Since Dr. Troi was the OB on record for all of their collective omegas, the beta obstetrician had no problem with Brogan staying with Morris and Jaysan in the delivery room. Morris had always struck Brogan has a very even-tempered, logical alpha who was good in a crisis—except, as was obvious to everyone in the room, when it involved his omega and bleeding.

Morris clutched at Jaysan’s hands while Dr. Troi examined Jaysan. Brogan stood on the other side of the bed and squeezed Jaysan’s shoulder, staying calm and present for his friends. Jaysan’s contractions were closer together, but Dr. Troi was more concerned with the bleeding right now. Memories of being in that exact position, half-reclined with his legs spread while he waited for Dr. Troi to tell him what was wrong, seared through Brogan’s mind, and his stomach cramped. The fear and pain of those few minutes had disappeared the instant he finally held Peyton in his arms, but it was crawling back. Taunting him.

Jaysan will be fine.

“He has placenta previa,” Dr. Troi finally said.

“Fuck, is that what Brogan had?” Jaysan asked, his already pained eyes filling with tears.

“No, Brogan’s condition was far more serious, but this is going to complicate things. Your placenta has dropped and is covering the birth canal.”

“How do you fix it?” Morris snapped. His temper soured the air in the room, but beta noses were less attuned to such things, and it rolled right past Dr. Troi. The man had decades of experience working with emotional sires-to-be.

“It is possible to continue with a natural birth.” Dr. Troi’s tone clearly indicated that wasn’t his plan going forward. “However, there is a danger of more serious bleeding, which could jeopardize both infant and omegin. My recommendation is a Caesarean.”

“Fuck,” Jaysan said on a sob.

“Great strides are being made in this area, young man, as more grants are finally allowing us to study alternate methods of birth than the traditional one. And the procedure is nowhere near as dangerous as it was even two years ago.” Dr. Troi looked at Morris and Jaysan in turn. “I truly believe it’s your safest recourse.”

“You’ll be fine,” Brogan said. He leaned down to kiss Jaysan’s cheek. “I was fine, remember? Only a small scar.”

Morris pressed his forehead to Jaysan’s. “It’s your decision, my heart.”

Jaysan let out another soft sob. “Do it. Do the procedure. I can’t wait to meet our baby.”

“Me too.” He kissed Jaysan’s trembling mouth, and the love in that simple gesture made Brogan’s eyes sting. “I love you so much.”

“Love you, too. See you soon.”

Brogan gently pulled Morris away from the bed, so two orderlies could get Jaysan ready for the short trip to this floor’s surgical ward. Once they were gone, he led Morris out to the waiting room, where Ronin was pacing. “What’s going on?” Ronin asked.

“A complication,” Brogan replied. “He needs a Caesarean.”

“Goddess.”

“But we all know Dr. Troi is the best, and they’re doing it to minimize potential blood loss. You sit,” Brogan said Morris. “I’ll call the house and let everyone know what’s happening and that the birth is going to happen way sooner than we thought.” Typically, it took anywhere from six to eight hours for a baby to be born, but this one was happening in the next fifteen minutes.

Morris nodded absently, his attention elsewhere.

“He’ll be okay, Morris.”

He has to be.

Brogan found a quiet corner away from other families waiting on news, then hesitated over who to call. His first instinct was Kell, but Kell was already worried about his own upcoming birth, and Brogan didn’t want to put the burden of explaining placenta previa on his shoulders. And he kind of hated that Ronin was here with him, instead at the house and ready to console his mate.

Braun and Tarek are there.

He called Tarek.

“Update already?” Tarek asked after a quick greeting.

“There was a minor complication,” Brogan replied. He detailed the car ride, Dr. Troi’s assessment, and Jaysan’s decision to do the Caesarean. “So the little man will be along shortly. I’ll call again as soon as the procedure is over.”

“Thank you, Brogan. I’ll share the news. I’m sure the omegas will want to head over soon to see everyone. Keep Morris in good spirits, yeah?”

“I’ll do my best.”

Brogan hung up to call Jaysan’s former beta guardians. Jaysan had lived with Alec and Orrin Jensen for over a year, and the trio considered themselves family. Alec picked up the house line with a groggy, “Hello.” He worked nights, while Orrin worked days. Brogan explained everything a second time, and Alec promised to be over soon.

