CHAPTER XIV

"What about the documents from DKZ?" Antoine questioned.

"They haven't emailed yet. Rebecca is calling them to ask about it, since we already sent many emails asking what happened and they haven't answered".

"You can tell them that this can be a deal breaker. If they don't send them until 15h (3 p.m.) today I won't sign them anymore".

"Yes, sir".

"Now, what about my 15h30 (3h 30 p.m.) meeting?"

"Mirian revised the errors and re-emailed the documents".

"Thank you. And..."

In the office, Nate was a completely different person. He learnt early in life to keep work and personal life separated, so he developed two personas. Work Nate was a workaholic, anxious and responsible. He gave his best at everything and always got the best results; someone everyone could count on. Real life Nate was impulsive, easy going and a little lazy. He loved going out at night, partying and enjoying himself. He was obsessed with trivia, and was the kind who knew the most absurd and random factoids. He was a gentle person, but also honest, that would always say what he thought and do what he wanted. That's probably why he and Antoine became friends, more than just colleagues. They were not the type to go out together, as their ideas of fun were pretty different. But they would have lunch together most of the days, go out for coffee, and count on each other for many things. When he was out of the city, he left his dogs Frida and Diego, with Antoine. When Cyrus and Antoine were busy, many times the twins stayed with him. They even called him uncle. Sometimes it was as if they were family.

But he was not. Still things got confusing, especially recently. Antoine has allowed Cael more contact with the twins, and he and Cyrus would invite Cael out to spend time with them. However, they still didn't trust Cael to be alone with them; and Cael felt uncomfortable going out with Antoine and Cyrus, as it looked like he was intruding in a family outing. So, in order for Cael to feel less uncomfortable, Antoine would invite him. Nate liked Cael, he was an honest guy, with his emotions always showing on his face. It was kinda cute, Nate thought. Every time he saw him, he thought how cute and innocent that man was. Like a sweet puppy that asks you to take care of him. That all made him want to help him, and not care so much about serving as a bridge between him and that strange family. Still, it was a somewhat strange situation. But even the most strange situations have their positive points.

His presence not only made it easier, but guaranteed new options. Although they didn't trust Cael being alone with the kids, they trusted him. Last week, he invited Cael and the kids to eat pizza. It was the first time Cael spent time with the twins without Cyrus and Antoine. Cael was really closer to the twins now, and they wouldn't refuse him anymore. Collin would call him to play and Killian would ask him to read him a story. Cael looked so happy every time that happened that Nate could only see a golden retriever wagging his tail when he looked at him.

Nate smiled as he thought back to that moment in the pizzeria.

"Ah... And Emile is arriving friday. We'll have dinner. At 19h (7 p.m.)". Antoine commented.

"Sorry?" Nate asked as he lost himself for a moment and didn't understand a word said.

"I'm throwing a dinner party on Friday, because Emile is coming. I'm asking you to come".

"Ah, sure. I'll be there".

"At 19h (7 p.m.)".

"Sure".

"And I asked Cael to be there".

"Okay". He answered automatically, but almost opened his mouth to retort. What are those two thinking inviting Cael to meet Emile? Emile, the one who is obsessed with his brother and nephews? And Cael, the one who is as meek as a lamb and who would cower in front of Emile at the first words he says? Nate thought. But he had no place to say anything. He just hoped that Cyrus and Antoine had discussed it well, and thought a lot before making this decision.

The rest of the week went calmly. Many things happened at work, but he was used to it. Ant. was one of the biggest multinationals and the one with the highest growth. The work was also growing constantly. But he could do it. The hard part was Friday night. But soon, it arrived. He dressed well, but casually. Got an Uber from his apartment to Antoine's. And he rang the bell. In less than a minute, Emile opened the door and jumped in his arms.

"Nate!", he shouted. "I missed you so much! I hate that my best friend lives in another country. I'm so lonely".

"Mil, let me get inside first. We're still in the hall".

"I don't care. I missed you too much".

"Emil, get down. I'm gonna fall".

"You won't. You go to the gym. And I'm a skeleton drama queen. You call me that".

"Yeah, and your bones hurt. Get down".

A big and tall guy, that looked like a big bear or a more human version of Frankestein's monster, grabbed Emile and made him let go of Nate.

