“…happy birthdays to you, happy birthdays, dear Braun and Branson! Happy birthdays to you!”

The raucous singing died down, and all attention in the room focused on the two people closest to the cake and its three number-shaped candles. Two of them were 2’s, because Braun was now twenty-two, and the other was a 1, for Branson’s first birthday. Since uncle and nephew’s birthdays were only two days apart, their family had decided to throw a single party for the pair.

The downstairs of the house that the Blooms and Crosses shared was packed with guests, both adult and small children, and it was a little overwhelming for Liam, so he kept close to Isa’s side. Layne was napping in the nursery with Peyton.

Braun leaned toward the cake, Branson in his lap, and said, “Ready, little man? Let’s blow out the candles.”

Branson mostly sputtered, and Braun did all the work, but the three flames extinguished, and everyone cheered. The noise made Branson squall, so Braun handed him off to Kell for shushing. Tarek took the sheet cake over to the counter for cutting, while Braun opened a handful of small gifts.

From the opposite end of the long dining table, Liam observed the familiar faces, all of them wearing newfound expressions of contentment and joy. After Senior Iverson’s sentencing two weeks ago, Liam had breathed a final sigh of relief, knowing that the biggest investor in not just Mad Dog Productions, but several other shady organizations, including the company that had paid Hank Mancini to impregnate Liam, was behind bars for life.

A tiny splash of regret tugged at Liam’s heart, as it always did when he thought about Mancini, who’d died of his injuries four days after the car crash. Liam regretted knowing his actions had led to the man’s death, but as Isa always reminded him, Mancini’s actions had contributed to the same. It wasn’t Liam’s fault.

Next to him, Brogan was grinning and admiring little Rei Bloom, who all the omegins in attendance were excited to take turns holding. Braun had given birth just over two weeks ago, and while it had been difficult and taxing, he was recovering well. Rei looked just like Braun and had a set of lungs to beat any baby Liam had ever known, including his own. Brogan was still unmated, but he seemed content living with his foster betas.

Jax and Karter sat together, their hands entwined over Jax’s pregnant belly. They were both excited for their second child, whom they’d purposely tried for during Jax’s last heat, and Liam was eager to eventually meet the newest addition to their rag-tag family. Little Karson was in the pack-and-play with Gaven, the baby adopted by beta friends of Tarek.

Branson finally quieted enough for Kell to help him open his presents, and the colorful wrapping paper had the baby squealing with delight. The whole thing made Liam grin wider, because that would be Layne in another six months. Sometimes it was hard to believe so much time had already passed, that Layne was so old.

Other times, it felt as if years had gone by since Liam’s rescue from the fight ring. Since the day his bondmate found him and carried him to safety.

He glanced over to where Isa’s three sons stood in a cluster with Knox and the two other beta members of their support group. The group had been a lifeline for Liam after Mancini’s attack, helping him work through the emotions and guilt surrounding his assault. Listening to him without judgment, being there when his emotions got the better of him. And for all Jaysan had seemed to resent Liam the most for never having fought and lost a match, he cried the hardest when Liam told him what had happened.

Demir said something that made the cluster of young betas laugh. Aven was mostly listening; he’d just begun his third year at university, and Liam was glad he was on campus with Tarius, who was only a few weeks into his first and enjoying it. Tarius was also in deep conversation with Knox, a bit away from the group, and Liam was glad to see the pair seemingly bonding.

Demir seemed to be doing most of the talking with the others, probably nattering on about his first two weeks in his new grade level, which he loved. He’d joined the school’s soccer team, and he was an outstanding player. Their first match was tomorrow, and Liam was excited to watch his stepson play. He was also excited for his heat next week—not because he and Isa were trying for another baby, but simply for the emotions and intense feelings of heat. The absolute pleasure of spending forty-eight hours doing nothing more taxing that eating, fucking, and sleeping.

They still made love outside of heat, and Liam would never tire of pleasing his alpha, but ever since Mancini’s attack, Liam had trouble going down on his alpha without choking. Isa never pushed, and he never treated Liam like he was fragile or broken. It was something they were working on together, as they both learned how to live in their new normal, as a mated couple happily in love.

So many happily mated or married couples filled this room with their joy.

The only person who kind of stood out and away, with a bland expression, was Jaysan. He hadn’t been the same since Reid’s death, blaming himself for it, no matter what anyone else told him. While he still attended their support meetings, he didn’t participate or speak out. Liam tried, Brogan tried, they all tried to reach him, but Jaysan resisted their help.

Liam hated that he couldn’t help his friend.

While Branson enjoyed eating the wrapping paper more than playing with his new toys, Tarek and Ronin passed around small plates of birthday cake to their guests. Simple vanilla with chocolate icing, and it tasted wonderful. Isa cut a corner off his slice and offered it to Liam. Liam accepted it with a grin, his lips wrapped tightly around the tines of the fork.

Heat flared in Isa’s eyes. Heat that rolled into Liam’s gut and down to his dick. Oh yes, they were having sexy times when they got home tonight. Demir could put headphones on.

For now, Liam enjoyed his cake and fellowship with his friends and extended family. While few in this room were related by blood, they were all united by their love and affection for each other. By their common goal of expanding and strengthening omega rights in their province and others. By their desire to live long, joyful lives with their spouses and children.

Over a year ago, Liam had gotten into a car and then woken up with his family torn from his grasp. Today, he marveled at the new family he’d found, not only with the Higgs’s, but also with the other men in this room: omega, beta and alpha alike. Because at the end of the day, gender aside, they were all human beings deserving of the same equal right to love, honor and cherish whomever their heart chose.

Liam smiled up at the keeper of his heart.

My alpha, my bondmate, my lover.

Forever.

* * *

For updates, info and the occasional freebie short story, sign up for my free newsletter: