Quinn laughed. “You say that now,” he whispered.
The movie started, and Keith got up and turned off the lights. “Like a cinema, Papa,” he said proudly as he plopped himself back down by his siblings.
“It’s perfect, baby,” Quinn smiled.
Quinn leaned over so only Aiden could hear. “They like it this way. They love it when I take them to the cinema. It’s been a while, and they want to share the experience with you I think.”
“I like it, too, and think it’s wonderful they would already be thinking of me,” Aiden said, winking at Quinn.
Quinn could feel his cheeks warm up, and he turned to face the TV screen. Maybe he wouldn’t have any more nights of sleeping alone or crying himself to sleep.
16
Aiden
Four movies later and after Chinese delivery for supper, the kids were all knocked out. They were scattered across the floor, and Aiden stared down at each one of them. The day had gone better than his wildest imagination could have come up with. He looked over and found Quinn staring at him, and Aiden shot him a smile. He didn’t have to be a mind reader to know how worried Quinn had been.
“They’re out like a light,” Aiden whispered.
Quinn nodded. “They seem to like you.” He grinned, and Aiden’s eyes went back to them. At that moment, he felt guilt pool like a hot ball of magma in his stomach, burning him from the inside out.
Aiden hated that he hadn’t been honest with Quinn. Everything to this point was built on a lie, and that wasn’t any way to build a relationship. Even he knew that. But, as he stared down at him, he didn’t know how he could come out with the truth now.
“I think they’re pretty great too,” Aiden whispered, then leaned in and kissed Quinn.
Quinn smiled as they parted from the kiss. “Now comes the fun part, getting them to bed.”
Aiden laughed. “I’ll take Keith, and you take Haley, then we’ll come back for Leo,” he said.
“Sounds good,” Quinn said. They stood up, and Aiden started to head over to Keith. He was ready to pick him up when Quinn spoke up. “That’s Leo.”
He pulled back and looked down at him. “What?” He turned to Quinn and found him quietly laughing.
“I’m teasing.”
Aiden breathed a sigh of relief. “I was going to say. And I amsogoing to get you for that.”
Quinn stuck his tongue out at Aiden and shrugged.
Aiden was pretty sure he had it down on how to tell them apart. Leo and Keith being identical made it difficult, but there was a slight difference in their features which you had to be paying attention to catch. It also helped that they weren’t dressed the same.
He proceeded to pick Keith up as Quinn lifted Haley. Then Quinn led the way, and Aiden followed him to the stairs. They carried the two children upstairs, and Quinn motioned with his head to Keith’s room.
“The bed closest to the window,” he whispered.
Aiden took Keith in and then lowered him into the bed. It was smart to have them put their pajamas on before they started the last movie. He stared down at Keith for a moment, his heart warming more and more every time he looked at any of them.
He reluctantly turned around and left the room, meeting Quinn in the hallway, and they went back downstairs and got Leo. Aiden picked him up and carried him upstairs as Quinn turned off the TV.
Aiden put Leo down in his bed, and he couldn’t help the long, lingering look he gave the boy before he went out into the hallway. Quinn was already there waiting. Aiden pulled the door shut, but not all the way, leaving it slightly ajar.
“You’ve raised three amazing kids.”
Aiden meant it. Quinn’s kids were bright, funny and sweet. They were a testament to him, and the guilt came roaring back, but he shoved it down, not wanting to ruin the moment.
Quinn’s cheeks turned a bright shade of red. “Thank you.”
Aiden nodded, and they just stood there looking at each other. He had this overwhelming desire to kiss Quinn, so he leaned in and brushed their lips together. His tongue moved across Quinn’s lips, and he opened for him. Aiden stepped closer and put his arms around the omega, wrapping him in a tight embrace and locking their bodies together.
