“So, that’s the whole sorry story. All five days’ worth, or seven, or whatever.” Baby sighed. Curled up on a large couch in Hades’ and Ali’s living room, it was easy to think the last week was just an aberration in his head. “I should never have yelled or got angry at Owen. It’s not as though this was all his fault. In the back of my mind I suppose I did know it could happen. I just didn’t think about it at the time.”
“Or all the other times you were having fun with your mate, either, I imagine,” Hades said drily. “Being the older god, he could have reminded you, but it’s too late for should haves or could haves now. I understand where you’re coming from, though. You want to spend time with your mate, and you deserve to have that time. I don’t know why the Fates are on a pregnancy binge right now among the gods, but apparently it’s important for the stability of the fabric of life.”
“They didn’t think about my mental stability when they included me in their dastardly plan,” Baby grumbled. “I can’t be a father. I’d be useless at it. That bear cub I told you about, Ollie, he barely had anything to do with me, but he was all over Owen like a rash.”
“I know you’ll think differently when the little one is your own,” Ali said with his ever-present smile. “And the thing is, I think I know why the Fates gifted you so quickly, and that kinda is Owen’s fault.”
“How do you mean?” Baby didn’t think Owen had a direct line to the Fates but then anything was possible.
“Well, didn’t you say that Owen knew you two were fated when you were born? Which, incidentally, is a wicked power to have, I’m just saying,” Ali said. “Maybe the Fates planned on you two having children a lot earlier than this, allowing you time to get to know each other first, but if these babies are important like Hades said, then maybe the Fates jumped in when they saw the opportunity because Owen took so freaking long to meet you in the first place.”
“I’ve been thinking about that too,” Hades said. “I know you said Owen was a loner, but he must have spent like centuries in his ice palace, to not meet up with you. The Fates are always nudging their couples into meeting each other.”
Baby sighed. Just thinking about Owen made his heart hurt. The look on his poor mate’s face. He rubbed his stomach, which was still flat thank goodness. “He got scared, and he said himself he’s very set in his ways, or he was before he met me. But see, that’s the thing that makes me feel like a right shit. Owen’s made the effort and changed his life so much just for me. And the first chance I have to do something for him in return, I blow up and throw a tantrum like a two-year-old. That’s hardly fair.”
Ali leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “Baby, your feelings are important too. Should you have realized you could get pregnant having sex with a god when you’re one yourself? Probably. But the dreams you had of belonging, wanting someone to put you first for a change are valid too. You had every right to want to spend time with Owen for decades if necessary before you thought about children. The thing is, the baby is already growing inside of you, and given it will be immortal, I doubt there’s anything you can do to prevent their birth now.”
“I wouldn’t do that. I’d never harm another person if I can help it.” Baby flung himself back against the couch. “I’m just so sick of always being ignored, or hated, or just not fitting in. I wanted a home, and a mate, and I got them, so I know I should be grateful. But you watch. Now I’m pregnant, all Owen will care about is the new baby, leaving me out in the cold again. I just wanted to be important to someone for once, and not for my apparent baby making abilities.”
“You are important to me, and you always will be.”
“Owen?” Baby shot out off the couch, running across the room, flinging his arms around his mate who’d suddenly appeared in the corner. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I had no right to yell at you or ruin what could have been a beautiful moment. Can you ever forgive me? I’ll do better, I promise I will, and I will be happy about the baby when it comes.”
Baby found his feet dangling as Owen swept him up, holding him close. “You don’t ever have to promise me anything,” his big mate said fiercely. “You are, exactly who you are, and I love you for that. You need to believe it. You need to believe me. Can you do that?”
“Love, love?” Baby would believe the sky was purple if Owen told him so, but love? “You mean, not like, ‘wow I love your hair, get your pants off’ love, but real like love where that person is the most important being in your life, and always will be, type love? You love me like that?”
“Exactly like that, and while I do love your hair, and I do enjoy times when we’re not wearing pants, I do love you, love you; deeply, madly, seriously stupidly, and always will.”
Oh wow. And the thing was, Baby knew it was real. His heart was full to bursting and those instincts that had kept him out of trouble, were all letting him know Owen wasn’t lying. He knew he should say it back, but he was too busy kissing the crap out of Owen’s lips, because words like that came once in eternity and Baby wanted to hang onto the moment for as long as he could.
Which would have been a really good idea, if they weren’t still in Hades and Ali’s living room. A very fake cough reminded him of that. Pulling himself, very reluctantly off Owen’s lips, Baby called over his shoulder, “I’m not sorry. We’re still dressed. Count that as a win.”
“I wanted to greet your mate and introduce Ali before his young eyes saw more than he should,” Hades said with his normal dry humor.
Seeing as he put it that way. Baby didn’t need to see Owen’s eyes to know they were burning for him; he could feel it all through Owen’s body. “You probably should put me down,” he whispered. “My uncle Hades is a big wig in god circles.”
To his surprise, Owen laughed, although he did let him down gently, retaining a hold around Baby’s waist. “Hades and I know of each other,” he said as he moved towards the loving pair, inclining his head ever so slightly. “Lord of the Underworld and all its domains. Many thanks for your guidance to my warriors over centuries past, who have found a safe haven among your hunting grounds. Greetings and salutations on this glorious day. It would appear congratulations are in order.”
“Great Spirit,” Hades bowed, slightly deeper than Owen had. “Appreciations are not necessary when I gladly provide a home for those spirits who conduct themselves with honor among your people. My congratulations to you on claiming my beloved nephew. May I introduce Ali, the sweetness the Fates gifted to me so we can share eternity together – the same little one responsible for my current condition.”
“My gods,” Ali staged whispered, his eyes wide, lifting his hand to cover the side of his mouth. “Are all the big wigs so formal when they meet?”
“I haven’t got a clue,” Baby mimicked Ali’s whisper. “It’s the first time I’ve heard anything like it. They must be following rules written in a god’s conduct book or something. I didn’t get a copy.”
“Neither did I.” Ali started to giggle, and the noise was contagious because before Baby knew it, he was chuckling too.
“I’m so sorry. I’m not intentionally being rude. My animal tells me you’re a very powerful shifter god,” Ali said, exposing his neck to Owen, and then giggling at his mate again. “It’s just who says ‘condition’ anymore? You’re pregnant, mate of mine. Just say it.”
“Ali, I can see why the Fates believed you perfect for my usually dour friend,” Owen said with a grin of his own. “You’re the breath of fresh air, Hades so desperately needed, and it does my heart good to see you both so happy, and obviously flourishing.”
“Well, I’d love to know more about you,” Ali glanced at the clock. “Sebastian and Madison are joining us for dinner. Sebastian has just found out he’s pregnant too. You’re both welcome to stay.”
Please say no, please say no. Baby didn’t have a problem being around people. He usually thrived on it. But the things he wanted to say, and do, to his mate didn’t work in mixed company.
“Sebastian, son of Thanatos?” Owen looked down and Baby could feel the heat of his eyes even with the glasses on. “While I’d love to catch up with him, and meet his mate, I feel my mate and I need some time to ourselves for now. It’s been a very eventful day. We will meet up again soon, I’m sure. Baby’s house in Thurso is deliciously remote, if a little chilly this time of year. You can visit there without concerns about Hades’ condition. Another day.”
Thank you. Baby held his cool during the rounds of goodbyes and pleasantries, but he was so relieved when Owen translocated them home. Ali and Hades made a wonderful couple and Baby fully intended to invite them for dinner before their baby came along. As Owen said, on another day.