Chapter 6
The group arrived the city limits of Miami Oklahoma at around 4 in the evening the next day. The drive had been long with stops for gas, snacks, and of course actual meals. About half way to their destination Bucky took over driving the Royce for Tony and Pepper stating he didn’t need much sleep cause of the serum. So, driving through the night saved on time and they got there right at check in and at the same time as Trevor and Clare arriving.
Mal jumped out of the car and rushed over to his beta friends. Trevor a 6’2” beta with short auburn hair a bit brighter then Mal’s own. Clare a 5’10” beta with long blond curly hair that ended at the small of her back. The two betas wrapped the omega in a hug and gave off calming pheromones.
“Hey you made great time getting here. Drive like the devil was after you?” Mal chuckled and looked over his shoulder at the group he arrived with.
“Nah, just a couple alphas that don’t need as much sleep as us normal humans. Come meet them.” Mal walked back with the betas following. “Trevor, Clare these two are my cousin Pepper and her mate Tony. These two are Steve and Bucky, my alphas. Guys these are two of my best friends Trevor and Clare. Trevor is also my lawyer.” Everyone nodded and acknowledged each other.
“Let’s get checked in before we draw any attention.” Pepper started ushering people and their luggage into the lobby of the small local motel that had the best reviews.
“Hi welcome to the Thunderbird. Do you have a reservation?” A small beta woman stood behind the counter looking at the group entering.
“Reservation under the name Potts, should have 4 rooms all with king beds. I spoke with the manager yesterday.” Just as she said that a shorter beta man came out from the back office with a warm smile.
“That would be me, it’s a great pleasure to have you all staying here. I have the room keys right here and I made sure that there will be privacy for you all in the room location.” Pepper smiled and proceeded to go through putting her card on file to pay and if need be, charge for food or drinks they would need.
“Are you all here for business or pleasure?” The beta woman asked and Mal tried to not cringe or cry.
“Funeral. My cousin lost his grandfather and we are here to support him. Now if you will excuse us, we have had a long drive and just want to get to the rooms and relax.” The woman’s face fell and she started to sputter out apologies but Pepper just smiled and nodded thanks to the manager and we all started heading to the back of the motel to choose rooms. “I figured you would room with any of us so it’s up to you Mal.”
Mal looked into his cousin’s eyes and then back and up at his alphas. He thought about it and moved over and looked up to the two.
“Would it be okay to room with you both while we are here?” Steve handed off the suitcase to Bucky and walked over to Malcom and wrapped him in the warm hug the omega craved.
“You are always welcome and if you change your mind that’s okay too. Whatever you need omega.” Mal buried into the warm embrace. He lucked out and the alphas were proving to be every bit of what he hoped for. Pepper opened one of the rooms doors as Bucky and Steve shuffled Mal and the luggage into the room. Carly also brought in the bags she had for Malcom.
“I packed 4 pairs of jeans, 3 t-shirts, underwear, socks, a couple sweaters, and grabbed your hoodie as well. Tie, socks, and brogues in the garment bag. Also, grabbed your blanket from your room that Probbie and Binx were laying on so you have the comforting scent of home.” Clare gave a quick hug to Mal and left the three to settle into the room.
“Do you want to shower and get changed into something more comfortable sugar?” Bucky asked as he started to hang up the garment bags in the closet. The room was fairly large and the king bed was just big enough for the two big muscled alphas the slightly smaller omega.
“Either shower or bath. I haven’t decided yet.” Mal grabbed his bag that Clare packed and as soon as he opened it, he saw a note on top of a toiletries bag.
‘Mal, we are so sorry for the loss of your grandpa and sent some stuff for you to take a relaxing bath before dealing with the funeral and Laura. You will also find a photo drawn from each of the kids for you. They miss you and we already told them any calls would have to hold off till later. We love you and will be there for you if you need us.’
Mal smiled and saw one of his favorite bath bombs and a couple vials of his favorite bubble bath. He smiled and grabbed his phone shooting off a quick thanks to the Thornes. Steve moved over and looked at what had caught his omega’s attention.
“That was a wonderful thing of them to send you. Go take a bath omega and we will order some food for us to be here when you finish up.” Steve placed a light kiss to Mal’s right shoulder and started to unpack his and Bucky’s bag.
