Chapter 26 Theo
THEO
The silverware gleamed in the candlelight as I straightened each piece for the hundredth time. My hands shook as I fussed with the floral centerpiece, shifting the dahlias a hair to the left, then back again. The flowers were a wild mix of pinks and oranges. They were my mom’s favorite flowers.
Everything had to be perfect. This was the most important dinner of my life, and I couldn’t screw it up. Not with Mom here to meet Peyton and Dalton for the first time. I took a deep breath and steadied my nerves. It was going to be fine. It had to be.
I had just finished adjusting the napkins when I heard the doorbell ring. My heart jumped into my throat as I made my way to the door, taking one last look around to make sure everything was in its place.
“Mom!” I exclaimed, feeling a mixture of relief and increased anxiety wash over me. “I’m so glad you could make it.”
“Of course, sweetheart,” she said, her voice soft and warm. I could tell she’d put extra effort into her appearance tonight, with her hair neatly styled and her makeup done to perfection. “It’s been too long since we’ve had a proper dinner together.”
She stepped back, holding me at arm’s length, her eyes scanning my face with a mother’s intensity. “Oh, Theo. Look at you.”
“What? Is something wrong? Do I have something on my face?” I rubbed my cheek self-consciously.
“No, silly. You’re just… glowing. I haven’t seen you look this vibrant in years. Maybe ever.” She smiled, patting my cheek. “Clearly, business is going well.”
I blushed, ducking my head, guilt and excitement warring in my gut. It wasn’t business. It was something else entirely. “Come in, right this way. Peyton and Dalton are looking forward to meeting you.”
“Ah, your special guests,” she said with a polite smile. “I’m looking forward to meeting them.”
As we walked towards the living room, I couldn’t help but feel like I was leading her into a minefield.
I’d never done this before, introducing my mom to someone I was dating.
Not that I had dated much. But to be introducing Mom to not one, but two important men in my life? That was a little unnerving.
“Mom, this is Peyton and Dalton,” I said once we reached the large open area where my couches and entertainment center lived, gesturing to the two men who stood up from their seats, their eyes filled with anticipation.
As I introduced Peyton and Dalton to my mother, I could feel the weight of their gazes on me. “Peyton is the alpha… in the relationship,” I explained, stumbling over the words, “and Dalton is the beta.”
“Nice to meet you both,” my mom said. Mom warmly embraced each of them.
Relief washed over me as I watched her embrace the men who were becoming more important to me by the day.
Genuine interest filled her expression and I knew that she truly wanted to get to know my guys as friends. She still didn’t know the whole truth.
“Please have a seat.” I gestured towards the dining table. “Dinner’s ready. I ordered your favorite, Mom.”
Once everyone found their seats, I hurried to the kitchen to fetch the pasta carbonara, keeping warm in the oven. The salad and breadsticks were already on the table. As I carried the steaming container of pasta to the table, I hoped that the familiar flavors would help put her at ease.
“Everything looks delicious, Theo,” my mom complimented, as I served her a plateful of pasta. I couldn’t help but beam with pride, despite my lingering nerves.
“Thanks, Mom,” I replied, my heart swelling with gratitude. “I wanted tonight to be special.”
As we ate, I struggled to find the right words to explain my romantic relationship with both Peyton and Dalton. I knew this was a crucial moment, one that would define our future together, but it was hard to put into words just how much they both meant to me.
“Mom,” I began hesitantly, “I know this might be difficult to understand, but I have something important to share with you.” My hands gripped the edge of the table as I tried to steady myself, feeling Peyton’s reassuring touch on my leg under the table.
“Both Peyton and Dalton… well, they’re not just friends or roommates. They’re… more than that.” I glanced at them, seeing their silent encouragement in their eyes. “We’re all in a relationship together.”
My mother stared at the three of us for several moments, her expression calm but her eyes widening slightly.
Still, she didn’t look shocked or appalled.
Instead, she studied us with a thoughtful gaze.
Then she smiled gently and said, “Theo, I can see you’re very nervous about telling me this, but please don’t worry.
