The day after the burial…
“Rohan. It’s Gray. I need to speak to you. Please call me.”
Rohan played the message again… for the fifth time. He hated how cold and distant Gray sounded, but it was his own damned fault. He’d done that… made Gray hate him. He’d pushed so hard that the omega hadn’t even come to the burial. Rohan had endured Wynter and Warden—and their questions.
Why the pair were suddenly so interested in Gray and the children, he wasn’t sure. They couldn’t have been bothered when Jamie was alive.
He played the message for a sixth time, closing his eyes and letting the omega’s voice burn into his ears. Rohan had called back and left a message for Gray to call him—and all he could do was sit and wait.
Breathless with anticipation.
A knock came to the door. He clumsily climbed from the couch in his office; still wearing the same clothes he’d worn the day before. Still wearing the stink of the new bottle of scotch from the day before, too. He dug his fingers through his hair as he stumbled to the door and tried to make himself somewhat presentable. Rohan opened the door, narrowing his eyes to the shine of the sun.
“Rohan Parker?”
“Yes.”
A letter was placed in his hands.
“You’ve been served.”
Rohan looked down at the envelope. Before he could say a word, the man was gone. He closed the door and stumbled to the nearest chair before he ripped open the envelope.
Custody papers?
Gray Tomlinson… full custody…?
A growl rose up his throat, and he crumbled the papers in his fist. Tossing it away, he let out a roar. After he collapsed back in the seat, he reached for the phone. He called for a car, knowing he was still a little drunk from the night before. As soon as he got off the phone, he jumped into a shower and tried to wake himself up a little.
Once dressed, he went to his safe in his office. He opened it up and took out a few stacks of cash, pocketing them. He turned toward the knock at the door and closed his safe. Rohan snatched the crumpled papers from the floor before he reached the front.
Exiting, he eyed the driver. “I need to go to the Omega Quadrant.”
“Sir,” the beta said, his eyes growing wide. “You’re an alpha. I can’t take you there.”
“Just drive me to the gate. I’ll handle the rest.”
An hour and a few thousand renos later, he’d bribed his way through the gate with half the cash in his pocket—with the promise of the other half on his way out. Not long after, the car came to rest before a small, handsome cottage not far away. He looked at the house. It was comfortable and serene, kind of like Gray.
Of course this is where he lives.
“I need you to knock on the door for me,” he said to the driver. “I need Gray Tomlinson to come to the car.”
The driver smiled. “I know Gray.” The beta turned to Rohan. “He should be getting ready to pop right about now, huh?”
“I assume you’ve driven for us before then?”
The driver smiled. “Oh yes. I’ve taken Gray and Jamie to a few appointments.”
Rohan eyed the back of the man’s head. “Gray’s had the babies.” He drew in a shuddering breath. “And Jamie… died.”
That statement had tasted like vinegar. He cringed having said it.
The driver’s head whipped around, a look of grief on the man’s face. “I’m so, so very sorry. I didn’t know. He was a kind man. I liked driving for him… for them both, really. They were such good friends. Always laughing and smiling.” The driver looked forlornly toward the house. “I suppose that means I won’t be driving for Gray anymore, either.”
Rohan’s jaw tensed. He was in no mood to be nice. He wanted Gray in the car now, not an hour from now. “No. I suppose not. Maybe you could say goodbye… once you go talk to him like I asked.”
The driver’s head whipped around again. “Of course. I’m sorry.” The beta jumped out of the car and walked up the path through the well-tended lawn. Rohan watched impatiently from the car as the driver knocked on the door.
It opened, and he saw Gray in the doorway.
His heart beat a little faster in his chest at that first sight, and he needed to remind himself he was angry. Custody… he thinks to take the children from me.
Gray looked his way, but couldn’t see him through the darkened glass of the car.
Claim him.
Make him yours.
Rohan clenched his jaw. The instinct should’ve lessened now that Gray had had the babies. If anything, it felt stronger. His whole body came alive as Gray made his way to the car, following the driver. His cock began to thicken, the need to reclaim his omega pounding in his veins.
Just after Rohan hit the button to raise the partition between the front and back of the car, the beta opened the back door and Gray climbed in. Rohan did everything in his power to hold back the urge to take what was his—but then Gray’s scent filled his nose, and he lost his mind. Rohan grabbed Gray’s wrist and pulled the omega onto his lap.
