Chapter 43 #2
They like to say that betas don’t feel the loss of a bond mate like alphas and omegas do. That was pure bullshit because I saw what she went through. Just like I grieved losing the beta I’d bonded much harder than the ‘experts’ thought I ‘should.’
“Baba.” My father’s voice broke as he ran over to him. “You’re still alive, Baba.”
“I should be saying that. Nick. You’re here. How?” Tears streamed down Pappous’s face.
“I don’t even really know. I was unconscious for a long time. But I’m here now. I’m here, Baba.” He hugged him tight.
“What is going on?” Ari, my dad’s brother, came out. “Nick?”
“Ari? You look old,” my father teased as he let go of his dad and hugged his brother.
“Fuck, man, we thought you were dead.” Ari hugged his older brother.
“I’m here.” My father sniffled. “As are all of you. Tell me, when can I see my wife?”
“Do I look all right? Here I am acting like it’s our first date all over again,” my father said in Greek as he paced the small room the club had made available to us to store things and get ready.
“You look perfect,” I assured. My father, Evan, and I headed over to my club early. Not just to see to any last-minute issues, but so that my parents could have their reunion in private.
I could tell that my father was getting overwhelmed with all the questions our well-meaning family pelted at him. Evan had also told him the truth, which was a lot of him, I was sure.
Not to mention, all he really wanted was to see my mother.
“Here.” I poured some champagne that the club had left for us in an ice bucket, along with some snacks. I handed my father the glass, then poured one for myself. Right now, the two of us were alone.
“Thank you.” He sipped it. “You’re doing very well for yourself.”
“I am. The road hasn’t been without heartbreak, but I have my company, my pack, Evan, and now I have Grace. You’ll love her,” I told him.
“It’s a lot. Everything feels muddled.” He made a face. “Nothing tastes right.”
“I think that’s a side effect of something they use. Grace was like that, too,” I replied.
There was a knock on the door. “Spence? Uncle Nick?”
It was time. My heart pounded, and I hoped that my parent’s reunion was everything they hoped it would be.
The door opened, and Evan came in with my mother.
“Nick.” My mother flew into my father’s arms. “It’s really you. You’re alive.”
“Ilena. I’m so sorry. But I’m here now. I love you. I’m sorry.” Tears streamed down his face as he held her tight.
My mother looked up at him, defiant. “Don’t you dare be sorry, Nick Thanukos. Or I will make you do dishes for a month. You’re here. You’re home. You’re mine. Which means your focus is on me. Not what you missed out on. Me and your son and now. Understood?”
“Understood.” My father kissed her more deeply than a son wants to see his parents kiss.
“We’ll leave you here. I need to check on some things. Help yourself to the snacks.” Finishing my champagne, I grabbed Evan, and we left the room, closing the door behind us.
“They’re going to bang, aren’t they,” Evan joked.
“Probably. Not that I want to think about that,” I replied. “How did she seem when you got her?”
“Cautiously optimistic. Mrs. K wants to talk to you,” Evan added as I led us outside to where our party would be.
“I’m sure she does.” That would have to wait. Reunion accomplished, and publicist contacted, my focus was now getting us through the party.
The grounds of my club that we reserved had been transformed into the ultimate upscale picnic.
Tiny lights formed swooping canopies. Underneath sat white picnic tables, topped with brocade tablecloths, candle lanterns, sumptuous floral arrangements from a local farm, and tiny boxes of handmade candies brought in from the candy shop that I’d always gone to growing up in Greece.
Two smaller tables had battery-operated lanterns, along with some coloring pages and colored pencils.
More lights hung over the dance floor and the area for my cousins’ band. A long buffet table was set up, along with a wine bar, a customizable lemonade station, and a table that would eventually be filled with desserts.
Evan whistled. “This is amazing.”
“It’s all Grace and the wedding planner you found, with some help from Mrs. K and the coordinator here at the club. Grace wanted an upscale barbecue, and here we are.” I looked around at all the potted trees and flowers…
…and the giant white bouncy castle with a slide and ball pit. The balls matched the colors Grace had chosen for the decor–mauve, green, and lavender to go with the summer picnic theme. Flowers and balloons of the same colors decorated it, with more lights over it.
“That is the fanciest bouncy castle I’ve ever seen. When did she add a bouncy castle?” Evan asked, looking around.
“That’s what she wanted, isn’t it? We didn’t have much time, and it’s what the approved vendor had on short notice.
I wanted better flowers, but it’s what I could do.
” The wedding planner, named Eunice, came over to us, dressed elegantly but understated in a floral maxi dress. She had on a headset and held a tablet.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Oh, good.” Relief flowed through her scent. “I had the children’s table set up as well. I’m so glad we could accommodate those last-minute changes.”
Shit.
“We have one more addition. I’d like him to sit with my mother. We can move them if needed. I’m so sorry,” I apologized.
Looking a little frazzled, she tapped on her tablet. “One more. If I can move them, I can absolutely do that. Can I move some of the other children to the children’s table? That would help.”
“Of course.”
She set off.
“I’m guessing the children’s table and bouncy castle are for her siblings?” I told Evan as I spied my friend, who’d flown in to grill for us tonight. He was with some chefs and massive grills.
“Yes. Her siblings arrived right after your father did, while Grace was talking to Agent Ass-Face. Hale was talking about how nice his car was.” Evan sighed. “How are you? Your dad coming back is huge. While we knew it was a possibility, it being reality is a whole separate thing.”
“My heart broke last night when my mother said that she was lonely. Now she has him back. He’s no longer in prison. My father is back… I…” So many emotions overwhelmed me.
“I know, old friend.” Evan hugged me tightly. “I know.”
“Hopefully, we can keep him away from his research.” The idea of them coming back for him made me nervous.
“I’m pretty sure that your mom is going to make him stay retired. He’s got years of traveling with her ahead of him. If he gets bored, maybe he can teach again–not resume his qubit research but just teach, after all, his students loved him,” Evan responded.
“True. Maybe at some point he can tell us more. Perhaps we can even figure out what happened with Grace. It is curious that they let him remember all that. Why make him forget prison and the trials but let him recall what got him put there?” That, too, bothered me.
Evan thought for a moment. “I’m guessing it was deliberate, like Grace having all of her notes on her phone. Grace could also probably tell us more.”
“Spence, where do we set up?” Zoie held up her bouzouki case, some of my cousins trailing, all dressed colorfully and carrying instrument cases.
I was excited for them to play later when it was time for dancing. We had a DJ while everyone was eating, and string music for the reception. Grace and I had made the playlist together, which had been fun.
“Ah, your cousins.” Eunice came over to us. “Welcome, I’ll show you where to go. Spencer, I got the seating fixed. The reception is being set up. Also, I think your grill master wants a word.”
“Perfect. Thank you,” I said as she led my cousins off. Yes, I should go greet my friend. Today was already wonderful, and having my father here made it even better.