Page 92 of Abel's Omega

“Thankyou.”

They made their way back to Headquarters, then to their apartment. Fan whined and leaned against Bax’s legs in the elevator. He flopped on the floor as soon as he was in the apartment and whined louder.

“He wants back to human,” Bax said worriedly. “Baby, I’ll be right back for you. Let me put Noah down.”

Fan whined again and began to chew on his sling.

“I’ll stay with him,” Abel said.

“Give me Beatrice, then.” Bax scooped Beatrice out of Abel’s arm and disappeared toward the bedrooms.

Abel sat beside Fan and let Teca sprawl across his lap so he could undo the knots in the sling, then the bandages wrapped around Fan’s leg to protect it from the sling. Fan stretched and began to change back.

“That was quick,” Bax said behind Abel.

Abel tilted his head back to see his mate. “So were you.”

“I was planning to change them after.” He crouched down beside Fan and Abel felt that subtle brush of power again, similar to the one he’d felt before but not exact.

“Bax, what is that you’re doing?”

He felt Bax stiffen even before he saw it, and the brush of power disappeared as if sucked into a hose. “Nothing. I was just…nothing.”

“It’s not nothing.” He reached for Bax’s hand and squeezed reassuringly. “I’m just curious.”

Bax looked up at him with troubled eyes. “I don’t know. I swear.” His hand lay tense and untrusting in Abel’s hand, reminding Abel just how little good Bax had ever experienced from a mate.

“That’s fine.” Abel squeezed his hand again, then let go to help Fan to his feet. “Careful with that arm, big dog. Dabi and I both say so.”

Fan rubbed his eyes irritably. “I wanna snack.”

“Pajamas first, and the wrap Adelaide gave us for your shoulder,” Bax said firmly. “Then you can look in the fridge with me and pick something.”

“Ice cream?” Fan asked hopefully, reaching for his bearer.

Bax smiled and said, “Sure. Why not? It’s a special day.” He picked Fan up and started carrying him to his bedroom.

“I had pie,” Fan mumbled, his head drooping on Bax’s shoulder.

“Mmm, I like pie.” Bax disappeared around the corner.

Abel looked down at Teca, still fast asleep.Guess it’s time to get you to bed too.He picked her up carefully and took her to her bedroom. He wasn’t so certain of being able to change her out of her party clothes, a sparkly blue puppy gown that Bax had bartered for with a pack member, but she didn’t look comfortable with the sparkly, scratchy, stiff outer layer poking at her tender skin.

The zipper was the easy part, but the short sleeves were tight and he felt like he had to be hurting her every time her arms got stuck in them.

Bax’s appearance in the door saved him. “He fell asleep before I even got his clothes off him.” He looked at Teca. “That doesn’t look very comfortable.” Before Abel could count to twenty, he had the dress off her and was digging in a drawer underneath her bed for pajamas.

“She really liked the dress.”

Bax laughed softly. “She’s such a girly girl sometimes. And then I catch her chasing the boys with worms and I wonder what I birthed.” He slipped her into her pajamas, tucked her under the covers, and then stood there watching her for a moment.

Abel laughed and came up to wrap his arms around him. “I’m going to enjoy watching her grow up.”

“I hope so.” Bax leaned back against him and laid one of his hands over Abel’s. “It went well tonight, don’t you think? Other than…” His voice trailed off, but he didn’t sound terribly troubled by it.

“Other than,” Abel agreed. But Bax’s mention of Sebastian, and the Montana Border crew reminded Abel that he had some Alpha duties still awaiting, in the secure block in the basement of the main Security building. “I have to go out for a while.” He didn’t want to go, but Mac and Duke would be waiting for him.

“I know,” Bax murmured. He moved out of Abel’s embrace, but kept hold of one of his hands and led him out of the bedroom. “I’m surprised you weren’t gone during the dancing.”