I was reluctant to let go of Theo, but his ma insisted he get back to bed and rest. I sat with him while he drank his soup, and then tiptoed out as he settled into a nap.

Not without stealing a kiss first, though.

A child. I was going to be a father. I had never seen this in my future. Perhaps that was because I couldn't see Theo's future. Perhaps where our paths intersected, I would always be blind.

Being a father was more terrifying than anything I'd ever faced before, including a few dozen kids with powers attacking me and the pack, or a dragon dive bombing our homes.

One thing I knew for certain, I wasn't going to screw this up. I was going to stay with my child no matter what. No matter whether they had a power or not. No matter what that power was, if they had one. 

I wouldn't say my parents were actively cruel or abusive, but... they hadn't known what to do with a child who could foresee their every move. 

I shook myself out of my stupor when I realized the kids were watching me. Not obviously. They were watching me out of the sides of their eyes, or with their hair tucked behind their ears, listening. Teenagers had about as much difficulty sorting through their emotions as I did, I realized. 

We all needed something to focus us. 

"Who's up for a run?"

* * *

Instead of going back to my cave that night, I stuck around for dinner. I was impressed at how on-top of things the kids were. They started on dinner without any adult direction, and when Theo woke in the middle of preparations and offered to help, he was firmly told to continue resting. 

I could see my little omega getting flustered, so I took his hand and led him into the yard, walking along the perimeter, his hand tucked into my elbow.

"I'm not an invalid," Theo fussed. "Just because we've suddenly found out I'm pregnant doesn't mean I can't do normal things."

Instead of answering him directly, I said, "You scared all of us today."

His frustration faded. "I am sorry about that."

I could feel Gideon still lurking just beyond the edge of the forest. He was waiting for me to leave, but once he realized that wasn't going to happen, he'd come in anyway. He'd become used to the comforts of a home.

Wary of any of the children listening in to a private conversation, especially Gideon, who would take anything and everything the wrong way if he could, I switched to mindspeaking.

I'm not going to leave you.

I know that now, Theo replied. I was freaked out at first. We hadn't expected anything like this, but I know you're going to be a good dad—

No. I shook my head. I mean, yes, but I'm also not leaving at all. I want to be by your side. I don't want to make you feel like an invalid, but I can't handle leaving you at night.

Theo stopped in his tracks and wrapped his arms around my neck. "I would love for you to stay."

I leaned in to kiss him, but a rustle made Theo jerk in my arms. We both turned to watch Gideon stalk past us up to the house, looking straight ahead.

Theo sighed. "But we should probably make sure it's okay with the kids first."

My bear clawed at the idea of being separated from Theo, but if that meant I was sleeping in the woods outside his window, I would deal. "Of course."

"Dinner's ready!" someone called out the back door. 

The kids were excitedly filling Gideon in on the news about the baby as we entered. His stony face did not change, his eyes lifting up to glare at me, and slowly, the others' excitement faded away. 

Caite nudged his side. "Aren't you going to wish Theo congratulations?"

Gideon ground his teeth together, then looked to Theo, his glare softening. "Congrats, Theo." And then the glare came back on me in full force.

"Okay!" Theo said, clapping his hands to break the tense moment. "Let's eat!"

Dinner was scattered. Theo needed a better house. Not that his house was bad, but it wasn't meant for three people, let alone fourteen, soon to be fifteen.

I didn't have any money myself, and I hesitated at the idea of running to Asher for more, even though we talked about the children during my infrequent calls. But I'd do anything for Theo and the kids. I wondered why I hadn't thought of it sooner.

Dinner went peacefully, and Gideon went back to ignoring me. The problem with all the paths I saw to build any kind of relationship with him was that they didn't include Theo, so I had no clue whether they would work in actuality or not, because Theo was my future now. If that meant I was essentially future blind because of it, so be it.

There was an awkward moment after everyone had chipped in to clean up and started to settle into bed where the kids started side-eyeing me and Theo. Theo took my hand and cleared his throat, drawing their direct attention.

I figured it would be easier once their bellies were full but before they're really sleepy—they're much less cranky this time of day.

I trusted his judgement.

"I was thinking... well, Caspar is the baby's other dad..."

Caite rolled her eyes. "Well, duh."

Theo blushed. "I'd like... if you all would be okay with it, if Caspar moved in."

"He's not taking my bed," Adam quipped, and most of the others giggled. But in the end, there was only one person who really held the cards here, and all the children's eyes turned to him.

Gideon had been playing with a deck of cards, but suddenly looked up, feeling the weight of our attention on him. Would he be obstinate? With Theo's presence, I couldn't see the paths. I'd hoped that with my consistency, I had mitigated at least some of his concerns about being a danger to this family.

And a family it was, just as much as the family I had left behind in Tennessee. Broken. Patched together. Beautiful.

Gideon looked right in my eyes. "Do you promise to protect this family?"

I nodded. ”With my life.”

Gideon looked back to his cards, but I could sense something had shifted between us. I wasn’t sure if it was good or not, but his acceptance was clear. I only hoped we could move beyond simple acceptance at some point.

Caite squealed and jumped to her feet, surprising me by throwing her arms around my middle. Everyone except Gideon followed, wrapping Theo and I in the middle of a group hug. Gideon didn't even look mad this time, more just... resigned.

I held it together until Theo mindspoke, Welcome to the family.

I closed my eyes and held back the tears. Family. It's all I had ever wanted.