Mal went to the bathroom taking the toiletry bag from his bag and the bag Clare packed him and a pair of boxer briefs, tank top and basketball shorts. He left the door open and as he looked into the bathroom he fell in love. It had a big tub that could easily fit 4 people and a shower with waterfall shower head. He walked over and started the water filling in the tub and then got on his phone to start a playlist he had made of songs he would hear on road trips with his grandparents. A mix of oldies and Disney songs. It started with Hey Good Lookin’ by Hank Williams and Mal had to stop himself from crying as memories of his grandpa singing this very song to his grandma filled his mind.
Mal remembered how he and his mother lived with them from the time of her divorce from Malcom’s bio-dad till shortly after she married Mal’s step-father. There had been time after the marriage where Laura refused to see her parents and Malcom hadn’t seen them till after Laura divorced the step-father and remarried his bio-dad. His grandparents were the ones who believed him about the abuse he had been put through by his mother and step-father, had even tried to get custody of him. That was what pushed Laura to cutting off contact and not talking to them for almost 10 years.
Mal stripped and got into the water and shut it off once it reached a good level. The songs played on and he remembered. The Christmas when his grandpa almost fell off the room trying to make it sound like Santa had landed on the roof. His grandma spending weeks prepping for Thanksgiving and spending the day before cooking as much of it as she could so she didn’t have much to do the next day.
Mal was startled out of his memories by a knock on the open bathroom door and saw Bucky standing there with a soft look on his face as he had his eyes closed to give the omega privacy. Don’t want to rush you but Stevie just called down to order food and they said it would be about 30 to 45 minutes till it got here.”
Mal smiled and paused the music as he unplugged the tub and started to let the water drain.
“I’ll wash my hair and be done in a few, could you close the door for me in case I take a little bit too long and the food gets here early?” Bucky nodded, blew a kiss, and closed the door.
Mal rose out of the tub and moved over to shower and started the water there. He grabbed his shampoo and conditioner trying to be quick. His stomach making it known that he too was hungry.
Right as he had put on shorts and towel drying his hair he heard the exchange from Steve and the concierge exchange pleasantries as the food was brought in. Once he heard them leave with the cart Mal opened the door and came out shirtless with the towel wrapped around his still dripping hair.
This was the first time his alphas got to see him without a shirt and see the mark they all shared. The happy alpha scent filled the room along with the smell of food.
“What did you order me?” Mal walked over to where the food was placed on a desk with the room phone.
“For you, dear heart we ordered a classic cheeseburger, no lettuce extra tomato and extra mayo with a side of fries and fresh grapes.” Steve said with finesse as he lifted the lid keeping the dish warm. Mal noticed two other main dishes and some smaller ones. Raising an eyebrow, he watched as Steve started lifting the other lids. There were mozzarella sticks with ranch and marinara sauce, fried pickles with ranch, A big bowl of Cesar salad with smaller bowls and forks for serving, and a bowl of what looked like a ham and bean soup. Mal’s stomach roared to life and looked up at the alphas. “We eat a lot so we got a bit of everything. Help yourself to any of it.” Steve laid a kiss on Malcom’s forehead and gathered up the plate with his burger and fries. Mal sat criss cross on the bed and started in on his burger and fries.
“What is the game plan for tomorrow hun?” Bucky asked before tucking into his own burger and noticed the onion rings where his side of choice.
“Memorial starts at eleven and is out at the ranch. No doubt some of his family will be there, brothers and sister mostly. Also, some of the nieces, nephews, and cousins. Trevor sent me the website with his obituary and the event info for the memorial. I think I saw maybe 10 to 15 people saying going or maybe. It’s going to be a mess because I doubt any of them know the truth about what went down with Laura back when she went to jail. Be prepared for the worst but expect the best in this case.”
“Was he cremated or did they already have a funeral and this is the wake?” Steve asked as he wiped his mouth and put his now empty plate back on the table. He was starting to dish up some of the mozzarella sticks and ranch along with some fried pickles.
“Last I knew he wanted to be cremated and no memorial. He felt if you couldn’t visit him while he was alive then he didn’t want you there when he died. He got that view when hardly anyone came to grandma’s funeral and such. No doubt Laura will start shit and try to get the family to side with her on it all. Trevor is also prepped for the will reading, especially if she tries to pull out a new will. Since grandpa wasn’t of sound mind for years the only will that can be accepted is this one or one made before he was officially diagnosed with dementia.”
“Whelp if Laura tries to start anything remember to stay calm and not give in to her taunting. You are better than her and she doesn’t have a right to judge you on anything.” Bucky tried to reassure the omega as he was dishing up a bowl of soup and some salad. Mal was half way through with his food but thinking about tomorrow started to upset his stomach so he just let things sit for now.
