Page 83 of Where the Current Takes Him
Beau stopped breathing entirely as his mother opened her card. Little paper flowers popped into the air.
“Oh!” Ileana put a hand to her heart and laughed. “How cute!” But as she read, the smile slipped from her lips. Ashford’s mouth was so tight it appeared white.
“Surprise,” Beau said weakly.
Ileana’s gaze shot up to meet her son’s. “Beau? Are you really…?”
Beau felt his mate’s arm slide around his lower back. “Yeah. I am.”
Ileana’s jaw hung slack for a few seconds before she tossed the card into the air and squealed with joy. “Dios mío, come here and let me hug you!”
Tears of pure relief sprang to Beau’s eyes as he collapsed on top of his mother. He didn’t even care what his father had to say. His mother washappy.
“Amor,can you believe it?” she half-sobbed over Beau’s shoulder. “We’re going to be grandparents!”
“It’s wonderful news, my love,” Ashford said. Out of the corner of his eye, Beau could see his father’s eyes boring a hole into Loriun.
“Here, Ileana,” Loriun said. He leaned over and stole something from Ashford’s hands, completely ignoring the cold fury radiating from the older man. “We had to put the ultrasound photo in Ashford’s card because of your flowers.”
Ileana freed Beau from her stranglehold and snatched up the ultrasound. “Oh my.” Her eyes shone with tears. “I can see the little head!”
Ashford was silent, his eyes on what had been concealed under his card. Loriun had insisted on writing a message that he refused to let Beau see. Whatever it was, at least he was staying quiet.
“How far along are you,mijo?” Ileana asked, clasping her son’s hand..
“About eight weeks. It was… not planned.” Beau’s face went hot. He hadn’t considered the fact that his pregnancy told everyone exactly how quickly he’d leaped into bed with Loriun.
“And we have one last surprise, Ileana,” Loriun said, rising to his feet. “Ashford, would you mind helping your wife into her wheelchair? We have to go outside for this.”
“My wife is unwell,” Ashfor said through gritted teeth. “Surely you can—”
“We’re staying at the house, Dad,” Beau interrupted. “It’s just waiting in the old greenhouse.”
“It is called a conservatory, Beaumont,” his father retorted, as if unable to help himself.
Beau’s mother gasped. “Don’t tell me you brought flowers too!”
He smiled at her. “Something like that.”
Chapter 34
Loriun
Beau’s face was pale as the four of them made their way to the southern end of the house. Loriun couldn’t quite figure out why, as the announcement seemed to have gone well. He bent his head to whisper in his mate’s ear.
“Are you okay,luae?”
Beau nodded. “Just… nervous.”
Loriun squeezed his Omega’s hand. “There is no need.”
“I know.” Beau shot him a grateful glance.
When they reached the conservatory, the antique French doors were flung wide, and white roses had overtaken most of the available surface area. Two chairs stood near the center, draped in champagne satin and adorned with snowy bows.
Jaime stood just under a white arch that had been threaded with baby’s breath and enormous chrysanthemums. He wore his navy blue suit and a broad grin on his face. His mate stood off to the side, sleek hair wound into a bundle at the nape of his neck. A fancy camera hung from his neck, and he gave Beau a secretive wink.
“Beau?” Ileana’s voice was high. “What is all this?”
