Page 68 of Sobek’s Joy

Sobek’s throat got a sudden lump. Through their bond, he felt Rudy’s emotions of joy, gratitude, and unconditional love. He turned to find his mate crying silently, one hand pressed to his stomach.

“Sunshine?”

“They’re perfect.” Rudy’s voice cracked. “The paintings, the children, everything. This is...” He gestured helplessly at the walls now covered in colorful, slightly chaotic family artwork. “This is home.”

Sobek crossed the room and pulled Rudy to his feet, embracing him carefully. “Yes. It is.”

Rose, Jack, and Timothy piled into the hug, forming a familiar tangle of limbs and love. They stood together in the nursery surrounded by paint-splattered newspapers and drying artwork, and Sobek felt something he’d sought for thousands of years finally settle into place - belonging.

For centuries, he’d wandered alone, watching other gods find their mates, build their families, create homes. He’d told himself he preferred solitude. That he didn’t need the complications of family or the vulnerability of love. I was so wrong.

Rudy’s warmth against his chest, three children pressed close, and a new life growing were worth more than the entire realm - his amazing family was worth every lonely minute that came before.

“I love you, sunshine,” he murmured into Rudy’s curls.

“Love you too.” Rudy pulled back enough to look at the walls. “Though you’re still banned from rearranging anything in here.”

“Even if…”

“Banned.”

Rose giggled, Jack smiled, and Timothy just squeezed his arms tighter around Sobek’s legs.

“Understood,” he said. Even a god knew when they were outnumbered.

Later, after the children were bathed and the paint mostly scrubbed from various surfaces - Rose had somehow gotten green in her hair - Sobek returned to the nursery. The paintings had dried, and the additional colors were bright against the soft green walls. His lotus flower sat in the center, surrounded by the children’s additions, connecting all their artwork into one cohesive mural. It was a perfect representation of the messy, slightly weird, and totally happy family that lived under the one roof.

“Welcome,” he whispered to the baby who wouldn’t arrive for months yet. “We’re ready for you. Your father, your siblings, and me. We’ll keep you safe. Always.”

Through the bond, he felt Rudy’s sleepy contentment, his mate’s awareness even in dreams. Sobek sent love back through their connection before leaving the nursery, closing the door softly behind him.

Epilogue

Six Months Later

“If you conjure one more plate of those weird pickle things, I’m going to throw them at your head.”

Sobek paused, hand halfway to manifesting another serving of the sweet and spicy pickles Rudy had been craving for three days straight. “You asked for pickles.”

“That was twenty minutes ago, and it was a test to see if you were listening to me.” Rudy shifted on the dining chair, trying to find a position that didn’t make his back ache. At eight months pregnant, comfortable positions were becoming theoretical concepts rather than actual possibilities. “I actually wanted my favorite mashed potatoes an hour ago, and they still haven’t popped up on a plate.”

“You didn’t say that.”

“I shouldn’t have to say it. You’re literally bonded to my soul.”

Rose giggled from her seat, tomato sauce smeared across her chin from the spaghetti dinner Sobek had prepared. “Daddy’s grumpy.”

“Daddy’s enormous,” Rudy corrected, gesturing at his belly. “That’s the reason for the grumpiness.”

“You’re beautiful.” Sobek’s voice held that annoyingly sincere tone that made Rudy’s heart do stupid fluttery things even when he wanted to stay irritated.

“I’m fat.”

“You’re pregnant with our child.” Sobek leaned over and pressed a kiss to Rudy’s temple. “Beautiful.”

Jack looked up from carefully twirling spaghetti on his fork. “When’s the baby coming?”

“Three or four more weeks,” Rudy said, although honestly he felt as if he’d been pregnant for years already. He loved being pregnant - mostly - but he was ready to meet his kid and reclaim his ability to see his own feet.