Butterscotch Souls: The Morningstar Series: Book 4
Butterscotch Souls – Chapter 16

Ambrose helped Tate into his shoes while I slipped my beat up tennis shoes on. Then he pulled on his boots and we walked out the door. We had just made it down the steps of the porch when Tate started to ask questions.

“Dad can I get some boots like you?” Tate asked Ambrose.

“Course you can buddy.” Ambrose answered him. I rolled my eyes. “Why are you so irritated Momma?” He whispered in my ear.

I gave him a bored look and crossed my arms.

“He already looks just like you and now he wants to dress like you. It’s so unfair.” I whined. “Our next kid better look like me.” I grumbled out.

Ambrose slung his arm over my shoulders.

“Well, if not then we can keep having them until one does.” He said teasingly.

I snapped my head up to see him smiling at me.

“You’re teasing me.” I stated with a frown.

Ambrose chuckled.

“Oh no, I mean every word.” He said.

“Mom, Dad, come on.” Tate g*****d from in front of us.

“Should we hold his hands here?” I asked Ambrose.

He shook his head.

“No, no one will touch him and if somehow someone does… I’ll kill them.” He said with a whicked smile.

Most people would be scared of that statement, but I was not. Honestly, it gave me a sense of peace. Ambrose would destroy anyone that dared to touch our son. That was something I could relate to.

“Alright, head for that really big building. That’s the school.” Ambrose told Tate.

Tate took off in a run that I quickly stopped.

“Hey! You make sure not to run too far ahead of us. I want to be able to see you and reach you.” I told him.

“Okay Momma.” Tate said as he came back a few feet.

Ambrose chuckled as he grabbed my hand and we all walked to the school. Tate asked Ambrose all kinds of questions about the school, to which he answered all of them honestly. Our son is so excited, how could I have not said no to this.

Finally Tate was getting everything he deserved. A normal life. Well, as normal as you can get with us.

Once we got to the front doors Tate and I stared up at them in awe. This place is huge, like dumb huge. Ambrose lead us in and showed us what section Tate would be in.

Tate took his time exploring and Ambrose and I waited patiently as he did so. After Tate inspected all of the class rooms we moved on to other areas. Ambrose showed me the rest of the sections so that I knew where his two siblings would be. Then he showed us the lounge areas where the kids hung out in their free time.

After a couple of hours of touring Tate announced that he was hungry again.

“Well that’s good because the kitchen is the next stop.” Ambrose told him as he pushed open a door that lead to the largest kitchen in the world.

I was sure of that.

“Now, the students aren’t usually allowed in here Tate. You can only come in here if you are with an adult or have permission. Okay?” Ambrose asked him.

“Okay Daddy.” Tate said.

“Alright. You guys have a seat and you tell me what you want.” Ambrose said.

Tate looked around the room taking everything in.

“What sounds good butterscotch?” I asked him.

Tate put his little finger on his chin.

“Cheeseburgers and fries and a chocolate shake!” He shouted.

“I don’t know about that honey.” I said as I looked to Ambrose.

“Nonsense. I can do that for the two loves of my life.” Ambrose said.

I smiled at him and he winked at me. My face heated but I didn’t look away from him this time. Ambrose leaned forward and placed a small k**s to my lips before turning for the huge walk in cooler.

When he came out he threw a b***d bag into the huge microwave and then began pulling things out to make us burgers. Once the microwave beeped Ambrose poured the b***d into a cup, put a straw in it, and handed it to our son, who took it greedily.

A short while later we were all eating the best burgers I have ever had. Much like everything else Ambrose makes. Tate scarffed down his food leaving me to wonder if he even tasted it. I shook my head at my son who asked for more fries.

“Are you sure it’s normal for him to eat like this?” I asked Ambrose.

He chuckled at me.

“Yes Epperly I am sure. Wait until you see how the rest of my family eats. Trust me he fits right in.” He told me as he took my empty plate from me.

“Didn’t you eat a lot when you were pregnant?” He asked me.

My face heated with embarrassment this time.

“Uhm, I was hungry a lot but it was hard to eat as much as I wanted to I guess.” I said.

Ambrose rested his hand on my leg and I looked up into his sad eyes.

“I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for you.” He told me.

I shook my head but before I could say anything Ambrose continued.

“Please don’t start feeling guilty again. The next time you are pregnant you’ll never want for anything my love. I will always be here for you.” He said making me smile.