I might be from an older generation, but I’m more open-minded than you might think. ”
She paused for a moment, her eyes distant as she recalled memories from her past. “In fact, when I was younger, I knew some people involved in relationships with an alpha, a beta, and an omega. It wasn’t unheard of back when I was younger, and I always believed that love is love, no matter the configuration. ”
Her words brought tears to my eyes, and I felt a great weight lift from my shoulders. My mother’s understanding and acceptance meant the world to me, and I realized that perhaps my fears lacked foundation.
“Dalton and I both want the best for Theo, Mrs. Peterson,” Peyton said earnestly. “We will do everything we can to make him happy. He balances us in a way that I didn’t know was possible.”
“Absolutely,” Dalton chimed in. “Theo is the glue that holds us together. He has this incredible ability to understand what each of us needs and supports us without question. We wouldn’t be the same without him, Mrs. Peterson.
I hope you know that we’ll always protect and care for him with everything we have. ”
I watched my mother’s eyes as she took in Peyton and Dalton’s heartfelt words.
She looked at each of them, her expression softening with understanding.
“Please, call me Clara. Or Mom. Looks like we’re going to be family.
” When her gaze returned to me, there was warmth and love shining in Mom’s eyes.
“I can see how much you two mean to Theo, and I’m grateful that he has found such caring partners.” Turning to me, Mom reached out and squeezed my hand. “Theo, all I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy and loved. If Peyton and Dalton bring that into your life, then I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I whispered back. “Your support means everything to me.”
As we finished our dinner, the conversation shifted to lighter topics.
Mom shared stories about her childhood, including the time she won a pie-eating contest at the county fair.
Dalton regaled us with tales of his own escapades as a young tattoo artist, while my alpha chimed in with his own humorous anecdotes.
We laughed together, the tension slowly dissipating from the room. My initial fears and anxiety seemed like a distant memory, replaced by the warmth and camaraderie that filled the space around us. It felt like a bubble of perfection.
Eventually, the hour grew late, and it was time for my mother to leave. She stood and hugged me tightly.
“I am so proud of you, Theo. I can see how happy Peyton and Dalton make you, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
As my mother walked out the door, leaving behind her warmth and acceptance, I turned to Peyton and Dalton, a wide smile on my face. “We did it. She likes you!”
“She’s wonderful, Theo,” Dalton said, pulling me into a hug.
“We’re lucky to have her blessing,” Peyton agreed, stepping closer.
Just as the moment settled into something warm and intimate, the harsh, jarring sound of a cell phone ringing sliced through the air.
Dalton jumped, his hand flying to his pocket. He frowned as he pulled it out, checking the screen.
“It’s Gabe,” he said, his voice confused. “At this hour?”
Peyton’s smile faded. “Answer it.”
Dalton tapped the screen. “Hey, Gabe. Everything okay?”
I watched as Dalton’s face went pale, the blood draining from his features until he looked ready to pass out. He gripped the phone tighter.
“What? When? … Is anyone hurt?”
My heart started to pound in my chest. Peyton moved closer to Dalton, placing a steadying hand on his shoulder.
“Okay,” Dalton whispered. “Okay, I understand. Yeah. No, don’t touch anything. I’m… I’m coming.”
He lowered the phone slowly, his hand trembling.
“Dalton?” Peyton asked, his voice low and urgent. “What happened?”
Dalton looked up at us, his eyes wide with shock. “It’s the shop. The tattoo parlor. There was a fire.”
“A fire?” I gasped.
“Gabe says it looks bad. They think… they think it might have been arson. Fire destroyed half the equipment, and the structural damage…” He swallowed hard, looking lost. “I have to go back. I have to go back right now.”
Peyton’s face hardened, not with anger, but with resolve. “We’re going. We’ll pack tonight and leave at first light.”
I reached out and took Dalton’s other hand, squeezing it tight. The happy bubble of our dinner had burst, replaced by the harsh reality of a life in West Virginia that wasn’t done with them yet.