Chapter 9 Patience
Patience
Ernest
“That was delicious, thanks,” he said when he put his fork on the now empty plate. After worrying about his tiredness, headache, stress levels, his feelings for me, and basically about his every breath, when I watched him eat what I’d cooked for him, I was ridiculously happy.
“I’m glad you liked it. It’s my dad’s recipe.”
“Your omega dad?”
“Yes.”
“Who’s human.”
I nodded. “Yes.”
Lawrie peered at me from under his long eyelashes. “So he didn’t know dragons existed either until he met your alpha father, correct?”
“They met when my dad was twenty-six, doing a residency at the Saint Anna hospital up in Dalton City. My father brought a young man to the ER with severe hypothermia that my dad then treated. The guy had fallen through ice on a lake. My dad was suspicious about how the hell my father had managed to pull the guy out and bring him so fast. My father could hardly tell him he fished the drowning man out of the lake in his dragon form, flew him to his car, and then drove him to Dalton City with the heating on maximum while breathing on him for good measure.”
Lawrie listened with his lips parted and eyes wide. “And how did he find out the truth?”
“My father asked him out, and they dated for a couple of weeks. When it became clear they were mates, my father showed him his other form. Much like I’ve shown you.”
“How did your dad react?”
“He was terrified at first.”
Squinting, Lawrie took a sip of water. “Did he faint?”
“Um. Not that I know of.”
He huffed.
“But he was upset and afraid. Most mates are when they find out.”
“So you understand why I feel like this?”
“I do. I wish I could do something about it, but I understand.”
Looking down, Lawrie righted the empty plate and the napkin. “Do you have any brothers?”
“Two older brothers, two younger ones.”
His head snapped up. “There’s five of you?”
“My kind usually has at least three kids if they can.”
“You’ll be lucky to get one out of me,” he said dryly, making my lips twitch. “And they’re all mated?”
“They are. I was the last single one in the family.”
“Any kids?”
“I have nine nephews so far.”
Lawrie’s eyes got comically wide. “Lord! Nine kids?”
“Gary, my youngest brother, is an omega mated with another dragon omega, so they don’t have kids.
They could adopt or opt for a donor, but they don’t want to.
They’re happy being uncles. Finlay, my oldest brother, has four boys with his husband.
Edvard has three, and Gabe, my younger brother, has two and one on the way. ”
Shaking his head, Lawrie picked up his plate and carried it to the dishwasher. I followed him. “Are you planning to take over the world with all the Bracknell dragons?”
“No. Besides, only some of those boys are dragons. Edvard is an omega, so his kids are human. They don’t even know about us.”
At that, Lawrie startled. “The kids don’t know that their dad is a dragon?”
“It’s to protect both us and them. They’ll grow up having normal lives. They don’t need this burden on them.”
Silence fell, and I realized what I’d said. It was too late to take it back.
Lawrie leaned on the counter and folded his arms over his chest. “It’s a burden, huh?”
“I’m sorry, Lawrie. That came out wrong.”
“Does your dad or your brothers’ mates feel that it’s a burden? Knowing and being a part of this.” He gestured between us vaguely.
“I don’t know. Maybe sometimes? You can talk to my dad about it if you want?”
“We’re not at the meeting-parents stage, Ernest.” The quirk of Lawrie’s lips softened his words.
I took a deep breath. Honesty was the key, I knew.
He might get upset again, maybe several times.
I just had to keep being open with him, and things would fall into place eventually.
“I think it can be a burden sometimes, yes. You’re keeping a secret from the closest people in your life.
But it’s such a natural part of what we are, most of us don’t think about it anymore.
Our world is divided between those who know and those who don’t.
I have friends and loved ones among both groups. ”
“Don’t you feel like you’re betraying them by keeping the secret?”
“It doesn’t affect them or hurt them in any way. It doesn’t concern them at all. Yes, it’s a part of who I am, but it’s not a part of my character. I’m honest about everything important; my opinions, thoughts, and feelings. I can be open with people without having to tell them I can change forms.”
Lawrie was smiling softly, gazing at me with calm interest. “That actually makes sense, thank you.”
“Do you want something to drink? Wine? I have beer too. Ale.”
“No. Thanks.”
“Tea?”
“Tea sounds nice.”
I grabbed the kettle and filled it with water. “What about your family?” I asked.
“There’s not much to tell. I grew up an only child. My alpha father left when I was little, so I don’t remember him much. My omega dad worked as a nurse. He died almost two years ago.”
