Part 4
"I really appreciate what you did for my mother," JJ said, as soon as she and Dave were back at his condo. "You didn't have to offer to pay off the mortgage on the house. It was very generous of you to do so and I'm really happy you did."
"I was happy to do it," Dave said, even as he took his mate into his arms. "It's obvious that you love your mother and that you would love to have her close by instead of back in Pennsylvania. Besides, with her husband gone any of our kind who live alone have been known to, take their own lives due to being lonely and I didn't want that to happen to your mom. As you pointed out to me just yesterday we are human or at least we look human, but we're also partly animal as well, and we need our family, our pack around. Your father's dead and while I know she has a circle of friends she spends time with, it wouldn't necessarily be enough to stop her from committing suicide due to sheer loneliness or at least going a little strange in the head. Yes, it's more than possible that she considers her friends her family and is close to them, but staying in that house all by herself, even if she had regular visitors..."
"Might not be enough to stave off the loneliness, especially since she's so used to living with someone," JJ finished. "Our kind don't do well in isolation, although they're okay for short stretches of time, but even if mom went out to be around people every day, it's not the same as having a close connection to them."
"Something that our species needs, particularly as they get older and if they've been mated for a long time when their mate dies. I mean really your mother is still quite young by our standards, as she's only what 50? 60?"
"63," JJ said and Dave nodded.
"So she would've been around the same age you are now when she married and she likely had you and your sister six months later and yet her husband's dead, even though he was quite young for one of our kind. We both know that our race can live many decades longer then the humans, due mostly to the fact that our body heat is so much higher than a humans that we very rarely get sick, so we tend to always be healthy. There's only a few illnesses we can get that our body heat doesn't destroy the germs for and they are all specific to our kind. Besides, we might not die from an illness, but we can still be killed due to an accident or from being murdered."
"Still, thank you," JJ said. "I did worry about my mother living out in that house all by herself, even with her circle of friends paying her regular visits or them going out to shop, have a meal, playing cards that kind of thing. If she had a job and was around people more I wouldn't worry so much, but while her friends love her they have their own lives, their own families."
"They probably visited often enough that she didn't get too lonely," Dave said.
"Still, as much as I hate to pull her away from her friends I'll feel better if I see her regularly and I know she'll love having some of her grandchildren close by. Also we have a readymade babysitter so we don't have to worry about hiring anyone, though I suppose if we are going to hire a nanny we won't need a babysitter," JJ said.
"There is that," Dave smiled.
"You really seem to have her number as you kept hammering about the fact that she would by babysit her grandchildren a lot, which is what I believe made up mind in the end," JJ said.
"It's a matter of experience," Dave smirked a little. "It was clear that she missed having her daughters around, even if you keep in contact through phone calls and email it's not the same, as having them physically present. Also she misses your father, which is only natural when you've been mated so many decades and being alone for someone who used to having her family around or at least her mate is not good. She'll soon have more grandchildren than she can handle in just a few years, but I know she'll love every minute she spends with them. I know I could've offered to pay the rent on an apartment or maybe buy her a condo. I might have done so if not for the fact that there wouldn't've been more than three possibly four bedrooms, even with the largest condo."
"You can still do that as it might be cheaper in the long run then paying off the mortgage on the house," JJ said.
"I don't think your mother would be comfortable in something as fancy as a condo," Dave said. "Your mother probably grew up in a house and she's lived in one all her married life in one. No, condos are mostly for the young, ones who are just getting started on their careers, though I do know some older people who have them."
"I think you're right she likely wouldn't be comfortable in a condo, as condos are for the younger more, well-heeled set, then for older people at least for the most part," JJ said.
"Besides, we have to consider Henry and Michael who will be more comfortable there whenever they visit their grandmother," Dave said. "Or at least Henry will, but Michael probably won't even remember the house if we sell it."
"I didn't think of that, but you're right," JJ said. "Alright then, I guess it was a bad idea."
"It was a good idea and if I didn't think your mother would be more comfortable in a house she's familiar with I would seriously consider bringing it up with her, as it's not about the money that would likely be saved at all, but Sandy's comfort," Dave said.
"Thank you for caring so much not only about me, but my mom," JJ said, as she kissed him tenderly.
"You're quite welcome," Dave said. "Your mother is important to you and therefore, she's important to me to. We're family."
Those last two simple words warmed JJ down to her toes.
"I'm also very proud of you for giving your winnings from the racetrack to your mother as that money will help her out a great deal," Dave said.
"I didn't need it anymore, not now that I have you," JJ said simply.
"Still, it was very generous of you," Dave said.
