"Sweetheart, whoa, what are you doing?" Steve asked, already reaching for the sofa's corner and lifting it without you needing to ask. 

You didn't answer right away. Instead, you took advantage of his help and quickly vacuumed under the lifted area, nodding once you were done. 

It was only as you moved to the other side that Ransom moved to stand in your way. His brows had knitted together even as his hands stretched to close the distance between him and you. "Gotta agree with Muscles here. What's going on in that pretty head of yours that has you deep cleaning?" 

Steve didn't need to see your sweet face to recognize the stubborn stance you'd taken on. It was a habit that had come in handy for you plenty of times between him and Ransom, but he also knew you would sometimes use it to hide whatever pain you were going through. Knowing you as he did and the fact he and Ransom hadn't caused trouble recently, the likelihood rested on the latter option. 

That was enough to have the tension draining out of him.

It gave him the chance to focus on you and what you need from him and Ransom. 

Or he could go Ransom's route, he supposed. 

When you would've stepped around Ransom to lift the couch and resume cleaning, Ransom stepped with you and kept you from your goal. His expression grew more stern than Steve had seen it in a while. "Put the vacuum down, sweetheart, or I'll tell Marta you find her cleaning skills lacking." 

"You wouldn't," you gasped, horror lacing your words. 

Ransom cocked a brow in challenge. "Oh, sweetheart, I would and will if you don't do as you're told."

"Ran—" Steve started, but Ransom shook his head. 

Ransom wouldn't be deterred from his path even if it wasn't the one that Steve would normally consider with you. You, who were their sweetest of sweethearts. It was your sweet temperament that had drawn both him and Ransom to you, and it was that same sweetness that made them want to be worthy of you, to protect you from all of life's evils. 

While Steve had no doubts Ransom would follow through with his threat, he also knew that you adored Marta. The last thing you'd ever want was to cause the woman trouble for all she's done for the three of you in keeping the house clean and stocked for all your needs. 

Slowly, you did what Ransom demanded, setting it down on the floor beside you.

Ransom nodded. "Good job, sweetheart. Now, tell us what happened."

"If you can't, then please tell us what we can do to help," Steve said, inching closer so you could feel his warmth. 

You didn't answer right away, but the walls you'd been building slowly started to crumble. 

Only when your shoulders drooped did you finally say in a watery whisper, "I need a hug. It's been a bad day." 

Neither hesitated at hearing your request with Steve reaching you first and hugging you from behind. 

Ransom was only a half-step behind, covering your front. "It's okay, sweetheart. We've got you."

"And we always will." 

The three of you stayed like that until you finally asked for your next need—food—which Ransom made sure to order from your favorite place. When it arrived, Steve worked to set you three up in the living area where you sat snugly between them and let them feed you bits from their plates. 

You finally told them what happened to make your day so bad once you three were cleaning up. 

They listened as they always did, but they both would make sure your day would end on a high note. 

And they did. All night long. 

Jake had taken the older ones into his gaming den where they could compete with each other, playing one of the hundreds of games he and you have accumulated between your accounts over the years. Every so often, you'd hear a burst of exclaim come from the room whenever one of the others either had a spectacular run or encouragement sprinkled with mourning moans of loss.

Steve had taken a few of the younger ones into his art room where he'd already set up a few tiny tables. They'd been decked out with boxes of washable finger paints, crayons, and every other kid-friendly art medium. Large rolls of butcher paper sat on one end of the table, ready to be pulled across for them to make all the art their little hearts desired.

That left you with the absolute youngest and a couple of the older ones who weren't interested in gaming or art. So, you'd taken them into the kitchen and set them up to help you bake some cookies and other sweet treats for the oversized crowd you'd accumulated for the evening. The kitchen remained one of your favorite places thanks to your mother and your stepparents who owned the best bakery in town.

Pizzas were ordered at one point so you, Jake, or Steve would be expected to actually cook for such a large brood. Steve and Jake came out to help you set them up in the 'formal' dining area after hearing the delivery driver dropped and dashed. Cups and plates sat near the many boxes and the bottles of soda Jake had picked up the night before.

The kids, hearing the same sounds, had quickly abandoned their previous pursuits to eat their fill of the cheesy slices with loads of toppings or barely any at all.

After eating, some of the kids gravitated towards newer pursuits while others returned to previous ones. Only the youngest was whisked away to the spare room and the pop-up crib to get some sleep.

The evening was fun but busy for the final hour as you all worked to get the kids ready for their parents.

Frank and Firecracker showed up first for their three. Then, came Bucky and Precious to pick up their four. Dennis and Sweetness came shortly after for their two. Sam and Honeybee got their son while Curtis and Butterfly picked up the youngest. CK showed up shortly for his two before Jake's sister came to pick up Hannah.

Hannah had been the last one before your home plunged back into deep quiet.

"That was fun," Jake breathed into your neck. His goatee tickled, but you were used to the sensations after so many years together. You practically welcomed the touch after being kept away from him all evening.

Steve must've felt the same as he burrowed closer into your side. His fingers found your top and edged it just enough to expose the warm skin of your sides. He didn't waste another moment before moving his own beneath the fabric of your top and seeking that warmth.

Jake's hands joined Steve's, tugging you back into him. His nose nuzzled along your neck and shoulder as he whispered, "But I missed you two more."

That tugged a small smile across your lips and Steve's.

"And yet he's always the first to talk about having one of our own," Steve teased, his words slurring with his exhaustion.

Jake huffed. "Yeah, one. This was overload. How did we even end up with so many kids to watch tonight?"

"We all promised different friends without talking to one another like we should've," you mumbled, doing your best to stay in the conversation. Sleep was proving a greater force though with the warmth and scents of your Alpha and Beta surrounding you. "Gotta make sure we don't over-promise again. This was fun, but I'm too tired to make it to our bed tonight."

"Me, too," Steve concurred, his breathing already trying to even out.

"Our poor Beta," Jake murmured, his chin now hooking over your shoulder to watch as Steve fell asleep. "The kids really wore him out, didn't they?"

"And me," you agreed, exhaling softly. Your eyes grew heavier by the moment. It wouldn't be long before you finally succumbed to sleep's sweet allure.

Jake's lips pressed against your jaw as he hummed under his breath, "Go to sleep, Angel. I've got everything under control."

That was all you needed to hear before sleep finally claimed you.

Because you knew your Alpha did have it under control.

The house would be cleaned and cleared of all leftover debris before morning. Both his gaming den and Steve's art room would be set to rights. The kitchen would be cleaned with almost military precision.

And you would wake to find some of your softest blankets covering both you and Steve while Jake snoozed behind you, his arm draped across you both and his boundless energy finally spent.

Maybe one day, you three would finally have a child, but until then, you three were happy to play the favorite aunt and uncles of your growing pack.