Assa cleared his throat, his gaze fixed on Zinn. “Before we get into discussing Ryde, I need to thank you for the way you reacted when I told you about our open marriage. I’m assuming Zinn filled you in on that?” He glanced at Calder, who nodded. “The full scope of what that meant to me didn’t sink in until later that night. Wes and I have spent most of our adult lives worrying about how other people might perceive our relationship. It’s not shame, but there’s always been this feeling like we shouldhide ourselves away. Over the years, I’ve certainly thought about whether our son’s birth fathers would view us as unfit because we’re poly. For you to accept it so easily, casually even, was one of the most validating experiences I’ve ever had.”
Zinn blushed. “It’s really not a problem,” he said. “You don’t need to thank me for not being a judgmental asshole.”
Wes placed his hand over Zinn’s on the table. “It’s not just that,” he clarified. “We also want to make the implications clear, because the possibility exists that we may have another partner down the road. Up to now, we haven’t met anyone that we wanted for more than a little while, but it’s something we’re open to.”
Zinn’s face scrunched, and Wes assumed he had not considered this. Still, he did not move his hand away.
“We are aware that some consensual non-monogamy leads to permanent arrangements,” Calder interjected. “We’re friends with the McGinns, if you’ve heard of them? My son Jordie dates one of their older boys, Kino.”
“Zinn mentioned it,” Assa said. “And I think every poly person in the state is grateful that the McGinns decided to make their polycule an open secret. Someday, when we’ve settled all the important matters, I’d love to hear any interesting stories you have about knowing such a famous family.”
“You’d never know they’re famous,” Calder said. “They’re easy to like. Humble.”
“I suppose you’d have to be, with ten children.” Wes raised his brows, and Calder chuckled.
Silence descended across the table. It wasn’t tense, but Zinn’s lack of response was weighty.
Assa stood up quickly, his wooden chair scraping the floor. He went into the kitchen. A few seconds later, Wes heard him drain the ravioli.
“Dinner will be ready in ten,” Assa announced from the doorway. “I just need to toss the salad.”
“It would be awfully hypocritical of me to have an issue with you two being in a serious relationship with another man when I’ve already said I believe people should do whatever makes them happy,” Zinn blurted, as though he’d been in his own head the whole time. “But even more, it’s probably your openness to atypical relationships that made it so easy for you to accept me showing up in your lives. You said you’ve spent the past eight years worrying about how Ryde’s birth fathers might perceive your polyamory. Meanwhile, I’ve spent all that time wondering where my son was, and if his adoptive parents might hate me or be too afraid to let me near the child I gave birth to.”
“We’d never keep you away from Ryde, precious,” Assa assured him.
Precious? Wes glanced over at Calder, who grinned.
“I know,” Zinn said. “Because you’re not afraid of things being different. And if the mentality that made you open your arms to me means you open them up to more people, how can I be anything other than accepting of it?”
Assa knelt next to Zinn’s chair, as he had done the night of the party, and rested his chin on the omega’s thigh, peering up at him. “Thank you for saying that.”
Zinn ran his fingers through Assa’s dark red locks. “I trust you to always put Ryde first. Even if that includes introducing another adult into your family.”
Wes thought about Valentin. Their relationship was new, but there was the possibility it could develop into more. It felt like they were building something real. He and Assa had never been this invested in anyone.
But that was a question for the future. He needed Zinn and Calder to understand what was happening in the present.
“That’s just it,” Wes said. “What we wanted to talk to you about tonight. When it comes to expanding our family, we’re already there. We want you to be part of Ryde’s life, with at least as much access as you would have had if this adoption had been open from the beginning. Probably more.”
Zinn’s hand froze in Assa’s hair. “Truly?” he whispered.
Assa kissed his thigh. “Truly. To be clear, we’re not suggesting any sort of shared custody, that would be too hard on Ryde, but we can play it by ear and let it evolve naturally. Holidays. Outings. School events and games. You can start out asfun unclesand we’ll see where it goes from there.” He reached out to Zinn’s belly. “May I?” At Zinn’s smile, Assa rested his hand on his stomach and continued, “Ryde deserves to know you. And we want him to know his baby brother.” He looked at Calder. “And your boys, since they’re family.”
“And Assa and I don’t want to presume, but we would also like to know the baby, and the older kids. We are up for being fun uncles too,” Wes said wryly.
“I would love that,” Zinn whispered. “It’s so much more than I hoped for.”
“Got to take advantage of the fact that we live so close to each other,” Wes added practically.
Adingsounded from the kitchen and Assa stood. “I need to get the garlic bread out of the oven.”
“I’ll help you get everything together,” Zinn said, following him.
Calder watched them leave the room.
“I’m pleased that they’re such fast friends,” he said to Wes. “Zinn hasn’t had many.”
“Assa has the most open heart of anyone you’ll ever meet,” Wes said.
