“He wasn’t the one that did something wrong. It was me.”
Ava gasped and her eyes brightened. “Did you cheat on him?”
Fox wanted to laugh, but the situation wasn’t funny in the least. “No, I’d never cheat on Alistaire. I love him too much.”
“Then why aren’t you two together?”
He leaned back and cupped her cheeks. “Listen to me, little squirrel. No matter what happens between Alistaire and me, I will never push you out of my life. You have a baby sister who is depending on you to teach her the things I can’t. I know I’m not your real parent, and I don’t want you to call me Dad, because I cannot replace your father. I don’t want to. But in my heart, you are my daughter. I will always be there for you. So don’t worry, okay?”
Ava nodded, and Fox pulled her back into his arms, cradling her with his love.
***
Alistaire stood behind Scottland Shelton as he sang a slow ballad of love as his grandmother walked down the aisle accompanied by Kayne and LaMarkus to give her away to Odin.
Behind him was Alphonso and a couple of guys Alistaire had never met but could only assume were Odin’s friends. They were in the Vale Valley park under a large tent filled with almost half the town who’d come to celebrate with the former mayor who was getting married on Valentine’s Day. The tent covered the gazebo and was decorated in red and white, perfectly fitting for the holiday. Rosemary looked beautiful in a red and white, strapless organza dress that complimented her growing baby bump.
Alistaire was happy for his grandmother. And even though he didn’t understand the whole gods and goddess thing, he wished her nothing but happiness. Since his talk with Odin, he’d been thinking about a lot of things. Even though he was justified in his anger, he also understood Fox’s side of things. He wasn’t supposed to remember his life as Fox Morgan and hadn’t been able to tell Alistaire about who he was.
To hold on to a secret like that must have eaten him up day and night.
Alistaire looked at the faces sitting inside the tent and noticed the Hannigans were there. Well, all except one. Fox wasn’t in the crowd.
Alistaire had made up his mind that after the wedding, he would work things out with his mate. He knew Fox and Ava met up at least three times a week, which seemed to make the teenager happy. But he knew how much she wanted them to get back together—truthfully he did as well. He missed his lover and hated waking up to an empty bed. Scott stopped singing the moment Rosemary, Kayne, and LaMarkus stopped in front of Father Lance.
Alistaire looked at his grandmother’s face as she looked up at the man she loved. There was so much trust in her eyes, and she knew Odin would be right there to catch her if she fell.
I want that.Alistaire said to himself.I want my mate to look at me with the same trust. That no matter what, I’ll be there for him and vice versa.
A smile crossed his lips, remembering when Fox wanted to help him hide Euan’s body. He didn’t second guess or think about anything else but protecting him. He might have been dumbfounded at the time, but it was then he’d felt something change inside of him, and he’d known he’d found the man he didn’t know he was looking for.
Damnit, I promised him I would stay by his side no matter what he had to say. And I ran the second he said something I didn’t want to hear.Alistaire took in a deep breath.I’m just as hypocritical as he is. We are meant to be.
“Figured it out, did you?” Alistaire looked up when he heard Scott’s voice in his head.
He looked around, realizing the bride and groom were done saying their vows, and the entire room was up clapping and laughing in joy.
Fuck, was I thinking that hard I hadn’t heard them say their vows?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’m one of them too, you know,” Scott said. “I’m supposed to take Odin’s place if he ever decides to retire. Does that man look like he’ll ever retire?” Scott shook his head. “You were thinking so loud every god and demi-god could hear your thoughts.”
“I…”
“You don’t have to say anything. I’m not going to tell you what to do. But I know about loving someone who’s died. However, your circumstances are much different from mine. I’ve never met Tokala, but I can tell he’s not like the rest of the deities who enjoy playing in the family politics. From what I’ve heard, all he ever wanted was to find his love. He might have done it the wrong way, but what foolish things haven’t we all done for love?” Scott placed a hand on his shoulder. “If no one has said it, welcome to the family. We’re a crazy bunch. But when we fall in love, it’s forever.” He looked over at Odin, who was hugging Rosemary as if she was a fragile jewel. “No matter how many lovers and children he’s had in his life, she was the only one he’d always wanted. I doubt the person you fell in love with has changed now that he’s gotten his powers back. You’ll figure it out.”
With that, Scott walked away from him to join everyone else congratulating the happy couple. Alistaire couldn’t find anything debatable in Scott’s words.
How would I know if Fox’s changed if I never give him a chance to show me who he really is?
He brought his hands to his jacket pocket and touched the gift he’d bought for Fox.
“You didn’t tell me you know Scott Shelton. My friends and I adore him,” Ava said beside him.
“I don’t. We just met for the first time.”
“Well, now that you’re friends, do you think you can get his autograph for me? I’d love to show it to my friends at our sleepover tonight,” Ava said excitedly.
