140 Epilogue: Bill & Maggie's wedding

December 2007

Summer had already begun and a Brazilian Christmas was filled with blue skies and heat waves. That's why the ceremony would take place at sunset, where the temperature would drop announcing the night, leaving a nice atmosphere to celebrate a wedding.

Wearing a baby blue suit, the omega was fixing the tie of the same colour around his father's neck. In that small room of the city church, father and son shared a silence that masked their anxiety. They could only hear the chatter of the guests outside.

― There. ― said Theodore with a satisfied smile as he adjusted his father's tie. ― It goes well with the black suit.

― I definitely don't like wearing that. ― Growled Bill low, somewhat uncomfortably.

― It's only for a few hours, hang in there. ― Looking at his father, Theodore grimaced slightly ― Don't shave your beard again, please.

― Maggie said the same thing. 'Am I alright?

Taking a few steps back, Theodore had looked his father up and down. It was definitely strange to see him in a suit and without his customary hat. Or without his jeans and light plaid shirt. Even his greyish hair was combed!

The absence of the beard rejuvenated Bill's physiognomy. Theodore hadn't hidden his smile at the thought that his father was a very handsome alpha.

― Gorgeous.

― Hm... That's good. You look handsome too. You look happy.

― And I am. ― Smiled Theodore looking at his left hand where the silver ring shone. ― We are happy.

Knocks at the door interrupted the conversation, with Gabriel in a dark suit holding a three-month-old baby. Kauã had brown hair and physiognomy similar to Gabriel, but his eyes were as blue as Theodore's and his personality was sweet like his father.

― The bride is here, we can start now. ― Entering the room, Gabriel stood beside his boyfriend looking at his father-in-law with a smile on his lips. ― You look handsome, father-in-law.

Bill opened a nervous smile, paying attention to his grandson, who was looking at him as attentively as his parents. Holding out his hands to the child, his happiness increased when the little one extended his arms to let him take him in his lap.

― There are prettier people here. Isn't that right, little boy?

― He's wondering why his grandfather doesn't have a beard. ― commented Theodore, holding back his laughter.

― I get it, I won't take it off anymore.

The smaller boy's hand touched his grandfather's mouth and he laughed, trapped in the fun of his little world, but stealing the sighs of the other three. They could stay longer just enjoying that little one, but a wedding had to happen.

Returning the baby to Theodore's lap, Bill had taken a deep breath leaving the lounge heading for the church entrance.

There were a considerable amount of guests, given that most were from the co-op who cheered intensely for the couple. Maggie's family was also large, and Theodore hadn't recognised many relatives on his father's side.

That is, those who did recognise him were already surprised to learn that the omega was a father, having the good sense not to make any comments in front of him. After all, how could they say anything when that little alpha wearing a white shirt and black overalls stood in front of them? As chic as any other guest.

The wedding had soon begun as the musicians played the ceremonial hymns. Theodore was in the front row watching the entrance of his father accompanied by his future mother-in-law. Hardly a son attends his parent's wedding, and so the blond omega had allowed himself to be thrilled to contemplate his father's chance to be happy again.

The bride's entrance had been stunning! Even if the dress was simple, Maggie looked beautiful with that infectious smile. Theodore even spied his father, catching his smile in the act.

Sitting Kauan on his lap, Theodore had watched the ceremony in amazement. He had been to weddings when he was a kid, but it seemed like this one was special. He'd gotten emotional at several moments, especially at the vows.

Even Gabriel had hugged him from the side and kissed his cheek.

The reception was held in a barbecue restaurant. Photos were taken followed by speeches and toasts. Dinner was served with a rotation of meat the way a peon likes and Theodore needed a moment to give Kauã, who was filling his cheeks with milk, a bottle.

Soon after dinner the tables were cleared for the couple to dance their first waltz. Only after dazzling that scene, Theodore went to the reception of the steakhouse where there was a wooden bench near the door to sit.

With an eye on the moonlight visible through the door, Theodore sat his son on his legs laughing softly with those clear eyes turned to him.

