As I study his profile, I realize something. Theo and I are actually very similar. His eyes are gray, not mismatched, but his hair has the same caramel shade as mine. His face is delicate, his build slight. Apparently this is Snow’s imprint.
"I want you to know that I’m one of those people too," I say slowly.
It feels peculiar, talking to a stranger about my power, but lately, I’ve also freed myself from the suffocating grip of that fear. In a small niche, I can function normally, like everyone else, as long as I keep a certain… informational restraint. Revealing just a bit here and there, keeping a reasonable lid on it.
Theo’s brows lift. "You have the same abilities as Snow?"
I laugh awkwardly.
"My gifts are a bit different, but of similar… significance. I’d rather not go into details. What I need you to know is that because of them, I believe I can help the children find their place in the world. I’ll give them a perspective that’s close to who they are, help them understand how to navigate things. Even though…" I clear my throat, "I’ll admit I’m still learning myself, and sometimes I stumble. But I believe that together, as a family, we’ll find a way."
Theo nods tentatively, his breathing now calmer. "You have no idea how grateful I am for your visit," he says softly. "I wasscared that my children would end up in a hostile environment, where they’d be rejected and unwanted, where they’d only be a reason for fights and division."
"That won’t happen. If anything, they’ll be the glue that holds our family together."
Theo closes his eyes briefly, then smiles. "I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear that."
We sit quietly for a moment, just looking at each other, and then he says in a softer voice, "I thought True Mates never had fertility issues."
I turn my gaze toward the window, where trees sway gently in the wind.
"I don’t have fertility issues. There are other reasons why I’ll never be able to bring children into this world. Very serious ones."
Theo waits a moment, as if expecting me to explain, but something in my expression makes him respect my silence.
"I just want you to remember that you can always call me if you need parenting advice," he says after a pause. "I’ve got five older ones, so I’m a pro." He gives me an amused grimace. "I’d be happy to help. Though of course, you’ve got Snow’s dad too. He had eight, so… I’m sure he’ll offer his support, and I don’t want to intrude. I’m only saying this just in case." He hesitates again, clearly struggling, then blurts it out, "I’d also like to pump milk for them, so they’ll have natural antibodies in those first months."
His words send an odd ripple through me.
My eyes flick, involuntarily, to his chest. Pregnant omegas usually swell a little there, nipples darkening and growing sensitive, sometimes leaking milk. Is that the faint sweetness I smell in the air surrounding him, under everything else?
"They’ll be small, you know, being twins. I just want them to have every advantage," he whispers almost pleadingly.
I let my gaze linger on his chest for a second too long, until Theo clears his throat gently, snapping me out of it.
"I hope that won’t be a problem?"
"No, no! Of course not. I want nothing but the best for them."
But the thought wedges itself in my mind and refuses to leave.
We talk a little longer about formal things: adoption, the legal transfer of parental rights. Theo tells me he hardly leaves the house anymore, and if he does, he dresses to conceal his belly. Everything is kept strictly secret because of his husband’s position. They even have a cover story prepared in case it gets out, that Theo volunteered as a surrogate for someone close who couldn’t have children.
Eventually it’s time for me to go, but just before I do, Theo hesitates and says, "Would you like to touch my belly?" His voice is almost shy. I find it a little funny, because Theo shares some of my quirks, another confirmation of him being Snow’s imprint. People say we’re drawn to certain types, the ones closely resembling our True Mate.
I nod, just as shyly, and reach out to touch his stomach as he pulls his shirt up. The skin is stretched and firm, and beneath it I can feel the faintest ripple of movement as the babies kick.
That tiny motion sparks an answering tremor in my chest. I stand there with my eyes shut tight, overwhelmed by the awareness that two small lives are about to enter this uncertain world. Or maybe it’s no longer so uncertain? Maybe I need to stop assuming everything will fall apart and finally start believing Snow. He’s never lied to me. Even when the storm was coming, he warned me about the blind spot. And now he says peace is on the horizon.
So yes, finally, I choose to believe it.
When I look up again, Theo is watching me with a gentle smile.
"They’re alive," I blurt out timidly, the words cringeworthy.
But Theo just nods and smiles wider.
"Yes. They are."
