Jax’s heart melted.
“Of course you are!” Niall said. “And I know for a fact that he is very proud to be your daddy.”
Once home, Niall wasted no time texting Teal. Teal replied that Sorcha was asleep, and a few seconds later, Niall began video chatting with the husbands. Jax set the boys up in the second bedroom to watch a movie so they could speak freely.
Jax sat next to Niall as he gave Ronan and Teal the rundown on the aquarium incident.
“You truly would have been proud of all three boys,” Niall said. “They really took it in stride.”
“It sounds like it could have been worse,” Ronan allowed, and Jax noticed how tired he looked. “But it kills me that it happened at all. I hate that our boys can’t even have a normal day at the aquarium because of our choices.”
“That’s how I feel, too,” Teal lamented. “It was all well and good when the twins were babies, but now they have to deal with this vitriol. All because I wanted to have my career.”
“Hey now,” Niall chided. “I know this is scary, but those boys love you. And even though they’re only six, it’s obvious how proud the twins are of your accomplishments. Zayne will be also once he understands. More than a few folks at the aquarium came up after the incident and told the boys how grateful everyone is for your hard work.”
“Not to mention how the twins behaved in public, as alphas,” Jax added thoughtfully. “They are walking, talking reminders of exactly why you deserve to win the Bannon case. So many young alphas are raised to be chauvinist alphaholes. Garin and Kino prove there’s a better way. They are six and made a grown man look stupid and childish.”
“It was pretty epic,” Niall said, grinning.
“I’m wondering if we made a mistake not having bodyguards for our children,” Teal said, rubbing his chin. “We’re the famous faces. We figured they would be okay if they weren’t next to us. Like how you didn’t have any trouble at the carnival a few days ago. But we were fooling ourselves to hope they wouldn’t get recognized eventually.”
“I agree,” Ronan said. “High Court starts in two days. I think we should keep the boys close to home through the tribunal. School, and that’s all.”
Jax turned to Niall and asked, “There’s security at their school?”
“There is,” Ronan answered through the screen. “In theory, they are there to protect all the students, so the twins don’t feel stigmatized, but the guards are focused on our boys.”
“Well, we will do everything we can to help,” Jax affirmed. Looking at Niall, he mused aloud, “Maybe I should stay home this week. I can call in to the job site with an emergency.”
Before Niall could respond, Teal’s elegant voice came from the tablet. “Thank you for being willing to help, Jax. I’m so glad the boys have you in their corner now, along with Niall.” Jax felt the warmth of the omega’s bright eyes on him.
“It’s not a problem,” Jax replied gruffly. “Your kids are easy to like.”
“It’s true,” Niall said. “Jax is already quite attached. I’ll send you some pictures I took today of him being a human play structure for them.”
Ronan chuckled. “I can imagine. And I agree with Teal. We’re grateful we’ve gotten to know you better, Jax, especially during this stressful time for our family.”
“I appreciate that,” Jax mumbled. With a clearer voice, he added, “And we’ll get them home safely tomorrow. You have my word.”
“Definitely,” Niall said. “Don’t worry about that at all.” Smiling mischievously, he stared straight at the tablet and added, “You two just focus on taking care of your sweet little omega neighbor.”
Ronan barked a laugh, looking sheepish, but Teal winked at the camera, saying silkily, “Oh, don’t worry, we will.”
Niall and Jax chuckled before saying goodbye.
“I guess that answers that question,” Jax said.
“What?”
“When you said Ronan and Teal were helping Sorcha with his heat, I wasn’t sure—”
“You thought there was a possibility they were doing something other than fucking his brains out?”
“I mean, yes.”
“It would be pretty painful for an omega to get through a heat without being fucked. And since Ronan and Teal are okay being non-monogamous, it would have surprised me if they weren’t taking this opportunity to have a lot of fun.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
