CHAPTER XXX

The ceremony was quick and simple. The kids, Emile, Hunter, Cael, Nate and the merry couple. And the officiant. Thierry and Dev made some quick vows and signed the papers. And just like that, things were done. And they became a married couple. After that, they went to Thierry's favorite restaurant - that Emile and Nate recognized -, and had a meal. Nate and Cael took care of the kids to give the couple some space, and took them in for the night, to allow them some alone time.

After dinner, when they arrived home, Dev hugged Thierry's waist, and put his hand under his shirt, caressing his nipples. Thierry moaned quietly, but then took Dev's hand away.

"You don't want to?"

"I'm a little tired, and too full from food. Let me take a bath first".

"Wanna do it together?"

"If it's just a bath, okay. Nothing more, alright?"

"Okay", Dev laughed.

"I said just a bath!"

"I know, hubby". And he kissed his cheeks and hugged him again.

"You know nothing! You're not going in"

"Please, please. I promise to behave".

"I don't believe you".

"C'mon, it's our wedding night".

"Alright, alright. Go fill the tub. I'll take a quick shower first".

"Really. I'll go do it right now". Dev celebrated and went running to the suite's bathroom. Thierry laughed at his childish behavior, and as he laughed he felt the babies kicking again. It was complicated having sex during pregnancy, you had to be careful. He was already used to it during Collin and Killian's pregnancy, but there was a reason for it. He had to accumulate alpha pheromones and that was the best way for it. This time, however, the alpha pheromones were in good levels, and everything was going right. Still, sometimes he was afraid that things would change, and by a twist of fate something would go wrong.

He put his hand in his belly, and gently whispered to the babies.

"You're really precious to us. We will do anything for you to be healthy and well. So we can meet soon, here, in the outside world". The babies kicked again. "Everything will be alright. Now mommy is going to take a quick bath, 'cause daddy is waiting".

He went upstairs to one of the guest rooms' bathrooms. While he took out his clothes, his white suit that he carefully chose for the day - with the help of Emil, Nate and the twins - he looked at his growing belly. The clothes from today couldn't hide it, and a clear bump could be seen. He wouldn't be able to hide it anymore, and he had to tell the twins soon, before anyone else ends up saying something they shouldn't.

He took a quick bath, got wrapped in his towel and went quickly to the suite's bathroom where Dev was waiting. When he got there, he saw Dev putting a bath bomb in the tub, his favorite one. Dev was also wet, and probably took a shower too, his long red hair dripping. After Dev dropped the bomb, Thierry jumped in the tub, surprising him.

"Hello, hubby", Thi said.

"Relaxed?".

"A lot". Thi smiled. "Come in".

"Gladly". He got in. The tub was big and could easily fit the two adults, with leftover space. But Thi sat on Dev's lap. And Dev hugged him, and caressed his nape, biting lightly on his neck and nibbling his ear. Then he kissed his cheek and neck, and caressed his body - his neck, his torso, while kissing his neck.

"Didn't we agree we would do nothing in the bath?", Thi laughed.

"Did we? I don't remember".

"You don't remember! How convenient". He laughed again.

"Do you want me to stop?".

Thi brushed him away and got up, just to sit back again face to face. He kissed Dev lustfully, and pushed him away again teasingly.

"Do you want me to stop?", Thi asked him back.

"Never", Dev answered and dived into a kiss again.

***

The next morning, they woke up early to send the kids to school, forgetting they were with Cael and Nate. When they both realized the mistake, they laughed and went back to bed to sleep a little more. Thi had pilates at 9h, but he could spend a little more time with his - now official - husband. They hugged and just stayed there in silence.

"I don't want to get up", Thi said when the alarm rang at 8 a.m.

"Me neither", Dev answered, turning it off. And he hugged Thi even tighter.

"We still have so much to do today. I have work".

"You're your own boss. You can miss work".

"Exactly because I'm the boss, I need to be the example".

"Okay, okay". He laughed. "But we can have five more minutes, can't we?"

"Five more minutes". He said, pushing him away.

"Yay". He hugged him again, and Thi laughed at the childish behavior of his husband.

Thi got to the pilates' class late, but, except for that, the day was tranquil. Work was peaceful and uneventful - the same old problems to be solved. He went to lunch with the others to discuss the twins' birthday party. And went back to work for two meetings and lots of paperwork. Dev went to get the twins at school by the end of the day, and they were excited talking about many things at the same time - the party, Nate's cats, the new kid at school, homework. They were enjoying spending time with their dad and Nate.

"Do we get more gifts?", Collin asked, referring to having two dads.

"I guess", Dev answered while driving.

"Yay!" Collin celebrated.

"Do you want something for your party?" Dev inquired.

"Dad asked me that too".

"He did? And what did you answer?"

"I want many animals", he expressed many with his hands.

"And you, Lian? Do you want animals too?"

"Yeah", Killian answered, uncertainly.

"So we will have them", Dev smiled, and would check with Cael later about it.

The birthday was close, and the closer it got the more excited the twins were. But it was delightful to see them like that, although they had to deal with all the extra energy.

