“I want to see my brother!” James commanded, holding his wand outright. I looked behind at Schwartz and Kennedy who were still in the car. I wanted to make sure James wasn’t too hyper around them.

“Okay, guy. But you have to promise to tone it down a little. He’s your little bro. He’s going to need you to protect him. It’s a lot of responsibility. Think you can handle it?” I asked.

To my surprise, James set down his wand on the kitchen table. He gently folded his cape. “I understand, dad,” he said, stoically.

“Right on, dude.” Lawrence high-fived James. Trent fought back the tears.

My omega walked into the house, carefully supported by me. Kennedy was bundled up in a hand-woven blanket, silently breathing. “He’s so precious,” Lawrence said, with awe.

James held his hands over his mouth. “This is my brother?” he asked.

Schwartz smiled and unraveled the blanket so he could see him better. “Here he is, James. Your baby brother. He’s going to love the heck out you.”

“I love the heck out of him,” James said. “I’m proud of you.”

James was turning into an incredible boy, full of wonder. But it was his sense of responsibility that left me with awe. “Thank you, James!” Schwartz said.

“The bed upstairs is all set up for you. If you need anything, just text any one of us three,” Trent said. “We’re here to serve you.”

“Damn straight,” I said.

Kennedy let out a sharp wail. “Uh, oh,” Schwartz whispered. “Okay, I’m going to walk to the bed.”

The family sat upstairs with us. It was the first day with Kennedy, and everyone wanted a turn. Baskins the husky, however, sat in the corner, shaking.

“Come on, Baskins. It’s okay. He’s not going to bite you,” I said.

“He’s just mad that he’s not stealing all of the attention anymore,” Schwartz said.

The day was hard, but we were all in good spirits. That night, my omega and I bonded on another level. Our newborn in the bassinet slept, as Schwartz peered over him. He smiled back at me.

“God. I thought I wouldn’t cry this much. I swear, I’m trying not to,” Schwartz said.

I wiped a small tear from my eye and laughed. “Omega, you and me both. Is this what being a parent feels like?” I asked.

Schwartz ran his long fingernails down my back. I closed my eyes and smiled, but the emotions were heavy. Suddenly, life felt real, and I wanted to give myself over to this baby, to lead by the purest example I could give.

“Maybe. That, mixed with a lack of sleep,” Schwartz said.

My omega nailed it on the head. In the middle of the night, James walked into the room. Schwartz opened his eyes and smiled. “Come here, baby,” Schwartz whispered.

I woke up and growled, “Come where?”

“Not you,” Schwartz replied.

“I’m sorry, dad,” James whispered. “I couldn’t sleep. I want to see my brother again.”

“Oh baby, it’s okay. Do you want to curl up with us tonight?” Schwartz asked him. I sat up in bed and scratched my eyelids. James crawled into bed next to me.

Like a chain reaction, Kennedy woke up and started to cry. Schwartz sprung out of bed and picked our new baby up into his arms. My omega bounced Kennedy lightly and fed him until he stopped crying.

“He’s so pretty,” James whispered.

Our baby Kennedy wore a pink blanket and bow. James reached out and kissed the top of his smooth forehead. “Do you want to hold him?” Schwartz asked.

James’ eyes lit up like fireworks on the fourth of July. “Can I? Please, dad?”

“He’s your brother. He needs you,” Schwartz whispered. “Here. Hold him like this.”

Schwartz positioned our baby in James’ arms. I felt like a tired sack of potatoes but seeing James hold our new baby gave me the utmost joy in the world.

“Hi, Kennedy. I’m your big brother, James,” he said. “I’m going to protect you, okay?”

Kennedy reached for James’ face. “He knows. He loves you so much, James,” I said, tearing up some more.

It was a joy I’d accept with open arms. Our family felt complete. It felt right. And now that we were whole, we could take on anything that came our way.

As James cradled our baby back to sleep, I let the past go. I forgave my brother. I forgave sergeant Daily and the beta police force. Most of all, I could finally forgive myself.

Schwartz dipped Kennedy back into his bassinet. He tucked him in and quietly came back into bed. “Let’s dream of tomorrow,” he whispered to James.

“Okay,” James whispered. “Can I read him a chapter of Harry Potter tomorrow night?”

“He’d love that,” I said.

James squished in between us and closed his eyes. I couldn’t wait for the future ahead of us.

END