Page 2 of Fated Surrender

“Gabriel loves you so much, that sometimes, it’s almost painful to watch you two. Don’t sell him short, Ashby. If he truly wanted children, you have many options open to you, from surrogate mothers to adoption. Do me a favor. Call him. It will be easier to express your concerns over the phone when he’s not in front of you, where you can see his expressions. Get it all out and see what he says.” Connor ruffled Ashby’s hair playfully.

Small hands batted him away.

“Do you really think he still loves me?” Ashby asked, looking up at him hopefully, his large eyes filled with tears.

Connor nodded. “I think that maybe, just maybe, you might be projecting your own desires for a child onto him. You have experienced everything that goes along with a pregnancy, yet, you know that you won’t have a child at the end of this experience. It might be affecting you more than you know,” Connor suggested softly, and watched Ashby’s face.

The small man’s lips began to tremble and his eyes filled.

“I think you may be right. I’m going to call him now. Thanks, Connor, you’ve always been there for me. Your brothers are lucky to have you.” Ashby gave him a quick hug.

“Anytime, runt,” Connor said, before picking up both mugs and walking back behind the counter. Ashby waved and hurried out of the diner, more than likely in a rush to call his mate.

Connor shook his head. No mating was ever perfect, no matter what it looked like from the outside. He went back to the kitchen and pulled the biscuits out before putting a couple pounds of bacon on the grill. He heard the back door open, and soon he smelled his Ma’s perfume.

“Good morning, baby boy,” his ma said, and pulled him into a hug.

“Morning, Ma,” Connor said, returning her hug. He breathed in the familiar scent that belonged only to his Ma and sent up another prayer of thanks to whoever was listening for giving them Doc Claybourne.

“You got an early start today,” she said, stepping back. She turned and hung her coat up on the coat rack.

“Couldn’t sleep,” Connor said, going back to the bacon.

“You’ve been coming in early for the past couple weeks,” she said, checking on the biscuits. “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I’m okay, Ma, really.” He smiled brightly at her before turning back to the grill. Seconds later his head jerked forward as his ma cuffed him upside the back of his head.

“Ma!” he groaned.

“Don’t ‘Ma’ me, Connor Christian Arkadion, and don’t lie to me either. I always know when something is wrong with my boys. If you can’t tell me, just say so, but don’t lie,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

He rubbed the back of his head, and he looked at his ma then smiled. “There are some things bothering me about a job that I took. I can’t go into the particulars, but I should have it wrapped up soon.”

“That’s all you had to say, son. Now, head to the sheriff’s station. You’re not the only one with an early start. Your brother may need someone to talk to. It won’t add to your plate, will it?” She eyed him, with worry written all over her face.

Connor waved off her concerns. “I can handle these types of problems all day long. They soothe me.” He chuckled and grabbed his jacket.

“Here take some biscuits, honey, and jam. He’ll open up more if you feed him,” she said, handing him a small, white paper bag.

“You know us so well. Love ya, Ma.” Connor dropped a kiss on her cheek.

“Of course, you’re my boys. Now, get out of here before the breakfast rush hits and I change my mind about sending you out.” She patted him on the shoulder.

“Bye, Ma,” Connor said and quickly headed out the door.

Connor trotted down the street and headed to the sheriff’s station. He pushed open the door and walked in. Aleks sat in his chair staring blankly at his desktop. Concerned, Connor decided to lighten the mood.

“Hey, bro, trying to escape Rebecca?” he asked teasingly, setting the bag of biscuits on the desk. Aleks’s head snapped up and a panicked expression haunted his face.

“Whoa there, you know I didn’t mean anything by that. What’s wrong? Is Rebecca okay?” Connor asked, dragging a chair over to sit beside his big brother. Aleks nodded and looked away to stare out the window.

“She’s fine. According to Doc, she and the baby are doing great,” Aleks said, sounding distracted.

“Then why are you here at work at o’dark thirty?” Connor asked.

“Couldn’t sleep,” Aleks mumbled.

That seems to be going around.

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