Walker added the remaining toppings, then looked to Fernando for approval. “Is this right?”
“Perfect.” Fernando grinned and leaned over to kiss the man. “Cooking is so much more fun when I’m watching you do it.”
Walker chuckled. “I like it.”
“I can teach you more than traditional Mexican dishes, too, but I’ve been craving chilaquiles for a while.”
“With a cookbook, maybe? For reference?” Walker’s eye twitched, making Fernando laugh.
“You really like specific measurements, huh?”
“It seems important.”
Fernando wrapped his arms around Walker’s waist. “You would get along with Valentina. She hates when Gabs and I tell her to sprinkle a little salt. She wants to know exactly how much and insists it be evenly dispersed.”
“Your sister is obviously an intelligent young woman.” Walker hugged him back. “When do you want to leave for Hobson Hills?”
“Tomorrow is soon enough. Are you sure you don’t want to drive there? You have a whole week off.”
“I promised Grammy that I would help her with her garden and Marco that I would help him in the hay fields.”
Fernando wanted to tell him that vacation was meant for relaxing, not working, but he looked so excited. His alpha was really looking forward to meeting the Wilsons in person. Fernando hadn’t realized how often they emailed and called Walker while he was deployed.
“Anna and Barry both want to teach me some of their signature dishes, too, when I told them you were teaching me to cook.”
Fernando’s heart melted at the eager look on Walker’s face. He needed to remember that having a family was something new to Walker. And it was clear he had family. The Wilsons were eager to meet him. Apparently, Grammy andallof her kids were trying to steal his alpha.
They sat at the table, and Fernando scooped up a bite. He savored the texture and taste, enjoying the savoriness and the spice's kick. Walkerlikedcooking. Fernando’s dad would have been horrified to see an alpha in the kitchen. Hell, Mateo had to learn to cookafterleaving home, while Fernando and his sisters were supposed to excel at itbeforeleaving home.
Walker looked pleased as Fernando shoveled more food into his mouth. “You like it?”
“It’s delicious,” Fernando said, after swallowing. “You should cook every day.”
Walker’s smile lit up the already bright room. A sweet flutter of happiness filled Fernando. Walker was something special. He knew that from the start. Each second he spent with theman increased the certainty that Fernando wanted forever with Walker.
“I told you my dad had ideas about what omegas should do and how they should live, right?”
Walker nodded. “He thought you should be atraditionalomega and cook, clean, and grow babies.”
“It made me want the exact opposite. He hated that I was going to school, even more so than that Gabriela was going, which I never understood. Most of the time, it felt like he was trying to force us into these roles, whether we wanted them or not. When Mateo didn’t fit into the role Dad wanted him in, he basically disowned him.”
Walker blinked, surprised. “Mateo is a great guy.”
Fernando nodded and took another bite, chewing thoughtfully. “He is. Except he didn’t marry Iggy’s omega dad when he got pregnant. They agreed to co-parent as friends, but Dad thought that was unacceptable.”
“Well, that’s stupid.” Walker made a face. “I’ve seen enough to know that families come in all shapes and sizes.”
“They do.” Fernando sighed. “Seeing how angry Dad was with Mateo made Gabs and me scared to be ourselves. At least when we were younger. I think the only reason he let me go to college was because I was in education. He thought that was a goodomegajob. Being away from him, though… I was just starting to come into my own when he died.” He shook his head. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that I may not want to be a traditional omega, but I really want you. I want a life with you. Maybe even a kid someday. I want us to be a family. Even if you deserve more. Someone like Steve’s wife, Charlie. She’s great, but her life revolves around him and his career. I don’t know if I can be someone like that.”
Walker stared at him, face flushed, the tips of his ears bright red. “I don’t need a traditional omega. I need you. I want a lifewhere we can be whatever we want, with no judgment. A family. Iwantto cook for you, and I don’t mind cleaning.”
Fernando smiled sheepishly. “I don’t mean you have to clean up after me. I just mean we can do that together. I think I focus so much on it because of Dad. It’s really not a big deal. Who actually likes cleaning anyway? No one sane, that’s for sure.”
Walker winced. “Well…”
“Oh, no.” Fernando covered his face. “You like cleaning, don’t you?”
“I do.” Walker laughed.
