Page 46 of Romancing the Omega

Chapter Fifteen

Caden watched Carter paint long, smooth strokes on the wall of Jimmy’s attic room. “Why don’t my brushstrokes look like that?” He had been banned from painting after his second try.

“You got the writing skills in the family, son,” Caden’s dad said. “Carter and Jimmy got the painting skills.”

“I got the beauty and the brains in the family,” Cain said, smugly. The whole Benson clan had rushed to get to Maine when they’d heard what happened with Yeo’s papa. It had just been a week, but Jimmy’s room was basically done.

“I can’t believe this is all for me,” Jimmy said. He crawled along the floor, painting the trim. “I’ve never had my own room before. This place is going to be amazing.”

“I’ve seen the start of that comic you and Summer are working on,” Cain said. “Your room isn’t the only amazing thing.” He shook his head. “I’ve never even dreamed of being so creative. You, Summer, and Caden are all so damn talented.”

“All my boys are,” John said. He looked fondly at Jimmy. “All of them. I’ll miss seeing you every day, Cain, but I’m glad your mother and I are moving up here. We’ll be right next to our boys.”

Jimmy grinned. “Jake can’t wait to go fishing with you and Olive,” he said. “Plus, you promised to teach me to drive. Jackson and Papa gave up already, but you promised.”

“Surely you can’t be worse than Cain,” John said.

“I wasn’t bad,” Cain protested. “Anyway, you’re forgetting the most important part. Mother will be right next to her new BFF.”

The Bensons shared a grin. “Mother took to Dean like Bennett took to Yeo,” Caden said.

“Darling,” Susan called from downstairs. “Surely it doesn’t take five people to paint four walls. Send someone downstairs to help us move this couch.”

Everyone in the Wilson and Benson family had found some piece of furniture or decoration to donate to the Wagner family. Caden had never been prouder of his parents and brothers. Cain had even shipped a large painting from Georgia for Dean. He said the sweet and simple nature scene reminded him of fresh starts. Dean had cried.

Caden left Jimmy and Carter painting and headed downstairs with Cain. They dodged two cats on the steps, but managed to stay upright. Susan and Dean were waiting in the living room. Dean’s dog, Beau, sat at his feet, watching the omega adoringly. The golden retriever loved his person and followed Dean everywhere he went. Caden had wanted to cry when he saw Dean and the boys reunited with all their pets. Jackson was even able to have his dog and cat with him at his new place. The owner was very understanding. Very. The owner was Gramps.

“Caden, where do you think the couch should go? Should it face the television or the fireplace?” Dean looked so grave and concerned. Caden would have laughed, but he’d quickly figured out that Dean had never been allowed to have an opinion. What seemed so simple to Caden, was a huge hurdle for the omega. Physical abuse was just part of what he’d suffered while married to Simon.

“Which seat will you use the most here?” The living room set Barry had given Dean and his boys was brown leather. It included a huge couch and two very comfortable looking recliners.

Dean thought for a minute, nibbling his lip. “The recliner is more comfortable for my leg.”

“Alright,” Caden said. “Would you watch television more or would you read in front of the fire more?”

“Read,” Dean said. He didn’t have to think about that.

“Why don’t we put the couch toward the television and the chairs toward the fireplace?”

Dean smiled wide. “Perfect! It’s like a big square space.”

Susan wrapped an arm around Dean’s shoulder. “I love it, Dean. Why don’t you and I go to the kitchen and see what Grey is cooking? It smells delicious. My boys can arrange the furniture here.”

“Okay,” Dean said and followed Susan from the living room.

“I thought you were crazy when I heard you were giving the cabin away,” Cain said, voice low. Caden and his brother started moving the couch. “The more I learned about Dean and what he’s been through, the more I understood it. He’s why I wanted to be a lawyer. No one should feel like they have no choice.”

“I love him,” Caden said. “He’s Yeo’s papa, yes, but he’s such a sweet man. I caught him singing to Jules the other day. Jules fell outside on the ice and hurt his ankle. Dean carried him inside, limp and all, and dried his tears and patched up his ankle. He sang this sweet song the whole time, and Jules forgot he hurt.”

Cain smiled softly. “He sounds like an amazing father.” They each moved one of the chairs to the right spot, then arranged the matching side table and coffee table Grey and Harper had brought for the family. “I heard that someone else is going to be a dad in about six months.”

Caden blinked. “Fuck. I forgot to tell you.”

Cain’s mouth dropped open. “You just cursed.” He shook his head in amazement. “Caden Benson just cursed.”

“I don’t believe it,” John said, trotting down the stairs to the attic that Carter had put in a few days ago. “Caden is the best behaved of all of you.”

“He did,” Cain said. He smirked at Caden. “He also forgot to tell us about Yeo being pregnant.”