Brad kissed his cheek. “C’mon, Ian.”
I am worthy. Ian moved his teeth and tongue, imagining himself saying it. He imagined his mother frowning, disapproval in her eyes. He imagined Harold Saxon looking down at him, his lip curled.
But aside from them... there were people who liked having him around. People like Brad, and June, and Gwen. And maybe Xavier, too.
If Ian saw himself through their eyes... maybe he’d see someone better. Someone worthy of love.
He wet his lips, meeting Brad’s gaze. Brad stroked Ian’s hip with his thumb. He was still here, still holding Ian, and Ian now wore a second marking from his alpha.
Marking Ian the first time—that could’ve been a mistake. But a second time? Brad was serious about him. Brad loved him. Ian swallowed hard, his throat tightening.
I want to be worthy of Brad’s love.
Briefly, an old memory flashed through Ian’s mind. I love you, his mother had said, and there had been pain.
Ian tucked that memory away. Instead, he memorized this moment—Brad, waiting patiently for him, a warm smile on his lips. His hands careful on Ian’s skin, his baby in Ian’s belly.
Ian gulped and bowed his head. Wet his lips. “I... am worthy,” he said, his heart beating too fast.
Brad’s smile grew. He slipped his hand into Ian’s hair, pressing a kiss to Ian’s forehead. “There you go,” Brad murmured. “You don’t have to believe it right now. But I want you to say it every day. It’ll get easier.”
Ian breathed out, his chest lighter than before. “I’ll keep saying it.”
“Good. I love you.”
Ian laughed softly, pulling Brad closer to himself. “I love you, too.”
Brad’s eyes lit up. He braced his weight on one hand, kissing Ian sweetly on the lips.
Then he smoothed his palm over Ian’s belly, his gaze wistful.
“Maybe later,” Ian murmured. “Maybe he’s asleep.”
Footsteps sounded in the next bedroom. Then they pattered into the hallway, and Brad and Ian exchanged a look.
“You don’t think,” Brad began, glancing at the door.
The footsteps stopped right outside, and they scrambled. Brad yanked a pillow over to shield their joined hips. Ian tugged on the covers, throwing one side over Brad’s shoulders.
Scarcely had they concealed half their bodies, when the door opened.
Gwen poked her head inside, her gaze locking onto Ian. “Daddy!”
Her entire face lit up. Ian’s heart stumbled. He hadn’t seen his daughter in three weeks. Despite the pictures she’d sent him, seeing her in-person was entirely different. It was so much realer. She was thin, her hair a mess, but she was the best sight in the world.
She dashed across the floorboards, and Brad hauled Ian onto his side. Ian threw his arms out, grunting when Gwen leaped against his chest. The impact rocked through his bones. “Oof! You’re getting heavy, Gwen!”
“I missed you so much,” Gwen cried, burying her face in his shoulder. Then she began to sniffle, and Ian couldn’t help his tears, either.
He’d missed her, too.
Ian hugged his daughter close, just breathing in her clean scent. Couldn’t help running his wrist down her back, so his scent mingled with Brad’s on her clothes.
“How’ve you been?” Ian asked. “Sleep okay? How is your heart?”
“My heart’s fine.” She bounced against him, swiping away her tears. “Papa brought me to the playground yesterday. We were looking for you all over Meadowfall!”
Ian glanced at Brad. Brad shrugged, looking sheepish. “I tried to avoid Meadowfall Tots. Figured you didn’t want to see me around.”
Ian relaxed, entwining his fingers with Brad’s. “You’re welcome there,” Ian said. Brad broke into a smile.
“I gotta show you my trucks,” Gwen added. “Papa bought me another one. And the stickers! And my new phone game!”
Ian laughed softly at her wide grin, ruffling her hair. “He’s sure been treating you to all the things, huh?”
“Had to keep her from moping too much,” Brad muttered beneath his breath.
Ian winced, regretting the breakup.
“Don’t worry about it.” Brad nudged Ian, and scooped Ian closer to himself. Then he kissed Ian’s shoulder. Gwen looked at them.
“Did you do something bad?” she blurted.
Ian frowned. “Something bad?”
Gwen nodded earnestly. “Something terrible. It sounded like you did.”
Ian glanced at Brad, but Brad didn’t know, either. “What do you mean?”
“Papa was saying ‘fuck’ really loud just now.” Gwen looked owlishly at Ian. “You did something terrible, didn’t you?”
Ian froze. Brad stared, and then he snorted, covering it up with a cough.
“I, um,” Ian said. “Yes, I did something bad. Your papa was telling me not to anymore.”
Brad looked away from Gwen, so she wouldn’t see him rolling his eyes. “Yeah, he was bad. I punished him.”
Ian’s face burned. It had been some... interesting punishment.
“Oh,” Gwen said. She turned to the door, rubbing her stomach. “I think I’m hungry.”
Then something nudged in Ian’s belly, a faint pressure, and he gasped. Looked down.
“Is he—” Brad followed Ian’s gaze. “Xavier. Is he kicking?”
“Yes,” Ian said, relief flooding through his chest when Xavier kicked again. “Here.”
He grabbed Brad’s hand, and when their baby kicked against Brad’s palm, Brad’s entire face lit up. “Holy shit!”
Halfway to the door, Gwen turned, staring at Brad. Ian wanted to groan. “Brad!”
Brad grinned sheepishly. “Sorry. But he kicked! Did you feel that? Hey, Gwen, get over here.”
“I’m naked,” Ian hissed.
Brad tucked the sheets around their hips. “Here,” he said to Gwen. “Your baby brother’s kicking right now. Press your hand on your dad’s belly here.”
Curious, Gwen flattened her small palm against Ian’s abdomen. “I don’t feel anything.”
“Be patient,” Brad told her.
They sat still, all three of them. Gwen began to squirm. Two minutes later, Xavier kicked again, and Gwen’s eyes grew round. “I felt him!”
“That’s your brother in there,” Ian said, holding her hand. “His name is Xavier.”
“Xavier,” Gwen echoed, looking curiously at Ian’s belly. “I’ll protect him.”
Something in Ian’s chest bloomed; he couldn’t help his smile. Raising Gwen was entirely worth the effort and the money. Xavier, too, no matter what hurdles they faced.
“Atta girl,” Brad said, pulling her into a hug. Then he wrapped his
