Chapter Text
Ilya took a leisurely sip of soup and wondered who would break first. Shane? Yuna? Would it be by the third course or just after dessert?
Either way, it was probably terrible of him to be amused by the situation.
He loved both Shane and Yuna dearly. He’d seen people try to talk both of them into breaking off the engagement. He knew Shane would defend him. He just hadn’t expected Yuna to do so too.
Disapproving gossips usually did it when he was in the room. Happy to take his money when they needed it, but unhappy to consider him a part of their exclusive group. They brought up Ilya’s numerous entanglements. They mentioned his loud personality and unremarkable family background. They laid that all out in front of her, and his future mother-in-law still refused to listen and sent people away with a sharp reprimand to stay out of their business.
All that support, yet couldn’t bring himself to put a stop to his loved ones’ relentless back and forth about the weather and the neighbors. He could see Yuna become more agitated with each diversion. Shane was getting defensive, expecting her judgment and disapproval. Neither caved. Ilya was learning something new about the Hollanders, and he didn’t want to cut the lesson short.
Ilya’s curiosity was getting the better of him. So this was what it was like when loving families dealt with a problem? He had to see it. And because of that, for the past hour and a half, he’d allowed mother and son to talk about everything and anything except the fact that Shane was pregnant and mated a month before the wedding.
He’d seen Shane’s parents notice his changed scent. It wasn’t just that he smelled like Ilya. No, it was more than that. They’d scented him as soon as they’d arrived and paused. He no longer just smelled of ginger and white musk, he smelled rosier and sweeter. But instead of acknowledging that at least one grandchild was on the way, Yuna and David had merely smiled and complimented him on the bouquet he’d gifted Shane for his birthday.
Ilya turned his attention to David. His father-in-law would know if this had gone on long enough. He had a beta’s solid temperament, and a deeper understanding of both Yuna and Shane. He was late to realize the older man’s eyes were already on him. He’d been waiting.
His father-in-law winked and briefly shook his head. He mouthed just wait.
It seemed there was nothing to do. Ilya listened and had another spoonful of soup. It was a bit cold now but still delicious. Even under duress, Shane had crafted a perfect menu. Ilya was just about to have another bite when Yuna finally surrendered to control-seeking alpha tendencies.
“Okay, I believe this has gone on long enough.” Her irritation flared, filling the room.
Yuna set down her spoon. She glanced at the waitstaff that were discretely posted in the corners of the room. “I apologize, the meal has been wonderful, but there are matters we must discuss in private. You can leave us with this course for now.”
It was a clear dismissal. As soon as they were alone, Yuna sighed. “My darlings, I love you, and you must know that David and I are so happy for you.” She paused. “Yet at the same time, I also want to strangle you both for throwing the wedding plans into chaos.”
Ilya held back his laugh. He covered his mouth with his hand then glanced at Shane, who remained impassive. Neither his scent nor their shared bond gave anything away. Nonetheless, Ilya reached across the table to hold his mate’s hand.
“Your mother assumed you’d have a plan.” David explained. “You’ll have to forgive us for wasting time on extended pleasantries. We were just hoping you’d speak first.” He touched his wife’s arm and gave her an encouraging smile. “She didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
“I assumed you were upset.” Shane raised his head and met his parents’ eyes. Ilya squeezed his hand reassuringly. “I know this was all untimely and grossly inappropriate. Once people find out, it’s bound to affect you both.”
“Honey -”
“I want you both to know that I love you so much, and I’m sorry for any future pain this might cause, but I don’t regret it.” He interlaced his fingers with Ilya’s. “Not at all.”
Ilya wanted to kiss him. Maybe even more. Pull his fiancé onto his lap and mouth at his mating bite. If not for the fact they were already on thin ice for being indecent, he would’ve done so. Instead, he tightened his grip on Shane and decided it was time to join the conversation.
“For what it is worth, I am also very sorry. I did not wish to bring more trouble to your family.”
“You’ve been a blessing, Ilya, don’t apologize. We love you. We’re glad you’ll be a part of our family.” Yuna left no room for argument. “And Shane, your father and I want to be clear that we aren’t upset. I can’t say there would’ve been any better solution for you. We were just worried.”
