“When I marry your dad, you’ll get two choices,” Raph said. “I can stay as your uncle, or I can become your second dad. Would you mind if I became your dad?”
Wyatt’s pulse skipped. He didn’t know which Hazel would pick. And maybe he’d been hoping she wanted Raph as her dad, too. Heavens knew she needed a better role model than him.
Hazel thought on it. “Will you still make me lunch?”
“Anything you want, princess.”
“Sure, you can be my second dad.” She picked out a red pencil, starting on a flower.
Wyatt didn’t know if he wanted to laugh, or cry. “That’s your criteria, hon? Whether Raph makes you lunch?”
Hazel nodded. Penny snorted, and Raph grinned.
“This kid is motivated by food,” Raph said. “C’mon, give me a hug, princess.”
He knelt by Hazel. Hazel hopped up, throwing her arms around him. And Wyatt crossed the kitchen, pulling them both against his chest. “Gods, I love you.”
“Love you, too,” Hazel said. After a moment, she squirmed out of their arms, returning to her calendar. Despite how worldly she behaved sometimes, she was still nine, and Wyatt wished she’d always stay the same.
“You expected her to say something different?” Raph asked, his lips quirking in a smile.
“I didn’t know what to think.” Wyatt burrowed into his chest. “Hazel’s full of surprises.”
“Gotta love her,” Raph said.
“So... does this mean we’re getting married?” Wyatt asked.
Raph sighed. “Still not sure that’s a good idea.”
It really wasn’t. Not with Dad’s reputation, and Grandma hovering over Raph at work.
“Will I be invited if you do?” Penny asked.
“Sure,” Raph said.
Penny brightened, scooping the eggs into a serving dish. “I hope you’re planning to tell Mom and Dad about it. I think Dad’s trying to sign us up for another audition.”
Wyatt covered his face. “I’m not sure when we’d have time for that.”
“Before the baby comes along?” Penny laughed. “How much time do we have?”
Wyatt counted off on his fingers. “Another eighteen weeks. So... four months? Before February. Gods, I’d be huge by then. Just imagine—we’d be playing, and my water breaks.”
Raph groaned. “Don’t let that happen.”
“Knowing my luck, it probably will.” Wyatt chuckled, burying his face in Raph’s neck. “When are you moving in?”
Raph swallowed, glancing at Wyatt.
“You’re moving back?” Penny asked.
“Yeah, soon,” Raph said. Except his smile had faded, and he wasn’t looking at Wyatt at all.
Wyatt froze. Through the pregnancy, Raph had said multiple times that he wanted their baby. Wyatt believed him.
But they hadn’t made plans to be together, hadn’t talked about Raph’s job, and what he’d work as when he returned to Meadowfall. With Grandma’s connections, he could get something at an Alpha Associates branch here... but it wouldn’t be anything that paid like a regional manager position.
Wyatt had told Raph that he wasn’t willing to move away from Meadowfall. He couldn’t expect Raph to uproot himself, either.
After the months of Raph visiting every weekend... would it continue, even after the baby was born? Would Wyatt be fine with that? Wyatt thought about lonely nights with two children and no alpha, and his heart sank. “Raph—”
“I’ll make plans to move,” Raph said, sliding his hand down Wyatt’s spine. “Don’t worry about it.”
But he still didn’t meet Wyatt’s eyes, and Wyatt swallowed his nerves, holding on tighter to his alpha.
Things would work out for the best. Right?
23
Wyatt
A quiet lullaby tinkled in the background of the prenatal clinic.
Wyatt held his breath as he stepped in, half-afraid that someone would recognize him and Raph. They’d sprayed on the scent suppressants; Wyatt hated for Raph’s scent to disappear off his skin, but Raph had promised to mark him again after the visit.
Against a background of rainbows and unicorns, the receptionist smiled. “Here for an appointment?”
“Yes, under Wyatt Fleming.”
She tapped on the keyboard. “We’ve got you down for 2 PM—you’re early! While you wait, could you provide us with your updated details?”
Wyatt took the clipboard from her, glancing at the form. He’d changed addresses and phone numbers since his pregnancy with Hazel—a good thing. But it also meant staring at the “Alpha’s name” field, the name he wanted to write too scandalous for words.
With a hand on Wyatt’s back, Raph guided him to the waiting area, nodding for him to sit. To anyone else, they could be friends, or brothers. They certainly didn’t have to be bonded step-siblings. But Wyatt’s heart quickened anyway. Aside from last night at the drive-in, he and Raph hadn’t been affectionate in public at all.
Wyatt filled in the rest of the blanks. Then he looked at the field for his alpha’s name, his heart pattering.
“You don’t have to,” Raph said. “I don’t mind.”
“I’ll just... list you as an emergency contact,” Wyatt said, a bitter taste on his tongue. By not acknowledging Raph, it felt like Wyatt was disappointing him.
Raph caught his hand, giving him a quick squeeze. “You don’t have to prove anything to them,” he said. “You know, and I know. That’s fine.”
It was such a shame, too, when his alpha was the best person Wyatt could ever hope for. He swallowed his uncertainty, handing the clipboard back to the receptionist. She glanced over the form and smiled. “You’re all set with your registration, Mr. Fleming. Please have a seat.”
“I’ve never asked,” Raph murmured when Wyatt settled next to him. “How’d you raise Hazel by yourself?”
Wyatt smiled wryly. “With sheer determination.”
Raph rolled his eyes. “C’mon, Wy. Not what I was asking.”
“Are you saying I lack determination?”
“Want a slap for talking back?” Raph smirked.
Wyatt’s cock twitched. Gods, this isn’t the right time. His face warmed, and Raph’s eyebrows crawled up his forehead. “Maybe later,” Wyatt said. “Don’t make promises you aren’t keeping.”
“Fine. I won’t.” Raph smiled sheepishly. “But answer my question.”
“I had help,” Wyatt said. “I met Sam before I dropped out of college, so he and Penny knew I was pregnant—”
“Did Pen tell Mom and Dad?”
“Surprisingly, no. I told her it was an accident and I didn’t want to talk about it.”
Raph’s eyes darkened. “You know, they still think Hazel’s
