“Ease up, babe. You’re going to crack a rib.”
“Oh, gods, you’re okay.” October pushed him away and began mapping Raith’s body with his hands. “You’re really okay.” Then he pulled him into another crushing embrace.
“I’m fine. I’m better than fine.”
“It worked?”
It took a few moments, but Raith finally managed to extract himself from his lover’s hold so that he could look him in the face when he spoke. “It really worked. I’m completely me again.”
October’s eyes were swollen and red-rimmed, but the smile on his face was the most beautiful thing Raith had ever seen. “I don’t even care that you kept stuff from me. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“We can finally start building that future.”
His mate sniffed and rubbed roughly at his eyes. “I think we’ve already laid the foundation, love. The rest will come with time.”
“Daddy?” a sleepy voice called to him as Kaito slipped out of his bed and plodded toward him. “Daddy!” All signs of tiredness vanished, and he ran the remaining distance, holding his hands out for Raith to pick him up, just like every other child on the planet when they wanted affection.
“Hey, little man. Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”
“I missed you. Where were you?”
“I was having a sleepover with my brothers.”
“Oh.” Kaito looked him over and wrinkled his nose. “You smell bad, and you got your clothes all dirty.” He leaned forward to whisper into Raith’s ear. “Papa is gonna give you a timeout now.”
“I think I can let it slide this time,” October said with a wink at Raith. “You, my little one, need to be sleeping, though.”
“Will you read me a story?”
“I read you a story earlier.”
“Please?” His eyes rounded and his lower lip slid out into an adorable pout. “Just one?”
“Yes,” October answered with a sigh, “but just one.”
“Can I have a kitty?”
“Don’t push your luck.”
Kaito giggled, kissed Raith on the cheek, and squirmed until he was placed on his feet. “I’ll get the book. Daddy, you come, too.”
“Well, you heard the boss.” October smacked him on the ass and kissed his other cheek. “Let’s go tuck our son in for the day.”
They walked hand and hand toward Kaito’s bed, and Raith felt like a huge sap with all the warm, gooey, melted happiness going on inside him. For once, he didn’t care. October and Kaito loved him just the way he was, and he didn’t need to pretend to be anything different.
His life was going to be very interesting from here on out, and for the first time ever, he actually looked forward to the journey. Settling down on the mattress beside Kaito, he opened the book the boy handed him, and glanced over to smile at October where he sat on Kaito’s other side.
Every story had a beginning. Some were happy, some were dark, but they were all just a starting point for the real story to develop. His beginning might not have been a very happy one, and he’d hit a lot of bumps along the way. Everyone knew that the most important part of any tale was the happily-ever-after at the end, though.
“I love you,” he mouthed to his mate.
October cuddled Kaito against his side and placed his hand on Raith’s thigh. “More than anything,” he whispered back.
Looking down at the pages of the book, Raith wondered if maybe this was his real beginning. Maybe all of those other times were just practice, preparing him for his real story. And just like happy endings, everyone knew there was only one way for a fairy tale to begin.
“Once upon a time in a magical kingdom…”
THE END
WWW.GABRIELLEEVANS.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gabrielle Evans grew up in a small town in southern Oklahoma. We are talking one red light that may or may not work depending on the day of the week. She married her high school sweetheart and the rest is pretty much history. They have two very active boys and one high-strung wiener dog that keeps her constantly on the go. For now, she parks her car in central Indiana, but who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Gabrielle believes in love at first sight, falling hard and fast, taking chances, and grabbing your happy-ever-after with both hands. Most importantly, she believes that a great cup of coffee can cure anything.
For all titles by Gabrielle Evans, please visit www.bookstrand.com/gabrielle-evans
Siren Publishing, Inc. www.SirenPublishing.com
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