“I amtheDash,” Dash murmured, holding Emerson’s gaze.
Morgan crossed the room and stood in front of Dash. “My son says he’s in love with you.”
Dash’s gaze whipped to Emerson’s and back to his papa’s. “So he’s said.”
“And what about you? How do you feel about my son?”
Dash’s gaze traveled again, lingering on Emerson a few seconds before he returned it. “Like I’m unworthy of him.” Dash’s eyes began to shine. “And his love.”
Emerson frowned, his heart aching that his mate thought that. Dash wasn’t unworthy. Far from it.
“But I plan to work on that and get better at showing him how much he means to me—if he’ll have me. He’s pretty good at showing me so I just need to take better notes,” Dash said.
Morgan turned to eye Emerson with an odd expression before focusing on Dash again. He squeezed Dash’s arm and smiled. “Good answer.”
Dash rose out of the wheelchair and wobbled a bit. Emerson released his brothers and rushed closer, lending support.
“You’resupposedto be resting,” Emerson grumbled.
“And you were supposed to wait to tell your family until I was with you,” Dash argued.
“Hi, yeah… that was my fault,” River said, lifting a hand, waving to get Dash’s attention. “I kind of outed him because I was mad at him.”
“Kind ofouted him?” Randall asked. “You damned well drop kicked him out, Riv.”
River’s eyes welled with tears again. “Don’t be an ass, Rand. I feel bad enough as it is.”
“As you should,”Randall argued.
River smacked Randall on the arm before sitting down beside him in the hospital bed.
Harley inched forward and reached out a hand, a gentle smile on his face. “Hi, Dash. I’m Harley, the eldest omega sibling. It’s so nice to meet you.”
Dash shook his hand. “Nice to meet you as well.”
“We have a house full, so let me give you the rundown. I’m the third kid after Harry and Em.” Harley turned to point to Fitz. “I assume you know Fitz, who’s number four. Then comes Bayley, Lucas, and Randall in order, ending with the runt of the litter, River.”
“Hi,” Dash said, his voice sounding raw.
All of Emerson’s siblings murmured hello.
“Now aren’t you glad you came in?” Tanner asked. He turned his attention to Emerson. “He didn’t want to come in.”
“Why didn’t you want to come in?” Emerson asked Dash quietly.
“IwantedTanner to ask you to come out in the hall, but Tanner does what Tanner does.”
Tanner stuck his tongue out at Dash before he checked the stroller at Fitz’s side with his sleeping triplets.
“I didn’t want to create questions,” Dash said before looking down at himself. “I also wasn’t planning to meet your family for the first time wearing a couple of hospital gowns and these ridiculous dayglo socks.”
“You make them look good,” Emerson said, grinning down at his mate.
“Shut up,”Dash said, grinning and shoving his arm.
Emerson captured Dash’s gaze, his heart full. He lifted his hand to caress Dash’s cheek, amazed that this incredible man was his. He lowered his head, kissing Dash softly. Softly turned a bit firmer, hunger growing.
Until someone cleared his throat—probably Fitz.