“So, what else do you want to show us?” I asked.

Ambrose took us around the rest of the building. All that was left was the head mistress office, who happened to be Ambrose’s sister. She wasn’t there and he seemed to know that before I did. Maybe becaue it’s the weekend?

Then he took me to meet all of the teachers. They were all very nice. Especially the ones that would be with Tate all day. Tate really liked them as well. He talked their ears off for a while and they loved him. Then we got to see the infirmory and that was when we got to meet a few more people.

“Who is this?” A man with dark hair and green eyes came up to us and asked.

He has a bright smile that instantly made me feel welcome. His dark curly hair hung over his forehead and slightly in his eyes. He’s wearing a pair of black skinny jeans and a white T-shirt.

“Epperly this is Azai, one of my brothers. Azai, this is Epperly my mate.” Ambrose introduced us.

Azai’s face turned to pure shock as he looked at me and then back to his brother.

“You found her?! When?” He asked.

“Yesterday.” Ambrose said.

“And you didn’t tell us?” Azai asked slightly angry.

“Hey you don’t use that tone with my daddy.” Tate shouted coming from behind his dad.

Azai looked down and once again his face turned to shock. He looked up at his brother slowly and Ambrose nodded to him. Then Azai crouched down to come face to face with a frowning Tate.

“I’m sorry that I used that tone with your dad kiddo.” Azai said softly but that didn’t make Tate stop frowning.

Kid is super protective of his parents.

“I’m Azai, what’s your name?” Azai asked him.

“Tate.” He stated with all the attitude making me snort.

“Tate don’t be like that.” I scolded my son. “Azai is one of your uncles you know.” I told him.

That had a change in his mood. Tate’s jaw dropped and the angry look left his face. He stared at Azai in awe and then did something that I have never seen Tate do before, he sniffed his uncle.

“You kind of smell like my daddy.” Tate commented.

Azai chuckled.

“Yeah that’s how you know we are family.” He told my son.

“You’re really my uncle?” Tate asked skeptical.

Ambrose chuckled. “Yeah kid, he is.”

“I guess I can forgive you then.” Tate told Azai, who beamed at him.

Azai stood back up on his feet and looked at me.

“It’s so nice to finally meet you Epperly, and my nephew. Would you guys like to meet my mates and our kids?” He asked.

I nodded to him.

“My cousins.” Tate whispered making us all chuckle.

“These cousins are a lot younger than you though. One is only three and the other is only a year old.” Ambrose told him.

Azai walked to the back of the room where a women is sitting on a chair and a man is standing. There is a little girl standing behind the man’s legs and a baby bouncing happily in the lap of the women. They couple smiled brightly at us as we approached them. Azai gave them each a quick k**s.

“Epperly, Tate, these are my mates and children.” Azai said proudly.

The man shook his head and reached his hand out to me.

“Plessure to meet you. I’m Ozzy.” He told me.

Ozzy is an adorable and shy looking man. His light red hair and freckles made him look even more innocent, and his bright blue eyes were like crystals.

I took his wrist and gave it a shake. Yeah I still do that. It’s a bad habit to break apparently.

“Nice to meet you Ozzy. I’m Epperly, Ambrose’s mate.” I said as I looked to Ambrose.

I hope it was okay I said that. Ambrose was smiling widely so I think it was okay.

“And this is Tate. Our son.” I said.

All eyes fell on Tate who shrinked back under their gaze.

The women who was sitting down stood up and put the baby on her h*p, then reached her hand out to me.

“It’s so nice to meet the both of you. I’m Olive, their other mate.” She said as she used her head to gesture to the two men.

Olive is an absolutely stunning women. She has a figure curver than mine and long dark brown hair. Her deep brown eyes sparkled with a warmth that I couldn’t place.

I grabbed her wrist and gave it a shake.

“It’s nice to meet you guys too.” I said and I ment it.

Is it weird that I feel so welcomed?

“What’s your name?” Tate asked and I looked down to see him looking at the girl that was hiding behind her father.

She’s a cute little thing with black hair like Azai but bright blue eyes like Ozzy. She also has freckles that dotted under her eyes and across her nose. Her little pink dress made her look even more adorable.

“Sorry, she’s shy like her father.” Azai said causing Ozzy to give him an annoyed look.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to be shy. We’re cousins.” Tate told her.

The little girl looked up at her fathers who gave her an encouraging smile and a slight nudge.

