The moment James latches onto my nipple, I'm overwhelmed by sensations I wasn't prepared for. There's a tugging sensation that goes much deeper than just the surface contact, a pulling that seems to connect directly to something profound inside my chest. It's not painful, exactly, but it's intense in ways that make my breath catch.
Tears gather in my eyes as I watch my son feeding from my body, his tiny hands pressed against my skin as he finds the nourishment he needs. The connection feels primal and overwhelming, a biological bond that goes beyond anything I experienced during my heats or any other biological changes over the years.
"Look at that," Luther says softly, his voice filled with wonder and pride. "You're feeding our son."
"Does it hurt?" Luca asks, shifting Samuel to his other breast as he watches James nurse.
"Not hurt, exactly," I say, my voice thick with emotion. "It's just... intense. Like my body knows exactly what to do eventhough my brain is still catching up." I stay silent for a few minutes as I start thinking through everything. "I'm going to need different clothes for work," I realize aloud, practical concerns starting to filter through the emotional overwhelming. "And probably nursing pads or something. I can't be leaking through my dress shirts during important meetings."
"We'll figure it out, genius," Maceo assures me. "Whatever you need to make this work. Right now? Just enjoy the moment. Enjoy the fact that you’re exactly what your pack needs."
James pulls back from nursing, a small dribble of milk at the corner of his mouth as he looks up at me with dark eyes that already seem wise beyond his few days of life.
"I love you," I whisper against his tiny head. "I love you so much, little man." I turn my gaze to each of my mates, reiterating those same words before staring at Luca. “Fuck, I love you so much, cupcake.”
He grins and leans closer to me, before pressing his lips to mine. “I love you more, bear. Thank you for saving me. For loving me. For giving me the greatest gift you could have ever given me. And one day, I hope to give it right back.”
30
Epilogue 2
Blake
Six months later, and I'm holding Samuel on my hip as I put James down for his afternoon nap, the routine so familiar now that I barely have to think about the sequence of movements. Both boys have grown so much in these past months, their personalities starting to emerge in ways that constantly surprise and delight me.
James is the more serious of the two, always watching everything with an intensity that matches Luther, while Samuel is more like Grayson - quick to smile and fascinated by anything colorful or musical. Quentin said they might both be Omegas but I’m banking on Alphas. They’re too headstrong for any other designation.
Granted, we won’t really know until they hit puberty.
The nursery has evolved over time to accommodate their growing needs, with soft play mats and annoying, loud toys scattered around the space. The walls are covered with artwork that Grayson created specifically for them, whimsical scenes of dragons and castles that will grow with them as they develop their own imaginations.
I just finish pulling James’ blanket over him when I hear Luca's footsteps in the hallway. He appears in the doorway with a mysterious smile and something hidden behind his back, the kind of expression that immediately puts me on alert because it usually means he's up to something.
"Where are all of our other mates?" I ask, noting the unusual quiet in the house.
"Oh, they're downstairs eating lunch," Luca replies casually, but there's an excitement in his voice that he's trying to contain. "I just wanted to show you something first."
He brings his hands forward to reveal a small wrapped box. My immediate reaction is to groan internally because I have a pretty good idea what this might be.
"Did you get me another necktie?" I ask with mock exasperation. "You know how much I hate those things."
Luca has been on a mission for the past six months to get me to dress more "professionally" for work, constantly buying me ties and formal accessories that I refuse to wear. The company employees have been making comments about my casual dress code, suggesting that I need to present a more traditional CEO image. But I've steadfastly refused to conform to their expectations, usually showing up in band t-shirts or button-down shirts with several buttons undone, much to Luca's amused frustration.
It’s become more a joke than a requirement, many of the employees becoming extended family and babysitters that I hadn’t expected.
"No, it's not a necktie, I promise," Luca says with a laugh, reaching forward to take Samuel from my arms so I can focus on opening the box.
I accept the trade, settling Samuel against Luca's chest, where he immediately relaxes into the familiar comfort of his other father's embrace. I open the small box and pull out what appears to be baby clothes, tiny garments in soft pastels that are clearly meant for a newborn. I examine them with confusion, trying to understand why Luca would be giving me infant clothing when our boys have long since outgrown this size.
"I'm not sure which one of them is supposed to wear a tutu," I say, holding up what looks like a frilly pink outfit, "but I mean, if you want to put them in there, I think the yellow would look fantastic on Samuel."
Luca's expression shifts to fond exasperation. "You're dumb as shit.”
"What do you mean?" I ask, genuinely confused.
"Bear," Luca whines, wriggling his whole body to prove a point, "we've been trying for almost three months to have another baby. Three months of visits to the fertility clinic, of procedures and hoping and waiting for results."
We had decided months ago that we wanted to expand our family, to give James and Samuel a sibling. Maybe it was irresponsible to expand our family so soon but we were excited that we were finally altogether. Nothing was stopping us from doing whatever we wanted in our happily ever after.
