“Are you sure this is the best way to do this?” I asked as Wyatt snuck Sky, the mother dog who was brought in after a fire, into the house.

“Absolutely.” His eyes didn’t agree. Oh well. We would soon find out.

Sky’s puppies had long since found homes, but Sky had suffered a bit more lung damage from the smoke and needed a longer stay. That stay increased exponentially as the staff took to spoiling her and “forgetting” to put up the sign looking for a home for her. In many ways this was perfect. Sky would have a home, a true home here with us, and the staff would still get to spoil her almost daily. Whether it would work to soften the blow when we told Chloe about her brother, that was another thing altogether.

“I think it might be over the top,” I said. It was definitely over the top.

“Says the man who got her a real live unicorn for her birthday.” He had me there. But making that magical moment for her was worth every inch over the top I went and, from my estimation, it was a good mile or so.

“I was creating memories. You are creating poop.” I wrapped my arm around his side, resting my head on his shoulder and my spare hand on my growing belly.

“It wasn’t like we aren’t already dealing with the poop.” He turned his head to kiss my forehead.

“And now I will get two,” I joshed.

“Do you mind?” he asked far too seriously.

“No, not at all. Do you even think it will work?” I still had my doubts. I loved Sky, though, and having her here was only going to add more love to our home. And poop, but more love than poop. I hoped.

“One way to find out.” He kissed my head again before stepping out of my half-embrace and calling from the bottom of the stairs, “Chloe. I’m home.” A thud and the pounding of little feet echoed from the floor above. There was never a day she wasn’t excited by her dad’s return. I couldn’t blame her. I felt the same.

“You brought Sky home,” she screamed from the top of the steps before barreling down them faster than I would’ve liked.

“I did,” he said as she smothered the dog with love.

“Can she stay?” She didn’t even bother to look up, her full attention on Sky as Sprinkles sauntered in as if to say, “Doesn’t bother me, I know I am the queen.” I had to crack up. There was something so expressive about Sprinkles and so un-very dog-like, in complete contrast to Sky. Sky was the epitome of a sweet dog, slobbering kisses and tail wags that hit your leg so hard you almost wanted her to stop—almost.

“She can. Her lungs are healed and she’s ready for a mama.” I watched Wyatt watch Chloe, waiting for it to sink in.

“Me?”

Wyatt nodded.

“You are the best dads ever!”

I wasn’t sure how I got credit for this one, but since the reward was a huge smile followed by a bear hug, I’d gladly take it.

“Speaking of being dads…” Wyatt’s segue was anything but smooth. It was almost comical. “We went to the baby doctor today and he told us we are having a baby boy.”

I waited for the impending doom. None came.

“Awesome.” She jumped up and down, squeeing. “I hope he’s as cool as Suzy’s brother. Brothers are awesome.” She reached down, releasing Sky’s leash. “Can I go play with Sprinkles and Sky outside?”

Wyatt gaped like a fish at her easy acceptance before finding his equilibrium. “Yes, but stay in the fence where we can see you.”

I smiled as he mentioned the fence. It was more than a fence to me. It was a sign of true acceptance. When Wyatt and I had announced my pregnancy to his parents, I feared the worst. Sure, they were nice to me and seemed to like me well enough, but that was a far cry from wanting your son to knock-up the help. There were tears and hugs aplenty much to my relief and week later, his dad was putting up a fence so that I could let Sprinkles out without having to go out into the rain or snow in my condition.

With the huge back window, it also made it possible for Chloe to feel some independence playing outside ‘alone’ as I watched her like a hawk only a few steps from the door. I loved it so, but mostly for what it symbolized. I was family in all senses of the word, but name and that was good enough for me.

“I will. I promise.” She called over her shoulder as she opened the kitchen door onto the deck, two dogs hot on her trail.

“That didn’t go the way I expected.”

“No, not so much.” I giggled at the look he on his face. He would figure out soon enough that four-year-old girls were a fickle creature. “And now we have a dog.”

“Two dogs.” He was watching the dogs play. They had met before, but seeing them interact nicely in the space that was once Sprinkle’s alone was comforting.

“Good thing your dad fenced in the back yard when I got pregnant.”

“He likes you, you know. The both do.” I did know, but it was still nice to hear.

“And I him. Both your parents.” They were a fun couple to watch. After all their years together, they still loved each other and enjoyed each other’s company in a very playful way. I wanted to be them in thirty years.

“I wish your parents were around to see you become a dad.” It was as if he knew what I was thinking. I wished they were too, but they had passed just before my relationship with my ex had ended. I refused to give him the respect of referring to him as my alpha, now. Now that Wyatt had shown me what a real alpha was.

“Me too, but sometimes life isn’t fair. You know this better than most.” And shit was getting too real on a day that should be all smiles.

“I do.”

His words brought me back to the razzing Sally had given us the day before. I loved her dearly, but she was a busy body to rival all busy bodies.

“I do. That has a nice ring to it,” I mimicked her taunt from the day before after she asked Wyatt if he had a pen.

“Hinting at something, omega mine?” My knees nearly buckled. I had the same reaction every time he used that phrase. Omega mine. The hottest two words ever said to me. And from the look on his face, he knew it.

“Maybe?”

He dropped to one knee, pulling a ring from his pocket. What twilight zone episode had I just walked into?

“This, maybe?”

“Holy cow.” Coherent words were not happening just then. “I was just messing with you after Sally gave you crap with the pen and the—”

“She was giving me crap because she wanted to see the ring she knew I bought.” He took my hand in his, sliding the ring on it. “The idiot jewelry store clerk left a message at my office instead of on my cell.”

“That makes that entire conversation far less creepy.” Why was I not answering him? The answer was yes. A thousand times yes, but I was babbling like a fool.

“Will you hush now, so I can do this right?”

I reached up, miming myself sealing and locking my lips with a wink.

“Thank you. Oliver Moore, would you do me –“

“Yes. All the yeses.” I fell to my knees in front of him, smothering his face with kisses.

“You’re not going to let me finish, are you?”

I answered him by taking advantage of his open mouth, by sealing mine to his and pouring in every emotion I had until our sweet baby boy decided to kick Wyatt through my belly.

“Looks like he is on with this plan.” I needled.

“I knew we would make smart babies.”