Page 32 of Knot Convenient

Craning my head around the door, I couldn’t help but grin at the sight that met me.

Emmett and Summer were wrapped up with one another, both fast asleep. They were newly bonded, so it made sense that they would want to be near one another. The first few days after bonding were particularly intense—at least, from my understanding. The bonded pair would feel a pull toward one another. Clearly they had felt that last night.

The baby was fast asleep in the crib next to them. Smiling to myself, I gently closed the door and tiptoed downstairs. “Guess who is having a snuggle with our pretty omega?” I said as I walked back into the kitchen.

Noah’s brows rose as he gaped for a second. “Really?”

“Yep.”

“It’s probably the bond,” Marshall said matter-of-factly. “It’ll be intense for a while.”

He was right, of course, and I couldn’t help but admit that I wanted that intensity.

“I’m glad she’s comfortable,” Noah said, a small smile on his lips.

I nodded. Part of me had expected her to completely hide away for the first few days—then again, she might have. It could simply have been the bond pushing her and Emmett together.

Either way, it was a good sign.

We fell into a comfortable silence while we prepared breakfast.

As the smells of freshly cooked food got stronger, we heard footsteps upstairs and the sounds of Milo babbling. It was clear they were awake now, and I helped set the table as Marshall and Noah finished up with the food.

Summer looked beautiful in a sundress, hair thrown up in a bun with lots of little strands falling out as she came down the stairs. Milo was on her hip, chewing on his fist, with Emmett bringing up the rear.

“What do you want for breakfast?” Noah asked, grinning broadly. “We’ve got plenty of options.”

“I’m good with anything.” She smiled back, walking over to the table and taking a seat. “I just gotta get this little one fed.”

“What do you usually eat?” I asked, curious how she started her day before we met.

“A granola bar while I’m running out the door if I’m lucky.” She turned to her son. “This one can be a handful some mornings.”

Marshall dished up a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast, placing it in front of where Summer was sitting. “You need to eat better,” he said gruffly, handing her the plate.

Summer shrugged, a light chuckle escaping. Her face turned ever so slightly pink when she looked Marshall’s way, and she quickly glanced away. “I’ll work on it.”

“What about Milo? What’s his go-to breakfast?” I walked over, giving Milo a smile.

“I’ve got some eggs here, but I wasn’t sure if he ate them,” Noah said, his brow furrowing in what was likely unnecessary nervousness.

“Oh, that’s perfect—though he clearly has some opinions of his own!” She giggled.

I glanced down, and sure enough, Milo had reached out and grabbed one of the slices of toast off Summer’s plate and was proceeding to smush it into his mouth without really eating it.

“Coffee?” Marshall asked.

“For me or the baby?” Summer tried to hide her smile but failed.

Marshall shook his head with a chuckle. “I think this little guy has enough energy as it is.”

“I agree,” Summer hummed. “He seems to steal it all from me, and I’m an iced coffee girl, by the way.”

Noah beamed, putting a hand to his chest. “A woman with taste! I also love the syrups.”

Without another word, Marshall placed his mug down and returned to the kitchen, coming back a moment later with a glass of iced coffee in hand.

“You’re amazing.” Summer beamed, taking the glass and taking a sip. “This is so much better than the sludge they sell on campus.”