Chapter Four

Jonah

After dinner, Duke and I sent the babies, the omegas, and Blithe into the living room while we cleaned up. It was probably one of the few times we'd have to talk alone.

"How are you really holding up?" I asked him as we cleared the table.

"I'm good, actually. Like really good. Better than I thought I'd be."

"And about Fred?" I asked the question about the elephant who wasn't in the room.

"He's an asshat," Duke shrugged. "I've had to make peace with that again. It's not like I'm not happy. Sure, I'd love him to magically change and become a granddad, but he's not going to do that until one of his and Lotus's kids have kids and I'm okay with that. It's not fair to Duchess, but it wasn't fair to me either. Only, I turned out okay. I turned out happy and she will too. I know Dad's worried about me. Tell him not to, even if he won't listen."

"I have. Well, I have NOT told him not to worry about you. I told him not to worry about Fred," I said, putting another plate in the sink.

"I have you guys and the pack and now Syre's parents too. I have enough. I'm happy," Duke said and as usual his scent smelled like he was telling the truth. "I really am. I didn't think I'd ever be this happy."

"I'm happy for you, kiddo. That's all we ever wanted for you – to be happy. Baby Duchess is just an added perk."

"There is one thing that would make me happier and no it has nothing to do with Fred Moonscale," Duke laughed, turning on the sink.

"What's that?" I asked, wiping down the table and the counters.

"If you and Dad would move up here. I know, I know. Uncle Lee will never move and Dad doesn't want to leave him, but you guys could still do your jobs up here. I know that would leave Joy without you too, but I don't know. I miss you guys."

"We miss you too," I smiled at him.

"We could set up a recording studio and Heartville is still small enough recording artists wouldn't be badgered here."

"You can do that," I grinned. "Hell, I'll have to talk to the guys but you could probably even do it under our umbrella."

"Joy could come too," Duke bounced on his heels as he washed the dishes, ever the fidgeter. "I'd open her a new lounge if she wanted."

"Maybe in a few years," Blake said from the doorway and we both startled apart. "Let Joy find her mate, true or otherwise. Let Lee get a bit more frustrated with practicing medicine when he wants to just research. I'll get them to move with us."

"Really or are you placating me?" Duke asked.

"Not placating you. I've thought about it. I think maybe we'd have stayed if not for the madman," Blake frowned. "It would be nice to come home."

"But Uncle Lee has to come too."

"You stayed here for Blithe," I pointed out.

"I like it here now, though," Duke said.

"We do too," I nodded. "We just have to put a lot more thought into moving. You were single and didn't have a kid when you did it. Even if we could say yes today it would take a while to plan."

"I know. I just---" Duke said and didn't finish his sentence for a minute. "It's not about having help with the baby even. It would just be nice to see you two more often."

Blake crossed the kitchen and reached around Duke to turn off the sink. He turned our kiddo around and hugged him tight. For the first two years of his life, it was mostly just him and Blake. Sure, Blake had help, but before we met he was infamous for not wanting to be away from kiddo for one second longer than he had to. He spent nights crying after Duke decided to stay in Heartville, but we'd never tell Duke that. Kids were supposed to grow up and be able to make it on their own if you raised them right and that's exactly what Duke was doing.

"I will talk to Uncle Lee about it again," Blake promised him. "Dara being here is a big selling point. Sure, Bane could work in family medicine. I'm sure Dara and Rex would welcome the help, but Lee could be free to just do his research. It would still take a long time for a lab to be built properly. We're not talking about weeks or months here, baby, but we'll try to visit more."

"Thank you," Duke said, squeezing his dad tight.