That done, Brogan returned to the waiting room and sat next to Morris, whose big body was trembling all over. Brogan wrapped his arm around Morris’s waist and leaned in, trying to be present for his friend, whose entire future was in Dr. Troi’s capable hands.

Ronin started texting with someone.

About ten minutes passed before a familiar nurse named Aiko exited the surgical ward doors and walked toward their trio. Morris shot to his feet, but Aiko was smiling when he said, “Jaysan and the baby are just fine.”

Morris let out a gasping sob, and Brogan hugged him from the side, his own heart trilling with joy over the news. “You’re sure?” Morris asked.

“Positive. You can come with me to see them, but we’re prefer other visitors wait until they’re in a proper room.”

“Of course,” Brogan replied. “Give them both a kiss for me.”

“I will,” Morris said. “Goddess, we have another son.”

“Go.”

Once Morris left, Ronin said, “Liam, Braun, Jax, Karter, and Isa are headed over right now. Dex, Demir, Dory, and Mikel volunteered to stay behind on baby duty. Tarek is sitting with Kell for now, who’s upset.” Ronin growled softly. “Are you fine to wait alone? I need to get back and be with Kell, so Tarek can come here for Braun.”

“Of course,” Brogan replied. “Go be with your mate. I know he needs you.”

Ronin flashed him a grateful smile and took off toward the elevators. Brogan could sit in a waiting room alone for a little while—only his gaze kept wandering to the room where he’d nearly died. Liam and Isa had been with him when Brogan had to make the terrible choice between bleeding out during a live birth, or horrible complications from a Caesarean. Ultimately, things had worked out and Peyton was thriving. But that fear had been a living, tangible thing.

Brogan wrapped his arms around his middle, longing for both Peyton and Mikel. Their smiles and hugs and reassurances that everything would be okay. But he also adored Mikel for volunteering to watch the pack of kids while their parents assembled to support a brother.

Liam, Isa, Braun, Karter and Jax all descended on the waiting room, full of questions and smiles. Brogan didn’t have any answers, but he was crazy grateful for the big hug from Jax, who seemed to sense his distress.

“Mikel was very kind to babysit,” Jax signaled.

“I know, but I miss him,” Brogan replied. “How’s Kell?”

“He’ll be better when Ronin’s there,” Braun replied. “I’m a little scared for Kell now, too, but I couldn’t show it in front of him.”

“Kell will be fine when he gives birth. You guys all have to believe that. He’s been doing every possible thing to have a simple birth.”

“I know.”

Isa and Karter hung a little back from their group, as their alphas often did when the omegas were together in public spaces—mostly because they were all known names and faces, thanks to last year’s trials. They’d each been approached, not only by journalists, but also random citizens with a vulgar interest in the things they’d suffered and survived.

“It doesn’t feel like so long ago that Layne was born,” Liam said, both hands covering his flat belly. “I was so scared, but Isa and Demir were amazing that day.”

“Hospital birth beats prison birth any day of the week,” Jax signed with a smirk. Brogan liked that the big omegin could joke about giving birth in captivity now, when it had to have been terrifying and traumatic at the time. He’d given birth easily to his second child here in this ward not quite a year ago.

Liam’s hands remained flat over his belly, and Brogan observed the way Isa watched his mate. They’d gone through a heat less than two weeks ago. Had they ditched condoms and tried for a baby? Liam hadn’t said anything about it to Brogan, but maybe? It would be Liam’s second and Isa’s fifth.

Before he could wonder too much, Morris exited the surgical ward with a wrapped bundle in his arms, tears on his cheeks, and the proudest smile Brogan had ever seen. They surrounded him, all eager to see the pink face and barely-open eyes of the tiny newborn. The green stocking cap hid his hair color, but he was just precious.

“How’s Jaysan?” Liam asked.

“He’s resting,” Morris replied. “Dr. Troi is stitching him up and helping him through the afterbirth, but Jaysan wanted you guys to meet our boy as soon as possible.”

“He’s gorgeous,” Brogan said. “Does he have hair?”

“Not much, and it’s kind of dark like Jaysan’s, but hair color changes as they grow. I don’t care who he ends up resembling, I’m just happy he’s here.”

“We all are,” Isa said. “Congratulations, Morris.”

“Thank you.”

“Have you guys named him?”

