Page 132 of His Surrogate Omega

“I can’t imagine any reasons bad enough to keep a papa away from his son’s deathbed,” Rohan murmured.

Tears formed in Jamie’s papa’s eyes. Real tears, from the looks of them. He opened his mouth to speak, but Jamie’s father interrupted.

“Leave it, Wynter. Just let it go.”

Gray eyed the pair, wondering what Jamie ever could have done to cause the rift between him and his parents. Or how he’d become so amazing after being raised bythem.

“I willstay,” Wynter said, eyeing Rohan and then Gray. “I won’t be forced from this funeral.”

The first of the guests began to arrive, murmuring in the foyer. Rohan eyed them before staring at Wynter. “Stay. But keep your opinions to your own damned self. And stay away from Gray and our children.”

Our children?Gray wasn’t sure who was included in that ‘our’. His instinct roared within…hischildren…

Wynter eyed him before taking his alpha’s arm and heading up toward the casket. Gray hadn’t had a chance to say his goodbyes yet. Jefre had sat him in the chair before helping with set up… and it was still hard for him to walk without help.

“Hey there.”

Gray looked up and felt relief when he saw Avery’s face. Both Lake and Auggie had gone home with him to get their suits… the same ones they’d worn at their parents’ funeral. “Hey guys. I’m glad to see you.”

They all took seats on either side of him before more guests came in and filled the room. He was glad to have some support there, especially as Jamie’s papa kept sending him ugly looks from across the room.

“Can you help me to the front?” Gray asked Lake. Lake nodded and rose.

Gray turned to Avery. “Keep an eye on the babies, please.”

Avery agreed and helped Gray to his feet. Lake took his arm and walked the narrow aisle through the chairs toward the casket. Each step was painful. The stitches felt as if he was being ripped open again.

Before they could reach the front, Rohan strode up the aisle and scooped Gray into his arms. His gaze was drawn to Jamie’s papa—who of course scowled at the spectacle.

“You shouldn’t,” Gray mumbled under his breath as Rohan led them to the front.

“I’ll do as I damned please in my own home,” Rohan shot back. “I should’ve helped you sooner. I forgot. I’m sorry.”

“You’re preoccupied. I wouldn’t expect you to think of me.”

Rohan met his stare before lowering him before the casket. He got his first look at Jamie, and the tears came immediately after. Draped over his head and flowing on both sides was the wig Gray had had made. He reached in and brushed some of the strands away from Jamie’s face before leaning in to press a kiss to his friend’s cheek.

He took Jamie’s hand, but it was cold against his. Tears streamed down his face, and his knees weakened. Had it not been for Rohan, he’d have fallen. The alpha scooped him up again and began to carry him to the back. Rohan paused. “Why are you sitting so far back?”

“Jefre sat me in one of the only seats already placed and I don’t walk so well right now.”

“You should be up front with me,” Rohan spun to face that direction.

“No. I’ve got the boys and the babies… we can’t all move.”

“You belong at the front,” Rohan repeated.

After getting Gray situated in a seat between him and Wilder, Rohan went to collect the basket with the babies. When he got back, he placed it at Gray’s feet. Both boys still slept, fortunately. By the time the funeral was ready to begin, the room was overfilled. The seats were packed, and other mourners stood along the walls. There was an abundance of love for Jamie, and it made Gray’s heart full to see there were so many there to mark his passing.

The preacher stepped up to the podium to begin his sermon. “You’ll have to bear with me some here. Jamie and I wrote this eulogy together before he passed.”

Gray turned to meet Rohan’s gaze. Of course Jamie had planned everything, down to his own eulogy.

The preacher smiled. “Something I learned very quickly about Jaymes Parker was that when he got an idea in his mind, there was no way anyone would sway his course.”

Gray smiled, tears forming in his eyes. Everyone had learned that lesson. Jamie had been a force of nature. You might as well have tried to scream down a hurricane than to change Jamie’s mind.

“He had very strong ideas for his eulogy, you can imagine. So, most of these are his words, not mine. And given how much thought he’d put into them, I felt it insincere to add too many of my own.” The preacher unfolded a few pieces of paper he had stored in his book and placed his reading glasses on his face before clearing his throat. “Jaymes Parker died as he lived. With love. Love for his mate. Love for his brothers. Love for his best friend, Gray, and love for the babies that Gray was bringing into their world.”

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