Page 76 of Packing for Vacation

“But I think those boys of yours better work for your forgiveness. I don’t know what that looks like. You’ll know if you’re happy with it or not, but yeah. They need to do something.”

I stare out at the lake view, at the gorgeous mountains and deep blue water and bright blue sky, and I don’t take any of it in. Instead I’m picturing the life I want, a life with Scott and Matiu and Barry.

Husband-three is right. I need them to do something to help us all get there.

There’s a moment near the end of every romantic fairytale when the heroine gets swept off her feet. I used to daydream of those moments happening in my own life, usually with one or two of the male leads from whatever TV show I was currently obsessed with. I even have a secret fanfiction past, complete with an account I no longer have access to and half a dozen self-insert fics written across a handful of fandoms. So when I step off the boat, look up, and spot Scott and Matiu standing in the middle of the market, looking lost, my first thought isn’t how the hell did these stalkers find me here? but is instead this is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.

To be fair, the guys don’t even see me at first. They haven’t actually tracked my location. My guess is that they probably asked the taxi to get dropped off in the centre of town and ended up here. I check my phone and there’s no new messages, so I open the camera, take a zoomed-in photo of the two of them, and then send it to the group chat.

Barry’s humans

Lizzie

Hey

I grin as I watch them both check their phones, clock what’s going on, and then look around. If I were really naughty, I’d hide behind something, but instead I lift my hand and wave when Matiu’s head turns in my direction.

“Fancy seeing you two here,” I say, unable to keep the grin off my face as I approach them. They look nervous. Terrified, even.

I’m not in the mood for games. I’ve missed them too much and I’ve thought about this a lot. I want them. I want us.

I open out my arms and they both visibly relax. I’m pulled in for the biggest hug, and I have no idea how long the three of us stand there for. Long enough to soak me in the scents of my alphas, all peppery heat and fresh pine, the earthiness of a forest and the salty sea air.

I’ve missed this so much.

“You’re happy to see us?”

I nod, my “Yes,” muffled because my face is currently wedged between their chests. “So happy. Did you just arrive?”

“Yeah, we landed less than an hour ago,” Scott answers. “Walked off the plane and straight into a taxi, got them to drop us down by the water. Didn’t realise there was an event on.” He swallows heavily and strokes my hair. “I’m just relieved you’re not turning us away.”

I shake my head, unable to form words around the sudden lump in my throat. I kiss his chest instead and lean into him, then do the same to Matiu.

“Sorry, ‘scuse me, are you in line? Or…”

We all spring back from each other. “We’re in line,” I say to the person asking, and they sigh and move behind us in the queue that’s formed for… bratwurst hot dogs. “I guess we’re having sausage for dinner,” I say. “That’s nice, it’s been a few days since I had any in my mouth.”

“Lizzie,” Matiu laughs, hugging me against him, my back to his chest. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” I reach for Scott’s hand. “Both of you. But I genuinely want to eat a hot dog, unless you guys want something else? I’m starving.”

“Nah, this sounds good.”

We get our food and find a spot down on the crowded pebble-stone beach to sit and eat, Matiu’s thigh pressed to mine and Scott slightly behind me, so that I can lean back against him. Things are not tense per se, but we all scarf our food in silence and I’m very aware that there’s stuff that needs to be said, ideally without the noisy crowds around.

“I’m upset that I didn’t know,” I begin, setting my empty disposable plate down beside me. “But I’m going to get over it. I know that about myself.”

Both men nod silently.

“We have to tell you something,” Matiu blurts, and I immediately brace myself.

“It’s a good something, we think. I can tell you’re freaking out,” Scott adds.

“Yeah, well…”

“I was being a bit naughty,” he continues. “I found an old photo of your former pack, and may have been going through their social media profiles like the sad man that I am, but then we saw a post from Édouard, and he was offering your Coco up for free on a local community page because his mother has had a stroke.”

I was already holding Scott’s hand, now my nails dig into his palm, and I don’t dare to breathe as he continues.