Page 38 of Slow Birth
Pater sat with Vale on the sofa with his hands on Vale’s stomach. Every once in a while, a subdued exclamation rose up. Evidently the baby was kicking very hard. A good sign, Urho said. Painful, Vale usually claimed. Warm affection filled Jason’s chest as he turned back to the scene in the room.
His father stood by the fire, his drink on the mantle and a fond smile on his face as he watched Pater and Vale together. As for Vale, he was incredibly tolerant, almost sweet, to Pater now that they’d broken his heart with their announcement. His sweet omega might be cranky lately, but he was loving, and Jason was grateful to him for letting Pater touch and feel, exclaim and love.
Because Pater did love them both—all—passionately, and so did Father.
Jason stepped across the brick floor to join his father by the fire. “You understand, don’t you?” he asked quietly, hoping only his father heard him.
“Of course, I do.”
“It’s what he needs.”
Father nodded, picked up his glass, and took a swallow. “Don’t worry. We aren’t angry. The hurt will pass. It’s natural. You’re making your own family. It needs to be on your terms. Your way.”
“I love you. We both love you,” Jason assured him.
“Of course, you do.” He sighed and tilted his head back, gazing up at the ceiling for a moment, before he brought his chin down again and gazed at the omegas on the sofa. “I wish I’d had your balls when I was your age. I wish I’d told my pater and father to back off. It pains me to think he didn’t get the birth he wanted with you. I had hope that there would be another but…” He shook his head. “I never should have assumed. This is your precious one and only chance, Jason. We know that. Make it what he needs. Give him the birth of his dreams.”
Jason scoffed. “From what I understand, the birth itself is hideously painful. I doubt there will be anything dreamy about it.”
“No, but the end of his pregnancy will be special. Cherish it.”
“I’ll try.”
“Don’t let your fear swallow your joy.”
Then, before Jason could reply, Father broke away and went to the sofa. “Move aside,” he said to Pater. “I’d like to feel him once more tonight, if you don’t mind, Vale?”
“Please do,” Vale said, letting Father take Pater’s place next to him. Pater lingered, his hands going to Father’s shoulders and slipping into his hair. Vale took Pater’s hand and placed it against the side of his stomach. “Just wait. It sometimes takes a—well, not this time.”
Father grinned. “That was a healthy kick.”
“He’s strong. Urho says he’s growing well.”
Father murmured softly, “We’ll be excited to meet him. Don’t linger too long in Virona after he comes.”
“But don’t return before the flu is past us,” Pater warned.
“We won’t,” Jason said to both of them. “We’ll be safe, but we can’t wait for you to meet him either.”
“We love you,” Vale said, his cheeks over his dark beard flushing. “You’ll be wonderful grandparents.”
The night ended earlier than usual, and Pater clung to Vale with an extra-long hug before slipping on his coat and following Father into the night.
“That went better than I expected,” Jason said, wrapping his arms around Vale as they watched from the front porch. His parents got into their car where they had parked it by the sidewalk, and the engine turned over.
“Yes, but I still feel like an absolute asshole,” Vale said. “Depriving them of this.”
“No,” Jason said. “This is what we needed to do. Come on. Let’s feed Zephyr, and then up to bed. I need to massage your feet. Your ankles look swollen.”
PART THREE
Sea Birth
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Vale appreciated thehired driver’s attempt to avoid the potholes on the ride from the train station to Xan’s house by the seaside. But given the extra amount of time it seemed to take, he wasn’t certain he wasn’t going to get carsick before their journey’s end.
Zephyr hissed in the carrier at their feet, and Jason was tense with eagerness to see his friend. Urho…well, Urho was tense with eagerness, too. Vale could only hope that whatever had finally ignited between his best friend and Jason’s could be tended into a steady flame, and not explode into a disaster.