Morris’s grin got even wider. “We have, but I promised to let Jaysan tell you. When he’s in a room, you guys can see him.”

“Uh, the anticipation sucks,” Braun said. “What if we guess?”

“Do you want my mate unhappy right after he’s given birth?”

“Good point.”

The Jensens arrived a few minutes later, both Orrin and Alec, along with their six-month-old adopted omega Reece. Both men were excited to meet the new addition, and Brogan realized he hadn’t let his own guardians know what was happening yet.

Jaysan was awake, if somewhat loopy from painkillers, as the orderlies transferred him from surgery to the regular floor. Brogan had enjoyed those while they lasted, too. Morris followed the gurney, but the rest of them waited to be summoned. Tarek joined the group before Aiko finally led them to Jaysan’s room.

Morris was sitting next to his mate, who held their newborn close to his chest, and Brogan paused to take in the beautiful sight. Their first births had been coached by friends, and this time, Jaysan experienced it with his alpha and mate. Maybe one day in the future, Brogan and Mikel would enjoy this moment as a mated pair and welcome their child into the world.

Brogan again longed for his bondmate to be there with him, but he took comfort knowing Mikel was with Peyton. He loved watching the pair interact, and Peyton’s instinctive use of “dada” for Mikel always made his heart trill. Mikel would be an amazing sire. Brogan believed that deep down in his soul.

“So what’s his name?” Braun asked after several minutes of adoring the newborn.

Jaysan kissed Morris’s mouth, then said, “We’re naming him after Morris’s brother Morgan, but we’re spelling it with a ‘y’ instead of an ‘a’.”

Morgyn.

“That’s a lovely gesture,” Liam said. He’d named Layne after a fellow fight ring rescue who’d died in childbirth. “I know he’ll live up to the namesake.”

“What about his gender?” Braun asked, being his usual nosy self. Tarek poked him in the side. “What? We’re all curious?”

“It’s no big secret,” Morris replied. “Beta.”

“Oh good,” Karter said, his arm slung around Jax’s waist. Their boy Jaxson was beta. “Another beta in the family.”

Jaysan beamed.

“Cesarean aside,” Morris said, “Dr. Troi told us it was a clean delivery. He doesn’t expect Jaysan to have any complications.”

“That’s the best news ever,” Brogan said. “I’m so happy for you guys. Goddess, it’s been a day, hasn’t it?”

“I’ll say.” Jaysan leaned in and inhaled Morgyn’s scent. “From courthouse to a delivery room. I mean, we weren’t at the courthouse, but you guys were.”

“Probably a good thing, in retrospect,” Isa said. “You wouldn’t have wanted the stress of appearing to send you into labor at the courthouse.”

“Yeah, that would have been embarrassing. But I wasn’t, and this little man is here now, and I love him so much.” To the newborn, Jaysan said, “I can’t wait for you to meet your brother.”

“And all his honorary cousins,” Brogan added. His arms ached to hold Peyton again, even though it had been barely an hour since he’d left his son behind. He simply wasn’t used to them being apart for long periods of time, and especially without a proper goodbye.

“Has anyone reported back to the house?” Morris asked. “Let everyone know Jaysan is fine?”

“I was waiting on a baby name,” Tarek replied. “I’ll call Ronin now. Kell will be happy to hear the news.” Braun shot his mate an adoring smile as Tarek left the room.

Brogan longed for the easy connection with his mate that came after two-plus years of being together as a couple. Raising a child together. Buying a home together. All of his omega friends had that now. One day, Brogan would have that with Mikel. Maybe not his next heat, and that was okay. He could wait until late spring, if necessary. It wouldn’t be his first choice, but Brogan couldn’t push Mikel simply because he was jealous of his friends and their mated lives.

For his relationship with Mikel to work, they needed to go at their own pace. Create their own rules. Anything less would end in disaster.

At times, Mikel felt a bit cowardly for choosing to remain behind in the Danvers home, rather than follow the group of mated pairs to the hospital. Even though Jaysan had forgiven him, it didn’t seem right for Mikel to be there when everyone else met his newborn. That was a moment to share with the people Jaysan loved, not the ones he tolerated because of the mating bond.