"I'm not the greedy type and so long as I have enough to support me and any children I have then I'm happy," JJ said.
Dave nodded approvingly at that. He wasn't really the greedy type either, even if he did have a lot of money. Having money did make life easier and allowed you to do something that a lot of people couldn't, travel for example and first class at that. However, it also brought the wackos and the people trying to sell you something out of the woodwork and also those type of people who just wanted to marry you to get a large chunk of your portfolio, so being rich wasn't necessarily all it was cracked up to be especially if people knew you were. That was one of the reasons he had moved to Virginia, because the Rossis weren't as well-known. At the least it wasn't assumed that he was part of the well established family that had made New York their home for generations, since his last name was very common, so mostly he could live as he wanted to.
"I don't know about you but I'm tired," JJ said fake yawning.
Dave got the message immediately, as he was no dummy and headed into the bedroom with JJ.
~~~Healed Hearts~~~
"See I told you would be at least twins," Dave crowed, as the doctor had just informed them that JJ was carrying triplets. The fact that he was also wore a beaming smile wide enough to crack his face in two told JJ that he was very excited the news. Of course, that wasn't surprising as he had been looking forward to the doctors appointment that JJ had made all week.
"Yes, you were right," JJ told him smiling. "After you told me about your family history I agreed with you, but really I don't have any experience with having multiples, since both my sons were singletons."
"It's too bad it's much too soon to tell the sex yet," Dave said with deep regret in his voice.
"We're lucky that the doctor can even tell that it's triplets at this early stage and if both of us weren't an Alpha and an Omega so that the fetuses grow faster than they would if we were completely human we wouldn't even be able to tell that, not this soon," JJ said.
"I know," Dave agreed more calmly, even as he took JJ into his arms. "I'm just so excited to finally be having some children of my own. I love Henry and Michael, but they're not mine at least not biologically."
"I understand," JJ said. "Most of our race feel a deep-seated need to have their own kids, children with their DNA. I know you plan on adopting Henry and Michael and I'm sure Will will give his consent for that so long as he's allowed to still see them, but it's not the same as having children of your own. You probably would've had kids with Carolyn, which would've taken care of that biological urge if not for that illness she had as a child."
"Very logical and you're probably right," Dave complimented kissing the top of JJ's head.
The doctor came back then and told them that he wanted to see JJ back in two weeks.
"I'm very well aware that you likely won't have any trouble carrying these triplets to term, but still I want to see you back every couple of weeks until your last two months and then I want to see you every week."
"That sounds just fine doctor," Dave agreed before JJ could say a word.
"I can also recommend a list foods that will do your body the most good, as there is no point of you gaining 50 or 100 extra pounds just for you to lose once these little ones are born."
"That's not likely, not with our kind," Dave said shaking his head. "Our children absorb whatever food or liquid reaches the stomach at a fast rate of speed, which is why the mother is hungry all the time, especially in the last few weeks. Now if one of us was human, well, they would still absorb whatever food reached them it would be a little different, but still basically the same, since our kinds genes would be dominate. Still, it won't hurt Jennifer to watch what she eats because she'll have to eat at least double, if not triple the amount then doctors such as yourself would recommend for a human pregnancy."
"My mother has already told me what to expect as she had me and my sister twins," JJ said. "She told me she was hungry practically all the time for the last six weeks and I expect it to be worse on me since I'm carrying one more than she did."
"Yes, I am aware," the doctor said. "I know your species biology are not my specialty, but I still did a unit on them in medical school. It wouldn't insult me at all if you wanted to find one that specializes in your kinds pregnancy, because they could help you more. I know very well that any of your kind that becomes a doctor really only help humans since your race very rarely gets sick. Well, either that or they specialize in their kinds pregnancy."
"That's not a bad idea," JJ said and Dave agreed with a nod. "Maybe we should look into hiring a midwife since most of our kinds children are born in the home and not a hospital because we give birth so easily, for the most part. "
"Yes, we don't really get sick often, but there are a few diseases that can affect us, even if we usually are absurdly healthy due to our high body heat, which kills most germs before they can germinate," Dave said. "I think the midwife idea is good, as we don't really need a full doctor, unless it's an emergency of some kind."
"I can recommend someone that's very good," the doctor offered.
"That would be appreciated," Dave said. "We need to have a doctor in reserve just in case something goes wrong and Jennifer needs a C-section. I don't I expect it to, but it's better to be prepared."
"If you do get another doctor just call reception and cancel your appointment or you will be charged," the doctor said.
Dave said nothing but he didn't really care about that.
"I'm really looking forward to you giving birth," Dave said, even as he escorted his mate out of that examination room.
"So am I," JJ said.