"Sorry for him. I didn't educate my cat well". The man laughed. His voice was deep and serious, but his expression was open and his eyes were smiling.

"Thanks, Hugh. This kitten is really prickly". Nate laughed.

"I'm not", Emile protested.

Nate and Emile were best friends. The kind that will send a thousand memes a day just to keep in touch. That will send messages late at night with their most intrusive thoughts. They would count on each other for everything. When Antoine moved to Bgork, Emile was sad. But when he realized that Nate was also going, he went to his house at 3 a.m. to plead with him not to go. He stayed there for many hours, he cried for many telling Nate that he would die if he lost his best friend. Nate talked a lot with Emile, promised that they would talk every day, that he would be welcome to visit every time, and that Nate would visit every time that work allowed. Finally, Emile said:

"Okay, I won't die if you go".

"No, you won't".

"But I'll cry a lot".

Emile was extremely dramatic, but he and Nate were a match. They first met through Antoine, when Nate became his secretary. But they became friends because of a situation in a club. Emile loved going out to dance, but, although he is an alpha, he has all the qualities of a stereotypical omega. He is relatively tall, still a little shorter than his brother. He loves feminine and unissex clothing, the most extravagant possible, with lots of silk and transparent pieces. He loves accessories and make-up. And he has a gay personality, delicate and head-strong. He draws attention, and the guys would flock towards him every time he goes out. One day, while Hugh was in the bathroom, some really malicious guys were harassing Emile. When he saw that, Nate confronted them. They didn't like it and tried to attack Nate, who immobilized them. That is what happens when you attack someone who has been learning multiple fighting styles for over ten years.

"Are you okay?" Nate asked.

"Yeah". Emile smiled. "But it was satisfying to see you humiliating them.

"Animals like that deserve to be humiliated". Nate said. "Do you want a drink? I don't want to leave you alone".

"I'm just waiting for my boyfriend".

"I'll keep you company until he comes back. It's better than being alone".

"Sure".

Their friendship started then. And it only grew in these eight years.

"Nate", Emile called him while they were sitting in the living room.

"What?" Nate answered, sharply. He knew that when Emile called him like that, something was coming.

"You've met him, right?"

"Who?"

"The guy... the... the twins bio father".

"Yeah".

"And?"

"He is a nice guy".

"Nice? How could he be nice? He abandoned my brother". He answered, madly.

"He didn't know, Mil".

"Still. He slept with my brother and left him alone".

"Mil, your brother was the one who left him".

"Why are you on his side?"

"I'm not. I know you want to protect Antoine and the kids. But the guy deserves a chance".

Emile didn't answer, instead he just pouted.

Cael arrived a few minutes later. Antoine opened the door and Emile observed from afar. He knew Antoine was using his work smile with him, and was polite all the time. He didn't seem comfortable with the situation, but was trying his best to adapt and make everyone feel well.

"Is Ant really accepting all of this?" Emile asked Nate.

"He has to".

"He doesn't have to. The kids have Cyrus, and he is a great father. He would give them the world if they ask. Why does he need someone else?"

Nate knew how Antoine's family saw Cyrus. Even though their relationship was complicated, they accepted Cyrus as Antoine's partner and the kid's father. He was the one that took care of them not only in the last four years, but he has been a great support to Antoine since they met. They trusted him to be in their lives and provide for them, not only financially, but emotionally. Sometimes even Emile was jealous of Cyrus, of how well his parents treated him. But, at the end of the day, he liked the guy a lot. He was the older brother he never had and many times he sought his help and his advice. Hence, Nate understood Emile's resistance toward Cael. It wasn't only because Emile considered Cael as the man who wasn't there for his brother and nephews, and because of that Antoine almost had to raise the kids alone. But he didn't, because Cyrus was there. And now, Cael came to try and take Cyrus' place and take the benefits for something Cyrus has been working for. In a way, Emile was not so different from the twins.

"Mil, the guy has the right to be with the kids".

"He has no right whatsoever. He wasn't here all these years. Why does he have to come now? Couldn't he just leave them alone, have his own life and his own family".

"Collin and Killian are his family too".

"They are not. They are our family". Emile pouted again.

