11. Tomás

Tomás

A month later, Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" played as Tomás watched his omega plant flowers in front of their home with the help of Nate and his cousin Janelle. Two puppies tried to help them by digging into the dirt and running across the plants they'd just planted.

"Georgie, Lavendar, stop it," Henry said, grabbing the puppies. They weren't quite two-months old, but the two trouble makers held their humans' hearts.

"Dig here, Georgie," Nate ordered, pointing at the ground. The puppy ignored him and started chasing its tail.

Journey and Mitzy avoided the mess and sat on their pillow on the new front porch. The two small dogs enjoyed their new siblings in small doses.

"Quit staring at your omega and get back to work." Tali smacked his shoulder.

Tomás grinned and picked her up in a bearhug, enjoying her annoyed squawks. "Have I told you lately how happy I am?"

"Only every other minute." Tali rolled her eyes and handed him a pot of columbine. Her expression softened as she watched him kneel to dig the hole. "Do you remember when we were at old Ms. Lily's place and you told me that families were overrated?"

"I was so wrong." Tomás shook his head. "So, so wrong."

"You and Henny make a good family." Tali knelt next to him. "You have so many pet-babies, and when you're ready, you're going to be a good dad to human babies too."

"You think so? Sometimes it feels like everything's moving too fast, but then when I'm alone with Henry, it feels like I've known him all my life." Tomás leaned back on his haunches. "Just remember that you can't move in with Tommy when he graduates next year. You're too young. I don't care if it's a Wilson tradition to fall in love quickly. My little sister needs to take her time."

"Tommy and I will move at our own pace." Tali shook her head, looking amused. "Watching the two of you is like watching Dad and Papa. You fit together. I mean, he has better taste then you in almost every way, but somehow it works."

Tomás snorted. "I can't believe you didn't like the furniture in my house."

"My house now." Tali smirked.

"Only after you graduate next week."

Tali had finally talked the dads into accepting that she didn't want to leave Hobson Hills. She planned on moving into Tomás's house since he was living with Henry. She'd take online classes and work on their dad's ranch like she had always wanted.

His other siblings were around somewhere. Hannah and Drew were home from college and volunteering at the sanctuary. Harper and his husband were inside the farmhouse, fixing up the fireplace mantel while Terry was upstairs, painting one of the spare bedrooms. The only one missing was Shawn. Tomás's older brother was in town, working on the old truck they were fixing up for Henry's birthday present.

Tomás made himself focus and worked faster. They were having a birthday dinner for Henry that night. Tomás's family would be there, but so would Henry's. It would be the first time they all met and the first time Milton and Dennis had been in the same room since their divorce. I hope it doesn't turn into a Koreon soap opera , he thought, wincing.

The house wasn't finished, not by a long shot, but it was ready enough for company. The outside was still a mess, but the porch was sturdy and the inside looked nice.

Gravel crunched as his dads' car pulled into the drive. Bennett was out of the car before it stopped moving.

"Henry," he called, practically skipping to Tomás's omega. "Happy birthday!"

Henry hugged Bennett tightly. "Hey, Papa Two. Thank you for coming."

Bennett looked at his kids. "You see that? Henry appreciates it when I come by and visit."

Tali groaned. "He doesn't live with you, Papa."

Bennett laughed and pulled Tali into a hug. "I'm going to visit you every single day, peanut."

Tali tried to look annoyed, but Tomás could see the appreciation behind it.

"We brought carrots for Paulo and Apple." Marco, Tomás's alpha dad, held up a bag of veggies.

"Apple," Nate stood, jumping up and down. "I'll feed her."

Tomás's parents had given Henry his birthday present last week. It was a family tradition to go on horse rides together every few months. Apple was Henry's horse. She was a very gentle, gray appaloosa and got along well with his horse, Paulo. They now lived in the small barn and pasture behind the farmhouse, alongside a few of the sanctuary's goats and a miniature donkey.

There were plans to expand the sanctuary onto Henry's property, but it would take a little time. The money was there, though. The charity ball had brought them a lot of new donors.

"Come on Nate, let's feed the horses," Marco said, hugging Tomás and Tali as he passed by. "If I don't do something, your papa will put me to work in the kitchen."

Bennett made a face. "Yeah, yeah. Run away."

Marco grinned and picked up Nate, slinging the giggling boy over his shoulder before striding away.

"Tomás, you'll help me, won't you?" Bennett was the master of the puppy eyes . He'd taught it to every one of his children.

"Of course, Papa." He handed a plant to Tali. "Have fun."

She made a face, then grabbed a puppy. "Lavendar, you'll help me dig, right?" She tried her own puppy eyes on the puppy. Lavendar was immune.

Tomás kissed Henry, then followed his papa inside. The house's interior was much improved from a month ago. The kitchen was finished with marble counter tops and sturdy, pine cabinets. A handmade dining table stood out near the kitchen. Harper had taken his time with it, decorating the legs and building matching chairs.

He had also helped Tomás make the wood and crystal chandelier hanging over the living room area. It was a mixture of carved branches and teardrop crystals. The rest of the living room furniture was a mix of wood and brightly colored upholstery. Thanks to Janelle, plants sat on every available surface. Dark green textured wallpaper covered the wall around the fireplace, setting off the beautiful mantel.

Harper waved at him from where he stood next to the mantel, carefully refinishing the old carving. His husband, Grey was already in the kitchen.

