Roseville Romance

by Lorelei M. Hart

  “Well?” he asked, tipping my chin up.

  “What?” I tried to think if he’d asked a question I should be answering, but none came to mind.

  “You love us all...any one of us in particular?” His thumb caressed my lower lip, swollen and sensitive from his dominating kiss, sending a shiver through my body.

  “Y-yes,” I replied, darting the tip of my tongue to lap at his thumb then flushing at my boldness.

  “Who?” His raspy tone rolled over me, passion contained in that single syllable. “If you want to tell me.”

  “My alpha,” I replied, swallowing hard. “You.”

  “That’s better.” And he took my lips again. Dominating me, reminding me of what he had in store the next time he had me alone, his tongue plunging into me as his cock had, and would again.

  I clung to his neck because my knees were too wobbly to keep me up as my alpha kissed me, his cock grinding into mine through his robes and my jeans. I don’t know what would have happened if a knock hadn’t come on the door at that moment.

  “Sinterklaas, you’re on!”

  The words made it through the lust fog in my brain, just barely, but Link seemed to have more presence of mind. “I need a couple of minutes to finish up.”

  “Let’s hope that doesn’t mean what I think it does. This is not the time or place to seduce Santa, Gus.” The chuckle from Edison sent another flush to my cheeks, but Link just grinned down at me.

  “I need to step back here before I’m suitable for the audience awaiting me. Do you think you can stand up?”

  “Of course I can,” I protested, but when he released me from his embrace, I stumbled a little before regaining my balance if not my dignity. “See? I’m fine.”

  Link moved toward the window overlooking the parking lot and faced away from me for a moment before turning back. “Okay. How do I look?”

  Now I laughed. “Half-seduced by your omega.”

  Between us, we got his robe straightened and his hat, curly white beard, and shepherd’s crook in place with only a few quick kisses before we were ready to face his public.

  Soon he sat on the big chair decorated to look like a throne with the bag of presents next to it, greeting the children one by one and asking them what they wanted for Christmas in a very Santa Claus-like fashion. The center gathered donations and delivered them to the children’s homes before Christmas Eve, so these were more tokens, a little something for everyone, but my son wouldn’t have been happier if he’d gotten the pony he always added to his wishes despite the fact he’d never ridden one.

  The Feast of St. Nicholas observed, I released a happy sigh. I’d never thought to spend another holiday with a partner, but Link was my true, fated mate, and now all we had to do was convince Dane that he belonged in our lives. My son was making friends right and left but demonstrated a strong reserve around Link.

  As a true believer, Dane had chattered happily with Sinterklaas, even given him a warm hug, but when Link emerged sans costume a bit later, he received a polite, cool greeting from the little boy I loved best. Between festivities, Link had invited us to dinner with his fathers. If only they liked me better than Dane liked him.

  “Are you coming tomorrow?” Link asked us both. “My dads can’t wait to meet you.”

  “Yes,” I replied, forcing cheer into my voice to hide my nerves. “Looking forward to meeting them, too.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Link

  Meeting the dads was a big deal. I wanted my omega to feel the confidence I had in us by moving so fast.

  Even more, I wanted the world to know he was mine.

  Gustav had called over a dozen times, asking if he could bring anything or how he should dress, and was I sure he shouldn’t get a sitter for Dane.

  No, he couldn’t bring anything. He could dress in a bag and still be fine by my parents, and most of the reason for the visit was to somehow get the tyke to warm up to me.

  Anything above freezing temperatures would be improvement at this point.

  He’d revealed some things to me as I was dressed as Sinterklaas, since he didn’t know it was me under the beard and hat. He wanted his dad to be happy again. He wanted his dad not to cry at night. Also, he wanted a Harry Potter Lego set, but that was secondary to his list for Gustav. I loved the kid simply for how deeply he loved my omega.

  I knocked on the front door of Gustav’s house a little after four in the afternoon on Sunday. Inside, I could hear scuffling and shuffling of people hurrying to get to the door.

