Dale looked up at him, his mouth open, wonder and disbelief in his eyes. So Greg leaned in, kissing him softly on the lips. “Love you,” he murmured.
“Love you, too,” Dale whispered, stepping closer, winding his arms around Greg’s neck. Around them, their guests clapped. Greg savored the warmth of Dale’s lips, the love in his touch, and hugged him tight.
When they pulled apart, Dale kissed Greg on the cheek, a smile playing on his lips. June stepped up to hand Phil over to Dale, and Greg admired how much their baby had grown over the past six months.
Phil waved at him, making a grab for the red hibiscus in Greg’s breast pocket. “Hey,” Greg said, catching his hand. “Don’t do that.”
Phil gurgled, smiling toothlessly.
Greg didn’t notice his parents’ approach until they were feet away, his mother trailing behind his father with a concerned frown. They were both dressed in black, almost like dark shadows drawing near. Dale gulped, holding Phil tight.
Greg fought the urge to step between Dale and his dad. They were family in name now, but he wasn’t going to turn this into a confrontation, not just yet. He straightened his shoulders, stepping closer to Dale, wrapping his arm around Dale’s shoulder.
“Congrats,” Bernard Hastings said, his solemn gaze darting between Greg and Dale.
Greg hadn’t spoken to him since ten months ago, on the night of June’s wedding. He hadn’t been sure what else he could say to his dad at that point, but in the time since, he’d come up with a few things. Didn’t mean he wasn’t nervous, though.
“Hey, Dad,” Greg said, his pulse thudding. “This is my omega, Dale. I believe you’ve met before.”
Dale gave Bernard a weak smile, and Greg squeezed him, lending him strength.
“This is our son, Phil,” Greg said. “I don’t know if you’d accept him as your grandson, but that’s who he also is. Phil’s six months old.”
For a taut moment, Bernard looked at Phil, his expression inscrutable. Then he glanced at Dale, and Dale lifted his chin, meeting his gaze.
Pride swelled in Greg’s chest. A year ago, Dale had cowered in front of Bernard Hastings, afraid for his job. Now, Bernard had no more control over him, and Dale was happier, freer. And Greg knew his omega would do anything to protect their baby from any danger.
Bernard drew a deep breath, lowering his chin. “Your choices are yours to make, Gregory. I hadn’t...considered that the child would be my grandson.”
“You’ve forgotten family,” Greg said, his heart squeezing. “That’s most important. Status doesn’t matter. Neither does age. You can have all the goals you want, but you can’t take my family away from me.”
“I will not,” Bernard said. He extended his hand—the most of a truce he was willing to offer. Greg shook his hand, remembering the better days, back when his father had taught him to play ball and read comic books. When he finally set his college matters aside, Greg was certain that his dad would remember those memories someday.
Bernard nodded at Dale, and looked at their baby again. Then he turned, heading for his car.
Greg’s mom stepped up to them with a sheepish smile, pulling Dale and Greg into a hug. “Take care, all of you,” she whispered. “I’ll bake some casseroles and come visit sometime.”
“That’ll be delightful,” Dale said, breaking into a smile. “I’d love that.”
“Dale’s favorite is pulled pork,” Greg said, hugging his mom. “Thanks for coming.”
She kissed them both on the cheek, then stepped away, waving. “Thank you for the invite. The wedding was all so beautiful.”
As she turned to follow Greg’s father, Dale stepped in close, leaning into Greg’s chest. “That went... better than I expected,” he said.
“It’ll get better,” Greg murmured, hugging him. “Mom was right. He was swayed by Phil.”
Dale chuckled, weak with relief. “I hope you’re right.”
“This time, I think I am.”
As the rest of the wedding guests stepped closer to congratulate them, Greg held on to Dale and their baby, pressing a kiss to Dale’s forehead. The worst parts of their lives were over with. He was bonded to Dale, married to him, and their baby was happy and healthy. And Greg didn’t need to ask for more, when the future ahead was bright and warm, full of hope.
3
Omega Teacher’s Baby bonus scene
(Eleven years later)
“Bye,” Dale called out to five-year-old Benjamin, who was pulling on his school bag by Meadowfall Tot’s bag shelves. “See you tomorrow!”
“Bye-bye,” Benjamin called back with a wave, his other hand clasped around his mother’s fingers. “See you tomorrow, Mr. Dale!”
Together, the boy and his mom stepped out of the childcare center, the bells on the door jangling as it swung shut.
Dale sighed, watching as the children in the center left one by one, their parents picking them up after a Monday at work. It was June; the sky was still bright out, and would be for a few hours yet. He’d been looking forward to this week, too—Phil would be graduating from elementary school this evening.
Why do they even need a graduation ceremony? Greg had grumbled when Dale showed him the invite two weeks ago. It’s not like the kids have done a bunch at eleven years old.
It’s just an opportunity for us to see Phil in his graduation robes, Dale had answered, grinning. Can you imagine how cute he’d look? I bet it’ll be even more fun if you could dress up as Super Alpha for the ceremony. He’ll have a blast!
Oh, hell no, Greg had said.
Oh, gods, yes, Dale had answered.
Which led to Dale looking through Greg’s comics first, then his old photos, the faded ones he’d taken with his best friend twenty years ago. Greg had lost his Super Alpha outfit from that time, but Dale had been determined to sew him another one.
Countless hours and needle pricks later, they had come up with a working spandex suit: crimson, with black trimmings down the arms and sides, and a
