Simon hadn’t much cared about name meanings until he actually gave birth to the baby and realized he had no idea what to call this little life he had made. Nathan went out and bought a book of baby names shortly after bringing all of them back home. The hospital was reluctant to let them go without having a name on the birth certificate, though the doctor in charge allowed it. It wasn’t unusual, just inconvenient.

Simon lounged on the bed with Nathan, though he really didn’t feel relaxed. The very act of leaving his baby in the crib felt like he’d taken a piece of himself and set it aside, as if there was a bungee cord attaching the two of them that kept trying to pull him back. He wanted to check on the baby, to make sure all this wasn’t some sort of effervescent dream that would go away as soon as he blinked.

Nathan climbed into bed beside him, the weight of his body making the mattress dip and creak. He wrapped his arms around Simon, leaning their heads together. “Relax, baby. He’s not going anywhere, especially with no name. Can’t get a passport without a birth certificate.”

This was in reference to the book that Simon held, leafing restlessly through the pages. “Very funny,” Simon murmured. “It just doesn’t feel quite real.”

He still ached. He was dead-exhausted from the birth, sore in places he hadn’t even known he had. Yet, all these sensations almost seemed to be happening to someone else.

“Maybe if he had a name, it would feel better,” Nathan suggested.

“How can we name someone we don’t even know?”

Nathan gave a little smile. “How about this?” He reached out and took the book Simon held, adjusting it in his grip. “I’ll flip through the pages real fast. You put your finger down. Whatever it lands on, that’s what his name will be.”

I’m not so sure about how this is going to work.

There were a lot of shitty names in a baby book, things that no parent in their right mind would ever call their child. Be that as it may, Simon found himself latching onto the idea. It could at least be a fun little distraction. “Let’s do it.”

Nathan said, “Ready?” and let the pages start fluttering down out of his grasp. Simon slapped his index finger down at random.

His heart started to pound. This was it. The moment of truth. What would they name the baby?

“Well?” he demanded.

Nathan squinted at the page, then started laughing. “His name is Page 236. He will be the most unique little boy in his class.”

“I think we’d better try again.” Simon scowled at his alpha, then laughed. The two of them repeated the process again.

This time, his finger landed on the name “Felix.” According to the book, the name meant happy, or lucky.

“Felix,” Simon said, testing it out. It felt a little strange in his mouth, but also good. He looked over at Nathan.

Nathan was smiling. “Felix. I’ll call the hospital in the morning, let them know.”

They held onto each other very tightly, pressing their lips together for the sort of kiss that lingers long after it has finished. When they parted, Nathan said, “I‘ve got two things for you. One is news and the other is a letter.”

Simon blinked, a little taken aback. This was unexpected. Also a little annoying. He wanted to go to bed now. “Okay?”

“Earlier today, I heard from Superintendent Michael. He said he wanted to apologize for some of the things he said about shifters. He wouldn’t tell me much, but he did say Toby came home. I guess they’re patching things up.”

Simon’s heart fluttered joyously in his chest. “I’m so glad to hear that. Poor kid. Everything was just going wrong for him.”

“Which brings us to the letter.” Nathan reached over to the nightstand, opening the top drawer and bringing it out. “It’s addressed to you, so I didn’t read it. It’s from our favorite person.” His voice lowered into a growl, as if he was trying to warn away some threat.

Simon turned the letter over in his hands. It was indeed addressed to him, sent from the Norfolk Prison. There could be only one person who had written it.

Summoning his claws, he tore through the top of the letter and brought out a crumpled piece of notebook paper. He read it aloud, for some reason not wanting to be alone in this experience.

“Dear Simon,”

“You were right. Lots better here in prison. Food sucks but there’s lots of it. I’m in a program for convicts. Going to start going to the meetings and taking some classes, like you said. I been talking to a therapist in here. Snobby lady. But she makes a good point. I been stupid.”

“So, this is me saying I’m sorry. And also, I sold my story to a publisher. I’m gonna be in a book. Maybe this fucked-up life of mine might be good for something after all.”

“Sincerely, Jeremy Thomas.”

And that was all. Simon looked up as tears momentarily blurred his vision, making the words swim across the page. Warm, strong arms wrapped around him as Nathan pulled him in close. “That’s everything,” Nathan murmured. “All the loose ends, all wrapped up.”

Simon nodded, allowing himself to be pulled down onto his back so they could cuddle together while waiting for sleep to arrive. The sound of their breathing filled the bedroom, the most comforting lullaby he had ever heard.

The rest of forever could start now. All the wrongs could be set to right, in time. And, most importantly, Felix had a name.

It was a damn good start to the future.