"I think we need to celebrate this terrific news," Dave said the smile refusing to leave his face. "I'm going to take you out for a nice dinner."
If Dave wanted to spoil her she wasn't about to say no, JJ thought. A night out sounded great actually. She and Will had almost never gone out to dinner and by the end of their relationship they had lived in the same house, but they seemed to live two totally separate lives. The only thing they'd had in common by the time Will met his lifemate were their sons. Really the whole relationship had seemed just like an endless round of chores or work by the end. With Dave so far things had been very different and JJ expected that to continue.
JJ enjoyed Dave's company far more than she ever had Will's and it wasn't just because he was more handsome then Will either, as she wasn't that shallow, though she could certainly appreciate that fact. The sex was also much better and yes, she knew that was a shallow thought but it was still a serious consideration, since Omegas tended to crave sex with their mates. She and Will had hardly ever played that game that she and Dave had on their second morning together, not even in the very beginning. The game where Dave had pretended to be mad at her for not knowing her place, thrown her over his shoulder, made her get on her knees and then spanked her. He had even soothed her afterwards and used medication on her butt so it quit stinging within an hour, instead of hurting for much longer. The Omega in her had practically wiggled with joy when her mate had played with her considering that they had known each other less than a day at that point because that part of her then knew that Dave really did love and adore her and that made her extremely happy. Dave had even made sure that she had understood what he was doing after her supposed punishment was over, made sure that she had understood that in this case it was just play not a serious punishment. So far Dave hadn't had to seriously punish her and hopefully he never would, but considering they were still getting to know each other there was still room for many misunderstandings in the course of their lives together.
"That sounds just fine," JJ said smiling widely. "If you're going to take me somewhere fancy though I need to go shopping as I really don't have any suitable clothes."
"Well, first we go see your mom and tell her the news in person and then I'll take you shopping in the fanciest stores in this area where you can buy anything you want," Dave said. "We also might as well stop and buy a few essentials for the triplets when they get here if you're not too tired after that and we have time."
"We don't know the sexes yet," JJ pointed out.
"No, but we can buy stuff like cribs, baby carriers, strollers, diapers, changing tables, bottles," Dave said ticking off the items they could get now. "We can store it all at your place until we can find us a house. We'll likely have to make many, many more shopping trips to get everything we need for the triplets that will soon be here, but today we can just buy a few essentials. I think we need to do a little shopping, every week or so because we don't know when we'll find a house that both of us consider suitable, so we might not have time to do much shopping after we do."
"I still have the baby stuff from when Henry was an infant," JJ said. "Michael's outgrown most of it now."
"I know, but you can give that away to some deserving family maybe, as I'm going to purchase all new stuff," Dave decided.
JJ said nothing, but felt that was wasteful but she didn't want to start an argument when Dave was in such a good mood. Actually, he was usually in a pretty good mood, but might now it was over-the-top. Still, she supposed that if he had the money to buy all new top-of-the-line equipment and other baby essentials she couldn't really say anything, as it was his money after all.
She could get used to having money to burn very quickly she knew.
"Now, bella, I'm going to make a reservation at an exclusive restaurant, one where you usually don't get reservations for months," Dave said.
"Well, if we're going to an exclusive restaurant then I need something spectacular to wear," JJ said, smiling. JJ knew that Dave had enough pull that he could get them in just about anywhere, even on so little notice as that was the power of being ultrawealthy.
"We'll get you something," Dave promised. "Not only a dress, but shoes, purse and jewelry, everything that goes along with that kind of thing."
"Well, I won't say no," JJ laughed. "What woman doesn't like gorgeous clothes, not to mention jewelry, handbags, purses and shoes? It won't be long before I won't be able to fit in anything of the sort until after the babies are born so I might as well take advantage of the fact that I'm only a week pregnant."
"No, I would say by the three month mark you won't be able to fit in a fancy gown," Dave said.
"I would estimate two months actually, maybe only just six weeks considering I'm carrying triplets, so I might as well enjoy wearing such things now, because it'll be months, maybe even a year, before I can wear any of it again," JJ said.
"Oh, no, I won't have any mate of mine wear the same gown two times in a row," Dave said shaking his head. "You'll soon have a whole closetful of gorgeous gowns, shoes, purses, handbags and a jewelry box full of beautiful jewels as you'll need them. As you're mate it is my pleasure to provide these things for you. Don't worry about the cost," Dave added looking over to JJ for a few seconds and saw she didn't look happy. "I've told you before that anything you need or want I will provide and if I could not more than afford such things then I wouldn't offer I promise you."
