Abel’s bouncing stops, and he makes eye contact with Pax instead of staring at the baby. “Oh, we have lots of fun planned. Aaron even agreed to a Naughty Nook.”
Perry laughs. “And I’m pretty excited to be included in it. I think it’s almost entirely me.”
Abel nods. “You and a knitter that does fun naughty cat toys. And someone that makes penis popsicles. And boob cupcakes.”
Aaron pouts and picks a pepperoni off his next slice of pizza. “Did the cross-stitcher not respond? I loved their stuff.”
“Oh, that’s right! They did and they’re in! I knew I was forgetting someone. Don’t worry though, I have everything in my spreadsheets.”
“You and those spreadsheets save my bacon.”
Abel waves to Perry. “He’s helped vamp them up and made them even more functional. If you like mine, Perry’s areamazing.”
Perry goes a little pink. “I just like being organized. It helps keep the shop running.”
Aaron sighs as he looks down at Hazel, then to Pax. “If I didn’t have Pax helping with the stuffie business now, I don’t know how I’d keep up. He knows all the programs and everything. I just design and create.”
“You do so much more than that.” Pax leans over Hazel and kisses Aaron’s cheek.
Aaron sighs. “If only little Hazel could have waited three more days. She could have shared her birthday with her daddy, uncles, and auntie.” He blows a kiss to his baby. “But it’s okay. This way, she gets her own day all to herself. Have the three of you thought about names? Never too early to think about them. Especially if you only have six months instead of nine.”
I snort. “This coming from a man that wants to feel the vibes of his babies before naming them.”
Pax shrugs. “Doesn’t mean we’re not constantly thinking about names. You know how indecisive I can be sometimes.”
Abel pushes his seat back. “If I wash my hands, can I please hold Hazel?” He throws his paper plate away and faces Pax.
“Of course.”
My sweet Beta squeals and bounces on his toes. He’s still so damn young, but I know he’s good with kids. And I know in my gut he’s going to be an amazing parent with Perry and me.
Steam rolls off the water and he grits his teeth as he washes his hands with water that’s probably hotter than his pain tolerance. He dries his hands, then scoops Hazel into his arms.
“She’s so tiny. And cute. And I want to nibble her wittle nose.” He does a chompy face, making us all giggle, even Pax. Abel sways softly, babbling soft words before he looks up to us all watching him. “I don’t have siblings. At least that I know of. But I’ve always liked kids and wished I had little siblings to love on.” He goes back to talking to Hazel about her dads and siblings. About how amazing Mink Hollow is and how he’s so happy she doesn’t have to live some place like Hawk Ridge. “Where are Willow and Forest?”
Aaron chuckles and wipes his mouth with a napkin. “My parents got a very frantic call this morning. We’ll pick them up tomorrow sometime.”
Abel makes a noncommital noise as his eyes flit across Hazel’s face.
Pax leans his head on Aaron’s shoulder. “Buckle, I seriously can’t say enough how happy I am you found your mates.”
“Same,” Aaron says. “I think this is the happiest I’ve seen you since I’ve known you, and it makes my heart happy.”
Perry gives me a soft smile and squeezes my hand. “Buckle is the best surprise I’ve ever gotten.”
Abel nods. “I might have tried to eat him, but Buckle and Perry saved me from myself.” He gently puts Hazel back inthe crib. “I really don’t know where I’d be without them. And therapy.” He grins and smashes a kiss to my cheek, then Perry’s. He hasn’t been in therapy for very long at all, but talking to someone outside of us and work has already done him so much help. There’s stilla lotof work to be done, but it’s a damn good start.
We don’t stay much longer. Pax looks like he’s ready to pass out after giving birth and eating. Abel, Perry, and I clean up what little mess the five of us made with dinner.
The walk back to my place is lighter. Abel has a pep to his step, and he keeps spinning with his arms out. It’s as if baby cuddles fueled him. Or maybe this is the real Abel after he told off Anya earlier. He’s been lighter ever since and I love seeing him less afraid.
“I love the name Olivia. And Layla. And Octavia.” Abel spins and spins with each name. “And Joshua. And Liam. And Charlie. And Quin. And River. And Sage. And Nova. And Everly. And?—”
Perry grabs Abel’s hand and yanks him close. He leads our Beta in a dance. They’re both so elegant. “We have plenty of time to name our child.”
“I know.” Abel takes charge and dips Perry in their dance before they both hold their hands out for mine. “Dance with us, Alpha.”
And I do. We play all night until we pass out, exhausted, in a heap in my bed.
