We’ll give Dad the performance he always wanted, Wyatt had said. So they’d all agreed, showing up at the mansion on a Sunday morning.
The room brought back memories—of Raph sitting with Wyatt as he played, of Raph kissing Wyatt the very first time, and of Grandma yelling while Wyatt paled.
A decade later, so much had changed. Wyatt was carrying Raph’s baby. Grandma was gone, and Hazel stood with Penny, Mom and Dad watching on with tiny smiles.
“There’s no need to panic,” Wyatt said, easing away from the piano bench. There was a dark spot on the cushion, where the water had leaked. Wyatt cleaned it off with his shirt. “We’ve packed the overnight bag.”
“Yeah, it’s still in the car.”
But their baby would be here soon, and Raph wasn’t entirely prepared for this. What if he screwed up? What if he wasn’t a good dad? What if he—of all things—dropped their baby?
“It’ll be a while yet,” Mom said, pulling Wyatt into a hug. “Call us when the baby is born. Dad and I would love to visit.”
Raph glanced at Dad. Over the past few months, Chief Fleming had adjusted to the idea of his sons bonding. He’d been wary at first, uncertain of how to react to Raph and Wyatt holding hands. Then he’d hugged them both, again, and said he still loved them.
The rest of the town wasn’t aware of their relationship. That was fine. Raph was working at the drive-in as the manager now. Wyatt helped out sometimes, but was mostly on paternity leave. He refused to sit still for hours, though.
“Come on, let’s go,” Wyatt said. “We need to make sure the apartment is ready.”
“But your water just broke!” Raph said.
Wyatt cracked a smile. “I’ll tell you when the contractions start.”
Mom hugged Raph. “Take care of Wyatt, dear. Keep us updated.”
“Will do.”
Wyatt stopped by Hazel, bending to hug her. “Hon, your brother’s coming along in a few hours. Dad and I are going back home for a bit. Can you stay with Aunt Penny for now?”
Hazel looked at Wyatt, then his belly. “I can’t come along?”
“It’ll be a terribly long wait, I think. Hours! And with nothing to do at the hospital.” Wyatt kissed her cheek. “Won’t you help Grandma make some dinner for tonight? She’ll love to try your shrimp stir-fry.”
Hazel nodded. “Okay. You’ll be all right at the hospital?”
“Definitely.”
Raph reached out for her; Hazel hugged him. “Protect the fort,” Raph said. “You’re our only hope in the event of an attack.”
Hazel grinned, saluting. “Yes, sir!”
They left the mansion, Raph driving, Wyatt in the passenger seat, looking down at his belly. It was only now, when they were away from family, that the lines on Wyatt’s face returned.
“I’m almost certain I want the natural birth,” Wyatt said, fidgeting. “But chances of rupture are 40%.”
Raph’s stomach flipped every time he thought about it. He’d been ignoring it, knowing it was a hurdle they’d have to face, sooner or later. “I’ll be there. Whatever decision you make, I’ll support you.”
“Thanks.” Wyatt smiled wanly, squeezing Raph’s hand.
They made the drive to the apartment in silence, Wyatt’s hand on his belly. When Raph set his palm on Wyatt, he felt the baby kick, too. And a smile worked its way onto his lips. “I can’t wait to meet Ben,” he said. “You’re absolutely sure it’s a boy.”
“Yes, he is.” Wyatt swatted at him. “I feel it in my bones.”
Raph wasn’t sure how that worked, but he wasn’t going to question it.
Halfway to the apartment, Wyatt winced. “No, wait. I think the labor’s starting. Let’s head to the hospital.”
Raph forgot to breathe. “Already? I thought you said it’d be a while yet.”
“Hospital, Raph.”
Raph took the nearest U-turn, and hit the gas. Would they get there in time? Would Wyatt give birth in the car? The hospital was ten minutes away—Raph wouldn’t have the slightest idea what to do. He should’ve read up on births in greater detail.
He held his breath as they sailed down the streets, the Sunday morning traffic light. Wyatt rubbed his belly. Raph glanced at the cars around him, looked in his mirrors, hyperaware of the traffic. He had to get his omega to the hospital safe. Their baby would be here soon.
Gods, he wanted to see what their baby would look like, wanted to hold him in his arms. “Fuck, I can’t wait.”
Wyatt cracked a smile. “You really can’t. You’re amazing.”
Raph rolled his eyes. He was just Raph, not amazing or anything.
Then Wyatt winced again, and Raph panicked a little. “We’ll be there soon, I promise.”
The hospital’s parking lot was almost full when they pulled in. Raph parked, cut the engine, and hurried around to Wyatt’s side, opening the door for him.
“I can do this myself,” Wyatt said.
“Let me help,” Raph said. “You’re gonna be swearing at me later.”
Wyatt laughed. “Watched too many movies, have you?”
“You’re not going to swear later?”
“I’d probably curse you to hell and back.” Wyatt grinned, squeezing his hand. “It’ll be the first time I have someone I know with me.”
Raph’s heart ached. “Not just anyone,” he said, sliding his arm around Wyatt’s waist. “You’ll have your alpha with you.”
Wyatt blushed, a rosy tint on his cheeks. Raph grabbed the overnight bag, and they made their way slowly across the parking lot, Wyatt waddling, Raph supporting him.
“I bought a cow plush along for you,” Raph said, nodding at the overnight bag. “It’s in there.”
Wyatt raised his eyebrow. “I never did ask why you got one for each of us.”
“I’d spoken with Sam for a bit. He said his brother got a giraffe plush for his omega—I thought you and Hazel might want one, too. Then Hazel wanted to get one for her brother, and it seemed odd if there wasn’t one for me.”
Wyatt laughed. “Is it right at the top of the bag?”
“Yeah.” Raph grinned, unzipping the
