Epilogue
Two months later…
At nearly seven months pregnant, Dash stood looking at the mirror in Quinn’s guest room and thought he looked absolutely ridiculous.
All of the omegas huddled around him oohed and aahed, but all he could do was roll his eyes.
A tux on a fully pregnant man was silly, but he and Emerson had been convinced into doing a full-scale show for their mating ceremony.
Dash had been perfectly fine with the justice of the peace and the lunch after.
His and Emerson’s papas had looked too heartbroken, so they’d both agreed to a lavish event held in Quinn’s backyard.
He glanced out the window at the massive tent that had been erected and where the reception would be fully catered.
There were over a hundred guests, told to arrive in their best evening wear.
“I think we’re about ready,” his papa said, standing beside him. “Don’t you?”
“Might as well get this over with.”
His papa narrowed his eyes at Dash.
“Why, yes, I’m so excited to mate my alpha… again,” Dash said, forcing a smile.
All he could think about was sitting on the couch with Emerson with his aching feet propped up. The second he saw Emerson in his Lt. Chief dress uniform waiting at the end of the aisle, all that changed. His chest tightened, tears stinging the backs of his eyes.
“He looks good in that get-up,” Dash’s father whispered as they approached.
“He looks good in everything,” Dash said, forgetting for a second who he was talking to. His cheeks warmed when he glanced at his father.
“He looks best when he’s standing at your side,” his father added as they reached the end of the aisle.
His father hugged him. “I love you, Dash. And I hope you two are happy for the rest of your days.”
Dash struggled hearing his father say the L word. Their relationship had never been overly emotional. “I love you, too, Dad.”
After his father shook Emerson’s hand and offered Dash to him, he backed up and sat with the rest of Dash’s family in the front row. His smile faltered when his gaze landed on Tolliver seated behind his papa. Turning, he faced the officiant.
“You could’ve warned me Tolliver was coming,” Emerson whispered.
“Papa asked me last minute. Apparently, he’s forgiven the bastard.”
“Is that why he’s paying for the whole thing?”
“Excuse me?” Dash said, a little too loud. He looked over his shoulder and smiled at everyone before whipping his gaze to Emerson and hissing, “The fuck he is.”
“I overheard Quinn say Tolliver paid the bills before he could. I didn’t know Quinn was paying for everything, either, I might add.”
Dash growled before he took a deep breath. “I’m not going to let that man ruin our special day. I’ll figure that shit out tomorrow.”
The officiant cleared his throat.
Dash and Emerson turned towards him.
“Are we ready, gentlemen?”
Dash looked at Emerson. “Maybe the day after tomorrow. I might be too tired from fucking my mate to ask questions too soon.”
“Damned right you will be,” Emerson said before stealing a kiss.
“Kissing comes at the end—which we can reach if we begin,” the officiant murmured.
“No one’s stopping you,” Dash said to the man.
The officiant rolled his eyes. He cleared his throat again and began the ceremony.
Once they reached the end and got their next kiss, Dash laughed. “You’re mine now, Mister.”
“Yep,” Emerson agreed. “I’m all yours. Sucker.”
“We’ll see who’s doing the sucking later.” Dash clasped his hand with Emerson as they walked back down together, arm-in-arm. “You’re going to be down on your knees in front of your big, fat alpha.”
“Don’t you dare call my darling mate fat,” Emerson growled. “He’s plump with child.”
“If you ever call me plump again, I’m going to do things to you in your sleep. Things you might not recover from.”
Emerson roared with laughter. “Hurt me, baby. Do your worst.”
Dash leaned in, stealing a kiss. “Later. After we skip this party and go home.”
Emerson checked his watch. “How long do we have to stay?”
“At least a few hours. Three sounds like more than enough in my opinion.”
“As long as we don’t miss the cake,” Emerson said.
“Oh, we’re not missing the cake,” Dash murmured.
He rubbed his stomach. “Baby wants cake.” He stole another kiss.
He wasn’t sure he could stop kissing his mate for more than a few seconds.
They’d been together for months. One would think he’d tired of kissing the man, but no.
“But we run for the exit immediately after cake.”
“Agreed.”
They stopped under a massive tree, a ways away from the entrance of the tent.
Emerson caressed his cheek. “I love you so much, Mr. Keller-Walker.”
“I love you, too, Mr. Keller-Walker.”
Emerson growled sexily and leaned in for another kiss.
Dash was only too happy to oblige.