Fernando sighed, fighting a smile. “I guess I still love you, even if I don’t understand you.”
“I think as a kid, it let me control the environment around me a little, which helped since I had to move from family to family so often. As an adult, it makes me happy to have a space of my own, even if it’s just in the barracks.”
“You have more than the barracks now.” Ferdando waved his hands around the apartment. “This isourhome. You can cook and clean all you want.”
Walker grinned. “Plus, Beans can be our baby until you’re ready for one, because I do want kids of my own one day. One, two, three. I’ll be happy with any as long as I have them with you. If you decide you don’t want to go through pregnancy, we could even foster. I think any kid who got to have you as a parent or guardian would be lucky.”
That bubble of happiness fluttered through him again. Having his alpha right here in front of him, ready to jump into the deep end alongside him, was fucking enchanting.
“We’re really doing this.” Fernando shook his head. “I have to keep reminding myself that you’re just as into this as I am. Fuck, now I have to share you with the Wilsons for a week. Damn it.”
“We’ll survive.” Walker watched him eat. “It will be really nice to spend time with your family in person. Barry said you and I would stay at his house. Is that alright?”
Fernando sighed. “The Wilsons really want to kidnap you.”
Chapter 11
“Why is your friend so strange?” Fernando asked, laughing as he held up a picture on his phone. Pug sat on their couch with Beans in his arms, swaddled like a baby.
“I think he was born that way. I met his parents once. They are just like him.” Walker smiled, enjoying the summer breeze as they drove through rural Maine. The scenery was nice, the scents of pine and wildflowers pleasant. Best of all, he had Fernando at his side.
His omega was taking a break from singing along to his playlist of musical numbers to check his messages and let his brother know they were almost to Hobson Hills.
The town was situated between a state park and a few large lakes. Their population was below five thousand, but they had a decent stream of tourists in the summer. Walker had done his research. Why, he wasn’t sure, but the way Grammy and the others talked about the town had made him curious.
They drove past a few farms and plant nurseries before the houses grew steadily closer together.
Walker slowed and squinted at the town welcome sign. “Is that Bigfoot?”
The large wooden sign was simple and quaint, with the words “Welcome to Hobson Hills” painted in blue. Next to it, however, was a large, wooden statue of Bigfoot.
Fernando looked up and snorted. “Yeah. I forgot. Mateo said they were having a Bigfoot festival later this week. They must be advertising.”
Walker grinned. “That sounds fun.”
“They have a lot of festivals here.” Fernando smiled softly. “Small towns can be charming when they try. I miss that about my hometown.”
They drove slowly through Main Street. It was a Sunday, and a small market had been set up around the town square. Clearly, they were selling something good because the crowd looked rather happy.
“There’s Gabs and Eddie.” Fernando wiggled in his seat. “Let’s park and go say hello.”
“As you wish.” Walker found an empty spot along the sidewalk and pulled in.
“I’m glad I made you watchThe Princess Bride. You’ve learned well.” Fernando leaned across the console and kissed his cheek.
“It was a good movie. Much better than Chicago.”
“Bite your tongue. No insulting my musicals.”
“I hadn’t realized you were a theater geek when we met.” Walker got out of the car. “I really think that’s something you should have told me up front.”
Fernando shrugged. “You didn’t tell me you liked Dungeons and Dragons until I was fully committed. No one is perfect.”
Walker laughed and pulled the omega into a side hug. “Where’s your sister at?”
“I saw her at that booth over there.”
Fernando led the way through the market, dodging families and pets. The place sold a wide range of items, from delicious-smelling food and homemade crafts to a variety of plants. Walker noted the booth with apple products and the other selling battered fish and chips.
