Chapter Thirty-Seven #3
“Even before today, everything Asher told us made me realize how brave and strong you are,” Assa said, dropping his hands to Zinn’s lap as he knelt in front of him.
“And now that we’ve met you, I know you belong in Ryde’s life.
He was stolen from you. We can never replace those years, but we can make sure the rest of them are set right.
” He shifted his attention to Calder. “The stars clearly had the long game in mind when I met you eight years ago.”
“Calder told me that story while I was making the cake,” Zinn smirked. “Of course, he told it in the context of you being customers, not the adoptive fathers of my long-lost baby.”
Wes guffawed. “It was certainly fortuitous meeting your…Calder.”
“My alpha,” Zinn corrected. “He’s my alpha. It’s okay to say it.”
“Your alpha.”
“I never thought I’d call anyone that, not after Ryde’s alpha father, but Calder won me over.”
“It wasn’t one-sided, sunshine.”
To Assa, Zinn said, “If I’m a part of Ryde’s life, Calder will be too.”
“I’m counting on it.” Assa grinned.
Wes registered the high emotions of both Assa and Zinn. Per usual, his instinct was to ensure Assa’s happiness, but he had the powerful urge to comfort the omega as well.
Ten minutes later, Assa and Zinn huddled on the couch, studying another photo album.
“Your husband has a remarkably generous soul,” Calder whispered to Wes as they stood on the opposite side of the room. “Zinn spent the entire party worried you two might order him out of the house, and instead it’s like they both made a new best friend.”
“They have some things in common,” Wes said vaguely, thinking of Jeral. “And you’re right that Assa is uncommonly kind. As soon as Zinn assured him that he wouldn't try to take our son away, no option remained other than for Assa to be as big-hearted as possible.”
“And you too,” Calder said. “I realize you’re less effusive than your husband, but I see the way you look at Zinn. Knowing what he’s been through.”
“It makes me want to throttle his stupid fucking parents. I don’t care how rich and powerful they are.”
“Join the club.”
“Honestly, I’m not surprised we’re all so focused on finding a peaceful solution.
It’s already been contentious. The eight years of not knowing the truth were contentious.
For us and for Zinn. Us having to wonder about Ryde’s birthday, why the adoption was so secretive, Zinn being lied to, trapped under the roof of the fathers who harmed him—all that was contentious. ”
“It’s going to be okay,” Calder said. “I believe that.”
Wes felt an uncharacteristic burst of optimism.
“I think it might be better than okay. Assa and I don’t have other family, and I welcome the idea of having more good people in our lives.
” He thought about Valentin and realized they would have to tell Zinn and Calder about their polyamory. Would it affect how Zinn felt?
“Sometimes you just have to let these things play out,” Calder said.
“What do you mean?”
“When I met my husband, Denni, I was eighteen. He was older than me, and after we fell in love, I thought I was lucky, having my whole life mapped out at such a young age. Less than a dozen years later, I was raising two little boys on my own and running a bakery that had been his dream. I had prided myself on taking care of everyone, but in the end, I had to surrender to fate just like we all do.”
“I feel that,” Wes said. “Making the world a safe and happy place for Assa and Ryde is what drives me. It’s hard when those U-turns come.”
“But learning from the unexpected is something we all have to do,” Calder said sagely. “It’s what brought Zinn into my life.” He paused, staring evenly at Wes. “Now, it’s brought Zinn into yours. And like you said, you’ll be better for it.”
The heat of Calder’s breath tickled Wes’s face.
A current flowed through him, humming just beneath his skin.
He’d always thought the alpha was attractive, from the first moment he’d seen him at Felton’s.
But beyond that, it comforted him that Calder was on his side.
He recognized so much of himself in him, and he was thankful this man would have a place in Ryde’s life. And in Wes’s and Assa’s.
“It’s good Zinn has you,” Wes said. “Asher made it sound like he’d been lonely for a long time after having the baby.”
“I’m glad I can be there for him, but I don’t fool myself that I can give him everything he needs. After what he’s endured, he deserves all the love and friendship in the world. There’s a lot you and your husband can do for him.”
The alpha’s words went straight to Wes’s core. He’d already thought about how he would make this situation good for Assa and Ryde. But he realized he could do the same thing for Zinn. He could…care for the omega. And suddenly, it felt imperative that he did.
“Hey, Zinn?” Wes called over to the couch.
“Hmm?”
“I don’t think we’ve mentioned yet how much Ryde and the other kids loved the cake you made.”
“I’m so glad.” Zinn smiled.
“Everyone wanted a picture standing next to it,” Wes continued. “And when it was time to cut it, Ryde took his time deciding where to start, like he didn’t want to ruin the masterpiece.”
Zinn gulped. “Thank you for telling me.”
“Thank you for helping make our son’s—and by our I do mean everyone in this room—birthday special.”
“You’re welcome,” Zinn whispered.
Assa stood up and threw his arms around Wes.