Right on top of his hard cock, pulsing with need.
“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” Rohan asked him.
Gray’s hands rested on his shoulders and pushed away. “I’m not the one manhandling me in the back of a car.”
Fire raced through his body. The animal part of him craved Gray’s submission. He held tight to his control… but he was slipping fast. “Custody?”
Gray’s eyes flashed with anger. “Saving our children.”
Our children. “Saving them from me?”
“No, from Jamie’s parents,” Gray spat, pushing again.
Rohan released his hold, and Gray slid off his lap and onto the seat beside him. Some cold water was tossed on the instinctual need he’d felt. He scrubbed a hand over his face, reminding himself why he was there.
Gray righted his clothes before scowling at Rohan. “After you blew up at me at the funeral, Jamie’s papa came up and said he was going to get custody of the children—that you weren’t in any frame of mind to care for them. I went to Tensen and found out that my rights were restored if Jamie passed within the first three years of the child’s life. Tensen put that into the contract because of Jamie’s illness.”
Rohan suddenly recalled reading the clause. He’d thought it morbid, but hadn’t expected it to be enforced. “That doesn’t explain why you’re taking them from me.”
“Temporary full custody… reverting to shared once you had some time to grieve and were back on your feet.” Gray eyed him. “Did you even read the papers? You are an attorney, are you not?”
Rohan reached for the crumbled papers on the seat and looked them over. He read over it again, realizing his mistake. “I saw custody… and I lost my mind.” He scrubbed his stubbled face, knowing he likely looked a sight. “I’m sorry. I thought you were trying to take our children away from me.”
Gray relaxed a little, but still kept his distance. “After seeing how revolting Jamie’s parents were… I couldn’t let the twins go there. And I wasn’t sure I would get any help from you. That’s all I was doing. Protecting our children. From them. Not you.” Gray paused. “I knew you needed time to mourn.”
Rohan lifted his stare and met Gray’s. “I’m glad one of us is thinking clearly enough to protect the twins.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Because I sure as hell am not in a position to do that right now.”
Silence fell between them.
“I should get back inside. The boys should be waking up from their naps soon.”
“Can I come inside and see them?”
“An alpha? In the middle of the O Quad? I think not.”
Rohan’s face fell. He wanted to see his babies. Desperately. Especially if it gave him a few more minutes to spend with Gray.
“But I can bring them out to the car. How’s that?”
“I want them home, where they belong,” Rohan said. He held onto Gray’s stare. Where you all belong.
Gray looked away. “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
The instinct roared again in his blood.
Take them all home. Now. Apologize. Beg his forgiveness.
He couldn’t get the words to come, no matter how much the need within demanded it.
Gray opened the door and turned to look at him. “I’ll be right back.”
A few minutes passed before Gray came back out of the house, the basket in one hand. He slid into the backseat and set the basket on Rohan’s lap. Both twins were asleep, cuddled together as they always seemed to be.
He gently brushed his hand over their soft heads, smiling. “They already look bigger. It’s only been a couple of days.”
“They can grow a few ounces a day. Especially our big boy. He likes to eat.”
Rohan smiled. “I noticed they were listed as Baby A and Baby O in the court documents.”
“Well, they haven’t been given names yet.”
“We’ve been preoccupied.” Rohan looked at Gray. “What did Jamie want to name them?”
Gray looked away, and it hurt his heart that the omega was keeping his distance, even though he was to blame.
“Jamie never said. He kept saying it would be a surprise,” Gray answered.
“Of course he did,” Rohan said. “What do you think they should be named?”
Gray smiled forlornly. “The big guy should be Jaymes. In honor of Jamie. And our little man… I know it would be a lot to ask. But I’d be honored if he was named after the brother I lost not long ago. Silver.”
“Silver. I like it. But Jamie?” Rohan winced. “That would be too hard. I’d think of my mate every time I looked at him.”
“Exactly. We’d look at him and think of Jamie. Every. Single. Day. At first, it will hurt. But eventually we’d have new joys associated with that name. First giggles. First steps. First words. First day of school. First loves. They’d all be pinned to that beautiful man we lost and maybe it would make the hurt a little less.” Gray reached into the basket and caressed one of the baby’s heads. “And I’d have the same for my brother, one of the best friends I ever had. Both of them really. My brothers… one by flesh, one by heart. I lost my best friends one after another…”
Rohan turned to look at Gray, tears in his eyes. “It’s perfect then. Jamie and Silver.”
