Chapter 381
“The closet is the escape plan?” Ternen looked about as confused as Rick did. I laughed. “Just follow me.” I walked into the closet, and they all followed. “Close the door behind us, Ternen, please.” “Okay.” I heard the door shut before I opened the next door, and then the one on the other side.
“You have a door that leads to a door?” Abby giggled. “I do. Do you want to know why?” I asked, still using the other door to block their view. “Why?” Abby came up behind me, and I opened both doors wide. “Because this is a magic closet. Follow me.” I waved them forward, and we walked through my bedroom, down the hall, and down the stairs.
“You have another house in your closet?” Shelly’s words were filled with awe. She turned to Rick and elbowed him. “We can barely afford the one, and she has a huge house in a closet.” I laughed and winked down at Abby. “Come on, I have someone I want you to meet.” I held out my hands, and she lifted her arms. “Sorry,” she whispered as we started down the steps. “Why are you saying sorry?” I turned to her as we reached the ground floor. “Because stairs are hard for me and make me tired.” She looked down at her hands. “I don’t want you to think you have to carry…” I poked her cheek. “I will never be mad, annoyed, or upset if I carry you.” “Amy!” I heard the squeal before I turned in time to catch Carly. “Hey, baby girl. How was your day today?” I brushed back her curls and kissed her head. “It was great. Aunt Wendy and Aunt Toya took me on a run, and we had lunch with Daddy.” I smiled. “That sounds like an amazing day, but I have a surprise for you.” I heard Wendy and Toya pull up short behind me. “You said that. What is it?” Carly finally looked behind me, and her eyes widened. “This…” I stepped aside and pulled Abby to my side. “This is Abby.” Carly’s eyes grew wide, and she wiggled in my arms to get down. “Hi.” Abby smiled shyly. “Hi.” “I’m Carly.” Carly smiled. “Did you want to be my friend?” Abby smiled. “I would like that.” “Do you want to go to my bedroom? I can show you all my toys.” Carly held out her hand, but I placed a hand on her shoulder. “Abby finds it a little hard right now to go up and down stairs.” Carly looked up at me and then moved to Wendy and Toya. “Can Aunty Wendy and Toya help?” She looked at the others. “It will give you time to explain everything and show them around.” I looked at Shelly and Rick. “Wendy and Toya are my best friends and would never harm Abby.” I rubbed Carly’s hair. “I trust them with my girl here every day.”
They looked at each other and then down at the two hopeful girls. There was a soft sigh, and then Shelly looked at me. “Promise she is safe?” “Absolutely.” I nodded. I turned to Wendy and Toya. “Do you mind?” “Of course not.” Wendy smiled, and she walked over to Abby. “I’m Wendy.” She grinned. “Is it okay if I pick you up to go back upstairs?” Abby looked up at her parents, and they both nodded. She turned back to Wendy. “Yes, please.” She held up her arms, and Wendy scooped her into her arms. “Let’s go, Carly.” Toya opened her arms, and Carly jumped up. Then the four of them left us alone.
I waved everyone else out the front door. “This is our escape.” I walked out onto the grass and turned to look over the cabin. “This was my great-grandmother’s land. She lived here, loved it here, and died… well, close enough.” They laughed. “This is in your closet?” Ternen looked around wide-eyed. “Sort of. My closet holds a portal here, always connected.” I brought them around the side. “I know it isn’t much, but it’s safe. It’s far enough that Vince won’t be able to find us, and best of all, there are enough bathrooms for all of us to use.” I turned to them. “There aren’t, however, enough rooms.” Rick looked at Shelly. “It won’t be forever.” I shook my head. “No, it won’t be.” I looked at them. “My father’s pack will resurface, and we’ll all join them. You will get a house, a job, and for the love of the goddess, a fair wage.” I looked at Alannah and Ternen. “There are no rules about omega pregnancy. There won’t be repercussions for asking for a new position.” I turned back to the land. “And you can watch your children grow up safe and sound after the war is over.” Shelly gasped. “War?”