“Go on, tell them your name.” Olive urgered her daughter.

“I’m Clover.” The little girl said shyly as she stared at the floor.

“I like your name.” Tate told her with a smile.

The little girl gave Tate a small smile.

“Thank you.” She said.

“You wanna play with me?” Tate asked her.

Clover looked up at her mom who nodded that it was okay. The little girl beamed and then grabbed Tate by the arm and dragged him to a small pile of coloring books and crayons a few feet away. Wow, it didn’t take long for her to warm up to him.

“And this little bundle of joy is Nyra.” Olive told me as the little baby on her h*p giggled.

Nyra is the cutest, chubbiest baby. She has small red curls and deep green eyes. The little baby babbled and drooled. Then she reached her little hands out to me. I looked at Olive as if to ask permission. Olive handed the baby off to me right away and I snatched up little Nyra.

“My my you are so cute.” I cooed as I bounced her in the air.

Nyra’s little giggles filled the air causing me to giggle along with her.

“She loves you.” Olive said after I put Nyra on my h*p.

“Which is weird because she only likes her mother.” Azai grumbled.

“Oh stop it, Clover was, and still is, attached to the two of you. It was about time I got my own little parasite.” Olive said as she pinched Nyra’s cheeks making her squeal.

“Let’s have more.” Azai said dreamily.

Both Olive and Ozzy snapped their heads to Azai.

“No.” They said together.

Azai frowned then turned a smile to his youngest.

“Don’t worry little Rya, I’ll ask again in a couple of months.” He said to his daughter as he snatched her out of my arms.

For the next hour we sat and talked with Azai and his mates. Tate and Clover colored in the corner and Tate talked her ear off. Clover, thankfully, didn’t seem to mind though. I held Nyra almost the entire time.

“So, you guys gonna have another one?” Olive asked me.

I looked up to meet her eyes and then looked at Ambrose.

“Oh, we’re going to have as many as it takes until Epperly gets her own mini me.” Ambrose said with a smirk making Azai snicker.

“That kid does look just like you.” Azai said.

“You two are even matching outfits.” Ozzy said with an amused smile.

Ambrose looks so proud at the comments I couldn’t help but giggle.

“It’s so adorable.” Azai said.

“Its annoying is what it is.” I grumbled making Olive burst out in laughter.

“Isn’t it!?” She asked. “We carry these kids around and give birth to them and they had the audacity to look like their fathers. Brats.” She said.

“Oh my Gods I know!” I g*****d out. “Tate doesn’t even have my complexion. Now he meets his dad and suddenly he wants to be just like him.” I said.

“He even wants to grow his hair out and get a tattoo.” Ambrose said with a smirk.

I narrowed my eyes at him before rolling them.

“Of course he does.” I mumbled. “Wait, a tattoo?” I asked.

Ambrose’s face turned red and he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Uhm, yeah he saw the tattoo I have this morning and asked if he could have one.” He said.

“You have a tattoo?” I asked with an eyebrow raised.

“Whoa, whoa, wait.” Azai said as he began laughing. “You didn’t tell her about the tattoo?” He asked.

“I’m surprised she hasn’t seen it yet. It’s right there on your chest for everyone to see.” Olive commented.

“She hasn’t seen me naked yet.” Ambrose said.

“Oh you pour thing.” Azai said to me making me laugh.

“Okay that’s enough.” Ambrose said.

“Wait I wanna know what the tattoo is. Can I see it?” I asked him.

Ambrose turned an even deeper shade of red and I looked at the others to see them all snickering or trying to hold back their amusement.

“Uhm, maybe later.” He told me. “Right now we gotta go to meet my parents before everyone gets there for dinner.” He said as he stood up.

“Okay.” I said as I stood and handed Nyra back to her mom.

“Come on Tate, you can color with Clover later.” Ambrose told him.

Tate told Clover goodbye before running over to his dad.

“We’ll see you guys at dinner.” Azai said as we began to walk out.

“It was lovely meeting you Epperly!” Olive called out.

“It was nice to meet you guys too!” I called back as we walked through the doors.

“I really like Clover, she is good at drawing.” Tate announced as we left the school.

“I agree, I like her too.” I said and then looked at Ambrose. “I really liked them all.” I said with a smile.

“Good, cause we are about to meet more.” Ambrose said as he grabbed my hand.