Gray broke down, the tears coming. Rohan slid the basket to the seat beside him and drew the omega into his arms. He held Gray and somehow found quiet and relief in allowing another to grieve. He could ignore his own hurt and focus on the beautiful man in his arms.
There was no way he could be sure of how long they sat there, holding on to one another. He was more than prepared to sit there forever in that moment.
Where he could find a little peace.
That was, until Gray looked up and seemed to remember all the ugly things he’d said. The omega pushed him away.
And it stung. Soul deep, it burned.
“I should go back in. My nephews will wonder where I am, and we don’t need to broadcast that there’s an alpha in the quadrant.” Gray cocked a brow. “How did you get in?”
“Bribe,” Rohan said with a grin. “Hopefully it works on the way out, too.”
Gray sighed, shaking his head.
“I wanted to see my babies. I’d do anything to get here.” For you.
Gray met his stare before he looked down at the twins. “I’m amazed the boys haven’t woken up yet.” He reached for them.
Rohan passed the basket back over before he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to both their heads. He lifted his stare and wanted one more kiss.
Gray seemed to sense it and reared back, eyes wide. He reached for the door and scrambled out before Rohan touched him again.
Once the omega was safe inside with their children, Rohan lowered the raised partition between him and the driver.
“Home, sir?”
“Yes,” Rohan said, even though all he wanted was to stay. He gave the cottage one last glance before they sped away.
* * * *
Needing to inhale…
Gray could barely breathe through the want pulsing within him. He leaned against the door, drawing in air, his body shaking with need. The looks Rohan had given him had burned him through and through—and were the complete opposite of the words the man had spoken days before.
There had been want in Rohan’s eyes.
His cock had been hard and throbbing under Gray’s ass.
Gray closed his eyes and demanded his traitorous body calm. He lowered the basket, and the alpha began to howl. He smiled. Jamie. The boys finally had names, and he was happy for it.
Gray lifted Jamie into his arms and soothed the boy before Silver awoke and began to bawl, too. Although, it would likely happen any minute, as any time the two were apart, they weren’t happy.
A knock came to the door as he cradled Jamie in his arms. He frowned. Had Rohan come back? Before he could open the door, Silver began to cry, making Jamie begin to cry again.
Gray whipped open the door, exasperated.
A stranger stood outside, not Rohan’s driver.
“Gray Tomlinson?”
“Yes?”
A pack of papers was thrust at him. He took them.
“You’ve been served.”
Gray sighed and watched the beta wander away from his door.
Lovely. While trying to cradle the babe, he ripped open the packet and looked inside.
Wynter and Warden Jaymes… suing for full custody of his children.
Gray looked down at the papers while both twins howled crying and felt completely defeated in that moment. Oh gods, give me strength.
“Need some help?”
Gray looked over his shoulder at Lake and Auggie. The boys stood at the base of the stairs.
“I would love some help,” Gray said, shutting the door the rest of the way. He turned to his nephews and smiled, thankful.
Lake came over and took Jamie from his arms while Auggie grabbed the basket. “I’ll go warm some bottles for them,” he said as he watched the boys carry the twins into the family room. After one last glance at the summons, he wandered into the kitchen to warm two bottles.
Once they were ready, he handed one to Lake and helped get Jamie started. Then he turned his attention to Auggie and Silver. After nestling the baby into Auggie’s arms, he helped his nephew hold the bottle at the right angle.
He smiled watching his brother’s children caring for his own. Tears came into his eyes as he watched them. “The boys have names now.”
“What are they?” Auggie asked.
Gray nodded to the alpha child. “Jaymes… and we’ll call him Jamie.” He looked to the littlest. “And Silver.”
“Like papa?” Auggie asked.
Gray nodded, trying to hold back his tears.
“I like it,” Auggie whispered, looking delighted to be holding his papa’s namesake. Gray turned to look at Lake and saw the teen’s eyes were full and shining.
“What’s wrong?”
Lake shook his head. “Nothing. It’s a good name. A really good name.”