― Look at that handsome boy. He's been spoiled today, more than the bride and groom.

Kauã laughed muffled with the dummy, reaching out his hands to touch Theodore's face and rub his nose on his father's. Letting him stand on his legs, the omega enjoyed the affection received from his son, feeling that little smell of baby taste and listening to him laugh graciously.

Gabriel soon arrived too, carrying in his hand some sweets that had been released. Sitting down next to the omega, the brunette placed a brigadeiro in his mouth without stopping laughing at Theodore's happiness at eating sweets again.

― Oh, I needed that.

― It was hard to go all this time without chocolate, wasn't it?

― Bloody tummy ache. ― Growled the omega, opening his mouth to receive another brigadeiro.

― Milles called now that I was getting candy. ― Said the alpha after eating a white chocolate candy. ― He won the scholarship at that university and has already received an invitation to play on their team.

― It will be hard for him to have to take the road every day to go to school. It's dangerous.

― It's either that or Nicolas abandons school to go live with Milles in the other city. ― Whispered the alpha grabbing another candy about to give Theodore, but noticed another pair of clear eyes focused on him ― Look at that, Theo...

The two suppressed their laughter with Kauã looking so intently at the brigadeiro. Gabriel moved the candy up and down having those tiny clear eyes following the candy earnestly. The boy's concentration reminded Theodore of Gabriel concentrating when playing volleyball.

Like father like son.

― There you are. Did you get the candy?

― Gabriel just brought some. But someone's trying to steal them from me.

Bill and Maggie approached the couple, laughing amusedly with the baby still staring intently at the candy. And when the Brigadeiro had been eaten by Gabriel, Kauã whined, stretching his arms out to his father.

― Oh my, you're making the child want to eat it! ― Maggie laughed.

― Can't he eat candy anymore?

― No ― Theodore replied categorically. ― I need to go to the bathroom, stay with him for a little while.

Handing the baby to Gabriel, Theodore soon entered the steakhouse again, and Maggie also went to get the photographer to take pictures of Kauã. Taking advantage of the absence, Bill sat down beside Gabriel showing him the sweets he had brought with him.

― Here, don't make yourself comfortable, sonny.

― Father-in-law ... Theo will get angry.

― Just don't tell him, don't be a softy.

Bill took the dummy out of Kauã's mouth and took a micro piece of the brigadeiro, without granulated, giving it in the child's mouth. The two alphas watched the little one suck on the candy, sticking his hand in his mouth and then reaching out for the rest of the Brigadier.

It looks like it would pull Theodore. Another little ant.

Before giving another piece, Bill looked around to make sure Theodore wouldn't come back beforehand to catch him in the act. But he hadn't pushed his luck either, returning Kauã's dummy even before Theodore returned.

Gabriel had kept his father-in-law's trick a secret.

The photographer soon arrived, recording that night a happy family. Especially a baby happy for having tried chocolate for the first time.

「 • • • 」

Theodore and Gabriel were drooling fathers. There was no way they couldn't be, Kauã was beautiful and charming. They just didn't expect him to steal attention even from two bickering men.

While they were enjoying the pizza they were eating, the couple watched amused Nicolas and Milles playing with the child on the sofa of the living room. Nicolas held Kauã, who laughed out loud with Milles' antics. And as if that wasn't enough, the little one would turn to his parents and ask "do you see this here?"

― Oh, I want to eat those biscuits, yummy yummy yummy. ― Milles rubbed his lips on Kauã's little feet, who laughed, pulling his little foot from the tickle.

― Kick him in the face, Kauã.

― Stop teaching him these things, shorty.

― Don't fight in front of my son. ― warned Theodore as he grabbed another piece of pizza. ― You have to be an example to him.

― An example of what not to do, only if it's an example. ― Gabriel laughed, having a pillow fly towards him from the living room, catching it immediately. ― Look at the danger!