"Well, I suppose I'm just going to have to get used to having the finest things in life now," JJ said finally. "I never would have been able to afford the kind of things you're talking about on my salary or on Will's for that matter."
"It won't take you long to get used to having the finer things in life now," Dave told JJ fondly, now that he knew Jennifer wasn't going to argue with him.
"That's just the thing I don't want to become selfish and shallow, someone who only cares about the latest fashions and spending their mate's money," JJ said looking worried.
"You could never be like that," Dave told her firmly. "The kind of woman you're talking about usually grew up surrounded by wealth and privilege and just never bothered to detach herself from the parental teat to become more thoughtful and kind and less shallow. You grew up in an environment that makes you appreciate everything that is done for you and everything you have and you aren't going to change into someone who doesn't care about others feelings so long as she got what she wanted. Someone who doesn't care she stepped on another's feet and is all arrogant and smug about it. You're too well grounded and your personality is set in stone."
"Well, you certainly say the nicest things," JJ said finally smiling leaving her worry behind.
"I didn't say anything that's not true, as I learned a lot about you over the last week and you could never be anything except gentle, compassionate and kind," Dave said firmly. "The way you deal with your sons and your mother is enough to tell me that."
"However, if you do happen to start acting like those women and we were just discussing, well, I can correct your attitude right quick, as I definitely won't put up with it. If you suddenly start turning into those women that kept chasing me in New York you'll get your first real punishment and you'll drop the attitude I promise you.
"When I was spanking you the other day that was just in play and wasn't serious I didn't hit you as hard as I could have, because I wasn't really punishing you. If I was really punishing you your butt would be raw meat and you'd never forget the lesson I taught you. You wouldn't be able to sit down without pain or at least extreme discomfit for a week and very likely longer.
"You would be in pain for a considerable length of time so you wouldn't be forgetting the lesson that was learned and the Omega in you would understand that you deserved to be punished so harshly, even if you still resented me for doing so. Of course, once the punishment was over and I was sure the lesson was learned then all would be forgiven and forgotten, because there is no point of holding a grudge, as that would just adversely affect our relationship in the long run."
"I'd rather avoid that thank you," JJ said, shuddering at the images that brought up.
"So would I, because it would hurt me to do that to you, but it's the only way for our kind to learn a permanent lesson," Dave said. "Sure, humans have other ways of disciplining their young and even though spankings for instance were common in the past, most parents don't do that anymore, considering it abuse. No, they substituted things like restrictions for week or no privileges for the same length of time, taking things away that the child wants like going to a concert, more chores than normal or taking their allowance for the week or month, but a lot of times a kid or a teenager is to stubborn to learn a lesson from that kind of punishment, so it happens again."
"Yeah, but to spank the kid well that just makes them resent you, sometimes even hate you," JJ said.
"Well then, you explain to the kid why you're going to spank them first so they know that it's a just punishment and not abuse. Yes, they'll probably resent the hell out of you for awhile, maybe outright hate you, but that's all part of growing up and maturing. I say if other forms of punishment work then more power to the humans, but our species can be a stubborn lot and spanking's the only way to correct their behavior permanently, so they never make the same mistake again," Dave said. "It's all about balance, about knowing how much you need to punish the Omega or a child for that matter and how harsh you need to be. When you are a child the punishments won't be too bad, because they're still learning and growing, but for someone like you who is fully mature the punishment if necessary will be much harsher I promise you, so that I'm sure the lesson is learned."
"I'm well aware of how our kind do things and I promise you I'll try not to ever get punished like that," JJ said seriously. "Playing is one thing, as that's fun for both the Omega and the Alpha, but I'd rather not be punished so that my butt not just stings for a little while, but throbs with pain for days every time I sit down or move in anyway."
"Good, so long as you keep that firmly in mind I won't ever have to do that to you and that will make us both happy," Dave said.
~~~Healed Hearts~~~
JJ sighed in pleasure as the dress that she had finally bought slid over her skin like a waterfall, all smooth and silky.
"Like the dress huh?" Dave asked amused, as he pulled all his of dress pants.
"I just don't like the dress handsome, I love the dress," JJ told Dave with a big smile. "The silk just feels so wonderful sliding over my skin and it fits me like a glove. I've never owned anything so nice in my life and believe me, I appreciate everything you do for me."
"You look absolutely spectacular," Dave said appreciatively, as he came over only wearing his dress slacks with no shirt. "Believe me, all I want to do is strip you out of that dress and make love to you, but we can't afford to miss our reservation."
Dave looked regretful JJ noticed, but then so was she.
"You're welcome to go through with that idea after dinner," JJ told him smiling running a hand over his naked chest causing him to groan in desire. "If I didn't know you were right that missing our reservation would be a bad idea I would suggest we skip it and just stay home so we can make love."
