They didn’t know if the baby would be born healthy. But as long as Brad stayed by his side… maybe things would turn out better.
15
Brad
It was February 8th, and Brad was nervous.
It was Gwen’s birthday.
He’d never thought much about her birthday until recently, when Ian had told him which day it was. Then the date had carved itself into Brad’s mind, and he’d been worrying, hoping she’d like his gift.
It wasn’t really a gift she’d get to push around like her other toys—Brad had arranged for an hour off work, so he could show Gwen and Ian around the station, then drive them around town in a ladder truck. After, they’d return to the station, and Brad would give Gwen the firefighter badge they reserved for kids who visited.
They still hadn’t told Gwen who Brad was. Brad had figured maybe she’d find out later, if Ian ever wanted the relationship to become more permanent.
Over the past few weeks, Ian and Gwen had been sleeping over more. Ian had left a few of his things at Brad’s place, and Brad had been stocking up on almond milk and vegan cheese in his fridge, so he’d be prepared for Gwen and Ian anytime.
It still felt odd, thinking of himself as a dad. He wasn’t sure he could. But waking up to Ian in his arms, marking Ian as his own, having Ian share the house with him… that felt right.
Brad wasn’t sure it was love. It couldn’t be. He just liked his professor a lot, because Ian understood him. Ian had been smiling at Brad with those soft eyes, and Brad couldn’t help the yearning in his chest.
He was afraid to lose anyone else. Didn’t want the sort of hurt he’d struggled through when his mom died, the sinking, suffocating despair of knowing you could never get back someone you needed.
Ian was older than him. Chances were, he’d leave this world sooner than Brad.
It gave Brad a chill, every time he thought about Ian dying.
And yet he couldn’t help checking his phone for Ian’s messages, couldn’t help calling Ian most nights, just to hear his voice.
So maybe it wasn’t a crush. Or it was something between a crush and love, where Brad could keep his heart safe.
His daughter, though…
Do you love her? Ian had asked last week, quietly, while they were watching Gwen push her trucks around at the beach.
Brad hadn’t had an answer for him. He felt fondness toward Gwen, but he’d never had a child. Wasn’t sure what he was supposed to feel toward his own.
Ian sure loved that girl, though. Sometimes, it felt as though he was sharing someone very precious with Brad, and it never ceased to amaze Brad that Ian was allowing him so close to his daughter. Their daughter.
He thought about Ian’s smile, and his heart skipped.
“Hey, snap out of it,” Harris said, waving at Brad. “We need Truck 2 clean before you go on your rendezvous.”
Brad’s cheeks grew warm. Then he realized Harris was talking about Gwen, not Ian, and, gods, maybe he was in over his head.
I shouldn’t, he told himself.
Brad hurried to the truck. He grabbed a hose and a brush, rinsing the vehicle down. Didn’t want Gwen seeing any dirty trucks in here—that wouldn’t look so great on him.
Since when had he begun to care what Gwen thought of him?
Brad scrubbed down the truck with soap and water, glancing at the clock every so often. He thought about pulling out his phone, seeing if Ian had messaged him—but work came first.
He was almost through with the rinsing when two people rounded the garage doors, poking their heads curiously in. Ian and Gwen.
Brad’s stomach flipped. He couldn’t help puffing up his chest, hosing off the last of the suds from the undercarriage. Couldn’t help his joy; his two favorite people were here.
“Hey,” he called across the garage, waving. Some of the other alphas looked up, and Ian waved back.
“Brad,” Gwen said, bouncing over. “Hi!”
Ian had worn his work outfit—a long-sleeved shirt and pants—while Gwen had on denim overalls and a truck-print T-shirt. Gwen was the first to reach Brad. Brad couldn’t resist the urge to scoop her up into the air. She was kind of heavy, but she was his daughter.
Gwen soared through the air in his hands, squealing. Brad knew there was a stupid grin on his face.
“Happy birthday, kiddo,” he said, setting her on her feet. “You got your presents yet?”
Ian had told Brad what he was giving her—a set of shiny truck stickers, a car game she could play on her phone, and some new clothes.
“Uh-huh,” Gwen said, beaming. “I got my game here!”
She waved her phone at him, and Brad ruffled her hair. Gwen squawked.
“How old are you now?” Brad asked.
“Seven!”
“That’s really old, Gwen,” Brad said. “You need some reading glasses yet?”
“Hey!” Gwen giggled, trying to frown at Brad. “I’m not that old!”
Brad grinned, looking up. Ian was watching them, a fond, almost-exasperated smile playing on his lips. Brad hadn’t realized how well he’d been learning to read his omega. His stomach flipped again.
“Hi,” Ian said, rubbing his neck self-consciously. “Did we drop by too early? I had a bit of spare time, so I figured I’d pick Gwen up early from the childcare…”
“No, you’re fine,” Brad said. He stepped over to Ian and caught his waist. Pressed a chaste, lingering kiss to his omega’s lips, breathing in honey and rose.
Ian sucked in a sharp breath. Brad held on to him. Ignored the catcalls from some of the alphas in the garage.
It felt good, having an omega he could call his own. Someone he could show off as his.
Brad broke the kiss, thinking about giving Ian a deeper one. Decided he wasn’t going to do the tongue thing. Didn’t need Gwen saying ew again.
“That’s it?” Ian asked, smiling mischievously. He glanced around them, though, aware they weren’t alone. “Just one kiss?”
“More later,” Brad said. “But that