"Give him a chance. That's the least we could do. And he is a good person, a little naive and too nice sometimes, but good. You'd like him if you get to know him. And even if you don't, you can at least tolerate him. Can't you?"

"I don't want to".

"You have to", this time, it was Hugh who spoke. "You may play the child to everyone else, but you can't be spoiled all the time. There are many things you won't like and still have to tolerate".

Nate was surprised with Hugh speaking up, he was more of the stoic character who would just observe the conversation.

"I know".

"How can we build a life if you still act like a spoiled child at any minor inconvenience?"

Are they going to fight right here?, Nate asked. Hugh and Emile have been together for almost eleven years. They met at high school, and faced all kinds of prejudice for being an alpha-alpha male couple. Even from their families. But they fought it off and proclaimed their love to anyone who would listen. And they were the most stable couple Nate knew: he had never seen them fight, even when Emile did something wrong, mainly him being a spoiled drama queen. Hence, this was a totally new situation for him.

"Sorry, love, I'm still learning. I'll be better, I promise".

"Okay. But that starts now".

"Alright".

Still, Nate felt that there was something else. Maybe something Emile hasn't told him yet. Nevertheless, that should be left for later, there was already too much happening tonight.

After brief introductions, they all sat in the living room. Antoine went to call the twins who were playing in their room. The kids came running and hugged uncle Nate, uncle Emile and uncle Hugh. Killian was still uncomfortable hugging Cael, but Collin hugged him tightly and invited him to play with him. He had a new car that his daddy and mommy bought him. Cael agreed and went to play with Collin, and Killian followed saying he was going to get his car too. Antoine left to see if Cyrus needed help in the kitchen.

"You saw it, right?" Emile commented, "Killian won't get close to the man on his own; and for Collin his father would be Cyrus. I don't know what Ant is trying to do, but this weak and naive man will never be a child to these children. He shouldn't even be here".

"Em", Hugh called him.

"I'm just telling the truth".

"Mil, enough". Nate exclaimed. "Antoine left him and for almost four years, he didn't know he had sons. They might have only known each other for a night, but that night had great consequences. And now, four years later, he is doing his best to reclaim the time he lost, precious time that he could have spent with his kids. You may not like him, and, as you expressed many times, you wish Cyrus were their biological father. But you need to face reality, that Cael is - like it or not - their biological father, and he is in their lives to stay. And all this time he has been nothing but respectful, sensible and gentle. Nothing to give you reason to hate him. So, enough, Mil. No more judgements or hate. What would you do if you were in his place and found out that you lost time with your sons and now you're a complete stranger to them? Don't make things harder than it is. And don't say this bullshit to your brother, because he and Cyrus are already having a hard time dealing with all this mess, and trying to make it work. Are we clear?"

"Sorry", Emile said, his head down. Next to him, Hugh smiled. Sometimes, Nate was the only one who could deal with Emile's terrible temper.

"So, will you behave, honey?", Hugh asked.

"Yes, I will, honey". Emile answered. "I still don't like him, but I'll tolerate him. For you both. And for Antoine, Cyrus and the kids. But if he does even a tiny thing wrong, I'll retaliate".

"Ok", Hugh said and kissed Emile's hand. Emile's temper was hard to deal with, but since the school years, Hugh thought it was cute, and he didn't hide it. They talked for a while after, but Nate noticed that the conversation was gravitating toward Emile and Hugh, and he was just a third wheel in many moments.

"I'll help Cael with the children", Nate said and went to find Cael.

They were back at the twins' room, with a lot of car toys on the floor. It looked like they arranged a competition and each of them was trying to make their car win. The kids looked happy, even Killian was participating. They were laughing. And Cael has such a cute smile on his face, Nate thought. It's good that he is able to spend time with the kids like that. Nate smiled and decided not to interrupt them, but Collin noticed him while he was leaving.

"Uncle Nate! Come play with us". He called.

"I think I'll help your parents with the dinner".

"No, play with us!", The boy repeated.

"Yeah, uncle Nate! We need someone for the purple car." Killian said.

"We really need someone for the purple car", Cael said, with an inviting smile. Somehow, Nate couldn't resist that man's smile.

"Alright, I'll be the purple car". He sat on the floor with the others. It was fun playing with the twins, and it was wonderful seeing how happy Cael was just being there. It was an enjoyable time.

