Jason locked the doors and flipped the sign to "CLOSED." The sudden quiet after a busy day always felt
slightly surreal, like the store itself was taking a deep breath.
"Alright, team," Jason called out. "Let's get closed down. Rachel, Kiana—count your registers. Hannah,
Selene—walk your departments and make sure everything's secured. Tina, same for outdoor and garden.
Jessica should be back down soon, and we'll all help with final cleanup."
Everyone moved to their tasks with practiced efficiency. This was their third day of full operations, and
they were already working like a well-oiled machine.
Jason made his way upstairs to check on Sarah and Jessica. He found them in Sarah's new room—one
of the residential quarters on the third floor that had been prepared for new staff members.The room was modest but comfortable, with a full-sized bed, a dresser, a small desk, and a private
bathroom. Soft lighting gave it a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Jessica had clearly been helping Sarah
settle in—there were folded clothes on the dresser, toiletries visible through the open bathroom door, and
Sarah herself was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking much more composed than when he'd last seen
her.
She was dressed in comfortable clothes that Jessica must have provided—soft pants and a loose shirt,
her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail. Her face was clean of the smudged makeup from earlier, and
though she still looked tired, there was color in her cheeks and a calmness to her expression.
"Jason," Sarah said softly, her eyes lighting up when she saw him. She started to stand, but he gestured
for her to stay seated.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, entering the room and moving to sit beside her on the bed.
"Better," Sarah said. "Tired, but... better. Jessica's been wonderful. She explained everything—about the
store, about the other women, about... about us."
"Good." Jason glanced at Jessica, who stood near the door with a gentle smile. "Thank you, Jess."
"Just doing my job," Jessica replied. "I'll head back downstairs and help with closing. Sarah, you rest.
We'll bring you dinner later."
She left, closing the door quietly behind her, and Jason and Sarah were alone.
"I can't believe this is real," Sarah said softly, her hand moving unconsciously to her belly. "A few hours
ago, I thought my life was over. And now..."
"Now you're safe," Jason said firmly. "You're home. You're family."
Sarah's eyes filled with tears—but they were happy tears. She leaned against him, and Jason wrapped
an arm around her shoulders, holding her close.
They sat like that for several minutes, neither feeling the need to speak. The contact was enough—
comforting, grounding, reassuring.
Finally, Sarah pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "Jessica told me about the others. About how this
works. That we're all... yours."
"Does that bother you?" Jason asked.
"No," Sarah said immediately. "It should, maybe. But it doesn't. After everything I went through with Trex,
being forced to be his alone, belonging to someone cruel... this is different. You're different. And sharing
you with the other women, being part of something bigger than just me... it feels right."
She smiled, a little shyly. "Besides, I've worshipped the Dark Lady my whole life. Solana teaches that love
multiplies rather than divides. That the more you share, the more you have. This feels like living that
truth."
Jason felt a surge of warmth toward this woman—her strength, her faith, her willingness to embrace this
new life despite everything she'd been through.
"Come on," he said, standing and offering his hand. "Let's go down and have dinner with everyone. You
should meet the rest of the family properly."
Sarah took his hand and stood, then hesitated. "What if they don't like me? What if—"
"They're going to love you," Jason assured her. "Trust me."Family Dinner
The dining area on the third floor was large enough to accommodate everyone comfortably. There was a
long table that could seat ten, with a kitchen area visible through an archway. Hannah was already at
work preparing food, with Tina helping her chop vegetables.
When Jason and Sarah entered, all conversation stopped. The women all turned to look at the newcomer,
and Jason felt Sarah tense beside him.
Then Hannah smiled—that warm, welcoming smile that was so characteristic of her—and set down her
knife. "Sarah! I'm so glad you're feeling better. Come, sit down. Dinner will be ready soon."
"I'm Hannah," she continued, moving closer but maintaining a respectful distance. "I manage the grocery
and produce department. If you need anything—anything at all—please let me know."
"Thank you," Sarah said softly, some of her tension easing.