Gray placed a hand on Lake’s knee. “I’m glad you approve.”
Lake wiped a tear and looked away. When he turned his gaze on baby Jamie, he smiled. “We got our family with us after all.”
Gray nodded. “And I’m going to do everything in my power to keep it together.”
“Good,” Lake replied. “Although, I’d like to vote for less crying in the middle of the night so I can sleep.”
“Oh, this is just the start of things,” Gray said, grinning. “Just wait until they’re three or four and following you two around like little shadows.”
Lake eyed Auggie. “As if I don’t have enough of that already.”
Auggie gave Lake some side-eye. “I’m a big brother now,” the boy said. “So I don’t need you anymore.”
“Technically, you’re a cousin,” Lake shot back. “Do you not know how family works?”
“Well, I’m a big cousin. I’ve got responsibilities now.”
“There’s no such thing as a big cousin.”
“Yes there is!” Auggie looked at Gray. “I’m a big cousin, aren’t I?”
Gray smiled, brushing a hand over Auggie’s head. “A big cousin?” He cocked a brow at Lake before looking at Auggie. “Indeed you are.”
* * * *
A few days later…
Gray paced Tensen’s office. Avery sat in one corner, watching over Silver as Gray carried Jamie in his arms. Rohan’s voice boomed over the speaker on Tensen’s desk.
“I’m looking over the original contract now, and it’s airtight. Jamie’s rights were revoked—so Wynter and Wilder technically can’t use their claim as his parents to gain access to the children.” He sighed. “But they do know people in the right places. They likely won’t give in. Knowing Wynter Jaymes, he definitely won’t back down. He and Jamie are too alike in some ways.”
“Dog with a bone?” Tensen asked.
“Exactly,” Rohan’s voice rang out.
“Well then, it looks like we’ll have to go to court,” Tensen said.
“But they have no case, right?” Gray asked.
Tensen shrugged. “In our opinion, yes. But I know too well that it depends on the judge and his interpretation of the law. Surrogacy laws have too many gray areas. I try to write contracts to protect everyone as best as I can, but this is an odd case.”
“Plus it depends on how much cash Warden’s willing to use to grease a palm or two,” Rohan added. “He can gain favor with enough.”
“We still have Jamie’s will to read. There’s something there that will help our case.”
“And you can’t tell us until it’s read,” Rohan said. “Are the Jaymeses still dragging their feet in agreeing to a meeting?”
“They are. My guess is they might know there’s something there to help your case. They’ll push to have the case heard before the reading.”
“You representing us and handling the will could be called a conflict of interest and bring Jamie’s will up for dissection,” Rohan said.
“You have a point.” He looked at Gray. “Perhaps you two would be better in finding another solicitor.”
“I can handle the case,” Rohan said. “Perhaps use you as a sounding board until we go in to see the judge—since you are the one who wrote the surrogacy agreement.”
Tensen nodded. “Of course.” He eyed Gray a moment before eyeing the speaker. “There’s one suggestion I would be remiss if I didn’t make.”
“And that is?” Rohan asked.
“If you claimed Gray as your omega, it would strengthen your case. Judges like to see happy families raising babies. They likely wouldn’t take a child from an AO pair.”
Gray stopped mid-step and glared at Tensen. The other end of the speaker went silent.
“I didn’t ask him to say that,” Gray spat. “And I don’t think it’s a good idea, either.”
“But you have to see how it would benefit?” Tensen asked.
“To help win custody, sure. But then what?” Gray asked.
“You’d be free,” Tensen murmured. “And you could raise your children instead of sharing custody. They wouldn’t have to be shuffled back and forth, like little nomads.”
“I’d be a glorified babysitter. No thank you,” Gray said.
Still, nothing came from Rohan’s side.
“Don’t worry,” Gray called out. “We’re moving on.”
“Actually… Tensen has a point,” Rohan’s voice rang out over the speaker.
Gray turned to look at the little box, aghast. “No.”
“Wynter and Warden will likely use the fact we’re not together as weapon to fight against us. We would take away their ammunition. And like Tensen said. Judges do like babies with a mated pair. Wynter and Warden have that. They’ve been together for nearly forty years.”
Gray walked closer to the desk, shaking his head as if Rohan could see him. “It might save us now. But later… we’ll resent one another and it’ll turn into a nightmare. I won’t be with a man who wants nothing more than to be as far away from me as possible just to win this case. And I won’t subject the children to the fallout of that failure of a relationship.”
More silence at the other end.
“Of course. You’re right,” Rohan finally said. “It would be a mistake.”
Gray did everything in his power to not let those words crush him. He held little Jamie closer to him and closed his eyes.
“We need to push for the reading, Tensen. Do you think we could get an injunction to stop any court proceedings without the reading of Jamie’s will?”
“You could try,” Tensen said. “But they might claim you were dragging things out. Might make the judge more sympathetic to them.”
“All they’d have to do was attend the reading and it would proceed,” Gray said. “That makes no sense. This game of chess played out in a courtroom simply makes no sense to me.”
“If they can drag things out and make it appear that it is your fault, it could get them a visitation. And then there’s a chance they might not return the children… and then they drag things out even longer, so they could hold on to your children.”
Gray shook his head. He didn’t want Wynter Jaymes around the twins.
“If there’s something there to help us in that will, we need to push. Set the date for next week. If they don’t show up, set it for the week after. And again for the week after that. If they’re no-shows three times, by law the will can be read without them on the fourth,” Rohan said.
“That’s true,” Tensen said, scribbling down a note. “Good plan. Consider yourselves both notified the reading of the will will take place next Thursday at three.”
“Understood,” Rohan replied.
“Same,” Gray murmured.
Tensen lifted his stare. “So you’re aware, Gray’s pass expires today. I had hoped to have it read by now, but that’s just not been the case. We’ll have to set up a conference room on the border.”
“Oh,” Rohan said.
“For the first three, Gray won’t be allowed into the room unless all are in attendance, so you won’t be able to see one another for a month,” Tensen said. “He’ll be allowed into the fourth and final, with or without the Jaymeses in attendance, as it will be read one way or another.”
Gray cringed. A month without Rohan? But then, he needed to get used to a life without Rohan.
“I’ve hired a manny,” Rohan said. “I can send him to help at your house… and he can bring the boys to visit me on the weekends, perhaps?”
“I think we have a full enough house as it is without a manny floating around. But he can come pick up the boys each Friday and take them to you on the weekends,” Gray said.
“Thank you,” Rohan said.
Tensen interrupted. “I’ll leave the rest in your capable hands, Rohan. I’ll see you both over the next few weeks.”
“I’ll call with more details about the boys, Gray. Until then, be safe. Take care of my boys.”
“Of course,” Gray said before Rohan clicked off.
Gray breathed a sigh once the line went dead. Tensen eyed him, but said nothing. He turned to look at Avery.
“Idiot,” Avery murmured.
“Agreed,” Tensen added behind him.
“How was I an idiot?”
“You should’ve said yes,” Avery said, rising and lifting the basket with Silver in it.
“He doesn’t want me.”
“Of course he does,” Tensen said.
“I didn’t ask for your input,” Gray tossed over one shoulder.
“Ah, yes you did,” Tensen said. “I’m your solicitor.”
“Were,” Gray added, but then felt bad about it. He turned to look at Tensen. “You’ve done an amazing job helping me. Thank you.”
Tensen smiled. “No worries. Rohan’s going to get my bill.”
Gray chuckled, shaking his head.
And wondering if he hadn’t just made a huge mistake, just as they said.
* * * *
Over in the Family Quadrant…
Rohan hung up the phone and stared at it a moment, aching inside. He’d opened the door, hoping to see that Gray wanted to take the chance.
Instead, the omega had effectively slammed it shut.
“You, my friend, are too smart to be this stupid,” Wilder said.
“What did I do?”
“Instead of telling Gray you love him and want him and the babies in your life, you toss him a bone. One without any meat, I might add. No wonder he told you to go fuck yourself.”
“You can leave any time you want,” Rohan spat, dragging the files Wilder had brought closer. “Is there much point in me reviewing these? I figured I was out of a job, all things considered.”
“I told father that it would look bad for his case if he fired you and was the cause of your loss of income.” Wilder smiled. “When he said he didn’t care, I told him I’d resign if he fired you.”
Rohan sat up straighter. “What? You wouldn’t.”
“Wouldn’t I? I can start at the bottom if I have to. And I know a damned good attorney who’d be at my side in a minute when I started my own company.”
The thought of working for Wilder and not Warden had him excited. “I don’t want you destroying your chances to take over the family business on my account.”
Wilder smiled wanly. “I promised Jamie I’d look out for you and Gray. A promise is a promise.” He rose to his feet. “And just so we’re clear, I’m still Uncle Wild to the babies. Just because my parents lose out, I shouldn’t have to.”
Rohan smiled. “Of course, Uncle Wild.”
Wilder grinned. “Now… back to the wooing of your new omega.”
“I’m really not discussing this with you.”
“Go to him. Beg him for forgiveness. And then beg him to marry you.”
Rohan sighed. “And he’d always wonder if I did it for the babies. No, I think his mind is set. After the things I said, who could blame him?”
Wilder gave him an exasperated look. “Idiot.”
Rohan glared at his brother-in-law. Wilder waved before leaving the office and shut the door behind him. Soon after, he grabbed Jamie’s phone from the drawer and turned it on before gazing at the picture on the screen for the millionth time. Wondering if there were any others, he unlocked the phone and began to scroll through, looking for more pictures.
He found the gallery and began sorting through, smiling at some of the antics Gray and Jamie had gotten up to. How happy they’d been… it nearly broke him to see it.
Then he came to a video. Jamie’s smiling face was frozen with the play symbol over his face. Rohan stared at it for a moment before he got the courage to hit play.
Jamie’s lean face lit up the screen.
“Hi Rohan. How are you?”
Rohan sat up a little straighter.
“If you’re watching this, then I’m likely gone.” He paused, looking away from the screen for a moment before turning back, his smile wide. “The thought of leaving you, Gray, and the babies breaks my heart, but the one thing that keeps me going is knowing that you’ll have each other to lean on. I know I pushed you both hard in the direction I wanted you to go, but in my mind, I was planting a seed.” He smiled again, and it nearly took Rohan’s breath away. “But, in all truth, I didn’t need to plant anything. There’s a bond between Gray and you that has been there from the start. You think I didn’t see how you both reacted to one another during your first meeting? It reminded me of the reaction you and I had so long ago. In that moment, there was no doubt in my mind that he was yours, too.”
Rohan gasped.
“I don’t know how or why or what brought him into our lives other than it was fate for me to meet him and bring him to you. He is your mate, as much as I am. Can you imagine a world where we’d never met? Never loved? Never slept side by side in the same bed? Never dreamed of a forever together?” He paused. “I can’t imagine that world. And I doubt you can, either. Gray is just as much yours as I was… and if you refuse him, it would be like refusing me. Refusing to have that love you both deserve in your lives.” Jamie paused and wiped a tear from his eye. “I don’t know how much time has passed since I died and you watching this. Too soon and I can imagine you trying to be gallant and refusing him out of love for me. Too long and I worry the light inside you will have died. Not only will you have lost me, but him, too. And if that happens, you won’t be long for this world, either. I hope you’ve seen this in time. In time to know that you need him to get through this pain. You’re not being honorable to him at all. You’re making the both of you suffer for no good damned reason, and I won’t have it.” Jamie smiled. “He’s the brother of my heart, and I want you both to be happy.” Jamie smiled, reaching for the phone. “I love you, Rohan. To the moon and back. I always will. And I love Gray. I’ll be watching you both from above.” Jamie blew a kiss at the screen before the video ended.
Rohan sat there for a long time, staring at the screen. He played it again, wanting to memorize the words and the curves of Jamie’s face. After, he turned the phone off and lifted it to his lips. “I love you, baby.”
Shoving the phone back in the drawer for safekeeping, he rose and headed upstairs. This time, he turned toward the room Gray had stayed in. He opened the door, and the omega’s scent filled his nose. Weak, but it was there.
He strolled through the room, looking to see if there was anything the man had left behind. Seeking to be closer to Gray somehow. The drawers were empty, as was the closet. Rohan sat on the edge of the bed and stretched his neck. That’s when a book on the nightstand caught his attention.
A History of the Omega.
Rohan lifted the book and breezed through it, getting another whiff of Gray’s scent. He scanned one of the pages and read a few paragraphs.
And frowned.
Before reading on…