Chapter GABRIEL
GAbrIEL
The final stretch of Blue’s pregnancy is going well, although he keeps saying it’s probably only because we’re fated mates.
His small frame with that huge belly looks almost ridiculous at this point, and of course there’s no way to hide any of it anymore, not from the company employees or from his family.
This part of our experience turns out to be very interesting.
I’m officially introduced at a family gathering as Blue’s partner and husband, and I can’t say the welcome I receive is nearly as warm as the one Blue got from my family.
You could say a lot of his brothers, and even some of his nephews, the ones I hadn’t met before, look more than a little surprised.
Quite a few eyebrows shoot up when they realize Blue found his TM in an ordinary bodyguard, especially one with a criminal past tied directly to Malden.
Well, I’m not surprised, because it’s a lot easier to welcome a billionaire into the family than someone who used to be the enemy, so I don’t resent the fact that the reception is only moderately warm.
Fortunately, no one reacts with open hostility, nobody is tearing their clothes in despair over it, because of course everyone knows there’s no fighting the magic of True Mates.
The only consolation is that among the Lowens there are also my cousins, who have their True Mates here, and I mostly talk to them during the family dinner. The rest are chatting among themselves, and honestly, that suits me fine.
Blue’s parents are already very elderly people, his father is pushing ninety, and his dad isn’t far behind him. They are polite and proper with me, but somewhat stiff. Still, I have enough empathy to know that in the same situation I’d probably be very cautiously optimistic myself.
After dinner, Blue slips away for a moment to talk to his father. I watch the conversation from a distance, and at one point I see his father pull Blue into a tight hug and kiss his forehead.
When Blue comes back afterward, I get the impression there’s an extra layer of peace in him now, some additional healing settling beneath his skin.
I pull him slightly aside as everyone is already getting up from the tables, and I try to fish for details discreetly. "Did the conversation go well?"
Blue grins. "Yes. My father had tears in his eyes. He told me not to take our family’s somewhat restrained reception personally, but that he’s very happy my childhood dream will finally be able to come true.
He said he’s old now and doesn’t expect to live much longer, but knowing that before he draws his last breath, the thing that hurt him for so many years has finally been repaired, that’s his greatest joy. "
Does Blue’s voice tremble slightly when he says that?
It’s hard to tell, but I can see a subtle shift in his expression, and I sense via our Bond that emotions are moving just beneath the surface.
A good relationship with parents isn’t something everyone gets to have, but when it exists, it can become a huge source of strength and happiness.
When we’re saying goodbye, Blue’s father approaches me too.
He’s incredibly tall, around six ten, and built like a bull who, despite being ninety years old with snow-white hair, still seems completely healthy and sharp-minded.
It’s honestly strange that someone so tall and broad is the father of someone as petite as Blue, but AO genetics clearly have their own mysteries.
The patriarch Lowen almost seems like a half-purple alpha himself, and maybe he is, who knows, considering Blue is half rose omega.
The old man wraps me in a strong embrace and keeps me pressed against his chest for a moment.
"Blue is my treasure," he whispers into my ear. "Protect him well."
"I’ll protect him like I would my own life, I promise," I answer quietly. "Being his bodyguard feels like my life’s mission now."
The old man straightens up, holds me at arm’s length, and says, "Good. Blue is a special person, the most extraordinary of my children, with a mind none of the rest of us possess. I believe he’ll bring something good into the world.
I want to ask you to give him the chance to continue his work, because it would be a tremendous loss if he never had the chance to reach his full potential. "
Hearing that makes me feel a little strange, because there’s an echo in it of what his father once told Blue when Blue was sixteen and admitted he wanted a family someday.
His father wanted him focused on developing his intellect instead of dedicating himself to raising children, and maybe Patriarch Lowen still believes Blue should continue his scientific work without any changes, or with just a few?
The old man tilts his head slightly, studying my eyes. His own eyes are as pale blue as spring forget-me-nots. He’s very clearly waiting for my answer.
I choose my words carefully. "I never wanted to stand in the way of Blue’s career.
I admire his passion and his intellect, and I think he should continue his work.
But… I also know Blue dreamed about having a family, and I want to support him in that dream too.
I love him, and his choices and wishes matter more to me than anything," I answer, almost surprised by the calm certainty in my own voice while facing the patriarch’s searching stare.
A subtle smile appears on the old man’s face and slowly widens before he pats my shoulder.
"Love… that’s the most important thing, boy. You can build everything on top of that." Then he suddenly changes the topic. "Have you picked a name yet?"
His words catch me slightly off guard, because we actually haven’t talked about it yet, although I know it’s a discussion we’ll need to have soon.
"Not yet. We still haven’t decided."
"In my family, traditional names dominate, Jacob, Victor, Sebastien. I encourage you to go in that direction."
"I’ll discuss it with Blue," I reply politely but assertively.
The old man pats my shoulder again and says, "I like you, boy. You’ve got your own opinions, and that’ll help when dealing with Blue, because he can be stubborn."