Yuna sighed but smiled. She relaxed and reached across the table. “You know that we only ever want things to be easy for you.”
“I’ve come to realize that I don’t like things that are easy.” Shane murmured, a hint of a smile finally on his lips. He met Ilya’s gaze. “We’ll save that for later, when we’re old.”
“Well, Hollanders are never ones to back down from a challenge.” Ever amiable, David agreed and took a sip of his wine. Ilya watched him move with enviable calm. He instinctively soothed Yuna and her busy mind with a gentle touch to her wrist.
Kind words, softer looks. Ilya hadn’t known family arguments that didn’t end with noise and violence. He watched the Hollanders with a pang of longing in his chest. Could he raise a family with such a gentle touch? Did he have it in him?
Shane pressed a foot against his under the table. Ilya startled out of his thoughts. His mate smiled, happy to have caught his attention again.
“We’ll be fine.” Shane said, his eyes on Ilya the whole time. “I know we will.”
Ilya really wished he could kiss him.
But with apologies out of the way, Yuna turned to business. “And the wedding?”
“We will not move the wedding. It is one month away, not so far.” Shane explained. “But at the same time, we will no longer be living separately. I can’t manage, and neither can Ilya, now that we are bonded and…”
Yuna pursed her lips. “May I offer one suggestion?”
“Of course.”
“Perhaps it’d be best if we all lived under one roof then. Just until the wedding. It’d make the whole situation look more acceptable. Anyone offended at this point will withdraw their attendance anyway, and it’ll offer enough decency for anyone on the fence.”
“We can retire to my seaside cottage.” Ilya suggested. He hadn’t thought of it back when he and Shane had discussed their plans. He checked for a reaction, but the bond was enough to tell him that Shane agreed. He pressed on.
“It’ll offer enough space for everyone. It will not take too long to move, only a day at most to get ready.” It was at this point he paused. Something else had come to mind. A desire to nurture and protect gripped his chest so tightly that his next words came out quieter than intended.
“I also think the fresh air would be good for Shane…and the baby.”
The word didn’t feel real on his tongue. The reality of their growing family weighed on him. He felt overwhelmed, and when he met Yuna’s gaze, expecting her solid support, he found she had none to give. She was equally, if not more so, overcome. Her eyes were watery, and before anyone could say anything, Yuna had abandoned her seat to embrace her son.
There was not a dry eye in the room.
It took a few moments, but eventually Yuna recovered her usual grace. She eased off her son to smoothen out his hair and wipe at his eyes. “Just so you know, twins run on your father’s side of the family.”
Shane’s cheeks turned scarlet, and Ilya couldn’t hide a smug grin. “And two changes to your scent? Rose is one thing, but it’s candied too. Floral and sweet. It’s a sign, honey. When I was pregnant with you, my scent only adopted a ginger note.”
“We don’t know for sure, it’s too early -”
“You need to trust me, I know these things.”
Mother and son descended into a well-worn argument of who knew better, and Ilya decided to leave them be once again. They’d settle down eventually. In the meanwhile, David dabbed at his eyes with a napkin then tossed it aside so he could join them. Once he was close enough, he laid a warm hand on Ilya’s shoulder.
“Cottage? Ilya, son, I’ve never known an alpha such as yourself to be humble.” He smiled down at Ilya with complete affection. It was a look he’d seen him give Shane numerous times. “I’ve toured the property, and it’s a marvel.”
Ilya hesitated over his reply. It was so easy for David and Yuna to call him their son. It’d felt strange at first, a title he didn’t think he’d earned. But in this room, surrounded by a love he hadn’t known since childhood, he felt brave enough to call them for what they were.
“It is not my property, it is ours. We are family, yes?”
All of a sudden, Ilya found himself smothered by both of Shane’s parents. Yuna instantly diverted her affection, and David crushed them all in a hug. He teared up again, and Ilya caught a glimpse of Shane over his dad’s shoulder.
Shane smiled, red-eyed, and beautiful. His perfect mate, more than he’d ever dreamed of.
“I love you.”
His reply came as easy as breathing. “I love you too.”