Steve gave him a sad look and gestured for the plate so he could put it back under the cover to keep it warm in case Mal decided to eat more of it.
“I just hope she gets him his full military honors. He served and fought for this country; he deserves it.” Steve finished his second plate and decided to not go for thirds and to just go sit next to his omega and try to his mind a bit.
Steve sat at the head board of the bed and motioned for mal to come sit by him. Mal being in need of some contact and reassurance moved instead and sat in between Steve’s spread legs with his back to the alpha’s chest. Steve asked for a brush and Bucky quickly grabbed it out of the bathroom and brought it over to the pair.
“Can I brush your hair for you omega?” Mal shuddered and nodded, pulling the towel off and placing it in his lap. The alpha gently touched his head and began to slowly work the brush through. “Your hair is beautiful, what made you grow it this long?”
“Something about the area we are in: This land is close to many reservations belonging to Native American tribes. I grew up seeing some men and young boys with long hair and thought it was so beautiful. I wanted to grow my hair but my grandparents and mother refused to let me and would get me regular hair-cuts. When Laura got arrested and my dad got custody of me, I decided to grow it out. Kind of see it as a big middle finger to Laura and her controlling ways. Been letting it grow ever since.” Bucky finished his third plate as Steve was getting close to finishing his task. So, Bucky moved onto the bed to sit next to the two. “Go get your brush Buck and I can brush yours.” Bucky smiled kissed Mal’s cheek and got off the bed to go get his brush.
“I don’t know how to braid; you’ll have to teach me sometime.” Steve placed a kiss on the base of Mal’s neck and pulled him back into a hug with his arms around the smaller man’s waist.
“My sisters tried to teach you, not my fault you don’t remember.” Bucky sat on the bed with his back to Mal and Steve. Handing the brush over.
“Basic braid isn’t that hard and the easiest to start with.” As Mal worked the brush through Bucky’s hair he noted how well it was taken care of and it was just as smooth as Malcom’s. He sectioned it off and started to slowly show Steve the basic braid. Just as he finished wrapping the hair tie around the end of the braid his phone started to go off. When he looked at the screen, he noticed it was his grandparent’s old number.
“Go for Malcom.” His voice was pretty shaky and both alphas reached out placing a hand on what skin they could.
“Hello Malcom, it’s your mom. I just wanted to call and tell you that your grandfather passed away a few days ago and the funeral is tomorrow.”
“Thank you for the call, but my lawyer called and told me yesterday about this.” Laura took a breath and Mal could hear some talking in the background.
“Well just thought you should know; the memorial is tomorrow at the house at 11. He would want you here but since it’s so late I don’t know if you can make it. Sorry but things got away from me getting things in order and ready.”
“I’m sure, but you found time to reach out to his brothers and sisters, the cousins. No doubt to give them enough time to make it or even work around their schedules to have a memorial he didn’t even want. Thank you for the info and I’m sorry this happened. He was one of the best men I ever knew and truly will be missed.” Mal hung up, not even caring or giving any confirmation about his attendance tomorrow.
“Wow, talk about last minute invite.”
“The only logical nice answer is it took her a while to hunt down my number. I know my grandpa had it but he kept it a secret from her. I also don’t have anything to do with the rest of his side of the family since they all sided with Laura and her lies.”
“Well, she’s going to be surprised when we all roll up to the memorial tomorrow.” Bucky chuckled and started to lay kisses on Mal’s hands and rising up his arms causing the omega to squirm and back further into Steve.
Malcom started to think of how tomorrow could go and the idea that his mates would actually believe her filth and lies started to make his stomach turn and he had to rush to the bathroom. The feeling like he was going to get sick was there but he was trying to fight it.
“Are you okay omega?” Bucky’s shaky voice came from the door way and when Mal turned his head enough to look he saw both his mates in the door way.
“Yeah just, my brain being dumb.”
“I doubt that, what’s it thinking?”
“I keep picturing what if scenarios of if you believe what Laura says and decide I am broken and worthless.” Bucky moved to wet a hand towel and folded it to place it on the back of Mal’s neck and placing his cool metal palm against the omega’s forehead.
“Will never happen love. We have never met her but that phone call you just had with her proves how much of a horrible human being she is.”
“How did Salt ever have a kid turn out like this?” Mal slowly moved up and guided by his alphas back to the bed in the main room.
