Page 18 of Such a Feisty Omega

“I’m more than sure. I’m not going anywhere, Andreas.”

“Thank the goddess. I was prepared to beg.”

“No need.” I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I’m here.”

Chapter Eighteen

Andreas

I couldn’t remember a more fun day at the beach. The first couple of times I brought Reed there, he hadn’t been crazy about the whole experience, but a friend recommended the kiddie pool idea. Having his own mini beach was a huge plus for my picky little guy. It didn’t mean that he could be unattended for so much as a second, but it did mean he was a whole lot happier. I could imagine a day when he’d happily paddle out into the water, but that was years and a whole lot of swimming lessons away from now.

On this day, he played in the pool while we sat on the beach blanket and chatted, ate the lunch I made, and took turns taking quick dips in the sea. It wasn’t crowded at all, and those who were there seemed to be having a great time as well.

Overall, a wonderful atmosphere for a date at the beach.

Had the sky ever been this blue? The sea ever had such a perfect ruffle of waves right at the edge?

I hadn’t managed to make the fancy picnic I’d had in mind because just getting everything ready to take my son to the beach was a major time commitment, but we did have sandwiches and chips and fruit, all of which Reed gobbled enthusiastically right along with us. What was it about the beach that made a person so hungry? The fresh air maybe?

But all good things had to come to an end, and as the sun lowered toward the horizon, I began to pack up everything to head for home. Julian lifted Reed so I could empty and take down his pool, and when I looked up next, the two of them were walking, hand in hand, toward the edge of the water. Julian was leaning down to hear what my son was saying, and my heart swelled then squeezed at the sight. Not only had Reed refusedto go anywhere near the water before, but he looked actually happy to be doing it now. I fought my urge to run down and make sure nothing happened to him. I could well see that Julian had matters in hand, and if I did do that, all I’d accomplish was making my little guy think he should be scared. We for sure didn’t need that to happen just when he was getting his courage.

So instead, I merely continued putting everything away and even made a trip to the car to load some of it up, only looking over my shoulder to see what they were up to three or four times on the way.

When they returned to our little spot, I scooped Reed up and gave him a big kiss. “What do you think, Son? Should we ask Julian to come home to our house to visit some more?”

“Yes!” He returned my kiss, leaving a big wet spot on my cheek. “Julian, you come over?”

“I’d love to,” Julian replied. “Thank you for inviting me, Reed.”

“Follow us home?” I suggested. “We can cook out and then…see what we get up to.”

Reed slept all the way home but he had a busy day, so instead of making him wait for me to cook on the grill, I made him some butter noodles and carrot sticks and then got him into the tub. He’d brought home half the beach in his diaper, and it took me a good few minutes to make sure I got all the grains out of the folds and creases of his little body. I had sunscreened him several times and had shade over his pool, but I was still glad to see that he hadn’t burned at all. I always worried about that.

After getting him in his jammies, I brought him out onto the deck and handed him to Julian to hold while I started the grill. They looked so cute together, but his eyes were drooping and he was nearly asleep when I carried him off to tuck into bed. He was so tired, he never even asked for a story—an unheard-of situation.

Returning with a tray of meats, I got them on the grill and sat down in the chair next to Julian’s. It was just dark, and a few stars were winking in the sky already. Nature had really contributed to our perfect day.

Chapter Nineteen

Julian

Andreas grilled chicken thighs and steaks as I sat at the iron table and chairs he had on the back porch. He’d pulled out a bowl of potato salad along with garlic bread that he would grill once the meat was done.

“You’re really great with Reed,” Andreas said, turning around and smiling at me over his shoulder.

“I was thinking the same about you. You’re a good father.”

“I try every day.” He came over and got the bread and had it grilled up in no time. We had a baby monitor on the table next to the food so we could see if Reed woke up.

“Everything smells delicious.”

“Thanks. Please, dig in.”

We ate in silence for a while. Reed wasn’t the only one wiped out by the day outside. We were almost finished with our meal when Andreas put his fork and knife down. “I have to ask you something.”

“You can ask me anything, Andreas.”

He nodded. “Are you feeling the mate bond as well? Please tell me it’s not just me.”

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