Page 183 of Let It Snow
I exhale. Finally.
Walking along the path past the wide garage, I climb onto the porch. I lift my hand to knock on the heavy, metal-trimmed door, but before I can, it opens.
Theo stands there.
He’s changed a lot since the last time I saw him a few months ago. He’s undeniably rounder now. His belly juts forward likea ball. Of course, twins. No wonder he’s showing more than someone carrying a single baby would at this stage.
My eyes instinctively drop to his stomach, lingering there for a moment.
Theo, almost reflexively, lowers a hand over his belly, his fingers spreading protectively across it.
"How can I help you?" His voice is tight, his gray eyes focusing on me.
"I’d like to talk," I say calmly.
He doesn’t move.
I stand there awkwardly on the threshold, knowing I have to earn the invitation in. After all, I wasn’t exactly welcoming when he came to the Nolan property.
I clear my throat.
"These past few months I’ve been thinking a lot about the whole situation. Snow and I… we’re True Mates."
I say it. For the first time, out loud, to someone outside our circle. And dear Fate, it feels good.
I also see Theo’s reaction. His eyes widen slightly, and in them flickers something strange, maybe relief.
He hasn’t been replaced by just anyone, but by a True Mate. And that changes everything. That’s the only thing most people in ABO society can accept when it comes to being dumped, since it’s far stronger than mere attraction. It’s the ultimate bond, everyone loses with it.
I hesitate, wondering if I should lie or tell the truth, but I know being honest is the only way.
"You see, I’ll never be able to have biological children of my own. The ones you’re carrying will be like mine, and that’s how I want to raise them."
Theo’s gaze locks on me with sharp focus.
"These past months I’ve had to work things out in my own head, to accept the fact that biological parenthood just isn’t inthe cards for me. I’ve made peace with that, and that’s why I came here, to tell you this face-to-face: your children will have a loving adoptive dad. I promise you that."
Theo still looks at me with those wide eyes, and then I see a tear break free and slip down his cheek. He wipes it away quickly and takes a small step back.
"Uh… come inside. I’m sorry you had to say all that while standing in the doorway." He gestures toward his belly with an almost protective motion. "I was just a little worried about my children’s safety."
"I completely understand. Some people really are insane."
The words leave my mouth, and I nearly bite my tongue. In another version of reality, thatinsaneperson could’ve been me. One wrong variable of events, and I could be a walking apocalypse. But Theo doesn’t need to know that. Right?
I step inside. His house smells like cookies and kids, warm and sweet, the scent of a big family. Theo himself carries that same fragrance, the soft, comforting smell of a pregnant omega, vanilla, honey, and milk.
We sit down in the living room, side by side on the couch. Theo turns toward me, hands folded on his knees.
"I know we didn’t exactly start off on the right foot," I admit, "but that day you showed up was the same day Snow asked me to be his boyfriend. It felt like a punch straight to the heart."
Theo closes his eyes for a second before exhaling. "I can imagine. And believe me, it was never my intention to… get pregnant. I came that day to beg him to heal the pain in my soul. I wasn’t even in heat; it wasn’t due for another two weeks. I didn’t do it to sabotage anyone’s relationship, and definitely not to sabotage my own. Mine means everything to me. Snow worked a miracle between me and my husband. Our relationship is stronger now than it’s been in years, maybe stronger than it ever was, even in the beginning. We’re happy." He smiles shylyand then adds, "But… all these months, one thought has haunted me: what will happen with the children? Will they really be welcome in your home? So, you coming here—"
I reach out and take his hand, tentatively.
"I can promise you they will. Snow told me something important about them. You know the kind of gifts he has. Well… he said the children will have talents of their own."
Theo flinches slightly, "Really? He didn’t tell me that." He bites his lip and turns his gaze away. Silence stretches between us.