“Actually, grandpa had a pretty bad time after the war. See when he got home, he found that the woman he took as his mate had been cheating on him since before, they were married and was in fact pregnant with this man’s child. Not my grandpa’s. So, they divorced and broke their bond. He moved from Missouri to Nebraska, while working for a cab company he met my grandma and mother. They started dating and eventually bonded and married after they saw their mark on the other, realizing they were soul mates. They tried to have more kids by my grandma always miscarried and one point had a tubal pregnancy that almost killed her. So, they only had my mother to raise. My grandparents raised her the best they could, but since my grandpa made so much money working for Shell oil and didn’t spoil Laura like she felt she was entitled to be she automatically called him the worst dad even tried to say he raped her when she was in high school, but the police found enough evidence to prove her story wrong. You see, technically he was my step grandpa but since he helped raise me like his own and fought so hard to prove I was abused he will always be my grandpa.” The alphas held the omega as he began to cry telling them about this family secret. Few knew about his grandpa’s first wife, or that he had been bonded before Mal’s grandma. The only ones were Laura and Mal’s great aunts and uncles.
“Family don’t end with blood. You say he’s your grandpa, he’s your grandpa. All there is too it.” Bucky nuzzled at Mal’s shoulder tracing a hand up and down the omega’s side.
Mal began to purr cause while Bucky continued to trace along his side Steve was peppering his neck with kisses. Mal was beginning to release happy omega pheromones mixing with those of his alphas.
“Can I kiss you Mal?” Mal looked up into the deep ocean blue of Steve’s eyes and nodded. Steve brushed a hand over Mal’s cheek and leaned in to capture his lips. Mal released a deep moan as he tilted his head to deepen the kiss and had to pull back to catch his breath, turning his head he met Bucky’s lips and Bucky let out a happy chirp kissing the omega back softly, testing the waters Mal opened his lips to lick at Bucky’s bottom lip and gave a happy chirp of his own when Bucky accepted deepening the kiss.
Bucky pulled away shortly to catch is breath.
“As much as we want to go further, we should get some rest since it was a long trip here and tomorrow will be a long day too.” Mal frowned and laid back on the bed, willing the blood to move away from his groin. And when he looked up at his alphas, he could tell they were having the same problem.
“Maybe this will help us sleep?”
“Mal, as much as our bodies may want this, we don’t want to rush this. We haven’t even taken you out on a date. We want to show you we are in this for the long-haul baby boy.” Mal continued to pout. He knew deep down they where right and that waiting would be for the best but gods above it was hard to stop after a taste.
“I understand, just need to calm down before I do something I might regret and push for more.” Steve placed an open palm on Malcom’s sternum and looked down at the omega.
“How about me and Bucky take the dishes down to the restraunt and return them and you get ready for bed, maybe give those nephews and niece a call to let them know you made it here okay.” Mal nodded and leaned up placing a chaste kiss to Steve’s lips then one to Bucky’s.
“Good idea, since I don’t know if I’ll feel up to it tomorrow. Smart alpha.” Mal ruffled Steve’s short hair and got up off the bed to get his phone. “Looks like the others are already in bed too, it’s like 8. The kids are going to be just heading to bed so I need to do this now.”
“Do your thing, we will be back shortly omega.” Steve helped hand bucky some balanced empty dishes and took the remaining ones and they headed out the door.
As the door shut Mal dialed Adam’s number for a video call that was answered after 4 rings.
“Was wondering if you were alive. Made it to the motel okay?” The tan omega came into view and Mal gave a sheepish grin.
“Yeah sorry, a lot happened once we got here. Including a call from Laura. Didn’t tell her I’m here for the memorial tomorrow but she waited till the last second to call and tell me. Probably so I had less of a chance to make it down here.” Mal saw a hint of anger pass over the other man’s face.
“Yeah, she’s lucky I’m not there and going with you. She wouldn’t know what hit her.” Mal chuckled into his fist. Adam had been one of his first friends he made at college and was tied with Carly for knowing him the longest. Mal hadn’t kept any friends after the whole fiasco in his soul mate class.
“As much fun as it would be to talk about what you would do if you were here, I made a promise to some kids to video call. Since tomorrow is going to more then likely be a disaster, I wanted to do it while I’m in a good mood.”
“Sure, Bryce is just getting Gale a dressed for bed and the others are, right here.” The phone changed view to show the living room all set up for the weekly Saturday movie night. The tv looked to be set to the menu for Disney’s Hercules.
