A week had passed since the event. Soon the winter holidays would be over and the couple would need to prepare for the next three months until the baby arrived.
Gabriel and his father stopped speaking to each other and the alpha practically lived with the Moss family. Despite all the confusion set up, Mrs Jones had met Aline and both turned out to be drooling grandmothers who like to buy baby clothes. Away from her husband, Miriam, Gabriel's mother, loosened up and started smiling more. Not that she did not do it around her husband, but she could hardly fill Gabriel with questions about the state of Theodore and her grandson in the presence of her husband.
That last weekend of the holiday, Miriam had invited Theodore and Gabriel for a short walk. She didn't tell them where they were going, she only asked them to get up early, because they were going to visit someone.
Theodore had already fallen asleep in the back seat after twenty minutes of driving. Gabriel looked at him from the front seat without taking the smile off his face.
― Still sleeping? ― asked his mother, without taking her eyes off the road.
― Lately he has been very sleepy. But they say that's normal.
― Of course it is! You have to take advantage now that he's free from school. Afterwards he'll be even more tired.
― Theo is determined to study at night even though he will continue helping the team in the afternoon. It will be tiring for him.
― He'll be fine. He's a strong boy.
― Where are we going?
― To visit someone. ― She smiled a bit nostalgically ― Since we moved here I've been trying to go, but it never works out. Now that I've got some time I'm going to take advantage of it.
She hadn't given many details about who they were going to visit, and Gabriel hadn't even tried to find out since he didn't know the way. An hour later and the car pulled into a farm. The alpha leaned in the window when he saw a well-kept brick house, but what really surprised him was to recognize an old man with white hair who was sitting on the veranda.
― Grandpa?
As soon as the car was parked and turned off, mother and son left the vehicle to be met by two men. An older one with grey hair and a younger one with spiky dark hair, both having the same features as his mother.
It was her family.
― Ooh, who's alive always comes around! ― Said the older one giving his daughter a tight hug. Then, he looked at Gabriel and could see that he was moved ― Look how this boy has grown, he is taller than me!
Hugging his grandfather, Gabriel felt the typical sweet smell of omega. He hadn't imagined that they would be living near the city. Maybe if he had known earlier he would have found a way to visit them. Also hugging his uncle, the alpha sighed in longing for that family. Had ten years passed since he had seen them?
Apparently his mother kept in touch with them, he had noticed that when his uncle had commented.
― I'm surprised to see you here. Last time you called you said things were tense at home. ― remembered the younger one, hugging his older sister by the shoulder. ― What brings you here?
Miriam turned to Gabriel, who in turn was looking in the direction of the car. Other people would say that the breeze was responsible for whispering to that alpha the awakening of his omega. Others would say it was thanks to the bite. The point was that Gabriel knew. It was a rather curious scene for anyone unfamiliar with its history.
― He's awake.
― Who woke up? ― Asked the curious grandfather stretching his neck looking beyond the car.
― You'll find out soon enough! ― Miriam laughed.
Gabriel returned to the car, opening the back door and watching Theodore open his eyes, still sleepy. He looked like a puppy all tuckered out and lazy to get up. Opening a kind smile, the alpha extended his hand to the omega who promptly held it.
Getting out of the car, Theodore looked around trying to get situated where they were. Noticing the strange people who stared at his belly, the omega straightened his blouse somewhat annoyed.
― Come and meet more of my family. ― Whispered Gabriel, pulling Theodore to his mother's side. ― Theo, this is my grandfather Napo and my uncle Rafael, they are family on my mother's side.
― It's a pleasure to meet you.
― Oh, what a polite boy ― smiled his uncle, his smile widening even more.
― And who is he my son?
― Theodore. ― Gabriel replied, holding Theodore's hand and interlacing their fingers. ― My omega.
The grandfather and the uncle looked at each other and then smiled.
― Your omega? Does your father know this? ― Uncle wanted to know.
― Oh, don't tell me about it. That made a mess. ― Miriam cried.
― Hahahaha, but I wanted to be there to see this. ― laughed grandfather crossing his arms pleased to hear that. ― I'll support you if you want to get rid of that scumbag.
― Dad...
― But that smell, it's not just of an omega. ― Interrupted the uncle, peeking his eyes at Theodore.
The two boys exchanged glances. Although the omega seemed wary of revealing his condition to a stranger, Gabriel didn't seem to think so.
― We are expecting a baby. Theo is two months.
― Hahahahaha I really wish I could have seen your father's face upon hearing that. Come on in, we have to feed the kids soon, so join us.
