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Artem Tragoudis jumps out once the gate is locked and comes around to let Luca and Tsuki into the backseat, and then Nix into the front.

It’s a tight fit for them all, given Tsuki’s size and Luca’s fluffy hat.

“Thank you for coming, Artem. We appreciate the ride.”

“Of course! It’s my day off, and you know I don’t mind chauffeuring you around. Much rather it be me than a stranger. The weather has been too cold for bus stops.”

Luca mutters his agreement, still shy and uncertain.

It’s not that he doesn’t like Artem; it’s just that every time he sees him, he’s reminded of why Nix knows him in the first place.

That’s a fair point, and Nix is reminded of it, too.

But what he’s reminded of is how he saw Artem as his savior from that day forward and that, for some unknown reason, Artem had felt the call to be where Nix needed him.

It makes Nix think that maybe he has someone watching over him.

Artem has no family of his own, and once Nix had been in contact, he’d sort of taken him under his wing.

As another point in his favor, Tsuki thinks he’s the best thing ever; maybe that’s why she wanted to come along so badly.

“Where are you headed today, young gentlemen and Tsuki?” Artem asks as he makes a U-turn so he can go back the way he’d come, out toward the main street.

“The library?” It was their favorite destination since the fall.

“We don’t have time today after all, so just the café, please?”

Nix feels a bit of guilt at thinking he has to be home before Rowan gets there.

“That will be lovely, I’m sure.”

Artem and Nix keep up a quiet conversation about his church events and his job. He is retiring from the bus company in the spring and is looking forward to a life without night shifts.

It makes Nix happy that his friend is going to have more free time to do some of the things he’s always wanted to do.

“Artem, would you like to join us?” Nix asks when they pull up in front of Common Grounds.

Artem opens the door for Nix, and then for Luca and Tsuki, with a small bow.

“I won’t today, Nix, as I have a few errands to run. Please text when you’re ready, and I’ll take you home again. Goodbye, Luca—and beautiful Tsuki. Enjoy your cheesecake.”

“Bye-bye, Artem,” Luca says quietly and opens the door to the café, leaving Nix and Artem staring after him.

“He’ll be alright, son. One day at a time. I wanted to ask—are you feeling well?”

The older man raises his eyebrows with a smile that pulls his cheeks back.

“I am feeling a bit sick sometimes, but I read that’s normal for pregnant people,” he whispers.

Artem had been ecstatic when Nix told him on their last outing, but he still kept quiet about it when they were out and about.

Artem already knew most of the histories of omegas, as they were a part of his religious learning. He maintained a certain enthusiasm when he spoke of it that was similar to when they were talking about his love for hockey—and his pet rabbit, Wolha.

“I am so glad.”

He looks over Nix’s shoulder with a nod. “You should go. They’re waiting for you. Text me.”

Artem waits until Nix is safely inside before he drives away.