He enjoyed his time with the children, though, because he truly did love kids. And this group seemed to adore each other, which wasn’t hard to believe, since they’d been raised together. Seeing each other weekly as they grew up, sharing cribs and naptimes and play dates. Even Aeron, who’d spent the first year of his life apart from this group, fit right in like he’d never been away.

Mikel also got a kick out of watching Demir Higgs play with the children. He was fifteen, going on forty, and despite having a lot of surface energy, he also had a quiet maturity in his eyes, which was odd for a teenager. Even a beta teen son of a senior constable. And Mikel didn’t know Demir well, but he could easily see the guy a few years older, married, and raising an adopted baby with his future husband.

Since they had enough people with Dex, Kell and Ronin home, Dory was paid for his time and he left not long after Ronin swapped out for Tarek. Mikel had kept his distance from Kell ever since Jaysan went into labor, but he’d watched. Watched the older omegin try to remain calm, to stay positive for his friend. But then the call had come in about Jaysan’s complication, and Tarek hadn’t left his brother-in-law’s side until Ronin replaced him.

They’d retreated upstairs a few minutes ago.

A general odor arose from the play area, and it took Mikel and Demir a few minutes to locate the two diaper bombs. Mikel took Peyton, and Demir grabbed Aeron. Mikel wasn’t as good at this as Brogan, but he managed without creating a bigger mess. Branson toddled over to observe, as if not quite trusting Mikel with his troublemaking partner. For being beta, Branson was definitely the leader of the pack, and he watched with his omegin’s big, green eyes.

Branson, thankfully, was potty trained, as was Karson, so those were two diapers their trio didn’t need to worry about.

“You’re a natural with kids,” Demir said once the babies were reunited in the play area.

“It helps being the oldest of four, I guess,” Mikel replied, a little embarrassed by the compliment. “You’re really good with them, too.”

“I’ve always loved kids. I went nuts over Layne when he was born, just ask my dad. I love helping out with them, and I can’t wait for another brother.” Demir’s dark eyes went crazy-wide. “Oh shit, I didn’t mean to say that.”

“Say what?” Dex asked. The older beta man was only a few feet away and playing with his son Gaven. He fixed a sharp gaze onto Demir. “Are you as bad at keeping secrets as I am? Did Liam and Isa go for another baby during his last heat?”

“Um…yes?” Demir hedged.

“Oh wow, congrats. I hope it goes their way.”

“Please don’t tell anyone else, Dad will kill me. Liam still has to wait another week, I think, before he can take a test.”

“My lips are sealed.”

“Me too,” Mikel said. He didn’t know Liam and Isa Higgs, but their shared love oozed off the pair whenever they were together, and he truly wished them well if they’d created a new life. “I hope you get another brother, Demir, I mean it. Siblings are wonderful.”

Dex flinched.

Demir laughed and nodded. “Yeah, I have two big brothers and they’re awesome. I mean, they’re both at university, and I’m in secondary, but they still make time for me, you know? And Aven wasn’t totally into Liam when he first mated with Dad, but he’s really thawed out, because Liam doesn’t act like a parent. He’s more like a friend or another brother, and maybe the brother thing is weird since he’s our stepdad, but whatever. Liam’s awesome, so is Layne, and I really hope they do have another baby.”

Mikel grinned the earnest way Demir let all that out. “I hope that no matter what happens, your family continues to love and support each other. It’s so important, and not everyone has that.”

Demir studied him a beat. “You don’t see your family anymore, do you? I can tell.”

“I don’t. I’m not sure how much you know about my past—”

“All the stuff that was in the papers and on the news. I mean, what happened with Jaysan really sucked, but your family is safe now, right?”

“Yes, they are.”

“But you don’t talk to them.”

Mikel didn’t know how to explain the complicated relationship he had now with his omegin and brothers. “It’s better for them to move on without me. All I do is remind them of all the horrible things that happened. They deserve a fresh start.”

Demir frowned. “Did they tell you that?”

“No.”

“So you made a unilateral decision about you being in their lives?”

“I…yes?” Mikel saw where Demir was going, and damn, the kid was smart for his age. “That was pretty alphahole of me, huh?”

“A little bit, yeah. And I’m not super-close with Brogan, but Liam loves him to bits, so you can’t be that guy, Mikel. You can’t make a decision and demand everyone else live with it without their input. Brogan and Peyton deserve better than that.”

