Chapter Fifteen
Oliver
I lifted Christopher out of Philip’s car and carried him into the house. The poor boy was exhausted after spending half the day kidnapped, though we'd never use that phrase with him, and the rest of the day in the hospital, answering questions from doctors and police officers.
He fell asleep before we could even offer to get him ice cream on the way home.
“Do you want me to take him?” Philip asked.
I shook my head. I never wanted to let my little boy ago. I took him inside, and carried him up the stairs, then laid him gently in his bed. I watched him sleep for a bit, while Philip pulled the covers over him. Then he and I looked at one another.
He opened his arms, and I stepped in. That’s when I broke. I let out all the emotion from the day, and I sobbed silently against his shoulder.
He lifted me and carried me out the door, then down the stairs to the couch.
“I don't know how I’m ever going to be able to leave him again,” I said. “How am I supposed to take him to school tomorrow?”
Philip didn’t bother to correct me and tell me tomorrow was Saturday.
“He can stay home. I'll stay home. Nobody's going anywhere tomorrow.”
“Yeah, but what about the next day? And the day after that and the next after that?”
Before Philip could answer, a knock sounded at the door.
He stood to answer it. “Stay here,” he said.
I heard Officer Jefferies voice, apologizing for stopping over so late, so I stood and went to the front door next to Philip.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I was on my way home, thought I’d stop by and let you know that Ian Miller was picked up at the airport about an hour ago. On Monday, he’ll be transported back here and arraigned.”
A weight I hadn’t even known was there lifted. “Thank you for letting us know. Would you like to come in?”
“No, I don’t want to interrupt your evening any more than I have to. I also wanted to tell you that there’s been some evidence that Ian started the fire at Philip’s apartment as well.”
“Son of a bitch,” Philip said as his body tensed.
I laid a hand on his shoulder and he relaxed slightly.
Officer Jefferies gaze flicked to the end table just inside the front door. I kept a decorative bowl and a framed picture there. Jefferies did a double take, then turned back to me. “Is Christopher all right?”
“Yes,” I said. “He’s sleeping. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
He nodded, then gestured to the picture. “Friend of yours?”
I picked up the frame. It was a picture of me and Kayden with the two boys. “Oh God. I haven’t called Kayden yet. He’s going to kill me.”
“Kayden?”
“Yeah, he’s my best friend. He and I are turning this place into a daycare soon, actually.”
“Who’s the boy?” Jefferies asked.
I was too tired to wonder at the twenty questions. “Kayden’s son, Jackson.”
Jefferies nodded. “Same age as Christopher?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Two months older actually.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Well, if you need anything from me, please don’t hesitate to call. I’m sure we’ll be in touch as the investigation gets underway.”
“Thank you,” Philip said.
Jefferies gave a curt nod and left.
“Was that weird?” Philip asked me after he closed the door.
“A little,” I said. I closed my eyes and a tear slipped out of the corner. “I'm sorry, Philip.”
Philip lead me back to the living room and pulled me on to his lap. “What are you sorry for?”
“He's your dad,” I said. “And I can't believe all this is happening.”
“He's my dad, yeah, but you're my Omega. Christopher is my son. He put the both of you in danger today and I will never forgive him for that. Never mind the fact that he's likely stolen money from the town that he has professed to love and serve his whole life. I'm assuming he wanted me to run for office so that I could be his little puppet and he could continue his crimes. I need to call Tyler and let him know. I should talk with my mom, too, see how she’s doing. I should—" Philip shook his head. “You and Christopher are my family now. That’s all I care about.”
A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. “About that,” I said.
Philip interrupted me before I could continue. “I love you, Ollie. I want to be with you forever. I should have a ring or something, but I haven’t gotten around to purchasing anything. I wanted to do like you said and take things slow, but I know I want to marry you and live here with you and Christopher and whoever else comes along. I want to get a dog and chickens. I want to help you grow your business. I want—”
I laughed and held up a hand. “Okay, okay. I get it. I love you, too. And yes, I'll marry you,” I said. “There's something I didn't get a chance to tell you. It feels like eons ago that I found out, but it was actually just this morning.”
Philips eyes widened. “Found out what?”
“I'm pregnant.”
He stayed silent for a long time, just staring at me. I worried that this was the wrong time, that I should’ve waited. He looked from my face to my stomach, then back up to my face again. Then he laid a hand over my belly.
“A baby?” he whispered.
“Yes. Our baby.”
Tears glistened in the corners of his eyes and he hugged me against him. “We’ll get married as soon as possible. And if it’s all right with you I’d like to move in.”
I chuckled. “Of course. After this morning you don’t have anywhere else to go.”
He backed up, and looked angry for a moment. “Yeah, my dad burned my apartment down. Holy shit. That does feel like eons ago.” He grinned. “We’ll start fresh. Me, you, Christopher, and this little guy. We’ll be a family. How does that sound?”
“Amazing,” I said.