“You?” Dash asked, chuckling. “How do you think I feel with this little alien growing inside me?”
“Little alien?”
Dash shrugged. “It sometimes feels like I’ve been invaded by another lifeform.”
“Is that bad?”
Dash looked down at the swell, running both palms over it. A smile played over his lips. “Not bad.” The smile grew. “Just strange. I can’t imagine other omegas feel much different.”
“Have you asked any?”
Dash sighed. “Not really. I suppose it might help to talk to your brothers and see how they felt. Maybe hearing their experiences might make me feel less odd.”
“There’s always the group chat.”
Dash reached for his phone.
“Not when I’m inside you, please,” Emerson said, pushing Dash’s phone out of reach.
Dash scoffed. “I was only going to post the question and give them time to reply.”
“Right now, you’re mine,” Emerson said, pulling Dash down enough for a quick kiss.
“I’malwaysyours,” Dash replied.
Emerson grinned. “Back atcha.”
EPILOGUE
Two months later…
At nearly seven months pregnant, Dash stood looking at the mirror in Quinn’s guest room and thought he looked absolutely ridiculous. All of the omegas huddled around him oohed and aahed, but all he could do was roll his eyes. A tux on a fully pregnant man was silly, but he and Emerson had been convinced into doing a full-scale show for their mating ceremony.
Dash had been perfectly fine with the justice of the peace and the lunch after. His and Emerson’s papas had looked too heartbroken, so they’d both agreed to a lavish event held in Quinn’s backyard. He glanced out the window at the massive tent that had been erected and where the reception would be fully catered. There were over a hundred guests, told to arrive in their best evening wear.
“I think we’re about ready,” his papa said, standing beside him. “Don’t you?”
“Might as well get this over with.”
His papa narrowed his eyes at Dash.
“Why, yes, I’m so excited to mate my alpha… again,” Dash said, forcing a smile.
All he could think about was sitting on the couch with Emerson with his aching feet propped up. The second he saw Emerson in his Lt. Chief dress uniform waiting at the end of the aisle, all that changed. His chest tightened, tears stinging the backs of his eyes.
“He looks good in that get-up,” Dash’s father whispered as they approached.
“He looks good in everything,” Dash said, forgetting for a second who he was talking to. His cheeks warmed when he glanced at his father.
“He looks best when he’s standing at your side,” his father added as they reached the end of the aisle.
His father hugged him. “I love you, Dash. And I hope you two are happy for the rest of your days.”
Dash struggled hearing his father say the L word. Their relationship had never been overly emotional. “I love you, too, Dad.”
After his father shook Emerson’s hand and offered Dash to him, he backed up and sat with the rest of Dash’s family in the front row. His smile faltered when his gaze landed on Tolliver seated behind his papa. Turning, he faced the officiant.
“You could’ve warned me Tolliver was coming,” Emerson whispered.
