Ford dropped a quick kiss to Lucky’s forehead.“Good plan.We’re gonna need all we can get, considering you’ve got the hottest alpha in town, and an ORTa who is six years older than you, as your mates.”He tutted, teasing him for that complex combination.
Lucky crossed to the armchair Chase had vacated and slid the blanket from the back.“I’m sick of sleeping, but I’ll agree to rest.”
Ford watched him walk off, partly amused and partly disgruntled and settled onto the sofa.On the way to the kitchen, he congratulated Chase for his quick thinking.He might not be the best cook, but he could whip up something good enough to impress Xavier Darro.
* * * *
Chase
Cooking with Ford was surprisingly fun.They made a simple pasta and salad, with a sauce Ford made from scratch, while Lucky binged a tense drama that had him arguing with the main character.
“Where did you learn to cook?”Ford asked, while Chase gathered the ingredients for a homemade apple pie.“I learned it was better to buy the cheapest ingredients at the store that would make something to last me three days than to go dumpster diving, but you lived in a fancy house with a maid and a personal chef.”
Chase laughed, flicking sprinkles of flour at Ford for the unintended insult.“My mother didn’t get to bond much with her kids until I came along and this became our thing.”Wynna Walker was responsible for Chase learning how to be what Lucky called ‘a decent alpha’, who respected omegas.He’d learned to cook, to braid hair, to care for an omega.“While my siblings have their own personal chefs and order in takeout because they can barely boil an egg”—he grinned at Ford as Chase gathered ingredients—“I’m gonna blow your mind with an apple pie to die for.”
“You do that, meda.”Ford looked pleased.It must have been the mate bond, because it was the same look he’d given Lucky when he’d patiently revealed the reality of omega self-defence.
“You could help.”
“Nah.”Ford folded his arms over his chest and focused on Chase’s hands.
Since he wasn’t helping, he ignored Ford, gathering the apples to peel, quarter, core and slice, ready for the baking tray.By the time he was halfway through the pastry mix the front door opened?directly across from the kitchen door that Ford had propped open for the heat?to a harried, wet man beneath an umbrella.Keeping the umbrella outside, he shook it rigorously, then folded it to set into the holder by the front door.
The TV went silent just as Xavier Darro gasped.“Lucky!Sweetheart!”He was on Lucky in a split second, smothering him with a hug and fussing over him, just as Ford had guessed.
Chase was surprised when Lucky sat up to hug his papa and started crying.He’d gone through all of this alone, without the care or guidance of his parents, and he’d been strong, but maybe seeing his papa reminded him of how much worse it could have been if Rafe hadn’t been ORT.
The alternative didn’t bear thinking about, but Chase had been forced to face that reality days ago, while Lucky had been sleeping off the OX.To realise his mate could have been taken by the Market, shipped to Sikka Province, without anyone knowing, had been terrifying.
“Rest.I’ll make you tea.”Xavier left Lucky, despite his protests.
Chase had a momentary panic about the mess he’d made and hadn’t had time to clean up.Xavier went straight to the kettle?this forty-five-year-old omega, barely five foot four, wearing a pair of dungarees over an off-white T-shirt covered in paint, and a pair of thick work boots.He was so busy making tea that it was only when he stopped to put the spoon in the sink that Xavier noticed Chase.
“Chase!Darling, look at you!”Xavier bustled over to brush what must have been flour from his cheek, then squeezed him in an unexpected hug.He grabbed Ford in a similar hug, which Ford tolerated with a tense smile.“Look how thin and pale you both are.It must have been difficult for you.Don’t worry.Now Lucky is home, you can dote on him all you want.I won’t get in your way.”Xavier winked, then grabbed the tea.“Come through and join us when you’ve tidied up.You’ve both done a wonderful job.”
As Xavier left the kitchen door wide open, Ford sagged against the counter.“I thought he’d never stop talking,” he murmured, apparently a strong, stoic ORTa, except when faced with the sunshine of Xavier Darro.
Chase grabbed the bottle of beer they’d been sharing and took a sip, leaving floury fingerprints behind.
“I told you, I don’t wantor needtea!”Lucky complained, hissing the two words that caught Ford’s interest.
“Take it anyway, darling.You never know.”
“Idoknow!”
Ford leaned against the counter with a smirk and nudged Chase.“I betcha that’s michua tea.It’s a combination of peppermint, ginger and raspberry leaf,” he explained, as Lucky grew more obviously frustrated, speaking so low Chase couldn’t make out the words.“It’s an old wives’ tale.Omegas use it after a first heat, to promote a safe pregnancy.”
Chase choked on a sip of beer.“He doesn’t need that.”
“Not yet.”
The omega father and son argued in the living room in hushed voices while Ford shot Chase a satisfied smirk.
“It looks like papa is hoping for grandkids.It’s gonna be an interesting night, meda.”
* * * *
“Are you both going back to campus tomorrow?”Detective Jonah Darro glanced at Lucky, who was smart enough to shovel a piece of apple pie in his mouth and feign a smile.