"I'll be doing just that once we get home," Dave said smiling in anticipation, his expression nearly feral, causing JJ to have a rather hormonal reaction down in her pussy.
"Just let me get on my stockings and shoes and I'll be ready to go," JJ promised, having already done her makeup before she had started to get dressed.
"Don't forget the earrings and the necklace you bought to go with the outfit," Dave said.
The necklace and earrings he was talking about were blue diamonds and exactly the same color as the dress. They were the most expensive and gorgeous pieces of jewelry that she had ever owned and she was going to have to find a way to adequately thank Dave for buying them for her. Not to mention for the purse, the shoes and dress, but for right now they had dinner reservation they needed to hurry and finish getting ready for.
"You look absolutely gorgeous," Dave complimented having finally put on a shirt, "and oh so sexy."
"Down boy," JJ told him smiling, as she finished putting on her shoes and then went over to her dresser and put on the earrings. "Could you help me with a necklace please," JJ requested
"Of course, bella," Dave agreed, as he came over and took the beautiful diamond necklace out of JJ's hand.
JJ moved her hair out of the way as Dave put the necklace around her lovely, slim neck and then did the clasp, kissing the nape as he did so.
"There you go," Dave said kissing JJ cheek.
"Thank you," JJ said.
"Before we go I believe that there's just one thing missing," Dave said.
"What's that?" JJ asked genuinely puzzled.
"This," Dave said producing two more jewelry boxes.
"Oh, Dave you really shouldn't have," JJ said in mild protest, already knowing it wouldn't do any good.
"Go ahead and open the boxes and put them on," Dave urged smiling in anticipation.
JJ did so and gasped at the beautiful blue diamond ring that matched her necklace and earrings and was simply gorgeous. Dave took the ring from the box and JJ offered her right ring finger for him to slide it on.
"The human custom is that when you meet someone that you want to marry then you get them an engagement ring and then a wedding band once the actual ceremony has taken place. In this case, I'm following the human custom, not only because I love you and I enjoy spoiling you, but because many humans will not dare try to proposition you or even act inappropriately if you're wearing what appears to be a wedding ring," Dave explained. "Wearing this ring on the appropriate finger should prevent many misunderstandings between us, because if a man is honorable he won't try anything on a woman who is obviously unavailable."
"Thank you," JJ said. "I understand what you mean and do appreciate the thought behind it. I would like to avoid being seriously punished for a transgression or a misunderstanding and if this helps prevent that then I'm all for it. Besides, it's also lovely."
"Now open the other box," Dave suggested smiling
JJ did so and already suspected that it would be a bracelet with blue diamonds considering that seemed to be the theme for tonight.
"Thank you so much, it's gorgeous," JJ told Dave when she saw that it was indeed a bracelet with blue diamonds.
"You're quite welcome," Dave promised. "It was my pleasure."
Dave helped JJ put on the bracelet and then the two of them headed for the bedroom door.
"When did you have the time to buy the other two pieces as we were together nearly constantly?" JJ asked.
"I slipped away when you were looking at shoes, as I knew you didn't need any help in choosing a pair to go with the dress," Dave explained. "I went back to that same jewelry store and bought the bracelet and the ring that I had already spotted and told the salesman to hold for me. I did this while you were busy looking at all the gorgeous jewelry and therefore, distracted. The salesman was more than happy to do so when I explained I wanted it to be a surprise for my wife and that I would be back just as soon as you were busy elsewhere. It really took less then ten minutes."
"Sneaky," JJ said admiringly.
"I can be," Dave said smug satisfaction radiating from him. "I knew you were only looking at necklaces and earrings, not bracelets and rings and that your outfit wouldn't be complete without them."
"No, I suppose it wouldn't be," JJ said smiling and kissing Dave passionately before the two of them then stepped into the living room where Sandy, Henry and Michael were waiting.
"Well, both of you look very nice," Sandy said smiling.
"Thank you," Dave said, smiling at Sandy appreciatively.
"You look very pretty mommy," Henry said.
"Thank you, sweetie," JJ said, as she kissed his cheek. She did the same for Michael, then to her mother. "We shouldn't be home too late, probably by nine or so."
"You go ahead, I'll look after the boys," Sandy said shooing them towards the door. "Both of you deserve this night out, because it won't be long before you don't get one for awhile because you'll have three children to look after, so you might as well enjoy yourselves and while you can."
"Well, see you in a couple of hours. We appreciate you looking after Henry and Michael for us," Dave said before he escorted his mate out the front door.
~~~Healed Hearts~~~