  “We’re running late. Someone, and I won’t name names, but someone spilled chocolate milk onto his sweater and had to change and then was distracted with other things.”

  Dane, the certain someone, was standing a ways back, arms crossed over his chest, hair disheveled.

  Already the day was squaring up to be...eventful.

  “Well, we can decide not to go. I’ll just call my dads and tell them to eat all of the peanut butter chocolate cake and save the cookies for another day. It’s a shame.”

  I faked getting my phone out of my pocket when Dane interjected, “I’ll go. But only for the cake.”

  “Well, that’s very rude, Dane.” This was the first time I’d heard Gus be “stern dad,” but it didn’t make a dent in the stubborn boy.

  No answer. I sighed and looked to my omega for help. I didn’t know what to do to get Dane to accept me or even be civil to me, but my dads would help.

  Truth be told, I wanted us to be a family. All three of us. This boy came from my omega’s body and had his eyes.

  “Don’t be sad, alpha mine. He will come around.” Gustav had walked over to me and whispered in my ear.

  I nodded but doubted the fact. We got into the car and despite Dane’s protest just days before, I reached over and held my love’s hand. He smiled back at me and turned on the radio to Christmas music.

  “We’re here,” I announced a little later as we pulled into the driveway at my parents’ home. They had a huge mission-style house, and I was blessed beyond measure to have grown up there.

  I knocked at the door, and Gustav looked at me funny.

  “What?” I asked.

  “You knock on your parents’ door? I walk straight into mine. Must be an American thing.”

  I laughed hard and heard noise inside. “No, my parents are, um…” I glanced back at Dane. “They are extra frisky. We wouldn’t want to walk in on anything.”

  Gustav blushed and put his hand over his face to hide his smile. Yeah, I intended to be that frisky with my omega all the way to the grave.

  “Link, my boy. Come on in. And this must be the lovely omega. Gustav, nice to meet you.”

  There was no hand shaking in my house. My dad, Clint, grabbed Gustav into a bear hug and then Dane in turn. I shrugged and went inside with them following me.

  “Where’s Papa?” I asked, grabbing a piece of fruit from a bowl on the table.

  “Outside, grilling. He made the cake, and I was on my way outside to start the grill when he insisted he do all the cooking today. He spoils me. Plus, we have new family to welcome, so he’s trying to impress.”

  “Gustav, want to go outside and meet my other dad?”

  He nodded, but Dane wasn’t budging. My dad ruffled his hair and said something to him about seeing his Christmas village and then asked Gustav if it was okay.

  “Sure. I’ll be outside, Dane.”

  I tugged on his hand and while we went through the house, I stopped him in the laundry room between the kitchen and the back door.

  “One kiss,” I said and then pressed him against the wall. I took his lips softly but passionately, pressing my hips against his. Every hour without him felt like an eternity.

  He matched the movement of my mouth and then pulled away, breathless, just like I liked him.

  “Marry me,” I said, looking deep into his eyes.

  “It’s our second date,” he whisper-yelled, a smile on his face.

  “So what? I k
now what I want.”

  He chuckled and nibbled on my chin. “And what is that?”

  “You and me together. For as long as you’ll have me.”

  “I’ll have you forever,” he said and then pulled my face down for a kiss, this time not so soft.

  “Wait, is that a yes?”

  “It’s a yes. But let me tell Dane. He’s not ready.”

  I nodded, secure in the knowledge that he wanted me forever as I did him. “Let’s go meet my dad before I get the idea to shut this laundry room door and have my way with you.”

  My omega laughed hard and loud. “Let’s save that scenario for later.”

  We went out to the porch, and farther out I saw my dad dancing with a pair of tongs in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, singing to some Spanish song.

  “Papa!” I yelled to get his attention, and he scrambled to turn off the music, put the tongs and wine down, and run over.

  “This is him? My, my mijo. You’ve found a gorgeous omega.” He hugged me tight before giving Gustav the same welcome. “Where’s the niño?”

