I stood in the back entrance of my first gallery show. It was still unreal. Six months ago, I had been buying out the entire art supply store, and now here I was, showing my work. No, not showing, selling.

I only had three paintings left that weren’t spoken for.

My hand went to my burgeoning belly, nearly six months pregnant. I hoped my unborn baby was proud of her omega-father. We’d found out the sex of the baby at the twenty-two week check-up, and I’ve been daydreaming about my unborn daughter ever since.

“Come, dear. Mingle.” Marko stood in front of me, his smile bright. If I hadn’t known him, I would have thought it was a salesman smile, bright with intent, but it was real and warmed my heart. It meant things were as amazing as I believed them to be. “Everyone is so excited by your work.”

The room held some familiar faces, but most of them were people I had never met before that night. I had set my expectations low, hoping to have some of my teacher friends and my family there. I never expected the turnout to be such as it was.

It was both thrilling and terrifying.

“I’m on my way. I was just taking a breather.” After all, it was a lot for a pregnant man to take in at once. I had shaken dozens of hands of people I probably wouldn’t remember if our paths were to cross again. I had been too nervous to use all the little tricks I used as a teacher to remember kids’ names on the first day. “I can’t believe they’ve almost all sold, and not just to Rhys.”

Rhys had tried to buy three of them before I even displayed them. I couldn’t blame him. They were the ones I created after meeting him again, after confessing our feelings, and after I told him we were expecting a little bundle of our own.

Everything felt right, even perfect.

“Oh, I bet there were some words over a few of them,” Marko said. Not so much words, as much as me agreeing not to sell them, but I nodded and smiled at Marko just as Stephen joined us, sweetly kissing his husband on the cheek.

“You know us too well,” I teased back, not wanting to discuss it further. As much as I loved Marko, some things were private. “He thinks he’s being supportive.” And that was the truth of it, too. He wanted to help gather buyers for the show, and on that, I put my foot down. Either I did this on my own, or not at all. As it turned out, on my own seemed to have worked out quite nicely.

“Alphas,” Stephen bantered, giving his own alpha a wink. Marko playfully swatted him on the shoulder.

“Love.” Rhys wrapped his arm around me after appearing out of nowhere. I had been so focused on my conversation and the bustle of the room before me, I somehow missed the smexy that was Rhys walking over.

“Rhys,” I whispered as I nuzzled into him, not caring we were in public. He was mine, and I was going to enjoy every minute. I knew better than most how quickly life could change, and I wasn’t going to waste a moment with my Rhys.

Not one.

“Everyone is raving about your work, love,” he said, kissing the top of my head.

“So I have heard. It’s still unbelievable.”

“It was to be expected. Your work is brilliant.” He moved so that he stood behind me, his hands resting on my extended belly, his favorite resting place for them.

“Not that you are biased or anything.” I leaned back, enjoying his warmth.

“No bias in it—you are brilliant. Shall we mingle?”

“Absolutely.” I took his hand from my belly, intertwining our fingers. “Marko, thank you so much for this opportunity.”

“Pish.” Marko shooed me away in a movement far too over-exaggerated to be real. “Thank you so much for making me all the money.”

As we made their way into the main gallery, Jake walked in the door, beaming. He had already seen the display, volunteering to help set up, but to see the amazement in his eyes, I would’ve guessed it was his first time seeing them.

“Dad, this is amazing. I’m so proud of you for following your dream.” Jake leaned in, hugging me and then Rhys. Rhys had taken on as much of an alpha-father role as Jake allowed, and both seemed to be happy with the relationship, which was a huge relief to me. “Do you know what those dots on all your paintings mean?” Jake pointed to a small colored dot by the display of a small piece in front of him.

“Those, my wonderful son,” I said proudly, “mean they are spoken for.” As in sold.

“Wait, did you buy these all, Rhys?” Yeah, Jake and Rhys were going to be just fine.

“Your father wouldn’t let me.” He shrugged as if to say, What are you gonna do? “These were purchased by others who see your dad’s brilliance.” His eyes held so much pride. I wanted to get him alone, and quickly, but we still had a long night ahead of us.

“Whoa, Dad, you do realize how much money this means?” Jake leaned in and whispered, clearly knowing it wasn’t appropriate conversation for the location, but unable to help himself.

“Are you saying I am not adequately employed enough to take care of Ethan and the baby?” Rhys teased.

In this moment, everything was perfect. I had rekindled my first love, one that had never truly died; I had followed my passion and had started to see unbelievable success; and I was growing my family with Rhys in the new house I’d dreamed of living in my entire life. I leaned into Rhys, savoring the moment and looking at the first picture that had sold that evening: “Remember Me.”

It was a moment to remember for everyone. And I would definitely paint this moment later for my baby. As a reminder to keep following your dreams, no matter what happened.