“I don’t see why not. Heispart omega,” the judge said. “I would suggest haste, though. Once my ruling is published, a newstatute might come swiftly that would prevent it. It might even invalidate his reclassificationandany mating, so be mindful that your celebration may be brief.”
“Thank you, your honor,” Emerson said. He led Dash down the aisle, nodding at everyone to follow.
Once they were outside the courtroom, Emerson turned to eye Dash amid the now busier hallway. After everyone who’d come to support them came out and congratulated Dash, Emerson’s mind settled on a decision. He took Dash’s hand and dropped to one knee, not giving one flying fuck there were strangers who might see them.
Gasps of joy came from their family and friends, who’d circled around them.
“Dashiell Keller, will you do me the honor of becoming my legal mate.”
Dash’s eyes widened before a smile spread across his face. “Yes.”
Emerson jumped to his feet and dragged Dash close. He kissed his mate, trembling from the fear he’d be denied. When he leaned back, he grinned down at Dash.
“Justice of the Peace is on the third floor,” Mason spoke over the group. “Shall we allhastendownstairs?”
“Now?” Dash asked, eyes wide and cheeks pink.
“He did tell us to hurry the fuck up,” Emerson said. “And considering the gang’s all here, why not?”
Dash stared at him a moment, clearly doing mental calculations. Finally, he grinned. “Might as well give them a good reason for coming, hmm?”
Emerson chuckled, hugging Dash close before they all raced down one flight of steps and stopped at the Justice of the Peace. They were missing a few vital pieces of information, so Walker brothers were sent in hunt of a copy of the judge’s ruling and a copy of Emerson’s birth certificate. Before the guys returned,Eliott and Tanner sidled up, each of them holding candy rings for them to use in the ceremony.
“Are you sure about this? Itcouldbe invalidated,” Dash said to Emerson.
“A chance we’ll have to risk,” Emerson said with a smile. “If nothing else, we’d be legal for as long as it lasts.”
Once they had all their paperwork submitted, the judge came out and hesitated at seeing two alphas standing in front of him. He read over the previous judge’s ruling, grim-faced.
“He’s part omega,” Emerson coaxed. “And we were told by the other judge we should be able to do this legally.”
The justice of the peace eyed Emerson and Dash a moment, shrugged, and said, “Fuck it. Why not?”
Forty-five minutes later, Emerson and Dash walked out of the courthouse, hand-in-hand.
As legal mates.
Emerson’s papa stopped beside them, appearing sad.
“I’ve had no time to plan!” his papa lamented. “We have no reception, no food, no cake,nothing.”
“Someday soon, we’ll consider having the whole shebang,” Emerson told his papa. “For now, we just go out for a big lunch together and celebrate this win.”
Emerson’s papa grinned, hugging Dash tight. “Works for me.”
“I’m not going to be left out of planning this, am I?” Aspen asked Emerson’s papa.
“Oh, no,” his papa said, threading an arm through Aspen’s. “We’ll have to go have lunch later this week and start planning everything.”
“Luke?” Emerson yelled out. “We heading to your restaurant to celebrate?”
“We can’t fit twenty-odd people for lunch there. It’s a tiny place,” Lucas said. “But I know a great spot just down the street that can. Everyone, head that way!”
“Lunch is on me!” Quinn announced, squeezing Dash’s shoulder on the way past with Bellamy on his arm.
Beau had returned after taking Tolliver home, apparently, and he paused to shake Emerson’s hand. “Congrats, you two. I’m afraid I have to get back to the office. I’ll miss lunch but I’ll await my invitation to the big hurrah later.” He smiled at Dash. “Later, cousin.”
“Thanks for coming,” Emerson said with a grin.