  “Inside. Dad has him looking at the Christmas village.”

  He nodded. “Clint loves that crap. I bought him a church this year complete with a ringing bell. He can’t get over it. A few more minutes on this steak and we are ready. Gustav, I’m assuming you like steak?”

  “I do, thank you. I’m actually thirsty. Link, how about a glass of wine for me?”

  I had a feeling Gustav wanted to talk to my dad, so I agreed and after kissing him once on the cheek, I headed inside to get him a glass.

  “Dane is a wonderful boy. What are you doing?” My dad, Clint, asked as I got down two glasses.

  “Getting Gustav and I a glass of wine. You want one?” I knew better. My dad had given up alcohol a long time ago, before I was born.

  “How about water for Gustav?” He put his hand over the glass and tipped his head to the side.

  “He wants wine, Dad. What’s up? I’m the one driving.”

  Dad looked at me for a long time and then raised one eyebrow.

  “Between you and me, he should do without the wine for about eight more months, give or take. Maybe nine months from Friday night?”

  I held onto the counter tight and let the realization wash over me.

  We had a lot of explaining to do to Dane, but not today. Today, I had to make that kid like me before I told him the news.

  His dad would be my husband soon.

  And we were, apparently, having a baby.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Gustav

  I had just accepted my alpha’s proposal of marriage. I had a kid who considered me bound for life to the dad he didn’t remember, and my fiancé’s two dads around us at this very significant moment of our lives. But, looking around the big backyard with its dusting of snow everywhere except where Link’s father had danced it away, and the lovely home behind us, I got a really warm feeling. Like it was so much better to be proposed to in their laundry room than over a candlelit dinner or in some other cliché situation. Because for us, this was about family. Dane would have to learn that my alpha fit into his life. And these two older men would be his grandfathers on some level at least.

  If I allowed my son to reject them, to reject him, he would not only be making my life less, but his own.

  “I know I just met you, sir,” I began.

  “Papa,” he said, picking up the tongs again.

  “What?” I asked, confused.

  “Call me Papa. Or Grandpa as the case may be.” He flipped a steak giving it a little squeeze with the tongs. “Almost done, and can’t be too soon.” He tucked his collar up. “It’s too cold to grill out today.”

  “Yeah, umm, Papa.” The word came out slowly, unfamiliar. I was used to being Papa, but my own fathers were far away. “Why are you doing this?” The temperature was hovering at freezing.

  “Hand me that tray, will you?” He gestured to a table on the patio.

  “Sure.” I wandered over and grabbed it, realizing I’d better talk fast. Link would be back with the wine soon. “So do you have other children? Besides Link?”

  He lifted the steaks one by one and set them on the tray before closing the grill lid. “So many questions, mijo. First, I am grilling because it is the best and you always prepare the best when you have family visit.”

  “Ah, your son.”

  He chuckled and we started back toward the house, me with the meat and him with his wine, radio, and tongs. “For him, we make sandwiches. For you and Dane, we make a special meal to welcome you.”

  “Well, thank you, but you don’t have to catch pneumonia for us.” Had Link told them he was going to propose?

  “You asked if we have other children. No.”

  So why was he Grandpa, then? As the thought occurred to me my fiancé might have a child somewhere of his own, I stumbled over a snow-dusted rock and bobbled the tray, only saving it by pure luck.

  “Careful, mijo,” he chuckled. “I hate take-out pizza.” As we reached the door, he stopped. “Ask your question. I can see it in your eyes.”

  “Why are you called Grandpa if you have no grandchildren?”

  “Until now, I did not.” He tucked the radio under his arm along with the tongs and reached for the door handle.

  “Wait. It is very sweet of you to consider my son your grandchild. I assume Link told you he was going to propose.”

  I knew when his jaw dropped that Link had not told him. “Married. No, he did not tell us, but we know family when we see it. And yes, your son is to be our grandchild, but that is not why I asked to be called Grandpa.”

