Page 40 of His Omega Bear

We ordered a selection of pastries and a couple of coffees, and Claire threw in a small cookie for Emilia, who squealed with delight.

I was about to say she was too young for a cookie, but Rhys told me it was made from peanut butter, bananas, and oats. The cookies were made for people watching their sugar intake, making them perfect for small children.

As we chatted with Claire, I could tell she and Rhys knew each other. And I loved how he didn’t seem to hide what we were.

Leaving the bakery, we continued our exploration. We rode by the local park, where, when the weather was warmer, we could push Emilia on the baby swings. The park was beautiful, with a playground, a small pond, and plenty of open space.

I could see us meeting up with other parents there, striking up conversations about the town, parenting, and life in general. It felt good to be out and about.

It was getting close to meltdown time with Emilia, but I need to pick up a few things at the hardware store. As long as she was content, we could continue our outing.

The store owner, Tom, was a grizzled old man with a heart of gold. He greeted me with a firm handshake and a friendly grin.

“Good to see you, Rhys! And who’s this fine family you’ve got with you?” Tom asked.

“This is my ma—boyfriend, Jaxson, and our daughter, Emilia,” Rhys said without hesitation.

My heart swelled at his words. I felt a rush of warmth and pride. This was my family, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Tom spent a good twenty minutes chatting with us, offering advice on home repairs and sharing stories about the town’s history. He had a wealth of information and a way of making us feel right at home.

By the time we headed back home, my heart was full. Rhys, Emilia, and I had spent the day not just exploring, but truly connecting with the community. It was more than just a town now—it was home.

As we settled in for the evening, Rhys looked at me and smiled. “Today was a good day, wasn’t it?”

I nodded, feeling a deep sense of contentment. “It really was. I’m glad we did this.”

He reached out and squeezed my hand. “Me too, Jaxson. Me too.”

I glanced at Emilia, who was already drifting off to sleep in her pack and play.

I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this alive since I’d lost Jayson and Leanne.

That night, the house was wrapped in a cozy silence, broken only by the soft sounds of Emilia’s contented coos. I stood in the doorway of the kitchen, watching Rhys feed her. His movements were gentle and precise, his expression one of tender affection. There was something about this moment, this quiet intimacy, that made my heart swell with a rush of emotions.

Rhys looked up and caught me watching. He smiled, a small, shy smile that made my heart jump. Emilia’s tiny hand reached up to touch his face, and he nuzzled her fingers playfully. The sight was almost too perfect, too precious, and it stirred something deep inside me.

I stepped into the room, drawn by an invisible force. As I approached, the words I’d been holding back for so long bubbled up, demanding to be spoken. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of them pressing on my chest.

“Rhys,” I began, my voice softer than I intended. He looked up, his eyes curious and a little apprehensive. “Whatever it is that you’re hiding, it doesn’t matter. I can’t imagine anything that could make me stop loving you.”

The words hung in the air between us, heavy and charged. Rhys’s eyes widened in shock, his hands stilling for a moment. The realization of what I’d just confessed hit me, and a wave of vulnerability washed over me. I braced myself for his reaction, fearing that I might have said too much, too soon.

But before I could let embarrassment settle in, Rhys set the bottle down and carefully placed Emilia in her high chair. He stood up and closed the distance between us, his eyes never leaving mine. He took my hands in his, his touch warm and reassuring.

“Jaxson,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I love you too.”

The simplicity and sincerity of his words knocked the breath out of me. Relief and joy crashed over me in a dizzying wave. I looked into his eyes, searching for any hint of doubt or hesitation, but all I saw was truth and so much love it damn near stole my breath.

I held him close, my arms enveloping him. I nuzzled my head against his, taking comfort in the steady rhythm of his breathing beneath my cheek. In that moment, everything felt right. I knew he loved me, and I loved him just as much.

We stood there for a while, just holding each other. Eventually, he pulled back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes again.

“I’ve wanted to tell you for so long,” Rhys confessed, his voice filled with emotion. “But I was afraid. Afraid that I didn’t have a right to say anything until I told you everything.”

I shook my head, placing a hand on his cheek. “Nothing could drive me away, Rhys. We all have things we’re not proud of, things we’d rather keep hidden. But that doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

He smiled, a mixture of relief and happiness transforming his face. “I don’t want to keep secrets from you anymore, Jaxson. You deserve to know everything.”

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