Tina grinned and waved from the kitchen. "I'm Tina. Outdoor and garden department. Fair warning: I'm
going to want all the details about what happened today. Not the traumatic stuff—Jason told us about that
—but how you're feeling now, what you need, all that."
Selene approached next, her small frame somehow commanding despite her size. "Selene. Customer
service. If any of those bastards had friends who come looking for trouble, you let me know. We'll handle
it."
Rachel, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, gave Sarah a nod. "Rachel. Main cashier.
Welcome to the madhouse."
And Kiana, hovering nervously near Rachel, smiled shyly. "I'm Kiana. I'm new too—just started yesterday.
It's nice to have someone else who's just getting used to all this."
Sarah looked around at all of them, seeming overwhelmed by the welcome. "Thank you," she said, her
voice thick with emotion. "All of you. I don't... I don't know what to say."
"Don't say anything," Jessica said, appearing from the kitchen with plates. "Just sit down and let us feed
you. You've had a hell of a day."
They all settled around the table, and Hannah emerged from the kitchen carrying a large pot of what
smelled like stew—rich and savory, with fresh bread on the side. She served everyone with practiced
ease, and soon they were all eating and talking.
The conversation flowed naturally. The women asked Sarah gentle questions about her life before—
carefully avoiding the trauma with Trex—and shared their own stories. Sarah learned that all of them had
been orphans, had found each other and then found Jason. She learned about their hopes and dreams,
their devotion to making Mercees successful, their excitement about their pregnancies.
"Wait," Sarah said at one point, looking around the table in amazement. "Are all of you pregnant?"
"Yep," Rachel confirmed cheerfully. "Jason's got potent seed. One time is all it takes."
"Mercurio blessed him well," Hannah added with a smile. "We're all going to be mothers. And now you will
be too."
Sarah's hand moved to her belly again, a gesture Jason was already recognizing as habitual. "I can't
wait," she whispered.
The evening continued with warmth and laughter. These women, who had been strangers to Sarah just
hours ago, were welcoming her as family. Jason watched it all with deep satisfaction, seeing his
household coming together, supporting each other.Around 9:00 PM, they began to disperse to their rooms. Tomorrow was Tholsday, another work day, and
they all needed rest.
Sarah stood to head to her room, but as she reached the hallway, she paused. Jason saw her hand
trembling slightly as she touched the doorframe, saw the way her breathing had quickened.
He moved to her side. "Sarah? What's wrong?"
"I..." She looked up at him, and he saw fear in her eyes—not of him, but of something else. "I don't want
to be alone. I know that sounds pathetic, but after everything today, the thought of sleeping alone in that
room..."
Understanding dawned. After months of captivity, after the trauma of this morning, after the intensity of
the afternoon—being alone in a new place would feel isolating, frightening.
"You don't have to be alone," Jason said gently. "I'll stay with you tonight."
Relief washed over Sarah's face so completely that it was almost painful to witness. "Thank you," she
breathed. "I'm sorry, I know you probably have other—"
"Don't apologize," Jason interrupted. "You're part of this family now. Taking care of you is part of taking
care of all of us."
They walked to Sarah's room together. Once inside, Sarah immediately moved to the bed, climbing in and
pulling the covers up. But she watched Jason with an expression that was part nervousness, part hope.
"Will you... will you hold me?" she asked quietly. "I need to feel safe."
Jason removed his shirt and pants, leaving on his underwear, and climbed into bed beside her. Sarah
immediately curled into him, her head on his chest, her arm draped across his torso. He wrapped his
arms around her, holding her close, and felt her entire body relax against him.
"Thank you," Sarah whispered. "For everything. For saving me, for giving me a home, for giving me a
future. For making me feel wanted instead of used. For—"
"Shh," Jason murmured, stroking her hair gently. "You don't have to thank me. This is where you belong
now."
They lay in comfortable silence for several minutes. Jason could feel Sarah's breathing starting to even
out as sleep began to claim her. But then she shifted, tilting her head up to look at him.
"Jason," she said softly. "Make love to me. Please. I need... I need to feel connected to you. Need to
know this is real."