  Confusion swirled. “Okay I give up. Is it an age thing?”

  The lean man whose dark hair was streaked with white reeled back. “How old do you think I am?” This time he did jerk the door open. “I am Grandpa to the babe you carry.” He took the tray from me, nodded, and disappeared inside the house, and I sank down to sit on the step.

  After I sat there long enough the snow melted and soaked my pants, Link peered out the door. “Gus? What gives?” He blinked at me and came out, shutting the door behind him. “Why are you sitting in the snow?”

  Such a valid question.

  “Just getting a little fresh air,” I said, unwilling to tell him his papa was crazy. I stood and turned around. “Let’s go inside.”

  “Okay.” He stepped back and let me precede him into the house. “Omega, your pants are all wet.”

  “No shit, Sherlock,” I muttered, stepping into the combination laundry/mudroom. “Comes from sitting outside in the snow.”

  “Whoa.” He moved inside as well and stopped blocking me. “What happened? Did Papa say something that upset you? He said you needed a moment to yourself. And he was grinning.”

  “Not exactly,” I reassured him. “He’s just misinformed, somehow. Hey, weren’t you bringing me wine? I could really use it.”

  “About the wine—”

  “Papa, come and see the village and the animals. Did you know there was a seahorse and an elephant at the stables in Bethlehem?” My son flew in and grabbed my hand, dragging me off and chattering like a magpie. “Mr. Dad says we can come over on Christmas Eve and spend the night because Santa Claus is expecting me and they have extra special cookies for him so I will get more presents and we can have dinner, too.”

  He ran out of words as we arrived at the display he’d so enjoyed in the big, high-ceilinged living room. It took up three tables all different heights and included an interesting combination of eras from the Nativity to what I thought might be something from Star Wars. For certain, I recognized a Harry Potter street, whatever the name of the one where the kids did all the shopping was. But everything seemed to fit together in a magical winter scene, and I knew why Dane was so enchanted.

  When a train came chugging along a track mounted to the wall and stopped at the miniature station, even I was enchanted.

  “It’s very nice, Dane. Did you thank Link’s d
ad for showing it to you?”

  “Yes, Papa. Now...look at this. These little guys are their family.” I bent close and examined the action figures in question and darn if they weren’t very good renditions of Link and his dads.

  “Wow. They really do Christmas up big here.” The tree, by the wall opposite the fireplace, reached all the way to the ceiling and was bedecked with gorgeous glass ornaments people with kids Dane’s age could not possess. Or if they possessed them, they certainly couldn’t display them. “Just don’t touch anything, Son.” I could see one disaster becoming a domino effect I’d have to sell my house to pay for. But he was still going on.

  “And they are going to get some for us before we come to spend the night for Christmas. They are going to take our picture after dinner and then we will go up to the 3D printer upstairs and make them. Can I watch, Papa?”

  I started to tell him we hadn’t made plans for Christmas yet, and I was afraid he might have gotten some of this wrong in his enthusiasm. Somehow, I had to put the brakes on until I got the whole story.

  “They can’t do the baby yet because we can’t see him and he’s very small, still like even smaller than that dog that we saw that time who fit in a pocket.”

  Okay...now he had my attention. And alarm. “Baby?”

  Link and his dads had come in at some point in the craziness, but I’d just noticed them. They were all smiling, and Link held out a ruby-colored glass to me. I gulped the contents, choking when I realized they were water. “I really need that wine.”

  “Sorry, omega,” he said. “You’re on water for a while.”

  I looked around at my son, my fiancé, and the two older men. How could they all be crazy? “What is going on here? Are you saying you hope I’ll get pregnant soon?”

  “No, omega. We are saying you are. My dads are never wrong about these things.”

  Dane flung his arms around me and pressed his head to my flat stomach. “I’ll always love you, little brother,” he said, sprinkling my shirt with kisses. “And take care of you and when you are big, we will go to the Netherlands and I will show you everything.”