“I asked Mom if she could kick everyone out so you can meet them slowly since there are so many of us. Unfortunately she is babysitting Tia and Max’s kids annnnnddd Amory is there waiting for you of course.” He told me.

I smiled brightly. “Okay.”

After meeting a small section of the family I was growing more excited than nervous now. We walked for a short distance until we came up to a huge mansion. It’s absolutely stunning.

“This is your house?” I asked incredulously.

“No, my house is over there.” He pointed in the direction of the home we had left this morning.

I gave Ambrose a bored look and he laughed.

“Yes, this was my home. Kind of have to have a lot of room when you have 12 kids. But Tia and Max renovated half of it into apartments for our siblings so that they have some space. I never took one though.” He told me.

“Why not?” I asked.

Ambrose shrugged.

“I don’t really know honestly.” He answered and then looked down at Tate. “You ready to meet your grandparents buddy?” He asked.

“Yeah!” Tate shouted as he fist pumped the air.

Ambrose chuckled and then looked at me. I gave him a nod and then he opened the door for us. Tate and I entered and Ambrose helped Tate out of his shoes. I kicked mine off and placed them next to Tates.

After taking his own shoes off, Ambrose lead us through the house. We passed a staircase and a large living room. Then we rounded a corner and stepped into a large kitchen. Not as large as the school but still pretty big. Theres a dinning table that sits at least 10, off to the side. Two people were standing over the stove and whispering to each other.

As soon as we entered they turned around.

I knew immediately that they are Ambrose parents. The woman, Lydia, has long curly blonde hair the same color as my son and his father. Her bright green eyes sparkled as she smiled warmly at me.

The man, Kasyn, looks exactly like my son and mate. Great, I bet that Lydia knows exactly how I feel. Even with blonde hair Ambrose still looks exactly like his father. It’s a bit surreal to see where my son gets all of his looks from.

“You must be Epperly.” Lydia said as she hurried over to me and engulfed me in a hug.

I hugged her back with no hesitation. A calm and welcoming aura wrapped around me and I instantly knew that I liked her. She even smells slightly like Ambrose, with that fresh dirt smell.

“It is so nice to finally have you here my dear.” She whispered in my ear.

“Thank you.” I whispered back.

“Okay honey, maybe you should let her breathe.” Kasyn said and suddenly I was released.

Only to be engulfed by Kasyn though.

“It’s about time you showed up. Amory has only been saying for the last three years ‘any day now’.” He whispered to me and then pulled away.

“She did?” I asked.

Kasyn nodded.

“Yeah, little s**t kept getting my hopes up.” He said making me laugh.

“Well this little s**t ended up being right. Eventually..” Came a familiar voice from behind him.

“Watch your mouth Amory.” Lydia scolded her daughter.

Amory only shrugged at her mom before coming up to me.

“It’s about time you came out of that house!” She practically shouted.

“What house?” Kasyn asked.

But Amory ignored him.

“So where is he? Where is my nephew?” She asked.

“Nephew?” Kasyn and Lydia asked at the same time.

“I have another aunt.” Tate whispered as he came from behind his dad to look at Amory.

She crouched down to get eye level with Tate.

“Hey there little dude. I’m your aunt Mo. Soon to be your favoirte aunt. And you’re Tate right?” She asked him.

Tate nodded to her.

“Yeah I’m Tate, my daddys mini me.” He said proudly making me roll my eyes.

Ambrose snorted out a laugh and I stuck my tougne out at him.

“I have another grandson?” Lydia whispered as tears filled her eyes.

Ambrose grabbed Tates tiny hand and pulled him around Amory.

“Tate, this is your grandma and grandpa. Mom, Dad, this is Tate. My son.” Ambrose said ‘my son’ so proudly it warmed my heart.

“Hi. I’ve never had grandparents before. Clover said you guys always give us candy.” Tate said making us all chuckle.

Lydia and Kasyn bent down to Tate’s level, Lydia with tears in her eyes.

“It’s so nice to meet you honey. Wow, you look just like your father.” Lydia said.

Kasyn gave Ambrose a proud smile.

“He sure has those Morningstar looks.” He said.

“Don’t I know it.” I grumbled rolling my eyes again.

Lydia chuckled at me as she got back to her feet.

“I was lucky enough that our first two looked just like me. Something that pissed Kasyn right off.” She said with a laugh.

“Yeah yeah.” Kasyn said.

