Page 33 of Temporary Omega

“But it’s, they’re... it’s...” Lincoln wanted to laugh at how much Luca was tying himself up in knots to say the baby wasn’t his. And sure, biologically the baby wasn’t his but it could be.

“Papa doesn’t need to know that,” Linc replied to Luca’s question before the omega bit his tongue trying to get it out.

“You’re right, I’m not showing yet, I’m sure you can come up with a reason why we’ve mysteriously broken up before it’s time,” Luca muttered under his breath like he was trying to convince himself.

Linc said nothing in return. Because Luca was right, the baby wasn’t his. But it could be, the annoying voice pointed out again.

He wasn’t sure what to do with these feelings and thoughts he’d been having but he knew now wasn’t the time to figure them out. Not just for him but for Luca too. The guy had just been hurt by the last asshole he dated, he was pregnant and emotional.

So now wasn’t the time to explore whatever feelings he may or may not be having towards Luca. Thankfully, they pulled up to gates leading to his parents’ home, and Lincoln used that as an excuse to shove whatever thoughts he was having way down deep.

He used his gate opener to let himself in and glanced over at Luca. The man looked as tight as a bowstring about to snap. The body so still, Lincoln couldn’t tell if he was even breathing.

Lincoln said a prayer to the Gods that this whole thing went well. He wanted Luca and his papa to like each other. Linc may not be willing to admit anything else to himself, but he knew what he wanted and it started with his papa and Luca getting along.

They just had to.

18

Luca

Since he’d been back from the hospital, almost five days, he’d been a wreck, and not because of his health, or wellness. Nope. Lincoln pretty much had that in hand. Luca was semi-confined to a flat surface by Lincoln’s decree. The alpha was taking the doctor’s orders to the extreme and if it wasn’t so cute, it would drive him nuts.

He wasn't supposed to be on bed rest, simply eating better and taking it easy. By virtue of how much he’d been working, taking it easy, for him, could have simply meant quitting his job. But that hadn’t been enough for Lincoln, nope.

He was the rest patrol. He even picked Luca up every time he saw him walking from his room, downstairs to the couch. At first, it was endearing but he’d finally had to put his foot down and tell Lincoln to quit it.

It hadn’t helped. But all that wasn’t what had him stressed out.

It was all the time he had to consider how badly meeting Lincoln’s papa could go. Yup, his brain had supplied every way it could go wrong in vivid detail. Luca had had more than enough time to contemplate how much of a disaster the meeting with Linc’s papa could end up being.

He wasn’t worried about embarrassing Linc by using the wrong fork or spoon. No, this was his world. He could blend in as easy as breathing.

But he was scared that Lincoln’s papa wouldn’t think he was good enough. Which was ridiculous. And shouldn’t even be an issue because he wasn’t about to meet his actual boyfriend's parent. So why was he feeling so nervous? Why were his palms sweating the closer they got to a neighborhood Luca recognized very well, since he’d grown up a few neighborhoods away? Neighborhood being a loose term for estates in the same area.

All Luca knew was Lincoln’s papa liking him was important. It was imperative.

Fuck he was so screwed. What parent would want their child, their only successful alpha son, with an omega who was pregnant with another alpha’s child?

Luca sighed. He just had to smile his way through this brunch and hope for the best.

They pulled up to a wrought iron gate that opened as they pulled closer. It led to a winding drive about a mile long before a modern Tudor style house appeared. The house was large, which was expected. The landscaping spectacular.

When they finally pulled up and came to a stop, Lincoln came around and opened his car door. The move gentlemanly, making him smile. That was Lincoln; so considerate and kind. A perfect gentleman.

Luca wasn’t intimidated by the grandeur, but he did briefly consider feigning illness and asking Lincoln to take him back home. Lincoln must have read Luca’s need to bolt because he offered his hand to help Luca out and then gave it a squeeze of encouragement before releasing it.

“Papa is the best,” Lincoln said quietly. “He’s suffered this unbearable loss and I just want him to be happy and I think you can help with that.”

Before he could reply, a slender man of about fifty, wearing work gloves, came around the side of the house. He let out a squeal of excitement when he saw them and hurried forward.

“Papa.” Lincoln’s face softened and he leaned down to kiss him when he reached them.

Luca wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting, but the beautiful man whose lovely face showed a lifetime of smiles, which he apparently didn’t feel the need to conceal with botox as was popular in their world, had him relaxing a little.

His hair was a beautiful blond, cut in a style that flattered his heart-shaped face. This close he could see the resemblance between the two, even though it was subtle. You could tell they were related.

“Papa, this is Luca,” Lincoln was saying. “Luca, my papa, Jules Wentworth.”