Jason looked down at her, seeing the vulnerability and need in her eyes. "Are you sure? After this
afternoon—"
"I'm sure," Sarah interrupted. "This afternoon was claiming. This would be... something else. Something
gentler. Please?"
Jason answered by leaning down and kissing her. It was slow and deep, full of tenderness rather than
desperate passion. Sarah melted into it, her hand coming up to cup his face.
They undressed each other slowly, revealing skin inch by inch. When they were both naked, Jason pulled
Sarah on top of him, letting her control the pace. She straddled his hips, positioning herself over his cock
—returned to its default fourteen and a half inches—and slowly sank down onto him.
They both groaned at the sensation. Sarah was still sensitive from earlier, still stretched and ready for
him, and he filled her completely. She began to move, rolling her hips in a slow, sensual rhythm that builtpleasure gradually rather than urgently.
"You feel so good," Sarah breathed, her hands braced on his chest. "So perfect inside me."
Jason's hands moved to her hips, guiding her movements but letting her set the pace. He watched her
face—the way her eyes drifted closed, the way her lips parted in pleasure, the way her dark hair fell
around her shoulders like a curtain.
"I'm yours," Sarah whispered, moving faster now, chasing her pleasure. "Completely yours. Forever
yours."
"And I'm going to take care of you," Jason promised, his voice rough with desire. "Always."
Sarah's movements became more desperate, her body tightening as her orgasm approached. "Don't let
me go," she begged. "Please, hold me tight. Don't ever let me go."
Jason sat up, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her close. The new position let him thrust up into her
while she ground down onto him, and the intensity made them both gasp.
"Never," Jason growled against her neck. "I'm never letting you go."
Sarah's legs wrapped around his waist, locking him in place, and she buried her face in his shoulder.
"Give me your children," she sobbed, emotion and pleasure mixing together. "Fill me with them. I want to
give you everything."
"You already have," Jason assured her, his thrusts becoming more powerful. "You've given me your trust.
Your devotion. Yourself."
Sarah's orgasm hit her hard, her body convulsing in Jason's arms, her pussy clenching rhythmically
around his cock. The sensation pushed Jason over the edge, and he came with a groan, flooding her with
his seed.
They held each other through the waves of pleasure, neither wanting to let go. When the intensity finally
faded, they remained locked together, Sarah's legs still wrapped around Jason's waist, his arms still
holding her tight.
"I love you," Sarah whispered against his shoulder. "I know it's too soon, I know I shouldn't say it yet, but I
do. I love you."
Jason's arms tightened around her. "I love you too, Sarah. Welcome home."
They stayed like that for a long time before finally separating enough to lie down properly. Sarah curled
into Jason's side, her head on his chest, his arm wrapped around her shoulders. His other hand stroked
her hair in slow, soothing patterns.
"Are you happy?" Jason asked softly. "Truly happy?"
"Yes," Sarah breathed, already drifting toward sleep. "For the first time in so long... yes."
Jason continued stroking her hair, watching as her breathing evened out and deepened. She was asleep
within minutes, her face peaceful, one hand resting over his heart.
Jason lay awake a while longer, thinking about the day. The violence of the morning seemed like it had
happened weeks ago rather than hours. So much had changed, so much had been gained. Sarah was
safe now, pregnant with his child, part of his growing family.
Outside, the city of Garria continued its nightly rhythms. Somewhere out there, Fiona was probably lying
awake as well, one hand on her belly, marveling at the life beginning inside her. And Sergeant Wendia
was likely thinking about him, her wolf instincts telling her to seek him out, to claim him as her mate.This world, Gerra, had given him everything he'd ever wanted and things he hadn't even known to want.
Power, purpose, family, love.
And this was only the beginning.
Jason pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Sarah's head and whispered, "I'm so happy you're with us.
Sleep well, beautiful. Tomorrow is a new day, and we'll face it together."
Sarah murmured something incomprehensible in her sleep and snuggled closer. Jason smiled, closed his
eyes, and let sleep claim him as well.
The store was closed, his family was safe and happy, and the future stretched out before him full of possibility. - It had been a very good day.