the threat of a press leak. Marina looked radiant, Jennifer was glowing, and Reid and I got to sit back, hand in hand, simply taking in the joy of the day.

Then, the weeks bled into months, and my third trimester arrived—bringing a whole new shift in my body and a drastic change in my attitude.

The easygoing, sweet-craving, soft version of me from the second trimester completely vanished. In his place was an easily irritated, exhausted, and intensely territorial omega who was sick and tired of carrying an ever-growing bump.