Title: Adjustments
Genre: Family
Rating: K
Pairing: Bella/Embry
Words: 800 (what?!)
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Prompt: "Jealousy: A sentiment which is born in love and which is produced by the fear that the loved person prefers someone else"

AN: Yes, I'm still in daddy mode- sorry/not sorry. This little boy is my third child. He was four and a half when my youngest was born, and he is still adjusting four years later…

~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~oOo~

Adjustments

He looked in the doorway where the two girls were sleeping, frowning slightly at the two tightly-swaddled pink bundles in his old crib. It was bad enough that he'd had to give up his room—even though his 'uncles' had worked hard to build him a newer, bigger room—but those little babies were even using his old furniture!

It just wasn't fair. Nobody asked him if he wanted a little sister, let alone two, and everyone just assumed that he would love them and protect them and be the world's best big brother. Well, maybe he wasn't.

One little head snuffled on the mattress closest to him, wriggling a bit before settling down again with a quiet sigh. He looked at the perfect little face and cocked his head to the side. He supposed they were cute, in their own way. And he knew he would do anything to keep them safe—even turn into a giant wolf like his daddy if it came to that.

Heat covered his back and he looked up to see his dad standing behind him. He reached down and scooped up the boy with little effort, pausing only briefly to peek into the crib and check on his girls before slipping silently out the door.

"Glad I found you, buddy. I didn't know where you disappeared to," his daddy rumbled, smoothing soothing hands down his son's back and snuffling over his tight braid in a familiar gesture that reassured both wolf and pup. "Keeping an eye on your sisters?"

Jordan ducked his head in remorse, his daddy's discerning gaze making him uncomfortable with his previous uncharitable thoughts. Embry frowned slightly, sensing the shift in his son's mood, and he carried the boy into the kitchen for what was probably a long-overdue talk.

He set Jordan on the counter, smiling when the boy began swinging his feet. Embry pulled out two bowls and the secret stash of chocolate ice cream he kept hidden from the rest of the pack. Ice cream sundaes were something he only shared with his boy.

Embry couldn't hold back a smile as he worked. Even after almost five years, he still felt a surge of pride every time he looked at his son. He'd grown up without knowing his father, then been crushed when he learned the truth. Bella—and Jake—had helped him begin to heal, but only Jordan could truly mend the wounds deep inside him.

The two ate quietly, just enjoying each other's presence. It was a tradition started not long after Jordan was born, when Embry was still marveling at the connection he shared with the tiny child. His son.

Something was bothering his pup, and while Embry had a fairly good idea what—or who—that something was, he wanted Jordan to share his thoughts. He knew that just took time, and patience.

"Daddy?" Embry turned his attentive gaze to his son at the quiet plea.

"Yes, son?"

Jordan took a deep breath. His daddy always said there was nothing he couldn't tell him, and nothing he couldn't ask. His daddy was Alpha, and his Uncle Jake told him that meant his word was solid. "Daddy, does Mom like the babies more than she likes me?"

Of course, Embry thought. They'd been warned about jealousy, but Jordan was as quiet as his parents, and as reticent as his grandfather. Bella and Embry often had to coax his worries from him, as he was content to deal with his problems quietly, independently.

Setting their empty bowls to the side, Embry scooped up his young son and wrapped him in his strong arms. "Oh, Jordy. Your mommy loves you so much. I know she hasn't had as much time for you since the babies were born, but that will change as they get a little bigger and start to sleep more during the night," Embry reassured the dejected boy.

He reached his other arm out for wife, who he heard approaching slowly, quietly from the hallway. She settled on his knee and wrapped her tired arms around their firstborn. "Look at me, baby."

Watery brown eyes met their mirror image, and Bella leaned forward to drop a kiss to her son's forehead. He'd been the center of their world for more than four years, and her heart ached that he doubted her for even a second.

"I love you so much, baby boy. You're my number one guy, after your daddy of course," she grinned up at her wolf. "Now why don't you come snuggle up in bed with me and we can watch a movie until the babies get up, okay?"

As they traipsed back down the hallway, Jordan peeked in at his baby sisters one more time. Maybe they weren't so bad after all.