"Fuck off," Columbo said from his cage in the corner of the living room.

"Hello to you too, Columbo." The bird had a new ramp to his cage and several low perches. His area was fenced off so the puppies couldn't get to him. They were not nearly as well behaved as Journey and Mitzy, and until they were, Henry and Tomás didn't want to chance the puppies hurting the old parrot.

"Fuck off."

"Woof." Journey trotted inside, Mitzy right behind him.

"Woof," Mitzy added.

"Fuck off."

"Woof."

"Woof."

"Dear lord, that bird." Bennett chuckled. "I love him."

I love him too , Tomás thought, listening as his papa began to give him directions. He loved this home full of animals and love. It was his omega's home.

Henry was still elbow deep in dirt and plants when his papa arrived.

Janelle whistled. "That's a nice car."

Henry sighed. "Papa will only travel in a Rolls Royce." He handed Georgie to Janelle and picked up Lavendar. "I prefer the truck Shawn is fixing up for me."

"You could afford any vehicle you want."

"It wouldn't be the same." He smiled, thinking of the old Chevy Tomás had gotten him. "I'll be right back."

"No worries." Janelle patted his back. Tomás's cousin had become a good friend to Henry. She kind of reminded him of Clucky – super chill and loving.

He reluctantly walked toward the car. The rest of his family would arrive later that day. He was surprised his papa had come early and not late.

Rinaldo got out of the car first. "Happy birthday, Henry," the man said with a smile. Rinaldo was a nice guy. He'd been Milton's personal trainer for almost as long as Henry had been alive. It had surprised them all when he'd married Henry's papa. There had been no hint of romance between the two men before. At least not that Henry, Audrey, and Sterling could tell.

"Thanks," Henry said, smiling awkwardly.

Rinaldo helped Milton from the car.

His papa stared at him for a long moment. "Henry."

"Papa."

"Your house needs a lot of work."

Henry nodded. "Yes, it does."

"Is that one of those puppies you brought to my charity ball?"

Henry held Lavendar up. "Yep. This is Lavendar. Tomás and I adopted her and Georgie over there."

"Have the other puppies found homes?"

"All but one." Bennett and Marco had taken two and the rest had been adopted out to other Wilsons.

Milton took a deep breath. "Rinaldo and I would like to adopt one if it's possible."

"Huh?" Henry tilted his head, studying his papa. "Who are you and what did you do with my papa?"

Rinaldo chuckled. "Right? He surprised me too."

"Rinaldo likes dogs." Milton pursed his lips. "I also would like a pet."

"Papa, are you serious? A pet is a lot of responsibility."

"I raised three children," Milton snapped. "I'm certain I can take care of a puppy."

"I'll talk to Teague." Henry eyed his papa. "Are you sure you're not an alien?"

Rinaldo laughed. "On that note, I'm going to help this stranger plant some flowers. You two should talk."

Henry handed Lavendar to Milton, smiling as his papa struggled to hold the wiggling puppy. "Follow me."

He led him around the house and down the hill to Sophie and Clucky's coop. The two hens were in the run at the moment, chasing bugs and nibbling at the grass. Tomás had placed a bench nearby so Henry had somewhere to sit as he visited his chickens.

Henry sat down and Milton sat next to him, Lavendar on his lap.

"Why does Rinaldo think we need to talk?" Henry asked.

Milton played with Lavendar's ears. "I'm really sorry about the charity ball. I didn't realize how involved you were in the sanctuary, but even if you weren't, it wasn't a kind thing to do to Teague."

"No, it wasn't." Henry refrained from telling his papa how much of a help it had ended up being. He didn't get the credit for Henry and Teague's accomplishment.

"I'm working on myself," Milton said, reluctantly. "I've come to understand that holding in emotion, be it anger or happiness, is not the best choice."

Henry sat in silence, shocked at his papa's words.

"I'm still upset and bitter about my divorce from your father and that comes out in the worst of ways." Milton shivered. "Ugg, my therapist would be proud of me for saying that, but it is true. I love you and Audrey and Sterling. I will try my best to be there for you without letting my anger get in the way."

"Thank you, Papa." Henry wrapped his arms around Milton. "Thank you for apologizing. You know you need to actually apologize to Teague, right?"

"One step at a time." Milton awkwardly patted Henry's back.

"What made you so introspective?" Henry asked, letting go of the other omega.

"Rinaldo." Milton's cheeks flushed red. "Your grandparents would have been so upset with me for marrying him. He's not at all the type of man they would approve of. I resisted my attraction to him for years because of that. When I think of what I could have had with him if I wasn't so worried about how it would look to others, I want to kick myself. Once I realized that, it wasn't hard to see how I've hurt you children over the years."

He gave Henry a fond look. "Oh, I was so proud of you at the ball, Henry. You shine so brightly when you talk about all the animals. I've never seen you like that."

"I am rather amazing." Henry grinned. "Have you heard Dolly Parton's song, ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning?' It'll change your life."

"You'll have to explain that to me." Milton laughed.

"Gladly." He wrapped his arm around his papa. "I want you to get to know Tomás too. He's my Rinaldo."

"Then he must be lovely."

"He's my home," Henry said, turning to look at his house. He could see Tomás and Bennett in the kitchen, working on his birthday dinner. "That house right there is a home because Tomás Wilson is inside it. My home."