“Equal partners,” Teal supplied.
Sorcha put down the sledgehammer and walked over to the chair, squeezing himself onto Niall’s lap and winding his arms around Jax. “Equal partners,” he said. “You’re not going to be relegated to the other side of the duplex like some kind of dirty secret. You’re not just ‘helping’ us like you’re guest stars in our lives. And definitely not in our bed.” He placed one of Jax’s hands on his belly. “I need my betas to help me raise our baby, okay? I need this little guy to call you ‘Daddy Jax’ and ‘Daddy Niall.’”
A tear escaped Niall’s eye. “Okay.”
Ronan pulled Teal close to him. “No one is going to be a ‘dirty secret’ because nothing dirty is going on here. I’m going to claim Sorcha and his baby, and any babies he and Teal have down the road. If anyone asks, I’m going to tell them I’m also in love with two betas, a sharp, sassy caretaker who has been keeping me on my toes for years and a pragmatic, man-of-few-words with a heart of gold and a kickass tater tot casserole recipe. There are going to be questions from the public. We’d be naïve to assume otherwise. And this will be an ongoing process for the boys, to exist in a family so different from their friends.’ But I have to believe it’s better for them to be raised in a house full of love, even if it looks different, than it is to deny ourselves what we all want and need.”
“Pack,” Niall whispered.
“What?” Sorcha asked.
“We’re a pack.” Niall straightened his spine. “I spoke to Dayson the other day, and he said it used to be more common for multiples to be in relationships. Humans got away from it, but sometimes, the instinct is still there. We’re a pack.”
Teal scrunched his nose. “I think we can come up with a better term. These are civilized times, and I didn’t just spend a year of my life and almost get myself killed fighting for omega rights just to default to our biology to explain things. I, for one, amchoosing you four. Choosing this. Because it makes me happy. Because I need all of you.”
“Let’s not argue semantics.” Ronan kissed Teal on the tip of his nose, loving his husband’s dynamic spirit and analytical mind. “If we must have a term for it, how about ‘polycule?’ It’s more modern, and even if they are rare, we’re not the only polyamorous family out there.”
“‘Polycule’ is fine,” Sorcha said. “But to be honest, I don’t really care.”
Jax grunted in agreement, still rubbing circles over Sorcha’s belly.
Ronan laughed. “I don’t care either, but it’s nice that Dayson had at least a bit of an explanation why these feelings might be so strong.”
“That part I can agree with,” Teal said. “It’s nice to know I’m not crazy for being able to smell Sorcha.”
“And I you,” Sorcha said. “I can’t decide what I like better, lavender honey or peppery sage.”
“Good thing you’ll never have to choose,” Ronan said.
“Good thing none of us will have to choose,” Teal amended. “Because we’ll always choose each other. All five of us.”
Chapter Forty-Nine
Teal
THREE MONTHS LATER
Teal walked into Fontaine’s with Garin, Kino, and Zayne jumping excitedly next to him. They’d spent the early afternoon at the Science Center and all three boys were in the zone where they were so exhausted they’d become hyper. Teal laughed inwardly, knowing he was about to add to their frantic state. He’d promised them not only hot chocolate, but also cookies.
He couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate his last morning at Schulman, Carson & Associates than spending the afternoon with his children.
“Teal!” Brinn greeted him enthusiastically, coming out from behind the counter to shake his hand. “Always nice to see you.”
“You as well, my friend.”
“I’m so glad you stopped by. I’ve been meaning to talk with you about something. If you have a minute?”
“Sure.”
Brinn leaned down to say hello to the boys before offering them a bucket of crayons and coloring sheets. By the look in his eye and the way he fidgeted with his apron, Teal guessed Brinn preferred to chat in private.
Garin also registered the barista’s expression. “We’ll color at the table by the counter, so you can have grown-up talk,” the little alpha said. “But Daddy told us we could get hot chocolate.”
“And cookies!” Zayne bounced on his heels.
Brinn grinned. “Of course.” He lifted a brow at them. “Extra whipped cream, right?”
“And peppermint syrup in mine?” Kino asked hopefully.
