I was a little nervous myself, not because I didn’t think it would go well, but I’d never met my father-in-law either. When he came onscreen, my nerves disappeared. Mostly because Bram’s father was not scary. We made quite a picture, I was sure. Both sets of alpha parents and our family all seated comfortably, sipping espresso—caffeine free in Bram’s case—and ready to chat. He fawned and tried to win over our parents, but they were unimpressed and made it quite clear that he would gain nothing from this mating except more family members, if he chose to accept, and treat us all decently.
My father said all of this without actually saying any of it, and when Bram’s father stopped fawning and asked his son how his pregnancy was going, I knew we’d passed the crisis point. And then we got to see the father that our omega loved and missed. My eyes filled with tears, and I spotted Indy wiping at his as well. Bram’s father was anything but perfect, but the love was there. It was hard to forgive what he’d put him through, but sometimes with family, exceptions had to be made.
With caution. Our parents had shown a strength that made it clear he’d better be on his best behavior.
When we disconnected, Bram was so happy that I hugged my father, surprising the heck out of him. “Thank you.”
“Just doing my job.” He patted my back awkwardly. “Bram is family now.”
And the rules probably said we had to take care of family. But I didn’t care why he did it. Only that he did.
“You’ve just gotten yourself an extra visit a month from your grandchild,” I promised.
“That’s a good deal.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Indy
Dad kept texting me.
I know you’re busy with a pregnant omega, but can we find time to shift together? Don’t you miss Perish Field?
Why my dad was addicted to that bitter alfalfa, I would never know. Most unicorns liked it sweet. Very sweet.
I replied,Yeah. I am pretty busy right now. But I’ll let you know.
We saw my parents often. They hosted a dinner for us every Saturday night. They adored Bram and couldn’t wait for grandchildren to arrive. They never discriminated, never said they hoped for a unicorn grandchild instead of a wolf. They really were great parents. And they were building us a big house on the side of the lands closest to that of Seth’s shimmer. His parents, who were the wealthiest family in a hundred square miles, chipped in.
In the meantime, Seth, Bram, and I managed to fit inside my beloved cabin by my favorite stream. It had two bedrooms. We got a new giant bed and made the second room into a nursery. All this was temporary, but we loved it. The house being built for us was awesome, but it would be hard to give this place up when we moved.
The door to the cabin banged open. In walked a tall alpha. My love. He carried take-out bags.
“Dinner has arrived. A rare steak, large, for the wolf omega with child, two big salads with extra carrots, and chocolate cake for dessert.”
Bram ran up to him, still lithe even with his baby bump. “Tell me you didn’t forget the loaded baked potato.”
“The what?” The light in Seth’s eyes danced.
“You didn’t forget, did you?” Bram made a grimace. “Oh no!”
Seth laughed. “I got three of ’em, sweetheart. Yum.”
Bram snatched one of the bags from Seth’s hand, ran to the dining table, and set out the food.
I walked up to Seth and took the second bag from his hand. “Thanks.”
“How’s he feeling?” he asked softly.
“Better. He’s hungry now.”
Bram had had morning sickness pretty bad, but it usually went away later in the day, and his appetite returned. Seth was great about making sure Bram had all his favorite foods on hand. Our omega was slim, except for his bump. He couldn’t afford to lose any more weight. Plus, that baby inside him needed sustenance.
Our dining table looked out over a green glade where butterflies liked to perch. Bram had grown up in the woodlands, but not ones so beautiful as these. He kept saying, “It really is a magical place. Makes me believe in unicorns.”
It was a cute joke. If possible, it made me even more enamored of him.
We had planned a wedding but not until next year. It was going to be a huge affair because, well, Seth and I were two alpha steed princes of neighboring kingdoms with a wolf omega as our third. Every unicorn around would want to attend.