Was he all alone in the world? “Oh, Lawrie, I’m so sorry.”
He gave me a wobbly smile. “I’m sharing a tiny two-bedroom apartment with a friend, Josh, cook loads of cheap pasta and rice for dinners, and daydream. I’m afraid I’m very ordinary.”
“You’re most extraordinary.” I winked, and he blushed just a little. “And how did you end up at Sullivan and Burnes?”
“I studied business administration and did my internship there. The HR liked me, so when I was out of school and applied for an entry-level reception job, I got it. Shortly afterward, another of Mr. Sullivan’s assistants quit, and they asked me to fill in temporarily until they found someone else. Except it’s been more than a year now.”
“Do you like the job?”
I pulled my meager tea collection from the drawer underneath the coffee maker, and he reached for the mugs. The kettle began humming quietly.
“Rarely,” he replied, sounding wistful. “Liking one’s job is a luxury, isn’t it?”
“Maybe. Why did you choose business administration?”
Lawrie’s face fell. “My studies had to be fast and cheap with a decent prospect of getting an actual paying job in the city. I wanted to major in psychology, but… Like this, I have a chance to pay off my student debt someday.”
It was always about money, wasn’t it? You needed money to fulfill your dreams, however humble they might be, and you needed money to earn more money.
Lawrie was stuck working overtime at a job he didn’t like, getting just enough salary so he could pay interest on his everlasting debt and afford to share a small apartment.
I was not thinking kind thoughts toward my old friend Sullivan at the moment.
“Would you want to go back to college if you could? Pursue the psychology major?”
“I don’t think about it. It’s a moot point.”
No, it’s not. “Then what do you daydream about?”
Lawrie’s soft smile made my belly warm. “Vacations in the mountains, having a dog. Hiking with a dog.” He lifted one shoulder. “I try to focus on the possible things, you know?”
I wanted to hug him. “I understand.” Did I, though?
I hoped I had enough empathy to comprehend his everyday struggles even if I had never faced something similar myself.
Being without a loving family? Without unconditional support and a sure safety net if something went wrong?
How did he sleep at night? And I realized just how tough my little mate had to be.
Straightening his shoulders, he seemed to shake off the heaviness. “Can I take the tea outside? I need to message my roommate.”
“Sure.”
I brought him a fleece blanket, and he settled onto the lounge chair on the balcony.
Trying to kill time, I took a shower and did a load of laundry, contemplating how soon I could pay Lawrie’s debt and bring up the psychology major again.
I would have to wait until after the physical bonding at least. The dragon needed to fix everything so my mate would be happy and carefree as he should be.
But all in good time. Meanwhile, I found Lawrie some extra clothes for sleeping and left them on the bed, ready for later.
Keeping the door to the study open, I hid in there for a moment and called my dad.
“Ernest! How are you? How is Lawrence?”
“Hi. He’s fine. He’s resting on the balcony. Dad, um, do you have any tips or tricks up your sleeve?”
“Tricks?” he said suspiciously. “What are you up to?”
“Lawrie is acting withdrawn. We talk a lot, but he’s pensive and hardly lets me touch him. Is there something that would, you know, make it easier for him?”
“You mean easier for you.”
“No, Dad. He’s struggling, and yes, I want this part to be over as soon as possible so I can be with him properly. But mostly, I hate to see him upset.”
“Of course, you do. He’s your mate. It’s your job to make him happy. Right now, you can’t do anything, and it frustrates you.”
“Yes. So?”
“I have some advice for you.”
“Yes?” I prompted, peering through the gap in the door and through the living room glass wall at Lawrie’s silhouette outside. His hair fluttered in the breeze.
“Let him be.”
“Daaad,” I groaned.
“What do you expect? It’s been only one day. He’s just realized he’s doomed to be stuck with you for the rest of his life. Poor boy needs some time to adjust in the face of his grand misfortune.”
“Dad!” I barked. I was facing a crisis, needing parental advice, and he was laughing at me.
“Look, Ernest,” my dad said in a soothing tone.
“You need to be patient. You know this. You’ve heard this story over and over.
Some people accept it quickly, some need time.
But he’s drawn to you, and he’s already chosen you, like you’ve chosen him.
He just didn’t know you come with baggage the size of a dinosaur. ”
“I was hoping you could come up with something specific. I swear it’s for Lawrie, not me.”
“It’s for both of you. Take him for a flight.”
The familiar tingle of excitement ran along my spine at the thought of flying. “Already?”