Page 92 of Bitter Heat
As it is,Érosgápeyou are, and the laws around that are clear. Other omegas will have to wait until another desperate man is in a position to fight the brutal laws. As science progresses and birth rates improve, as well as survival rates for omegas, I pray that the draconian measures will be put aside permanently.
Rosen and I are including a small gift for your new son. It’s adoption paperwork. I had to look through many historical documents to find a good source for a clear-cut adoption with no loopholes. As you know, unlike the pre-Great Death days, there is rarely a need for adoption procedures, but understandably we want to keep this all binding, lest Wilbet himself, or his parents, change their minds.
Please sign the papers, have Kerry do the same, and I will handle the signatures from the Monhundy end of things. Have no fear. I will ensure this gets handled.
Give my best to Kerry and his pater. Kiss the babe for me.
Yosef Deckel
Janus set aside the letter and broke open the package that had been delivered at the same time. This was from Caleb, Xan, and Urho, according to the tag, and inside were several soft toys, blankets, and more for the baby. There was also a letter:
Dearest Janus and Kerry,
My heart sings with the news! I wish I could say that I saw it all in advance, but I was as blind to yourÉrosgápelink as you. I’m so pleased that it takes both Kerry and the sweet child out of jeopardy in one fell swoop. Please accept these gifts for the wee Tristan, and the camera as well as a contracting/bonding gift. Xan insists that you’ll love it and has included film, too. Send it back to us to be developed, and we’ll return the pictures to you. It will be great fun!
Bekhem grows daily, as do my other delicious babes. Riki has started spelling now. He’s a bright little thing. Like his pater, if I do say so myself. And Levi has learned to run, but it’s full speed or nothing. I’m afraid he’s going to run off a cliff, but Urho says the exercise is good for him. Exercise, yes, but he should pay more attention to where he puts his tiny body!
I wish I had more time to write, but I am already going to be late to the organizational meeting for the First Annual Mountain Medical Charity Auction. Expect an influx of helpful cash soon.
Sending my love to you, Kerry, and Tristan,
Caleb
Janus showed the notes to Kerry as they read by the fire that evening. Zeke had already gone to bed, and the baby lay curled up in Kerry’s lap, nursing—as he always seemed to be doing. Janus held Kerry’s feet in his lap, massaging the arches and heels, and wearing the scarf Kerry had made for him. It was soft and a little lumpy in a few places, but Janus loved it.
Kerry looked toward the stack of things Caleb had sent and said, “We’ll never be able to pay him back for all of that.”
“They’re family, sweetheart. It was a gift.”
Kerry nodded, scented Tristan’s head, and then gave Janus a smile. “This is nice, isn’t it?”
“Perfect.”
Kerry tilted his head. “What are we going to do for money, though? With the official dissolution of my contract coming soon, I don’t assume they’ll be sending anything more our way. Not now that you’re adopting him.”
“My uncle sent a letter as well,” Janus revealed. “Mine is the onlyÉrosgápebond in the family since his own to his omega George. It seems he’s rather thrilled by it and has offered me a large sum as a bonding gift. It will hold us for several years. Hopefully, until I’m earning something more substantial as the doctor around these parts. Rumor has it, Dr. Crescent would like to retire before long.”
“But living off another man’s charity is…”
“There’s always the boarding house income. Now that Tristan’s arrived, safe and sound, your pater can open the rooms back up again.”
Kerry nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve become rather spoiled living here so quietly with just you and pater.” He rubbed his nose against the top of Tristan’s head. He hadn’t kissed him yet, as far as Janus knew, but he was growing closer and closer to that action. “And now this one.”
“He’s a good baby,” Janus said. “An observant, quiet boy.”
“A hungry one, too,” Kerry said, sighing, and switching Tristan from one nipple to the other. Kerry’s wet, abandoned nipple remained exposed, and it called to Janus. He loved to sample the sweet milk Kerry produced, and the scent tempted him to lean forward now to taste it.
Kerry closed his shirt a bit, hiding the nipple from view. Janus smiled at himself. As much as he longed to bury himself deep inside Kerry again, to relish theirÉrosgápeconnection now that they’d discovered it, he needed to wait until his beloved finished healing. And though suckling from Kerry was sweet, he also knew, given the tentative affection that was growing between Kerry and his previously unwanted child, Janus shouldn’t do anything to color the caregiving experience for Kerry in any way.
“He’s going to be a good boy,” Janus said reassuringly, knowing how often Kerry needed to hear it. “He’s going to be a good man, too.”
Kerry nodded, a wrinkle appearing in his brow. After expelling a heavy sigh, and as if it took effort, Kerry released his frown until his forehead was smooth again. “Another month of quiet would be good, and then we can open the place up for fall boarders. We’ll have the usual rush of folks escaping the flu season in winter. We’ll be fine.”
“Yes, we’ll be all right,” Janus agreed. He rubbed Kerry’s feet a bit more vigorously and then bent low to kiss one toe. “I love you.”
Kerry smiled, his dark eyes softening with trust and joy. “I love you, too.”
The baby farted, and they both laughed.