“You’re right, they do.” Mikel glanced at Dex, who was both playing with the kids and listening to them without commenting. “It’s something I’m working on, and it’s why Brogan and I are going very slow. Our situation is complicated by a lot of things, but I love knowing Brogan has this big, extended family ready to fight for him. I love knowing that no matter what happens with me and him, he’s loved.”

“You’re not leaving him, are you?” Dex asked in a surprisingly sharp tone. “Because you’re bondmates. That would devastate him.”

“No, I am absolutely not leaving him. I’d rather cut off my own arm than do that. I’m just…glad he has all of you. We have so many challenges left to overcome, and I’m worried I won’t always be able to be strong for him, as his alpha. So I’m glad he has this huge support network to be strong when I can’t. If that makes sense.”

“It does, and it’s wonderfully honest, thank you.”

“Of course.” Mikel snorted softly. “One of the first things you learn in therapy is that honesty is the best policy. Being honest with myself and with others. I care about Brogan too much to risk losing him. Peyton, too.”

As if he’d heard his name, Peyton walked over and plunked into Mikel’s lap with a squeal of delighted laughter. Mikel kissed the top of his head, beyond happy for the little boy in his arms. “I’ll protect you always, little man,” Mikel whispered. “From everything, even your own blood.”

“Don’t be sad, Dada,” Peyton said. “Be happy.”

“I’m getting there, I promise.”

The stairs creaked. Kell and Ronin appeared in the living room, both men smiling.

“Good news?” Demir asked.

“Great news,” Ronin replied. “Jaysan is fine, and the newest addition’s name is Morgyn. Morgyn Danvers.”

“Here that, baby boy?” Mikel asked Peyton. “You’ve got a new cousin named Morgyn.” Peyton laughed, then lurched away to go play with his friends. Mikel glanced at Kell, whose torment seemed to be over for now. But Kell kept both hands protectively over his rounded belly, his expression distant even as Branson tugged at his leg.

Ronin scooped the little boy up and kissed his cheek.

Mikel looked away from the small family’s private moment.

“Son of a fucker,” Branson blurted out.

Demir met Mikel’s eyes, and they both started laughing.

Jaysan needed to rest, so eventually their assembled group, minus the Jensens, were shuttled back to the Danvers home to collect their respective kids. Brogan luxuriated in not only the tight hug from Peyton, but also the firm kiss and hug from Mikel. He’d missed both son and bondmate this afternoon, and he was happy to be with them again.

After several rounds of hugs and goodbyes, Mikel called a taxi to take his family to the Li house, where they told Daiya and Yeoman about their day. As exciting as it had all been, Peyton was drooping fast, so Brogan put him down in his crib. Then the adult foursome shared an early dinner of leftovers that effectively cleaned out the fridge. Brogan really needed to go shopping tomorrow.

“How are you doing with everything?” Mikel asked. He was sharing dish duty with Brogan, while the Li’s watched the evening news.

Brogan soaped and rinsed a plate. “Really good, actually. I was scared for Jaysan for a little while, but he’s so strong. I love that they named Morgyn after Morris’s brother. If Morgan and Brody hadn’t adopted Aeron, then Morris and Jaysan never would have met. It’s a fitting tribute.”

“I agree.” Mikel wiped down the rinsed plate. “You have such a strong support system in place.”

“I kind of lucked into it, in some ways. If Jax hadn’t met Karter Jenks when he escaped the fight ring, none of us would have been rescued when we were. I could have easily given birth to Peyton in captivity and died because of the abruption, and you and I never would have met.” Some of the omega fighters had died in captivity, but he didn’t want to think about that sadness right now. “It’s all a series of random circumstances and chance encounters, and I wouldn’t change a single thing.”

Brogan washed a glass and rinsed, but Mikel didn’t reach for it right away. Mikel seemed lost in his own thoughts. “I mean we can’t change what’s happened in the past,” Brogan added, “so there’s no sense in dwelling on it. Right?”

“You’re right,” Mikel replied. “There’s only the present and the future.”

“Exactly.” He rinsed a soapy hand so he could squeeze Mikel’s wrist. “You with me?”

“Yup. And I’m hoping you’ll do something with me this coming week.”

“Of course. Anything.”

Mikel’s shy smile amped up Brogan’s anticipation, as well as his desire to do whatever his alpha asked of him.

No matter what.