Page 36 of Temporary Omega

“Thank you,” Jules said. “It’s always been a hobby of mine and Reese always indulged me. Next thing I knew, well it was this. And of course we have the vegetable garden too, which is excellent because we always have fruits and veggies that are in season at our fingertips.”

“I love cooking with fresh ingredients,” Luca said.

“You cook? That’s wonderful, so do I; it just tastes so much better. I’ll make you a basket to take home with you,” Jules nodded decisively.

“Thank you,” Luca smiled.

His voice was lighter than Linc had ever heard it as he spoke to Linc’s papa. The two of them talking about food and what they liked cooking depending on the season. Lincoln let it wash over him as he watched how relaxed and animated Luca was.

He felt eyes on him and met his papa’s who’d caught him watching Luca. Linc couldn’t help clearing his throat to draw attention away from the flush on his cheeks. But all it did was draw Luca’s attention to him.

Thankfully, before Luca or his papa could ask him anything, brunch was delivered.

Jackie and another member of staff, Rose served grilled salmon, passed out freshly baked rolls, there was quiche, and pasta salad, even freshly made crepes. There was also Linc’s favorite smoke salmon and egg salad on a toasted baguette, and a whole bunch of other options.

For the next forty-five minutes Luca answered all his papa’s questions. He was sure that the poor man felt interrogated, but Lincoln learned a bit more about Luca. So he didn’t interrupt.

It seemed Luca found it easy to open up to his papa, and Linc was glad. Not only did his father have some of his animation back, but Luca needed someone to talk to. And apparently they had a few things in common.

Not that he was surprised. Luca came from the same world as he did, so it stood to reason his background would be similar to Lincoln’s papa. Both of them being an omega of a certain class.

They both attended finishing school in Switzerland, albeit not the same one, but they knew the schools mentioned. They spoke about art and fashion and things that he was sure his papa hadn’t talked about with anyone in a while.

He watched as they even talked about babies. Linc had seen the surprised look in Luca’s eyes mentioning his pregnancy. He hadn’t been sure at first but then it had felt right. He wasn’t going to question why it did, but it simply did.

It didn’t hurt that his papa had looked like he’d been told genie’s were real and one of his wishes had been granted. Although he knew what his papa’s other wish would be, it would be the same as his, having his dad back.

But since that wasn’t possible. This was as close as they could get.

Lincoln couldn’t figure out why he didn’t mind people thinking that Luca’s was pregnant by him, but he didn’t. He also didn’t acknowledge the part of him that imagined having been the one that knotted Luca, and bred him with his baby.

Nope, he wasn’t thinking about it at all.

It was almost evening by the time Linc finally decided it was time to get Luca home. The man needed his rest, doctor’s orders. Although he knew saying that wouldn’t win him any points.

“We probably should be going,” Lincoln said, pushing back from the table.

His papa frowned and then looked at his watch, “Oh, look at the time. I’ve had such a wonderful day, it flew by.” His papa’s tone was wistful as he glanced at Lincoln then Luca. “I’ve enjoyed this visit so much.”

“We’ll get together again soon,” Luca promised. Without even asking Linc first, not that he would have said no.

“I’ll look forward to it. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, dear. You’re a very nice young man. Exactly the sort a papa would want for his son,” His papa said, giving Lincoln a speaking look.

Luca stood too, and his papa wrapped him in hug, rocking back and forth.

“I’ll call you,” Lincoln heard Luca promise.

“I’ll hold you to it,” Linc’s papa replied, his arms around Luca looked like they tightened before his papa stepped back.

“Son,” his papa said as he came towards Linc for a hug. Linc had to lean down so his papa could wrap his hand around his neck, having grown taller than him when he was about thirteen.

“You did good,” his papa whispered, then patted him on the back.

“Love you, Papa,” Linc whispered, tightening his hold on his papa for a second before they came apart.

“I’ll call you,” Linc added as they walked around the side of the house instead of going in. It was a longer walk but allowed Luca to get a look at the garden.

“I have veggies for you in the trunk,” Linc’s papa said to Luca. “And don’t forget to get my number from my son.”