Gage stepped onto Caine's porch and lifted his hand to knock. Before he was able to, his Alpha came around from the back of the house.
“Mornin'. You're here a mite early.”
“Mornin', Caine. I've come to ask for permission to build a home near da Lafluer's for my mate and I. Last night, I asked Mia to marry me and she said yes.”
“Well, I'll be damned. It's about time you got your head on straight. A'course you can build a home for you and your mate. Anyting you need, you just let me know and it'll be provided. Looks like we got even more to celebrate today.”
“Thank you. I know. I don't know why she put up wit' me for so long, but I'm sure glad she did. She's ever'ting I ever wanted in dis life.”
“You're turnin' into quite a good man, Gage Delacroix. I tink you'll do all right by your mate.”
Gage thanked him once more and left. Praise from his Alpha made him stand a little taller as he made his way to his parents' home to get a little more sleep. Later, he would go get Mia so they could share the news with his parents, too.
Chapter Fourteen
Gage
Caroline stared at her youngest son for several seconds while her brain processed what she'd just heard. Then she was on her feet hugging them both. “Oh my gawd! My be'be's gettin' married.”
“He's hardly a be'be anymore, cher,” Landry chided his wife.
“Hush.” She swatted his arm lightly then turned back to Mia and Gage. “You have no idea how happy dis makes me. I've waited for dis day for ages.”
“Mama.”
“Don't you 'mama' me, Gage Delacroix. I told you tree years ago she was your mate. But did you listen to me? No. You went runnin' around wit' all dose girls.” She huffed. “At least you came to your senses.” She kissed her son's cheek. “I'm proud of you.”
“Thanks, mama.”
She turned to Mia and hugged her. “Welcome to da family, Mia.”
“Thank you.” Mia blushed a little. She'd known the Delacroix family all her life but this was different. She wasn't just a friend anymore. She was family. Or she would be once she said her vows.
“You'll let me help plan da weddin' wit' you and your mama, won't you? Da fates didn't give me a daughter of my own to plan wit' and I would love to be a part of it.”
“I'd be honored to have your help,” Mia said, sincerity in her voice. She adored Gage's mother and since she and her mama were such good friends, she knew her mama would welcome the help.
“Well den, you two need to pick a date.”
Gage groaned. “Mama, I just proposed. I tink we can be engaged for a little bit before we set a date.”
Mia arched a brow at him. “Why? We know we want to get married. We can still be engaged for a bit before we actually walk down da aisle.”
Gage could deny her nothing. “If you want to set da date already, Princess, den we'll set da date.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "As long as you're happy, dat's all dat matters to me.”
“Where are you two plannin' on livin'?” Landry gave his son a pointed look.
“I already spoke wit' Caine about buildin' a house for us close to Mia's mama and papa. He said anyting we needed, I just had to ask and he'd see to it we got it.”
“You know da Pard will pitch in to get it done quickly.”
Gage nodded. “Yes, sir, I do.” He was already thinking about the furniture. Some of it would be bought, of course, but some he wanted to make, including their dining room table and the head and foot boards for their bed.
“Let's get to celebratin'.” Landry clapped his son on the shoulder. “I'm proud of you, boy. You've turned into a real fine man.”
“Thanks, papa.” His father's praise meant a lot to him. He was just glad his father was still with them to be able to give him praise.
It was late afternoon, the sun was sitting low on the horizon, and the entire Pard was gathered to celebrate Mia and Julius's graduation. Caine stood on the steps of his front porch so he could be seen by everyone and spoke. “Today we are celebratin' more den just two of our young-ins' graduatin' high school. Early dis mornin', Gage Delacroix approached me to seek permission to build a new home on Pard land. Today, we celebrate da engagement of Gage and Mia. May dey live long and happy lives filled wit' da love of family.”
