Chapter 75 - [Bonus ]Heavy Luggage
Lara had never been to the sea before. She didn't even get that idea while living in Sheton. And after the cubs were born, she had no money either.
She had considered moving to a coastal city and finding a job there, but in the end, she didn't have the chance yet. It was in her plans, but then she met Nate and stopped listing the places where she would run to.
She had prepared everything she could think of, and then she had placed everything back.
She couldn't load all the bags in Nate's car. They were going on vacation, not moving again!
In the end, she managed to find a balance.
Nate told her they would buy the swimsuits once there since there were plenty of shops. As for the rest, she packed all into two bags. She could sneak her things too in there.
«Do we really have to go?» Jaden asked, pouting his lips. «I wanted to stay home with you, mommy.»
«We'll be together in another place. It will be fun, Jaden.»
«But it can be fun at home too!»
«We'll be home when we come back, right? We've been home all the time.»
«Do you like the sea, mommy?»
«I like it.»
«Then we can go.»
His complaints grew silent; he returned to playing with his riddles. He hadn't finished the puzzle in Nate's office, but he was promised it would be still there the week after.
«Will we take a picture, mommy?» Scarlet inquired soon after. It was her turn to ask questions.
Lara blinked.
«Oh, sure!» she exclaimed. Nate's phone had a cam for sure. She would have asked him to take a lot of pictures of her cubs.
Enough for both of them!
«I want one with mommy,» the little girl declared. She even crossed her arms and raised her chin.
Lara pinched her cheek while chuckling.
«Sure,» she said.
«I want to be pretty. Can we bring the blue dress?»
«Already packed.»
Scarlet beamed and threw herself in Lara's arms.
«My mommy is so perfect!»
«Now, now... If you praise me too much, I'll become too self-confident.»
«It's fine. My mommy can be confident and perfect at the same time.»
The little girl even left a kiss on Lara's cheek.
Seeing the amount of cuddles, Jaden let his toys fall on the floor and ran to them.
«Me too!» he exclaimed.
Just as they started the familiar hug, the bell rang.
Lara opened to Nate, smiling relaxedly. Playing with her cubs would always improve her mood.
«Hello, I was expecting you to call on the phone. There was no need to walk up here.»
«I'm here to help with the luggage,» Nate explained.
What kind of man would leave her alone with two pups and the luggage?
«You go with the kids, and I'll carry the bags. How many?»
«Just two,» Lara chuckled. «I tried being as light as possible, but moving often makes one's habits weird.»
«No worries. It's not like we're carrying them on our backs. There's enough space in the car. Here...»
He gave her the key, and they collected all their things before locking the door and starting to move down.
«Have you eaten?» Nate asked.
«You said not to,» Lara replied, blushing. «Should I have fed the kids?»
«No, of course not. The best thing about travelling by car is to stop at a random place to grab something to eat. I'm glad you listened to me.»
«Of course,» Lara chuckled. «You're the one organising this trip. I trust you with everything.»
Lara opened the trunk and noticed that, even if there was space because it was spacious, there were quite a few bags.
«You brought your home along?» she joked.
«I'm just getting ready for every possibility. Also, in the end, my mother helped me a little, so you don't see just everything I was going to bring.»
«Your mother?»
«You two will meet sooner or later. She's curious about the kids... If it's all right with you, of course...»
«Sure. She's their grandmother. I'm happy they have one. If she's willing to meet them, it means she cares, right?»
«I guess so. Even though it might be better if she doesn't care too much. She can be... well, suffocating.»
«Are you complaining about your mother, now?»
«You shouldn't defend her! You don't know her yet!»
Lara shrugged, opening the door and picking up Jaden.
As it had started happening often, Nate had to settle Scarlet in her seat. At least, he was learning how to do it without wasting too much time.
The little girl was nibbling on his shirt more out of habit than rage.
In fact, she was perfectly calm.
«Do your teeth tingle?» Nate asked her.
«Just sometimes,» Scarlet replied. «But it's better if I bite things.»
«That... Ehm, we should see if it's all normal. We'll go to the doctor next time you're with me.»
«The doctor?» Scarlet repeated.
«Have you ever been to the doctor?»
«No.»
«That makes sense... Wolves don't get ill that often. It will be fun,» Nate explained, avoiding too many details. At least, he could have less resistance while dragging the pup with him.
It wasn't such a rare occurrence that pups bit everything, but he couldn't help but worry. Checking wouldn't take much time, either way.
Once the kids were safe, Lara sat on the passenger seat, and Nate started the engine.
«Now, kids, you can look out for a place to eat,» he said out loud, winking at Lara. «Once they're full, they will fall asleep. We'll have a silent journey.»
The woman chuckled, amused by how he already knew how to treat the cubs.
«Thank you for all of this,» she said.
«Oh, I'm doing it for myself,» he rebuked, shrugging. He turned to the road and didn't move his eyes away anymore.
Still, a part of him was always conscious about Lara. He knew what she was doing and how she was feeling.
It was part of being mates. His whole being would keep an eye on her, always ready to help if needed.
«A family vacation,» he murmured through his teeth. That was a hell of an idea.. He complimented himself for the smart move.