Going to the mall was usually the last thing on Dean’s list when it came to potential ways to spend a day off, but as he stood at the outer edge of the ice rink in the middle of the shopping plaza, watching Max and Gavin skate to their hearts’ content, he realized his idea of a good time had undergone a dramatic transformation.

Seeing Max laugh so joyously as he held Gavin’s hands so he wouldn’t wipeout on the ice for a second time filled Dean’s heart in ways he’d never thought possible. It had been two weeks since Max had moved in with them, and while Dean had feared it would take some time for Gavin to adjust to having Max in his life again, the two acted like they were already best friends. Dean promised himself that no matter what it took, he would make sure they didn’t lose any more time than they already had.

He had a family to protect now, and while it might not have happened the way he’d thought, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

As Max glided over to him, Gavin wobbling along behind him like a newborn foal, Dean grinned at them both. “Having fun?”

“Yes, and it’d be even more fun if you came out and joined us,” Max said, leaning over the railing to peck Dean’s cheek.

“I don’t do skates, of the ice or the roller variety.”

“You chicken?” Max asked with a mischievous grin.

“Yeah,” Gavin laughed, starting to make clucking sounds until he slipped on the ice and barely caught himself on the railing.

“Yep,” Dean said unapologetically. “I’m chicken and that right there would be why.”

“And what if you end up chasing a suspect who’s an Olympic ice skating challenge over a frozen pond?” Max challenged.

Dean paused to think about it. “Then I guess that criminal’s gonna skate his way to freedom.”

Max gave a playful huff, and Dean could tell he was about to argue when Gavin’s face went blank. He followed the boy’s gaze to a couple approaching them with two young teenagers and a dozen shopping bags.

“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Newport,” Gavin said, waving them over.

“Gavin,” Mrs. Newport said in a pleasant yet guarded tone as she stopped in front of them. “What a nice surprise.”

“These are the Newports and their kids, Melissa and Rowan,” Gavin said, clearly nervous as he gestured to each of the family members.

“Bryan and Nadine, please,” the female omega said politely.

“Guys, this is my dad and his mate, Dean,” Gavin said, grinning from ear to ear. “Dean’s a cop.”

“Police officer,” Max sighed.

“That’s cool,” Rowan said, his eyes widening as he stared up at the Alpha. “Do you have a gun?”

“I do,” Dean said, chuckling.

Mrs. Newport gave her son a look. “Well, it’s nice to finally meet both of you.”

“Hey guys, wanna come skate?” Gavin asked.

“Can we, mom?” Melissa asked.

Mrs. Newport hesitated. “I don’t see why not.”

“I’ll go pay for the skates,” her husband said, wandering over to the kiosk outside the rink.

Dean could feel the tension lingering. Before he had the chance to say something, Max spoke up.

“I’m glad to finally have the chance to meet you both,” the omega said, looking between the woman and her mate as he returned from the kiosk. “Gavin has told me so much about you these past few weeks, and I appreciate you welcoming him into your family the way you did.”

“We love him very much,” Nadine said, watching the three teenagers chasing each other clumsily across the rink. “We just want what’s best for him.”

“We can all agree on that,” Dean said, draping an arm around Max’s shoulders when the omega came around from taking off his skates.

“He does seem happy,” Bryan murmured, staring out onto the ice. “I’ve never seen him like that.”

“He’s been through a lot,” Max said, his tone full of sorrow. “When I had him, I wasn’t in a position to protect him the way I wanted to, and I’ll always shoulder some of the blame for that because of the choices I made then. But I’m not the person I was then, and from this point on, it’s all about Gavin. I will do whatever it takes to make sure he has the life he’s always deserved.”

“And I’m going to make sure he has the chance,” Dean said, leaning to kiss the top of his mate’s head.

For a moment, neither of the Newports said anything. Nadine finally sighed and said, “Well, I’m glad to hear that. Truth be told, Bryan and I were worried when we heard about everything that had happened in New York, but I can see that Gavin is happy, and that’s what maters most.”

Bryan put a hand on his mate’s shoulder. “If this is truly what’s best for him…”

“We’re not going to stand in the way,” Nadine finished.

Max looked up at Dean, then back at the couple. “There’s an event at Gavin’s school next month. He’s going to present a project he’s been working on for months, and I know he’d love to have you all there.”

Nadine’s face lit up with surprise. “Oh…” She looked up at her mate and they both smiled. “We’d like that very much. Thank you.”

“Dad! Look, I’m doing it!” Gavin cried.

Dean and Max both turned to see the boy gliding across the ice, holding his hands out to steady himself.

Max grinned, giving him a thumb’s up. “Nice job, sweetheart!”

Gavin started skating a bit faster toward them only to lose his footing at the last moment and wind up flat on his back.

“Gavin!” Max cried, about to rush to help.

Dean caught his mate by the arm and whispered, “Take it from someone who was a teenage Alpha not all that long ago, the pain of landing on your butt isn’t nearly as bad as having a parent rush out to save you.”

Max sighed, watching as Melissa and Rowan helped Gavin to his feet, laughing. “You’re right. Guess it’s going to take me a while to get used to raising a teenager.”

“You never fully get used to it,” Nadine said with a sympathetic smile. “But I think you’ll manage just fine.”