Page 18 of Admiring His Omega
“It really doesn’t.” Mal snorted a laugh. “Lucky for him he met a girl named Vivian that was in the situation. She only liked girls, but her parents would never accept that. They agreed to date and eventually married. Their families were overjoyed, but they were just happy to have each other as best friends who understood and cared for one another.”
“I’m happy for them?” Cain paused a moment. “I think.”
“They struggled on, pretending to be the perfect heterosexual couple,” Mal continued. “Somehow, they even managed to have two kids. I don’t like to think of it, but some of my cousins speculated on the use of a turkey baster until Aunt Wanda heard them and threatened to tell their parents what they were talking about. That isn’t important though. What’s important is that they finally couldn’t take their overbearing families anymore and moved across the country to Thorn Creek, Washington.”
“Good for them.” Cain hugged him. “They didn’t have a conventional love, but it’s still beautiful. I like this story.”
“Oh, I’m not done yet.” Mal settled his head on Cain’s shoulder. “A few years down the road, my dad was about six, I think, Grandma Vivi worked at a local newspaper. She had a set routine. She would have breakfast with Grandpa and the kids, go to work, eat lunch at a diner nearby, go back to work, then head home. One day, that all changed.”
Mal let the silence permeate.
He waited and waited.
“The suspense,” Cain finally complained. “Why are you like this?”
“I enjoy the pain of others.” Mal shrugged. “Anyway, one day, a new waitress started at the diner. She was a single mother of three, newly divorced and struggling to find what was missing in her life. Guess what was missing?”
“Hmm.” Cain’s voice rumbled through Mal. “A Grandma Vivi-shaped something?”
“Yes.” Mal practically crowed. “They met and fell in love at first sight. First freakin’ sight, Cain! Grandpa was beyond happy for them and fully supported the relationship. Adelaide’s ex-husband was slower to come around, but he’s a decent man, so eventually, with Grandpa’s help, he came to terms with things. He traveled a lot for work, that’s why their marriage failed, but he loved his family. He’s Uncle Ron to everyone now. Grandma Vivi, Grandma Addy, and Uncle Ron.”
“Okay.” Cain sounded impressed. “Now, that is a beautiful story. I can see why your family isn’t afraid of jumping into relationships. This bodes well for me, so I fully support the family motto.”
“The story isn’t done, silly.” Mal patted Cain’s cheek. “A couple of years later, Grandpa took the kids camping. All five of them, because where one kid went, all the others had to go. Uncle Ron learned this the hard way.”
“Five? That’s a lot.”
“I agree.” Mal nodded. “While he was there, he met a young widower – an omega that had lost his alpha a few years prior. The man had two kids of his own, both under four. Why he was out camping with them, I don’t even know. But guess what?”
“Grandpa David fell in love at first sight?”
Mal laughed. “Correct. Then it was Grandpa David and Grandpa Lucas. Five kids became seven. Then, they became eight when Grandpa Lucas got pregnant again.”
“Poor Uncle Ron,” Cain whispered. “He was probably struggling with only three at first. Then five. Then eight.”
Mal’s body shook with laughter. “Seriously. The man had to bring home presents for everyone each time he visited. He didn’t hesitate, though. Took to being an uncle really well. Even for us grandkids.” Mal smiled softly. “He brought me cookbooks from all over the world. They’re in storage now, but I treasure them.He’s retired and lives in Thorn Creek but still manages to find the best books for me for my birthday.”
“No love at first sight for Uncle Ron?” Cain asked, sounding sad.
“Uncle Ron says his true love was traveling the world and having his family to come home to.”
“Alright. That explains why you said your family tree was a forest instead of one tree.” Cain smiled. “It really is a lovely story. What about your mom’s parents? Do they have a story?”
“Grandpa Paul and Grandma Kat. They’re completely normal.” Mal shook his head. “Met in college, got married after a few years of dating. So very normal.”
“I suppose one side of your family should be.”
“Agreed.” Mal leaned up and brushed a soft kiss against Cain’s chin. “So, you see, I’m not afraid of a little risk. I think you’re worth it.”
Cain leaned down and kissed him. Mal melted into the alpha’s taste, savoring every feeling bubbling inside him. The anticipation and excitement of something new. The eagerness to know everything about his alpha.
Loving Rick had never been like this. Maybe because Mal knew Rick never felt romantic toward him. It had been misery and joy all at once.
Cain pulled back, breathing heavily. “We’re agreed? We will see where this goes?”
“Agreed.” Mal pulled Cain down for another kiss. There was no fear or hesitation. Wherever their connection went, Mal knew he’d never be the same.
Chapter 6