As the elders entered the exposed brick house, Theodore held Gabriel's hand, still afraid to be in that place. The alpha had noticed, whether thanks to the bite or because he knew the way his boyfriend acted, trying to open his knightly smile to calm him down.
― It'll be okay, they won't hurt you.
― I just don't want you to make any more trouble with your family.
― Theo, they're omegas just like you.
A glint in the omega's eye had quickly emerged, having Gabriel let out a low chuckle.
Unlike what he had expected, Gabriel's grandfather was a born talker. He had told the story of how Miriam had met her husband and had been against marriage. He seemed to take such pride in telling it that Theodore could only stand in awe. Father and daughter chatted nostalgically, creating a warm and familiar atmosphere.
At lunchtime the kitchen had welcomed two twin children, cousins of Gabriel. Knowing that his uncle was an omega who had also become pregnant had already made him the target of Theodore's anxious glances. He looked like a jumping popcorn wanting to fill him with questions. But Gabriel's grandfather kept telling stories, laughing and reminiscing about old times with his daughter.
After lunch, the grandfather went for a walk with Miriam and Gabriel to show them around the farm. Theodore remained in the kitchen watching Rafael take care of the children with great care. He seemed to be someone who was caring and patient, not ashamed to talk all sweet-talking to his children. It was the most beautiful and inspiring sight Theodore had.
After all, it was the first time he had ever seen a man act like that with children without being ashamed to be seen.
Would he himself be capable of acting that way with his child? Looking from the outside at other people acting that way, it was as if he felt capable of doing the same thing. But reality wouldn't always be like that.
― So the family will have one more omega ― commented the uncle extending a glass of natural orange juice to Theodore. Saying thank you softly, the omega sipped. ― How old are you?
― Sixteen.
― What a young man. Must have been scary to find out you were pregnant, huh?
Theodore smiled lowering his head.
― 'Quite a lot. ― He admitted running the tip of his index finger across his glass. ― I still have a hard time accepting it. I mean, I know I'm young so I wonder if I can.
― Ah, but that has nothing to do with age. No matter how much you wish and plan to be a father, the experience is completely different. ― The man sat next to Theodore also taking a sip of his juice. ― You can be as old as you are, that doesn't change. Why are you being responsible for a person who is incapable of speaking what bothers them and you have to interpret every behaviour.... Of course it's scary.
― Did you feel that way too?
― Of course! I have three children already, and they have all been as scary as you would imagine. I mean, there's a strange, unknown being in our lives. ― He laughed, shaking his head.
Theodore's eyes widened in surprise at having in words such conflicting feelings he had had over those two months. After all, how could he not be frightened to think that he did not know that child's face, his personality, his outlook and purpose in life? Most of those traits would depend on how Theodore would raise him, which weighed even more heavily on his shoulders.
― Yes! Yes, I thought it was bad to think that way...
― No wonder you thought hahaha. It's like falling in love with a person. You live with them and the bond is slowly built.
Ah, if there was one thing Theodore understood it was falling in love with someone. A boy who watched romance movies, read daydreaming love stories and books certainly had an understanding of what it was like to be in love with someone.
Moreover, he had experienced that feeling.
The first look.
The exchange of notes.
The friendship that had been built.
The sweet moments they had.
Theodore had experienced falling in love with Gabriel even though he was an unknown person in the city. But to the extent that he had become a constant in his life, he would not be able to take him away from him.
Did that mean that the same would happen with your son?
― I am relieved to hear that. ― Omega whispered. ― I was already feeling horrible for being afraid of what would come when this child was born.
― But you're not alone, are you?
Letting out a low chuckle, Theodore had agreed with his head.
He had continued to talk with Gabriel's uncle, finding out more about the care of an omega when pregnant. He had found out from him that several feelings he had had over the two months were even expected, and that he shouldn't feel bad for being so strange about the arrival of a child in his life. Knowing Rafael's experience had been the last straw Theodore needed to free himself from the chains of fear.
While the grandfather and his two generations were yet to return from their walk, Rafael had shown some of his work as a rural child educator. His office on the second floor was filled with toys and children's books that Theodore had immediately delighted in.
He had spent the whole afternoon in that office, filling Rafael with questions about his profession and how to care for his children. He received several tips for a healthy pregnancy and even got some books to read.
After exchanging numbers and saying goodbye at sunset, Theodore couldn't take the smile off his face. In the car returning home, the omega had rested his hand on Miriam's shoulder to get her attention for a moment.
― Thank you for inviting me here.
― I see I did well to bring you. Did you learn anything interesting about being an omega?
― Much more than that. ― smiled Theodore, leaning back in his seat. ― I think I found my future.