Epilogue
ELTON
“This needs to go someplace where everyone can see it.” Lennon lifted the wooden bowl of balls out of a box. When he’d come to help me with my surgery, he’d brought more to add to the collection. Fortunately they were small—a silver metal ball from a pinball machine, and two marbles.
“Put it on the coffee table.” Rafferty tilted his head toward the living room before he carried a box of my books into what was now the study—half my office and half Rafferty’s LEGO room—making sure Gomez didn’t escape.
We were keeping him confined to that room—after carefully covering Rafferty’s LEGO projects—until we were done bringing everything inside.
I shrugged. “Sounds good to me.” I continued emptying my box of drinking glasses onto the dining table.
Mom and Dad came out of the kitchen. “Sweetie, we’re going to pick up lunch for everyone. Are sandwiches okay?”
“Yes, thanks, Mom.” Lennon nodded as well.
She went into the study to ask Rafferty what he wanted. Both she and Dad had been over the moon when I’d told them I had a mate. I suspected they’d worried my lack of testicles meant I’d be alone the rest of my life, but they’d never said it out loud where I could hear.
Dad cleared his throat. “Elton, you’ve got a good man there. Your mom and I are happy for you with the mating and moving in together.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I walked over and hugged him.
He squeezed me tight. “That being said, maybe start thinking about giving us some grandkids one day, huh?”
I broke away from the hug. “Dad, I’m almost finished with my supervised clinic hours, and then I have to study for my licensing exam while I work my notice at the bookstore.
And when I’m finally a therapist for real, I have to set up my practice.
Why don’t you give us a few years to get settled before hounding us for kids?
” I wasn’t about to mention that three—three!
—of the pack members Rafferty had donated sperm to had spontaneously offered to be our surrogate.
How the hell were we supposed to decide between them when the time eventually came?
Dad sighed. “Fine. Hey, do you need help finding office space for your therapy practice? You know your Uncle Bill used to be a realtor.”
“Yeah, but Rafferty and I were planning to turn one of the ground floor apartments in the back building into an office space for me.” Manny, of all people, had told me and Rafferty about the efforts that were being made to stop Wonder trafficking, and Rafferty had volunteered some of the empty apartments to be used as housing for the people who were rescued.
Having my office space in the same building would allow me to see those patients discreetly and safely.
Mom came out of the study, and Dad released me and patted me on the shoulder.
“I’m proud of you, son.” He walked over to join Mom, giving Lennon a shoulder pat of his own as he walked by.
“Lennon here, though, is still a work in progress.” He winked as Lennon yelled in protest. I just shook my head as Mom and Dad left the apartment, chatting about how nice the building was.
Lennon grinned and pointed at me. “Dude, your face when Dad mentioned grandkids!” He leaned over and picked up the Magic 8 Ball from the bowl, shaking it like he was mixing a cocktail. “Will Elton and Rafferty make beautiful babies together?”
“What?” Rafferty came out of the study with a panicked look on his face. He almost didn’t remember to shut the door behind him.
I laughed. “Calm down. My dad was saying he and Mom would like some grandkids.”
Rafferty shook his head. “We’ve only had a few weeks together.”
“Don't worry, I think I made a case for him to be reasonable.”
Lennon snorted. “Or he and Mom are currently debating whether they can talk you into having more than one kid. And wait till I tell them what the Magic 8 Ball said!” He held it up, and I strode over and grabbed it out of his hand.
“You won’t tell them any such thing.” I hid it behind my back. “Don’t you have another suitcase of my clothes in your car?”
“Yeah, yeah. You’re no fun.” He stuck his tongue out and left to go get it.
I huffed out a laugh. “I promise my family will be gone by the end of the week.”
Rafferty pulled me into a hug and kissed my cheek. “They’re wonderful, and you’re lucky to have them.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I echoed Lennon’s disgruntled tone.
Rafferty reached between us and took the Magic 8 Ball out of my hand. He closed his eyes and shook it. “Will Elton let me rim him as a welcome home gift?” He looked at it, his eyebrows popping up. “’Don’t count on it.’ Well, shit, I’ll have to come up with something even better.”
I stepped closer and snatched the toy out of his hand, shaking it. “Will Rafferty and I have a long and happy life together?” I held the Magic 8 Ball so we could both see the answer. Yes, definitely.
Smiling, he leaned down and kissed me. “I love you.” I heard his wolf yipping.
I went up on my tiptoes and kissed him back. “I love you too. But your wolf is my favorite.”
He pretended to growl, and I shouted with laughter when he picked me up and carried me into the study, probably hoping my family wouldn’t find us there. Still, I made sure he locked the door.
Thank you for reading Magic Fate Ball!