It was hard for Nicolas to avoid being violent when Kauã was around. Especially when Milles took advantage of that moment to torment him.

When Milles' mobile phone rang, the two of them sat up straight having Nicolas settle the child in his lap. The omega was chatting with Kauã ignoring anyone else around him. That was why he hadn't noticed when Milles had put his arm around his waist and hugged him, or the kiss he'd received on the top of his head.

On the other hand, Gabriel and Theodore looked on dumbfounded trying to get the mobile phone to take a picture of the relic.

― Guys, when are you going to admit that you're dating?

― They are. I heard Milles saying he was going to buy a ring. ― whispered Nicolas's mother to Theodore without taking his eyes off the scene.

― Already bought it ― Gabriel said, pulling the cheese from the pizza ― We bought it together.

Theodore raised his own hand with his wedding ring, then watched the other couple arch his eyebrows.

― Do we need to give them a little push to admit it?

The three of them watched as Kauã looked at Miles and grinned, showing off his bearded gums gracefully, disconcerting the alpha from his call. As a light bulb went on over Theodore's head, the omega wiped his fingers on his napkin.

― Hey, Nico you're pretty careful with Kauã... I wonder if you'll ever want to have children now.

The question had been so simple that Nicolas didn't even look at Theodore, keeping his attention on the child. But the answer had come with sincerity despite the objectivity.

― But of course!

Milles choked on his saliva, turning off his mobile phone.

Gabriel and Nicolas' mother had their eyes glazed over at the short omega, who finally realised what he was talking about. Differently from what was expected, he did not look embarrassed and did not even try to explain himself.

― What are you looking at?

― You answered without knowing what they asked you, right?

― Theo asked if I had changed my mind about having children.

Milles turned to the omega, leaning his arm on the upholstered backrest.

― Are you serious?

Nicolas had lowered his eyes to Kauã, squeezing his chubby cheeks.

― Ah... If a cute little thing like that is born, I'll even ignore the fact that will be your blood.

It was Theodore's turn to choke, this time spitting out the coke and having a coughing fit. Holding out his napkin to his boyfriend, Gabriel watched as Milles looked on in embarrassment.

― Are you saying you want to have a child with me?

Nicolas turned to the alpha, arching an eyebrow.

― Should I have it with someone else then?

― No fucking way! ― shouted the alpha, having the child look at him scared. Milles covered his mouth, his whole face reddened with shame.

Nicolas opened a smirk and malicious smile to Milles, without making comments about that conversation.

― Uuuuh! ― Kauã complained, holding Nicolas's face to look at him.

― Yeah, your uncle thinks he's going to run away from me. He made that same face when I told him he was my boyfriend.

It was Gabriel's turn to choke. And the kitchen became a real mess of napkins.

― What's the matter with you people? You can't drink properly, can you?

― It's the shock. Nico you guys are... Finally?

Nicolas looked at Milles and then at Theodore and nodded. The couple of lovers didn't hide their surprise, or pretend it was natural. I mean, Nicolas had taken the initiative to propose? That was news!

The two turned to Miles, who scratched the back of his neck without having the courage to reciprocate. He pretended to pay attention to the wall just to hide his shame.

― But since when? And you don't even tell me! How was the request?

― It wasn't a request. - Milles mumbled, pursing his lips ― It was a summons.

― As if I would waste my time making a request. If it's mine, then it's mine and that's it. Isn't that right, Kauã?

The child who was touching the print on Nicolas's shirt raised his head to his godfather and tilted it innocently.

Theodore and Gabriel finished eating and joined the other couple on the sofa, Kauã wanting to go back to his blond father's lap. The four of them being together, Theodore leaned against his boyfriend's chest and soon the whole interrogation about how the dating request had gone.

Nicolas' mother had taken advantage of the distraction of the younger ones to grab her digital camera and discreetly take a picture of them. She would never imagine that her son would be surrounded by good friends and smiling like that. She even felt proud to see Theodore happy after having faced so many problems because of his class.

All thanks to the arrival of a transfer student.