Chapter 10
TEN
Announcing the marriage plan and actually putting it into motion were two entirely different things.
They could go straight to city hall, fill out the paperwork, and say their vows in front of a justice of the peace, like a lot of beta couples did. Especially poor couples who simply wanted to be married without the big ceremony or expensive party afterward.
Branson had never imagined any sort of formal wedding, had never really imagined himself getting married, so the expeditious route appealed to him.
But this wasn’t only about him. Tarius had a big, extended family, too, who might have thoughts on such a hasty marriage, and who might want a big celebration.
We have so much to talk about.
“You’re getting married?” Papa said, perfectly flummoxed. “Just like that? We only found out you were dating last night.”
“I know this is rushed.” Branson swiveled the desk chair around so he could stand and face his father.
A man he loved and respected with his whole heart, but he now saw through the eyes of someone who’d been deceived by him.
“And we probably wouldn’t be talking about this so soon, if not for Jeuel, because my chances of getting custody go up if I’m married. ”
“Son, I don’t want you changing your entire life around for—”
“Why not?” Branson’s temper flared. “You changed my entire life when you told me my sire wasn’t actually Krause. At this point, I think I have the right to change whatever the hell I want to change. And for the record, this was Tarius’s offer to me, so he’s all-in.”
Papa’s eyes narrowed. “Marriage shouldn’t be an act of convenience to help a court case, it should be about love and passion, and about spending the rest of your life with that person.”
Branson tried not to bristle at the “passion” remark. Goddess, but not everything in this world boiled down to sex. “I do love Tarius. Maybe it’s not the lead-with-your-dick way that alphas and omegas love when they feel the mating bond, but it’s our own way of loving and respecting each other.”
He reached out, and Tarius clasped his hand. Slid over to him, a silent sentinel, steadfast by Branson’s side. “I do love your son, sir,” Tarius said. “I want him to be happy, and if this step toward helping Jeuel, if this makes Branson happy? I’m all in.”
“All in with basically adopting a traumatized teenager?” Papa asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Where would you three live? Or four, if you take in Trei, as well? Branson has a one-bedroom apartment, and you live with your folks.”
Branson swallowed a growl, frustrated that Papa was treating him like a sixteen-year-old shacking up with an older guy for the first time, with no idea how life really worked.
He was twenty-four-fucking years old. “We’ll sit down and talk about it.
Goddess knows the courts system takes its time, so it isn’t as if we have to plan for Jeuel arriving next week. ”
Papa’s mouth flattened, but his expression remained mild. He was listening.
“We both make good money, so we can afford a bigger apartment, or even a small house rental,” Branson continued.
“We can support one, if not two, extra people in our home.” It wasn’t as if Branson had any expensive hobbies he spent his money on, outside of upgrading his home computer.
And if he had to wait longer on purchasing his own laptop, so be it.
His brother was more important than a piece of fancy technology.
He was also speaking for Tarius a lot, and he didn’t want to be that kind of partner.
Marriage hadn’t even been on the table until a few hours ago, mostly because their relationship was still new and developing.
But some betas married quickly and had long, happy lives together.
Dex and Serge Freel had gotten engaged after dating on-and-off again for five months, and they’d been together for decades.
“We have time to discuss all the particulars of where we’re going to live,” Tarius said, his voice a bit firmer now. Speaking more as a future son-in-law than as an employee. “I know this is sudden and unusual, but I think we would both love your blessing, sir.”
Papa’s lips pressed flatter, but he didn’t exude any anger or distrust, only an air of exhaustion.
“I trust Branson to know his own mind. And I respect you, Tarius, as someone I watched grow from a tentative teenager to a capable adult and incredible paralegal. It’s very fast, in my opinion, but if I trust one person to take care of my boy, it’s you. ”
Branson grinned and squeezed Tarius’s hand.
“Thank you, sir,” Tarius replied, his own smile wide and bright.
“You do realize you’re going to have to stop calling me sir outside of work,” Papa teased. “It took me years to break Morris of that habit.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Papa stepped forward and opened his arms. Branson slid into them, grateful for one of Papa’s signature, full-body hugs.
The kind of hug that said everything would be okay.