“Well Tate, do you want to meet your cousins? I’m sure Gatlin and Genesis would love to have someone around to be rough with for once.” Lydia asked.

Tate nodded his head in excitement and Lydia chuckled.

“Gatlin, Genesis! Come here please.” Kasyn called out.

A moment later two small boys around Tate’s age came barreling in the room. Twins. They look exactly alike with light blonde hair pulled back into little buns. Do all the blonde haired men here wear their hair like that?

The two of them inspected Tate and I with their honey colored eyes. Then they looked at each other and shrugged.

“I want to introduce you two to some people.” Lydia said.

“Okay Grandma.” One of them said.

It’s kind of hard to believe that Lydia and Kasyn are grandparents. Neither of them looks a day over 25, if that. I wonder if they stop aging because of what they are. I’d have to ask Ambrose about that later.

“This is your new aunt, Epperly. She is Uncle Ambrose’s mate.” Lydia said to them and then looked at me. “This one is Gatlin and this one is Genesis. Don’t worry you won’t be able to tell them apart and they will play that as much as they can.” She said with an eye roll.

I chuckled and looked down at the boys.

“Nice to meet you.” I told them as I inspected their faces.

Gatlin has a mischievious glint in his eyes as he looked up at me. Genesis didn’t have the same look in his honey eyes. I’d definitely be able to tell them apart, but I won’t tell them that yet.

“Uncle Ambrose got a babe.” Gatlin said making Kasyn choke on his water.

“Who taught you that?” He asked his grandson.

Gatline shrugged.

“Uncle Bou says that about Aunt Acaisia all the time.” He said.

Kasyn rolled his eyes.

“And I thought your dad was the worst of em.” He grumbled out making me chuckled.

“Anyways,” Lydia said getting the boys attention again. “This is Tate. He is your cousin. Ambrose and Epperly’s son.” She told them. “Tate, these are the boys.”

“Tate. Cool name.” Genesis said.

“So Tate, you like monster trucks?” Gatlin asked him.

Tate nodded and then looked up at me.

“Mommy can I go play with my cousins?” He asked.

“Only babies call their moms, mommy.” Gatlin said.

Tate turned to him with a frown.

“Nevermind Mommy I don’t wanna play with bully’s.” He said making Kasyn snort.

“I not a bully.” Gatlin argued.

“Are to.” Tate argued back.

“We call our mommy mommy.” Genesis said with a confused look.

“Looks like we’re all babies.” Tate announced making all of us burst out in laughter.

After that was settled the boys ran off into another room leaving us adults alone. Ambrose pulled out a chair and offered for me to sit down. I smiled at him as I thanked him.

“I’m surprised you aren’t pulling her into your lap.” Kasyn commented sounding slightly annoyed.

Ambrose shook his head.

“I don’t want to make her feel more uncomfortable than she probably already is.” He told his dad.

I was confused.

“Is it normal to have me on your lap?” I asked Ambrose.

“I mean…” He trailed off awkwardly.

“No it’s not.” Kasyn said for him earning himself a frown from Ambrose.

“Oh stop it Kasyn. You still pull me into your lap.” Lydia said from the stove.

“That’s different.” Kasyn argued.

Lydia turned and gave him a blank look, then smiled at me.

“It is perfectly normal, especially before being marked. Mates crave each others touch. If you decide you want to sit on his lap, don’t let your father-in-law stop you.” She told me as she narrowed her eyes at her mate.

“Thank you.” I said with a smile and then looked at Ambrose. “Do you want me to sit on your lap?” I asked.

I felt like this was a big deal, is it?

Ambrose blushed.

“I wouldn’t say no.” He said shyly.

“Okay.” I said as I stood up and planted my a*s on his lap. If Ambrose wants something as simple as this I would give it to him. After all he’s done so much for Tate and I already. Besides, I would be lying if I said being close to him and touching him didn’t make me feel good.

Ambrose wrapped his arms around my waist and stuck his nose in my hair. He inhaled deeply and then squeezed me closer to him. It’s sort of strange how normal it feels to be like this. I’ve barely had any other contact with someone for the majority of my life.

Here I was comfortably sitting on the lap of a man that I barely know. I know it’s because he’s my mate, so I tried not to think too much into it.

Lydia slid a cup of tea in front of me and I thanked her.

“So, are you going to tell me why you had your mate locked away from us and for how long?” She asked her son, her voice sounding dangerous.

Uht oh.