Half an hour later, Antoine came to call them and tell them dinner was served.

"What do we have for dinner today?" Antoine asked the kids.

"Lasagna!". They answered in unison.

"Cyrus' lasagna is the best. He makes the pasta himself and uses basil he grows. It is really good". Nate whispered to Cael.

"Is it that good?", he asked laughing, as he saw Nate and the kids salivate.

"Uhumm".

They sat down to eat, the twins between Antoine and Cyrus sat on some high chairs. They were making a mess with the food and Cyrus and Antoine would try to calm them down and make them eat slower, but they wouldn't listen. Cael was sitting between Hugh and Nate, with Nate sitting beside Cyrus and Emile next to Antoine. Cael took a first bite of the lasagna and his eyes lightened up.

"It's good, isn't it?" Nate whispered to him, laughing.

"Exquisite". Cael answered. "How can it be this good?"

"I don't know. It just is". Nate laughed, and then took a bite.

Antoine asked for their attention, in a moment that they finally got the twins to calm down.

"Thank you all for coming. We believe this is the last dinner we will hold in this apartment. We've been living here since I moved to Bgork, but with the twins growing up we fill the lack of an external place for them to play. We have been looking up houses and we finally made a decision. It's not much far from here, but it'll be a more comfortable space for our family, and we might finally adopt the pet the kids are asking for since they learned how to talk".

It might have seemed like something simple, they were just moving to another place. But after knowing Antoine for almost a decade, and being beside him everyday, Nate knew it was not. And the tears about to fall from Antoine's eyes were proof of it. First of all, Antoine and Cyrus were officially moving in together. Not that they weren't already living together, but like everything in their situationship, Cyrus still had his own apartment and to everyone they would say they were not living together. Cyrus just spent some days there. Some days meaning the whole month. Secondly, more than referring to them as we, they were calling themselves a family. That was a great advancement for them.

"So, again, thank you to everyone present for our goodbye dinner in this lovely apartment. I'll miss how close it was to work, and the market, and the gym. But the kids will enjoy the house much more than a boring apartment. Cheers!"

As he finished the toast, everyone went back to eating. Emile still tried some snarky comments towards Cael, but Hugh was capable of controlling him. Overall, it was a lovely dinner. When they finished, Cyrus and Antoine took the dishes to the kitchen and served desserts. They served them individual creme brulèes, which they ate while sitting in the living room. Antoine and Cyrus shared more about the house they chose, how they had to make a fence around the pool and other safety measures they'd have to take. And the night advanced.

At some moment, Emile was flirting with Hugh, Cyrus and Antoine were in their own world and Cael was playing with the kids. Nate felt a sense that he didn't belong. He was intruding in some family reunion. Without no one noticing, he grabbed a glass of wine and went to the balcony. There, he sat down and just drank, watching the time pass. A few minutes later, Cael arrived.

"I was looking for you".

"Ah... Sorry, I needed some air".

"Everything alright?"

"Yeah. Just needed some alone time"

"Does it have to be alone, or can I sit down?"

Nate laughed.

"You can sit down".

"Great". He smiled and sat closely to Nate. "I wanted to thank you, first. I overheard you talking with Emile when I arrived, and later when I went to play with the twins. Thank you for defending me".

"No need for thanks. I just said what I saw, and what I believe it's true. You're a good guy. Emile might be a blockhead sometimes, especially when it involves Antoine and the twins, but he isn't someone moved by prejudice. He may be a little rough when you first meet him, but he's a nice person, deep down".

"If you say so. But I think it will take some time for him to warm up to me. He keeps staring at me. And when I get close to the boys he looks at me strangely, as if I'm doing something wrong".

"Yeah... he is my best friend, but he is also a judgemental drama queen". He laughed. "Anyway, are you enjoying the night?"

"Yes. It's great to see the kids. And as you said, the food is amazing".

"Cyrus is a great cook. I love when they invite me for dinner because I can eat lots without spending a dime".

"I can cook a little too. My uncle cooks well and he taught me some dishes".

"Really? You can cook for me someday".

"Sure. You can go to my house one of these days. It's a mess, because I recently moved in, but I can fix us something".

"That would be great".

They ended up setting a date, in a week, so that they could have dinner together.