He hadn’t entirely forgiven his parents for lying to him about his sire, but these small moments were chipping away at that icy block of anger.
One day, he hoped it would melt away entirely.
Not today.
“So, how do we break the news to the rest of the family?” Papa asked after he released Branson.
“I’d say break it over brunch,” Branson replied, “but what do we tell everyone? I’m worried about saying too much about Jeuel until the DNA test comes back, even though I believe him. You told me Chip Uty is my sire. Jeuel’s sire admitted to it.”
“It’s okay to doubt,” Tarius said, gently squeezing his waist. “To wonder if Uty invited other alphas in during heats with his mate, the way Krause Iverson did with Kell. But what does your heart tell you?”
“He’s my brother.” His eyes smarted with tears both joyous and angry. “I see a little of myself in him. A part of myself I don’t see in Emory or Caden, or in Dad.”
“Then embrace that belief, Bran.” He gently turned Branson so they were facing each other, Papa forgotten, and put his hands on Branson’s shoulders.
“You are an amazing person with so much love in your heart. You are an amazing big brother to the twins, and I think Jeuel needs a little of that amazing in his life right now. What do you think?”
Branson coughed and sniffled, his heart trilling at those perfect words. “I think I want to bring my brother home. To give him the chance to make a good life here in Sansbury, in a province that treats omegas better than in Sonora.”
“Then let’s make it happen.”
“Okay.” He pulled Tarius down into a kiss to both affirm their promise and to thank him for being so wonderful. After being single most of his life, Branson could never have anticipated lucking into someone so generous, supportive and understanding.
Papa cleared his throat. “There’s still the question of telling your families, boys.”
“Can we have some time to talk about it? Tell Dad that the call went great, that Jeuel is charming and sweet, and I’m working on my next steps.”
“I can do that.”
“Thank you. I’ll call tonight, I promise. And tell Dad…” Branson gathered his words and held them close, because he truly meant them. “Tell Dad I’m still mad but I love him.”
Papa’s eyes glittered. “I’ll do that. Thank you.”
“Yeah. Tar?”
“We can go.” Tarius took his hand and led him out of the office, aware without words that they were going back to Branson’s apartment for a long, serious discussion about the future.
Tarius had never been so absolutely certain of himself, and also so completely confused by what he’d done, as he was during the drive back to Branson’s place.
He adored Branson for so many reasons, not the least of which was his loyalty to his family.
Tarius had a similarly close bond with his own family, and he’d do anything for them, even when he disagreed with their choices.
He’d certainly given Demir a hard time when Demir first began dating both Brandt and Oliver, scared his little brother would get hurt by the much older, mated pair.
Time had proved Tarius wrong, and he was grateful for it every time he saw the trio together, full of smiles and tender touches and love.
Branson’s loyalty was now driving him to alter his entire life to suit a half-brother he hadn’t known existed yesterday, and with whom he’d spoken for an hour today.
But if Tarius had been in a similar situation, if he’d learned of a long-lost sibling who needed his help, he’d drop everything to make sure they were taken care of.
How could he expect anything less from his boyfriend?
Fiancé?
The idea of marrying Branson, of building a life together by their own rules, defining physical affection in their own ways, made him almost giddy.
This was the kind of relationship he’d sought his entire adult life, and now he’d found it.
No pressure, no scorn, no demand for sexual intimacy, no jokes at his expense. Only kindness and acceptance and love.
But rushing to marry so Branson’s chances of gaining custody of his brother was not how he’d expected their relationship to progress.
And he hadn’t given any real thought to moving out of Dad and Liam’s house, where he’d lived for the last few years to help with Dad.
Then again, Dad was in incredible health, despite most alphas only living into their late sixties.
While Dad had had a minor scare with sleep apnea a few years ago, he’d been steadily improving, which kind of baffled his doctors.
Tarius wasn’t going to complain.
Dad had retired years ago, and Liam didn’t work, so maybe they didn’t need Tarius underfoot anymore.
Maybe they hadn’t for a while, but were too polite to say anything?
It wasn’t as if Tarius ever had a bustling social life, or had ever invited someone over to meet the parents. What if they thought Tarius was lonely?
We really need to have a conversation.