Page 25 of Every Chance to Stay

“It’s okay. You don’t need to overthink it. I’m adopted, actually.” The revelation should have felt heavy, but Lucky said it as if he were discussing the weather.

“Really?” He winced at his own question.

“Really.” Lucky cocked his head, “No recessive genes caused this.” He pointed at his eyes, “I was a foundling – dropped off at the hospital, no questions asked. According to the story, mom was in the hospital recovering from giving birth to Jack at the same time. She said the nurses kept walking me up and down the hall trying to calm me and every time they passed, I made Jack cry. So, she asked to hold me, and the next thing dad knew, he was the father of twins.”

“Is that how you got the name Lucky?” He’d been curious for a while, since it wasn’t exactly a typical name.

“Sort of! Our names were originally Jack and Lucas but mom used to call me her lucky charm and dad called Jack ‘Jackie’ all the time which just became Jackie and Lucky. I personally prefer Lucky and don’t use Lucas on anything outside of legal documents.” It made perfect sense to Antonio.

“Lucky suits you.” He reached out to squeeze the omega’s hand. His lover. His partner. It still didn’t feel real.

“Lucky Wilde really is a name that sticks.” Antonio had never agreed with something more. Lucky looked like his name sounded. From the wild auburn curls that danced as he moved and the blue eyes that sparkled like the morning sea, Antonio couldn’t think of a more deserving name.

“Lucky Wilde is a person who can’t be ignored.” He cupped Lucky’s cheek, leaning in to capture his lips.

“Ahem, if you two can contain yourselves… Dinner is done.” An unfamiliar voice, deep and rumbling like an earthquake crawling across the hills.

Teague Wilde was so much more intimidating in person. A wild mane of waist length brunette hair was interspersed with a mix of braids that did nothing to tame the errant curls and sun-bleached waves. His hair was mostly black but there was grey and brown and red mixed in along with a multitude of silver accessories similar to Jack’s style. He had dark eyes, almost black set beneath a prominent brow. His skin was a deep, russet brown, weathered like the cliffs of Paradise by life at sea.

He was a handsome alpha with an imposing presence heightened by muscular crossed arms. But the entire thing was broken up by a shockingly bright pink apron covered in lace ruffles.

Antonio was not sure what his expression was. He wasn’t even sure he could feel his face.

“Dad, I think you broke him.” Lucky poked his ribs.

Somehow, he figured out how to breathe. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir…”

A hand was immediately held up by the other alpha, “None of that formality, thanks. Come sit and eat first. The rolls are gonna get cold if we just stand here.” Teague’s slow way of talking calmed some of his nerves.

The kitchen was painted a forest green shade with dark brown cabinets. It was a little outdated in a cozy way. A wave of nostalgia washed over him. It reminded him of afternoons spent at Mateo’s house, of warm cookies or fresh fruit after a long day of school and play.

“Were you an after-school pastry kid or a fruit kid?” The question slipped out before he even realized what he was asking.

“Lucky was a pastry kid. Anything with sweets, he wanted his fingers in.” It was Teague who answered, grabbing oven mitts to move a plate of lasagna to the table.

It was round and welcoming. Jack was already seated with his back to the wall. Antonio took the seat near him, across from Teague. He felt a bit more confident with the twins flanking him, it was easier to look the man in the eye and know if he was failing in some invisible way. “Hah, so was I. Cookies were my vice.”

“I was a fruit kid! Anything with fresh fruit, but particularly mango.” Jack grinned, “Lucky’s sweet tooth has no limit.”

“I’ll have to keep that in mind.” Antonio smiled, pulling his seat in.

“Sugar makes me feel happy, and who doesn’t like chocolate?” Lucky shrugged.

The table was set with plates for each of them. A thick slice of lasagna sat perfectly in the middle of ceramic plates. Each one was a different color. His was green, Lucky’s was red, Jack’s was yellow, and Teague’s was blue. Tall glasses of limonada de coco were already slick with condensation. He took a sip, trying to calm his nerves.

“Your home is really beautiful, thank you for inviting me.” Antonio genuinely couldn’t remember how he was supposed to act in front of someone’s parent.

“You’ve got trouble relaxing.” Teague’s blunt response was almost enough to make him choke on his tongue.

But the man wasn’t wrong. What was he doing? He wasn’t nineteen meeting his partner’s parents and trying to pretend he wasn’t running on two hours of sleep and a pint of rum. “And you’re as blunt in person as you are on your shows.”

For just a moment, he was worried that was a step too far until Teague grinned, a wide and easy smile that lit up the man’s face. “That’s more what I expect from someone who built a search and rescue team from the ground up. Eat your lasagna.”

Lucky put a hand on his leg under the table. Antonio entwined their fingers and focused on surviving dinner.

15

Lucky