Lips morphing into a big grin, Bowie went back to resting his head on Kari’s knee, not letting him escape.
“It’s always best to drink on occasions like this,” supplied Hollis. “It’s the only way to survive.”
“There isn’t enough liquor in the apartment for this!” Kari’s response brought more laughter and did nothing to stop the conversation, though he stayed right where he was.
Cast aside by two families and accepted by two. Balance. Bowie could see it now; the universe always knew how to find it. Love—it made all the difference to the world.
Epilogue
Derick
“This is a surprise.” Lane glanced up from the book on his lap, smiling warmly at the couple walking into the room.
Derick had heard the door, but thought it was Booker and Frey, who had gone out for a walk when Derick had offered to take a teething Emmy. He rocked the sleeping girl in his arms, not stopping because when he did, she would cry.
“I thought we’d come for brunch as I have it on good authority you’ve made banana and chocolate loaf,” Kari replied, not letting go of Bowie’s hand.
Bowie was flushed and not quite meeting anyone’s gaze as he smiled timidly.
Watching as Lane got up to give Kari, then Bowie a hug, his lips twitched when he caught Lane’s eye and saw the gleam of delight. One look at the happiness on his son's face and Derick knew why they were here. His nose was extremely sensitive, and he’d smelled the change in Kari. Had figured out he’d mated Bowie weeks ago. Why they’d kept it secret, Derick didn’tquestion. All his sons did things in their own time, despite what Lane did to interfere.
For once though, he’d kept his thoughts to himself so Lane couldn’t meddle. Lane, he was positive, hadn’t scented the change or would have mentioned it. Bowie differed from the other omegas, his nature more innocent, and had always had a special place in his husband’s heart. This had always made Derick tread more carefully around Bowie.
“Is that the only reason you came home today?” Lane glanced between the pair, and Derick had to refrain from laughing at how he didn’t hide his expectations.
“Popi, I’d like to formally introduce you to my mate, Bowie.”
The noise Lane made startled the baby awake. Between Emmy and Lane, it was hard to tell whose sobs were whose.
Derick walked over and placed Emmy into Lane’s arms to give him something else to focus on.
“Calm, my love. Emmy doesn’t understand why you’re crying.” He kissed the top of his head and then turned to the two men.
Bowie wore a look of alarm, whereas Kari was chuckling. He knew exactly how emotional Lane was.
“Welcome to the family Bowie,” he said, making Lane sob a little louder, and Derick knew why. Rejected for being divergent, Lane understood more than anyone how Bowie must have felt. Family was vital to them, so instead of offering his hand, Derick tugged Bowie in for a hug.
Feeling Bowie freeze up in his arms, Derick held on a little longer, waiting for him to relax, to understand he would find nothing but acceptance in this family.
He met Kari’s stare over Bowie’s head, revealing his approval.
“Thank you,” Kari mouthed, his gaze flicking to Lane and back.
Derick nodded wordlessly, letting go of Bowie to hug Kari. He held him tightly, his throat clogging with tears, recalling the tiny baby he’d held all those years ago and promised to love andprotect with every fiber of his being. The kind and caring man he had grown into deserved every happiness and Derick had accepted long ago that, for Kari, it was the gentle soul blinking back his own tears.
Kari released a shuddery breath and took a step back when Derick let go. “Now we’ve got the emotional part of the morning over with, I need cake to get over my hangover and trauma from last night.”
Derick frowned at his husband when his sobs turned to wet giggles.
“Did you get inaugurated into the PA family last night?”
The groan Kari released sounded pained. “Dad,”—Kari shook his head and visibly shuddered—“you have no idea what I had to endure last night! Inaugurated? If only! I don’t think I’ll ever look at some of my brothers again without blushing.”
Bowie’s lips turned white as he clamped them together, then he spoiled it by snorting when Lane’s giggles increased, which stopped Emmy crying.
“I’m sorry,” Bowie said, not sounding in the least bit contrite.
Derick slipped an arm over Kari’s shoulder. “Welcome to the club.”
“You could have warned me, Dad,” Kari groused, though he didn’t lose the amused glint in his eyes.
“Why on earth would I do that?” he responded, laughing. “It would spoil the fun.”
Life was about learning lessons, and Derick didn’t need to guess that Kari was finding out the fun way with his mate. It was the only way!
