They pulled into the parking lot near the pavilion, Dom raising an eyebrow at the number of people who were already there. The wedding organizer had set up rows and rows of chairs in front of the pavilion, with an aisle going down the middle.
At the start of the aisle, they found Ben and Alec—the other couple getting married today. Alec had suggested it; he and Jesse were on the same team, anyway. It made sense to gather all the firefighters, and do both weddings at the same time.
Besides, Dom had plans to let Ben and Alec steal the show. He’d sweep Jesse away for their own private celebration after the wedding—Jesse’s parents had offered to watch Owen for the rest of the day. Dom had already packed some lacy things he would put on his alpha, just for the sake of ripping it off.
“Congrats,” Gareth said, shaking Dom’s hand. “Took a while, but you’re finally here.”
Dom smiled. “We are.”
It had been six years since Dom had met Jesse for the very first time. Before Dom could muse on that, Gareth nodded at the fancy table to one side. Jumbo carrots had been stacked in the middle of the table, flanked by bottles and bottles of honey. All big enough to fit alpha cocks. Above, a banner read Wedding Favors.
Dom coughed. “You and York sure took your kinks to the next level.”
Gareth shrugged, looking innocent. “Hey, carrots are good for your body.”
Dom had used one on Jesse a few weeks ago, dipped in honey. It had worked out surprisingly well. Jesse coughed, turning red.
The team gathered around them—Dom and Jesse, and Ben and Alec. Ben had worn a flowing ivory dress, one that sparkled even more than Jesse’s nails did. Dom caught his alpha staring.
“You rather wear a dress?” Dom asked.
Jesse looked at the dress a little longer, before shaking his head. “Nah.”
“Why not?”
“I like suits too, you know.” Jesse grinned, heaving Owen up into his arms. “‘Sides, Owen’s in a suit. I want us all to match.”
“Pretty,” Owen said, pointing at Ben’s dress.
Jesse laughed. “Yup. Sure is.” Then he kissed Owen on the cheek, looking fondly at him. Dom’s heart melted. It sure had been a journey, Jesse getting to where they were. Loving their son, being there for him. Dom was proud of his alpha.
It wasn’t just that, though. Jesse had opted to retain his omega parts just in case they wanted a second child. He’d had a hormone suppressant embedded in his arm to prevent another heat, too. At least, until he was ready for one.
The wedding organizer ushered the guests to their seats. Dom didn’t have many relatives; Jesse had a number. Then there was Ben and Alec’s family, too.
An omega darted between the chairs—a waif of a man, thin, barely-legal. Dom didn’t know who he was, but the man tripped halfway down the aisle. He lost his balance and flailed in midair, horror shooting through his eyes.
Then he lurched forward onto the grass, face-planting awkwardly with his ass up in the air. Some of the guests had turned to look.
Jesse cringed. “Wilkie, no.”
“You know him?” Dom asked.
“He’s my cousin.” Jesse frowned. “Although I think he’s Alec’s distant cousin or something, too. Maybe our families are somehow related.”
Wilkie turned beet-red and picked himself up, brushing the grass stains off his clothes. Then he scurried down a row of chairs and disappeared behind some other guests.
Seeing another omega now... Dom no longer felt lonely, or as though he was missing something. It reminded him of Mal, though. How Mal had timed when he wanted to leave the world. It had always struck Dom as odd, that Mal had saved Dom the humiliation of breaking in front of all his teammates. How Mal had given Dom the most time he could to recover, before having to go back on duty again.
Mal had loved Dom, in his own way. Dom didn’t doubt that. But by leaving Dom, he had given Dom the option to find someone else. Maybe that had been his intent.
Dom looked up at the sky, wondering if Mal was watching. If Mal had finally found peace. He hoped so. Then he turned his attention back to his family, and the wedding planner waving him to the front of the aisle.
“See you soon,” Dom said, squeezing Jesse’s hand.
Jesse grinned, his gaze dropping to Dom’s mouth like he wanted a kiss. He’d get a good one later. Dom crouched and ruffled Owen’s hair. “Stick with Papa, listen to him, okay?”
Owen nodded eagerly. “Okay, Daddy.”
Dom kissed Owen’s forehead and made his way down the aisle with Alec. Alec squirmed, looking anxious.
“Been a while since you proposed,” Dom said to him.
“Yeah.”
“Ready to be married?”
Alec nodded, smiling wide. Dom knew that feeling.
As Brad began to play a slow song on his violin, a hush fell over the gathered audience. Dom stood to the side, watching as Caleb and Izzy made their way down the aisle, sprinkling flower petals everywhere they stepped. They were wearing snake hats this time—the snakes looked like they’d swallowed half of the children’s heads, and their long, stuffed bodies trailed down the children’s backs. Izzy’s little brother followed behind them, clutching the ring box. When they reached the end of the aisle, Thad handed the ring box to Alec, who kissed his head.
“You all did great,” Alec said, giving them a thumbs-up.
Then the music changed, and Alec’s stepbrother, Ben, walked down the aisle with their mom. Alec looked so excited, Dom thought he might burst. His pulse thrummed, though. It would be his turn soon.
When Ben and his mom stepped closer, Dom realized that it was the first time he was seeing Ben without shirt sleeves—Ben had tattoos of butterflies fluttering around his upper arms, same as Alec did.
Then his arm caught in
