Chapter Twelve #3
They were beautiful. They’d always been beautiful, but now Rudy understood why they were different. Why Rose could climb anything, why Jack growled when strangers got too close, and why Timothy loved the water so much he’d sneak to the pond despite being told not to a hundred times.
“You saved Timothy’s life,” Rudy said quietly.
Sobek nodded.
“You’ve been protecting all of them without me even knowing they needed it.”
“I’ve done my best.”
I’ve done my best. Rudy had said the same thing to himself so many times since the kids came into his life.
Turning back to face the god, sitting at his kitchen table - and no, that wasn’t something Rudy thought he’d ever say or think - he could see how scared Sobek was of his reaction.
The ancient, powerful being who could apparently turn into a crocodile, translocate through solid walls, and goodness knows what else he could do, looked terrified of what Rudy might say next.
“It could’ve been worse. You could’ve been a vampire, and I can’t stand the sight of blood.” Rudy sighed. “I’m not mad you didn’t tell me.”
Sobek’s eyes widened.
“I’m mad you thought I’d choose anything other than what’s best for my kids.” Rudy pushed back from the table and stood. “You thought I’d reject them? Reject you? Because of what you all are?”
“I... yes. It’s a typical human reaction when faced with things they don’t understand.”
“Sobek.” Rudy walked around the table. “I found Rose next to a dumpster and took her home. I found Jack traumatized in the woods and made him part of my family. I found Timothy alone by a pond and didn’t question why a four-year-old was wandering around unsupervised.
Do you really think I care if they’re wolves, panthers, or crocodiles? ”
“You didn’t know…”
“I knew they were different. More importantly, I knew they needed me, and that’s all that mattered.” Rudy stopped in front of Sobek. “And you...you’ve been nothing but good to us. Patient with the kids. Kind to me. Helpful without being condescending. You’ve been...”
“What?” Sobek’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“Exactly what I needed without knowing I needed it.” Rudy’s eyes blurred, and he blinked quickly. “Someone who sees my chaotic life and doesn’t run. Someone who loves these kids as much as I do. Someone who...”
“Someone who loves you,” Sobek finished.
Rudy’s breath caught. “You love me?”
“Desperately.” Sobek stood slowly. “Completely. In a way that terrifies me because I’ve never felt like this before, and I don’t know how to do this correctly, and I keep bringing you fish and fixing things because I don’t know how else to show you that I want to be here.
That I want to be yours as much as I want you to be mine. You and the kids.”
Tears spilled down Rudy’s cheeks. “You brought me fish.”
“It seemed appropriate at the time.”
“You fixed my doors and my plumbing and played monsters with Rose and taught Timothy to breathe through his scales and...” Rudy laughed wetly. “You’ve been courting me with home repairs.”
“Was it effective?” Sobek asked carefully.
“Extremely.” Rudy reached up and cupped Sobek’s face. “But next time, maybe just tell me you’re an ancient Egyptian crocodile god who thinks we’re soul mates. It would save us both some time.”
Sobek’s hands came up to cover Rudy’s. “I don’t think we’re soulmates, I know we’re fated mates. But you… Can you accept this? All of it? The paranormal world, having a god as a partner, the mate bond, the…”
“Will my kids be safe?”
“Always.”
“Will they be happy?”
“I’ll spend eternity making sure of it.”
“And you...” Rudy’s thumbs stroked along Sobek’s cheekbones. “You really want this? You want my life the way it is, complete with noise and three kids who need so much?”
“I want everything you’ll give me,” Sobek said fiercely.
“The noise, the children, the flour everywhere, the broken pipes, the sneaking to ponds, the bedtime stories, the pancakes for breakfast. I want your smile, your laugh, and the way you see joy in everything. I want you, Rudy. I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you. ”
Rudy smiled through his tears. “Then I guess we should figure out this whole mate bond thing.”
“You’re accepting me?”
“Well…I’m accepting that I fell for you weeks ago and have been waiting for you to make a move.
” Rudy grinned at Sobek’s shocked expression.
“I’m accepting that you’re apparently an immortal god who thinks fixing my bathroom makes for a good date - you’ll need more guidance in that area, I’m thinking.
I’m also accepting that my kids are shifters and need guidance I can’t give them.
And I’m accepting that somehow, impossibly, this whole business all makes perfect sense. ”
Rudy found himself pulled against Sobek’s chest, and heavy arms wrapped around him as if he’d never let go. Rudy sensed the relief coming from Sobek, and soon realized that some of it was his, too.
“Thank you,” Sobek whispered against Rudy’s hair. “Thank you for trusting me and for giving me this chance.”
Rudy pressed his face to Sobek’s shoulder - his very naked shoulder. “Thank you for saving my son. For protecting all of them. For...” His voice cracked. “For seeing us and staying.”