“UNCLE MAL!!!! All three boys rushed trying to reach the phone first, causing Adam to fall onto the couch and give a soft groan at the weight of his children.
“Guys careful! Dads are breakable remember?” Bryce came into the room and set the youngest down as she toddled over to the group of boys huddled around the phone.
“Hey kids, so I promised a video chat but it can’t be for long. I got a super busy day tomorrow and got to get to bed, so do you guys want a song before your movie?”
“YA!” All the pups squealed earning a look from both fathers.
“Okay what song? I think it’s Grant’s turn to pick.” Grant got a real serious look on his face as he thought about it.
“Want meg song please.” The 5-year-old softly asked and the older 2 groaned. The song was one of Grant’s favorites. Ever since he caught Mal singing it one day while he was cooking breakfast thinking about his mates.
“Hey, it’s his choice and you know better then to groan at his choice. He doesn’t do that when one of you choose a song he doesn’t like.” Mal scolded Cayden and Jamie through the video and could tell they felt sorry about their actions. “Now tuck in and get comfy.” He pulled up the karaoke version of the song on the tv in the motel room and began working his magic.
He sang and danced around as the phone was set on the night stand to show what he was doing dancing wise. Right at the end when in the movie Meg would be looking at a rose thinking of the hero, the door to the room opened and showed the two alphas back from their errand.
“Uncle Mal even got the look of Meg at the end of the song!” Mal blushed and looked back at the kids on the phone.
“Hush you munchkins. I have to go, love you all and will see you soon. Have a good movie night and be good for your dads!” A chorus of love yous and sloppy kiss noises rang out as Mal ended the call and shot off a quick text to Adam that he would text him how things went tomorrow.
“Got the kiddos squared away for the night?” Bucky asked moving to grab his night clothes and go into the bathroom.
“Yeah, Grant got to pick the song tonight. His brothers were less then thrilled with his choice, he’s having a Hercules faze.” Mal smiled and stood contemplating wearing a tank top to bed. Steve came up behind him and splayed his hand on the soul mark on Mal’s right side.
“Your good with them. Makes me wonder what you would be like with any kids we have in the future.” Mal blushed and turned his head to kiss Steve’s cheek. “You might sleep better with no tank top. We tend to run warm if you didn’t notice earlier.” Mal’s blush got deeper and nodded and moved to the bed and settled right in the middle.
Bucky exited the bathroom and was wearing his own pair of black basketball shorts and no tank top. He looked from Steve to Mal’s blushing and just smirked. He grabbed Steve by the waist when he tried to pass him and laid a deep kiss on Steve’s lips. Getting drawn in and Mal began to squirm feeling a burning down in his groin and the start of slick being produced.
“As much as I love a good show, you’re both the ones who put a stop to things earlier and if you keep going, I won’t be able to stop myself.” Bucky pulled away and moved over to the right side of the bed and crawled in next to Mal, gripping the omega’s chin and tilted his face to look at him.
“Just a taste of what’s to come baby.” He laid a deep kiss and began to situate the pillows and putting his phone on the charger next to Mal’s. Steve emerged from the bathroom in dark blue jogging shorts that rested at thigh level and gave a hint of an outline to what was underneath. Mal blushed and tried to hide under the blanket. Earning a chuckle from the two alphas.
“Aw I think we broke our omega, Buck.”
“I think you did that with those damn shorts Stevie. Omega did you need to take out your contacts?” Mal shot out from the bed and into the bathroom to do just that and collect his mind. While taking out his contacts he decided to be brave. If they were going to tempt him, then he would do the same. He took off his basketball shorts, leaving him in his red boxer briefs. Getting his glasses on and checking his hair braid he went back to the main room.
“Fucking shit. What you doing omega?” Bucky looked up and had such a blush to him.
“Two can play this game you both started. He climbed and settled between the two. “Good night alphas, make sure the alarm is set for 8 please?” Steve groaned and confirmed he had done such. Mal reached over Steve to place his glasses on the night stand and then shut off the light. While pulling back to curl up and sleep he may have run the scent glands of his wrist over Steve’s chest.
“Good night omega, now behave and get some sleep.” The two curled up around the omega. Malcom huffed and buried his face into Steve’s neck as Bucky wrapped his arm around Mal’s waist and rested his hand over the omega’s sternum. They all fit together and easily fell into sleep as they would face the trials of the next day. Together.