"Blue is perfect."
"I’m glad you think so!" the patriarch says with obvious satisfaction. "Blue is my jewel. The apple of my eye. My alpha sons are, generally speaking, boring, hardheaded businessmen, but he’s something entirely different. I knew it from the moment I first held him in my arms. He was so tiny, but he opened his eyes immediately and looked at me, and I could just feel there was something different about him. Then later, when he was two years old and reading fluently while already knowing the entire periodic table, I was only further convinced that even though his birth was an accident, it was still Fate who wanted him on this planet. So take good care of my treasure, that’s an order, boy. "
Then he steps back and walks away, still wearing that little smirk.
Well, he’s definitely an unusual old man, and I can imagine the kind of pressure he must’ve put on his children while they were growing up, although it has to be said that Blue was clearly a special case. I think he may have exceeded even his own father’s expectations.
When Blue and I get inside the limousine later that day, I let my gaze drift across the Lowen mansion as Gerard turns around in the driveway.
The house is surrounded by greenery and carries the atmosphere of a family home.
Prompted by the sight, I finally decide to bring up something that’s been on my mind for a while.
"I know you rented that house on the coast as a part of your charity work, but honestly, raising a child in a penthouse at the top of a skyscraper, surrounded by all that electrical haze and big-city insanity, doesn’t really feel right to me.
That mansion is out on the outskirts, so the commute wouldn’t even be bad, but it still offers a certain amount of seclusion, and I think it would be a much better environment for a child… "
Blue, who’s bent over his tablet, looks up at me.
Silence hangs between us for a moment before he speaks slowly.
"You’re right, Gabriel." He squints slightly. "I like the way you think, how you care about things like this." He glances out the window, the Lowen mansion fading into the distance. "You know… before, I didn’t want to live in such a large house because I was single, and I couldn’t really imagine being there alone, with all that space. But now that we’re going to have a child, and maybe one day an even bigger family, it doesn’t feel inappropriate anymore… "
I grin widely. "I like the part where you mention a bigger family…"
Blue winks at me. "We’ll see how everything unfolds, but while some people enjoy being an only child and the center of their parents’ attention, I actually liked growing up with brothers.
The competition and interaction gave me additional developmental stimulation, which was very valuable.
So I think at least three children would be my goal. "
My grin grows even wider. "As far as I’m concerned, we could even have six. I already can’t wait… By the way, your father asked me about the baby’s name," I add, shooting him a meaningful look.
Blue sighs and sets the tablet aside.
He leans back slightly, and my gaze drifts down to his big stomach, now so clearly visible beneath his clothes.
"A name is such an important thing. In a way, it can become a prediction of the future, or highlight a certain trait…"
"We could always go with the classic ones your father suggested," I murmur, amusement slipping into my tone.
"As you know, I haven’t always followed my father’s suggestions." Blue chuckles softly.
I hesitate for a moment before adding quietly, "And that’s probably a good thing. But I don’t think it discouraged him… maybe quite the opposite. He told me you’re the most precious of his children. His greatest treasure. And honestly, I agree with him. You’re a treasure to me too, Blue…"
Those sapphire eyes move slowly across my face. He parts his lips like he wants to say something, then closes them again, only to repeat the motion a moment later.
I get this strange feeling, somewhere at the edge of my subconscious, almost semi-telepathic, that Blue wants to say he loves me, but simply can’t put it into words.
But I’ve already accepted that he doesn’t do "cheesy" confessions and moved on, appreciating everything he is and all the other aspects of our relationship.
He swallows and looks away before sinking into thought.
Finally he says, "In our house there was always favoritism toward omegas. My father devoted the most time, attention, and care to me, Sebastien, and Jacob. My brothers Victor and Thor were always pushed to the side. Father treated them like a necessary evil, he considered them limited, even though they weren’t stupid at all…
I don’t want to become that kind of parent.
Regardless of the child’s gender, I want to treat them equally. "
"Well… I’ll admit I’d love to have an omega son, someone like you, just as gifted…"
Blue suddenly turns toward the window.
"Let’s not place such high expectations on him, Gabriel. Let him choose his own path. The most important thing is that he’s happy."
I blink, suddenly realizing how much freedom of choice means to Blue, considering that after his accident he never truly had the full range of options he craved.
"Of course," I whisper. "He’ll choose whatever he wants… And health matters more than gender anyway. Maybe that sounds cliché, but when I think about priorities, that’s how I want to arrange them in my head."
Blue smiles gently. "True."
I slowly move closer to him, lifting my hand and brushing it softly across his stomach.
At that exact moment, I feel a tiny kick.
"He reacted. He’s kicking!"
"He probably already wants to meet his father." Blue smiles. "It'll be soon, Gabriel…"
"And I want to hold him in my arms and tell him he has my love until the end of my days."
And again, that uncertain look moves across Blue’s face like he’s wrestling with something internally, but I stay quiet. I stay by that. Words aren’t as important.