Page 42 of Omega's Midlife Love
The officiant cleared his throat, and I pulled out the vows I’d written, though they could never fully convey what I felt. No words would ever be enough to articulate what was in my heart.
A few minutes later we were proclaimed husbands, and I took David into my arms for our first married kiss.
∞∞∞
~4 Months Later~
Somebody pulled a string on a party popper, showering the conference room in confetti.
I laughed along with everybody else, unable to contain the joy of the impromptu celebration.
Compared to the deals I’d made in my youth—and the companies I’d helped turn around—the first achievement reached through the business incubator felt tiny. But to two young women looking to expand their soap business, it was a major milestone. Their soaps were going to be carried in a regional grocery chain, and they’d reached a deal with the state park service to have their products at several gift shops.
It was only one step in their growth plan, but knowing that I’d been able to be a guide on the path filled me with warmth, and it was a sign that I was doing the right thing.
In fact, between the growing incubator, my positions on the boards of several charities, and preparing for David to give birth to our son, it was almost as busy as my life used to be, except better. Instead of steak dinners to mark achievements, it was cheap cake purchased from a grocery store. Rather than smiling politely as people pushed donation slips at me during charity fundraisers, I was working behind the scenes to make a real difference.
Best of all though, was having a man like David waiting for me at home every night. My days of chess with Victor being the highlight of an evening were in the past. Now my omega greeted me with a smile and a kiss, eager to discuss his day.
I still played chess with Victor, but because we both wanted to play rather than it being a desperate grab for meaningful interaction.
Somebody handed me a piece of cake, and I accepted it, glad that whoever was passing them out had noticed my dislike of the overly-sweet frosting that was a mainstay of the inexpensive desserts.
The room filled with chatter, the owners of all the various businesses that called the temporary building headquarters gathered for the occasion. In their eyes an achievement for one was an achievement for all.
It was the first thing I taught after all: Business shouldn’t be seen as a zero-sum game. A rising tide lifts all boats, and the connections and goodwill they made would benefit them far more than competition and greed.
A phone rang in the background while the women sandwiched me for a group selfie.
“Alan?”
I glanced up to see one of our mentors searching for me. “Over here Theo.”
He walked over, dressed in his usual shorts and a logo tee for his private lifeguard company. He’d already been successful, but he had local connections and was eager to teach others what he knew about running a small service-oriented company, so I’d brought him on as a part-time mentor.
“I can’t tell, but I think it’s your butler,” he yelled over the din, holding out a phone.
I accepted it. “Victor?”
“Alan. I’ve sent a car to the incubator. It should be there any minute. David went into labor and the nurse line said for him to head in. I’m taking him to the hospital now.”
Excitement and panic warred in my chest. My omega was about to give birth. I was about to be a father.
“I’ll meet you there,” I replied.
The tone of the party had muted, all eyes on me.
I forced a smile. There were risks at David’s age, but his entire pregnancy had been easy on him. I couldn’t let doubt eat at me now.
“Don’t let the party stop,” I said. “In fact, you might want to get another cake. I’m headed to meet my omega at the hospital, where he’s going to have a baby.”
Cheers erupted from everybody, and another popper was set off. Alphas clapped my shoulders and omegas told me to kiss the baby for them as I made my way to the door.
I made it outside just as a sleek black sedan pulled up to the curb. I didn’t wait for the driver to get out, instead opting to open the passenger door myself.
“Mr. Alan Beischel?”
“That’s me. I’m assuming you know which hospital we’re headed to?”
