31. Epilogue

THIRTY-ONE

EPILOGUE

Oliver’s knee bounced as he stared up at the clock. The hand ticked over to 2:45pm and he could feel himself beginning to grow anxious. “Mr White?” The beta woman with a kind face said, from behind the reception desk. “Still no sign?”

He swallowed, checking his phone for the one hundredth time. “Sorry, I’m sure they won’t be long.”

Doctor’s appointment at 2:00pm, meet at the agency at 2:30pm, what was so fucking difficult about that?! He was about to call Lucas again, but just as he pulled out his phone, the automatic doors slid open. “Finally!” Oliver said, striding towards the dishevelled looking alpha. “Two thirty! The appointments at two thirty!”

Lucas grinned, tugging Oliver towards him. “Apologies, Reed, but this one decided she needed a nappy change just as we stepped foot out the door.”

Oliver’s eyes softened as his gaze trailed to the white-blonde haired baby nestled within Lucas’ coat. He sighed, unzipping the alpha’s jacket as he bent to kiss the top of her head. She was fast asleep, drool dampening Lucas’ shirt as she pressed her chubby cheek to his chest.

“Mina,” Oliver cooed, breathing in the scent of her downy hair. “Sleepy girl.” Mina shifted, her hazel eyes popping open at the sound of Oliver’s voice. She let out a quiet yawn, and Oliver’s heart melted—as it did every time he looked at her.

“Here,” Lucas said, popping open the carrier and gently prying the three-month-old from its warm embrace. She wriggled in his massive hands, but stilled when he pressed her into Oliver’s arms.

“Hey baby,” Oliver whispered, nuzzling his face into her chubby neck rolls. “I love you, but no pooping or being sick in the next thirty minutes, okay? We’ve got a very important meeting now.” Mina only stared at him through long, dark lashes. Lucas kissed them both, and Oliver couldn’t help but notice the way his breath shook. They were both nervous, despite checking the paperwork at least fifty times.

“Shall we?” Lucas said, gesturing towards the pink door at the end of the waiting room.

“Yeah,” Oliver replied, patting Mina’s bum as they passed the reception desk.

“Go straight in,” the receptionist said, buzzing them through.

It was three o’clock on a Friday afternoon when Alfie came barrelling into the adoption agency’s waiting room. His hair was a little damp, and Oliver could see that Sarah had tried to tame his wild blonde curls.

“Luuucie!” he cried, sprinting towards Lucas with open arms.

Lucas dropped to one knee, his hands spread wide and a huge grin on his face. “Hey, sweetheart!” He said, wrapping Alfie into a tight hug. The boy flung his arms around Lucas’ neck, nuzzling him and squealing with excitement. “Look who’s here,” Lucas said, pointing towards Oliver, who was watching the exchange from the corner of the room.

Alfie’s head jerked up as he wriggled out of Lucas’ embrace. “Ollieee!” He screeched, flinging his arms around Oliver’s neck.

He’d gotten bigger, and heavier since Oliver last visited, finally shedding the scrawniness of neglect. Oliver’s brows pinched together as he pressed his face into Alfie’s hair. “Missed you,” he whispered against his cheek.

When the boy finally pulled back, his eyebrows shot up as he noticed the alarmed looking baby nestled against Oliver’s shoulder. “Mini?!” he gasped, bending to kiss the top of Mina’s head. She gave him a gummy smile in return.

“I’ve missed you,” Oliver said again, ruffling Alfie’s hair. “Sorry I couldn’t come much the last couple of months. But I loved the birthday card, sweetheart.”

Alfie dropped his head, those big brown eyes like two saucers as he looked up at Oliver. “I drew the flowers myself,” he said, glancing at Lucas. “With Lucie’s help.”

Oliver’s gaze slid to Lucas and they shared a warm grin.“They were amazing,” he said, kissing Alfie’s cheek.

Alfie nodded as his hand went to his pocket. “I have… I want to… I’ve been waiting… I have a present for Mini.”

“Oh yeah? What is it?”

Oliver’s heart well and truly melted as Alfie pulled the little brown owl hat from his pocket, gently placing it on Mina’s head. “It’s too small for me. A-And I saw from the photo that Mini doesn’t have much hair. I don’t want her to get cold.”

There was a loud sniff, and when Oliver looked up, he saw Lucas patting his eyes with a tissue. Such a baby.

“Thank you, Alfie. That’s so sweet of you.”

Alfie pulled back as he shifted from foot to foot. “Ollie?” He said, expression turning shy.

“Yes, baby.”

“Can I… will you… come and visit more often now? I wanted to go to the park with you, but Lucie said you were poorly.”

Oliver’s lip began to quiver, because he had been poorly. Really damned poorly after Mina was born prematurely. Despite that, he smiled and ushered Alfie over to the little seating area. He glanced up at Sarah, who was silently dabbing away tears of her own. Lucas joined them, his eyes red and nose streaming.

“Alfie,” Oliver said, clutching Mina as he spread his other arm to bring the four of them together. “We won’t be visiting you here anymore.”

Alfie gasped. “You won’t?”

Shaking his head, Oliver’s mouth pulled into a soft smile. “No. Because, when we leave today, you’ll be coming with us.”

Alfie’s lip began to tremble. “But I… and you… will I?”

Oliver pulled him against his chest. “You’re coming home with us, Alf. We’re adopting you.” Alfie began to wail, which set Oliver off, which made Lucas start sobbing and sent Mina howling.

The sun was still high when they finally exited the adoption agency that afternoon. Oliver dragged Alfie’s over-stuffed suitcase, as Lucas hoisted several bags over his shoulders. A cheer rang out across the car park, making Oliver lookup.

Standing between the cars was Matteus, holding an enormous sign that said, ‘Welcome Home Alfie!’

Julian rocked their twin girls—Daisy and Evie—in the pram. Davi, Colin, Aliya, and Oliver’s parents waved and cheered as Alfie stared at them with watery eyes.

“Who’s that?” He said, hand tugging the bottom of Oliver’s shirt.

Oliver smiled as he bent down. “They’re your family, angel. Welcome home.”

The End