Page 134 of Slow Heat
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Vale’s heart patteredanxiously as he and Jason waited outside the door for admittance to Miner’s sick room. When they entered, he was relieved to find Miner sitting up in bed.
“Pater,” Jason whispered, and rushed into Miner’s arms.
Vale hung back, watching as the family he’d agreed to be a part of clung to each other. Miner was pale but alive, and that was really all that mattered. Still, the dark circles under his eyes spoke to the trauma he’d suffered, and Yule’s presence by his bed, hand held fast, did as well.
Vale looked around at Miner and Yule’s bedroom. It was luxurious and fastidiously clean. He hoped Jason didn’t think too much about the dusty rooms back at Vale’s house, with the clothes tossed haphazardly on the chair. And on the floor. And in the corner.
Laundry. It was ridiculously annoying. Maybe he really should hire it out. Or not. He didn’t care. He’d do whatever Jason wanted.
It’d been seven days since Vale’s heat had begun and two since it’d ended. Afterward, he’d needed recovery time and Jason had, too. Over the phone, Yule had told them not to rush the aftermath. He’d said Miner was sleeping most of the time and he preferred to be alone with his omega.
But today they’d left for Jason’s house after breakfast. They were both tired and somber, their bond sealed, but their hearts still wary about the future. Miner was doing much better, but there was still a lot of mending ahead before he’d be completely out of the woods.
As the family huddle broke apart, Jason took Miner’s hand and sat on the bed next to him before motioning Vale closer. “Pater, look who came with me.”
“I’m glad to see you here with Jason,” Miner said, smiling and reaching out his free hand to Vale. “You both look exhausted, though.”
“It’s been a long week,” Vale murmured, sitting at the edge of the bed next to Jason.
Miner smiled slowly. “For everyone.”
“How are you?” Vale asked. “Everything is on the mend?”
Miner nodded and Yule spoke up, “Assuming he doesn’t acquire any infection from the surgery, he should be able to go downstairs starting Monday, and Urho thinks he’ll be his old self within the month.”
“They won’t let me smoke in here,” Miner said, frowning. “Something about it being bad for my health.” He shot Yule a glare and then smiled indulgently at him, reaching out to pet his hair. “It’s time I quit that bad habit anyway.”
Jason smiled and kissed his pater’s hand. “I always hated it. It meant you were sad.”
Miner smiled. “Maybe I’ll have less to be sad about now. Dr. Chase removed my womb, did he tell you?”
“What? No!” Jason blinked rapidly. “Isn’t that illegal?”
“Not if there’s indication the womb was necrotic,” Yule said, frowning and touching Miner’s face gently. “Urho found evidence to that effect, or so he said, and once Miner was stabilized, he performed the operation. It was harder on me than on Miner. He was unconscious from Urho’s anesthetics. I, however, watched the whole event.”
“At your insistence,” Pater said. “You refused to leave.”
“I wasn’t going to leave you alone. You might have needed me.”
Vale’s chest tightened as he watched Jason’s parents dote on each other. His had been the same. He knew over time his bond with Jason would only strengthen, and, eventually, they’d be like that as well.
Jason’s hand sought his on the coverlet.
Or maybe they were already there.
After they discussed a few more details of Miner’s situation, they turned to the topic of Vale and Jason’s contract.
“I’d like to apologize to you,” Yule said quietly. “I never should have pushed the birth clause or suggested a surrogate. I was wrong.”
Vale inclined his head to accept the apology and said nothing.
But Yule wasn’t done.
“When I thought Miner… Well, when I thought I’d lose him…”
“You don’t have to explain. I understand.”
