“Yes, we can,” Milo said smugly. “We have each other.”
Haley laughed, tears filling her eyes. “You all are so… I can’t even word it.”
“Amazing?” Puck asked. “Magnificent? Extraordinary?”
“Stubborn,” she said, shaking her head. “Extraordinarily stubborn.”
“I like the word determined better,” Puck retorted.
“Don’t we all?” Milo smirked.
Felix cleared his throat. “Any more bad news?”
“Not at this time,” Milo answered.
“Then, I’d like to share something.” His smile was small and shy, and his eyes twinkled with excitement. “I’m pregnant.”
The room was silent for a moment, then came the cheers, jumping, and hugs. “Yes,” Demarien, Puck, and Milo trapped Felix between them and hugged him tightly. “That is amazing. I’m so happy for you.”
“Knew it would work.” Patrick grinned. “It’s because Boone and I were there. We’re lucky charms.”
“Lucky charms for fertility?” Haley arched a brow. “I don’t know if you should be bragging too much.”
“I already know where your nursery will go.” Milo ran from the room.
“I have some leftover paint,” Demarien said happily.
“I will personally buy you paint,” Patrick said quickly. “Please don’t use the yellow. Demarien and Boone did. It’s scary.”
Felix giggled and hugged the alpha. “Thank you, Patrick, but I already bought the paint. It’s a light blue that doesn’t make me question my mental state.”
Patrick let out a long-held breath, closing his eyes, and hugged the small omega back. “I knew you were the smartest of all of us. I’ll paint for you.”
Demarien studied the two men for a moment and shared an amused look with Boone. Felix was warming up to Patrick, and Patrick clearly had a crush on Felix. If he could be patient, he might win the heart of Demarien’s best friend. Who knew what the future would hold?
Puck’s eyes watered. “That is so sweet. Damn it. Stop being cute, Felix.”
“How can he possibly do that?” Haley asked, poking Puck’s side. “It comes naturally to him. Do you need me to put on another Hallmark movie to distract you?”
“I know you’re mocking me,” Puck said, “but, yes, please.”
Demarien buried his face in Boone’s chest, laughing. “This is our family.”
“They’re your family when they act like this,” Boone said, grinning.
Demarien looked up, studying the face of the man he had loved for a very long time. Youthful energy had faded into a steady rhythm on his scarred face, making him all the more appealing. “Our family,” he whispered. “I love you, Boone.”
“I love you, too.” Boone pressed his forehead to Demarien’s. “No matter what comes, I’ll be right here by your side.”
Chapter 16
Thanksgiving passed quickly, and Boone’s friends and family went home. Demarien found himself missing them, except maybe Lynda and Perry. However, he was easily distracted when the first Sunday brunch arrived. He danced in place in the warm kitchen as rain ticked softly against the windows over the sink, making the world outside look blurred and watercolor-soft. Inside, though, everything glowed gold. Copper pans hung above the stove. A chipped blue kettle hissed quietly on the back burner. The newly restored island in the center of the room was dusted with flour from earlier experiments that Demarien hadn’t bothered to clean up.
Bacon crackled in a cast-iron skillet while butter melted slowly in another pan, carrying the smell of garlic and herbs through the room. He wore comfortable shoes, a faded thermal shirt, and loose jeans, one sleeve shoved up to his elbow as he whisked eggs in a ceramic bowl.
“Okay,” he muttered to himself, glancing toward the stove. “You’re all on different timelines, but I’ll make this work.”
From the adjoining sitting room came a sleepy voice. “Who are you talking to?”
