An unfamiliar voice chuckled before a man’s hand slid into mine. His voice came from around eye-level, so I assumed he was roughly my height. From his masculine scent and stature, I guessed he was definitely an alpha.
“I’m Griffin, Jake’s mate,” he said. As he spoke his head turned to his left, where I guessed his mate stood.
“Nice to meet you,” Jake said, shaking my hand now. “Felix and I are co-workers at the Omega Angel Café.”
“I’ve heard your name around before,” I replied with a smile. “Nice to finally meet you, too.”
As I spoke, something slimy and wet touched me. Something very tongue-like.
Jake gasped. “Oh, Finn, no!”
“I’m guessing that’s notyourtongue, Jake?” I joked.
“Definitely not,” Jake mumbled.
A moment later, I heard the telltale ringing laughter of an infant, who sounded pleased with himself.
“Sorry. That was my son, who’s still learning how to be a human being,” Jake explained. “Let me get you a napkin.”
“Nah, it’s fine,” I replied, wiping my hand on my pants. “I’ll have to get used to baby spit sooner or later, right?”
“Hah. You’re right about that. Oh, hang on, Finn wants Felix now.”
“Me?” Felix’s startled voice rang out. Then he grunted as if given a weighty infant to hold.
Jake’s alpha mate--Griffin--spoke to me now. “So, do you feel ready to be a father, Elijah?”
“Honestly? No,” I replied. “But does anyone everreallyfeel ready?”
Griffin laughed. “Nope.”
“Didn’t think so. I do spend a hell of a lot of time thinking about it, though. How it’s gonna work while I’m . . . You know.”
The gentle smile in Griffin’s voice was clear. “You’ll do just fine. Think about how you interact with Felix, and how much you love him. It’s gonna be like that, except a lot smaller. And smellier.”
“Don’t worry,” Jake added teasingly, “I’m sure Felix will help with diaper duty until you learn where to avoid touching.”
“I will!” Felix insisted as Jake cackled at him.
We were saved from diaper-talk as the doorbell rang again. My heart sped up. I was a bit disappointed earlier when Felix didn’t name the particular guests I’d invited, but maybe they just arrived late.
“I’ll get that,” Felix said as he ran for the door.
A moment later, he gasped and cried, “Mom? Dad?”
“Oh my god! Is that the baby?” Evelyn asked.
“I knew we were late, but notthatlate!” Dennis, his father, added.
“Wh-- no, this is Finn, he’s my friend’s son,” Felix explained sheepishly. “Come on in.”
I heard Jake swoop in to retrieve Finn so Felix and his parents could talk in peace. They joined me by the couch and I stood to greet them. The rest of the baby shower party continued around us.
A woman’s familiar voice hesitated. “Ah, you must be Elijah.”
“Evelyn?”
I offered my hand and she shook it primly.