***

The twin's birthday finally arrived, and the whole house was decorated. There was a big bounce house, a petting zoo and cars imitating the ones from the boys' favorite show. Cael was proud of himself for doing all that. The moment the boys saw it, they were ecstatic and wanted to play. Cael guided them to play inside the bounce house and even jumped with them. He was so happy being there with his kids and being able to be a dad to them.

"Dad, dad", Collin ran to him holding a small and scared chick. "Look, look. He is so small".

"Yes. And you need to be careful. He is very fragile too". He said taking the chick and holding it in a more comfortable way. "Let's take him back so he doesn't get hurt".

"Ahhhh", Collin answered bummed.

"You don't want to hurt the chick, do you?"

"No". He answered with a frown. "But I want to hold him".

"Let's sit somewhere. And do like we did with Doha. Slow and calm. Let him come to you. Okay?"

"'Kay".

Killian was just observing the animals from afar, hesitant. Cael approached him slowly, not to scare him, and called him out loud, still holding the small chick.

"Lian, is everything okay?"

"Yeah...", he said in a dubious way.

"Don't you want to pet the animals?"

"Maybe later".

"Afraid?", Collin asked.

"Not afraid. Just curious". Killian answered. He kept observing the animals, and Cael could notice that something was going on in his mind. He didn't know what it was, but he was intrigued about how this little boy's mind worked.

"Okay. I'll be there with your brother and this little fella. If you want to join us later".

"'Kay", he answered inattentively.

Cael kept the twins company, while the others finished the last details of the organization and prepared to receive everyone. Half an hour later, the guests began arriving. The party went well. Antoine and Cyrus introduced Cael to the other parents and family friends. It was an interesting situation being introduced as the twins' father to people outside their inner circle.

The twins had a lot of fun playing with their friends. And Cael enjoyed spending time with the other parents. They were a little hesitant in the beginning, and some even commented that they didn't know the kids had another father. It was a little exhausting explaining to them that Cael was the biological father, while Cyrus was the socioafectivo one. But there were a lot of interesting people among the guests, some that have known the twins for a long time and had many stories. The twins' teachers were present too, and they had a lot to tell. Cael enjoyed hearing the stories.

"Dad", Killian approached him.

"What's up, Lian?"

"I want to pet the animals".

"You do? Want me to help you?"

"Aham. Like you helped Olli".

"Sure, sure". He looked at the people he was talking to. "Excuse me".

With Killian in his arms, they went in the direction of the petting zoo.

"What do you want to pet?"

"The fluffy one".

"The sheep?"

"Yeah".

"Okay".

He went close to the lamb, and put Killian down.

"Now, be patient, and get slowly close to him. Wait for him to close the distance himself".

"Okay". He did what his father told him. And the lamb came close to him, putting his nose in the palm of the boy's hand. Cael looked at him proudly. Killian let out sounds of excitement. The boy spent some ten to fifteen minutes with the baby sheep before letting it go.

"How are you feeling, Lian? Happy?"

"Happy!"

"What do you wanna do now?"

"I wanna pet the bird".

"The chick?"

"Yeah"

They went on until Killian petted all the animals. Then he ran towards his friend to go play in the bounce house. Cael went to one of the tables and sat down. Nate quickly sat next to him.

"Tired?"

"A little. But happy".

"I can imagine. Killian really took his time with the animals".

"Yeah". Cael laughed. "He was so excited".

"The party is almost ending now. We can rest later".

"We still need to help them to organize things after".

"Sure, sure. But we won't need to socialize and be polite".

"True".

"Have you eaten something?"

"A little".

"Then let's go eat something. Before the food is completely gone". He got up and drew him toward the buffet.

"Okay, hun. I'll eat". Cael smiled.

After the party ended, Cyrus gave the kids a bath and sent them to bed early. And the adults reunited to organize the things and have some drinks. For a moment, Cael looked around and felt a sense of accomplishment. It was his kids birthday, and now they were sleeping peacefully. He had the man he loved next to him, and friends with whom he could share a drink. Things were going really well. Although he didn't get the person he thought he wanted, he got much more than he wished for.

"Hey, what are you doing standing there looking at nothing?" Nate approached him as he was lost in his thoughts.

"I don't know. It was an exhaustive day, but I couldn't be happier. I have the twins, and you, and all these people who are so good for me".

"I guess even Emile is starting to like you", Nate laughed.

"Maybe a little", Cael laughed too. "Thank you for being by my side through all this". He grabbed his hand. "I love you".

"I know. And I love you too". He kissed the back of his hand. "Now, let's help finish the organization, 'cause I really want to go home and take a shower".

"Okay, I'm going".

They finished organizing and went home. Everyone was exhausted from that day, and deserved a well-rewarded rest.

***

After Thierry closed the door for Cael and Nate, he sighed. The day was rough, and tomorrow was just knocking on the door. Tomorrow is the day they will tell the twins about the new siblings. Many people now have already guessed, and they asked them not to comment. They didn't want the twins' to discover it through someone else.

Thierry yawned. Just a few seconds later, Dev yawned too.

"I think it's time to go to bed". Thi laughed.

"Yeah", Dev yawned again. "I'll take a bath in the guest room. You can use the suite".

He got upstairs dragging his feet.

"You can use the suite. I'll get myself a snack first". He was hungrier now, with the pregnancy approaching the last trimester.

"Okay", he answered, rubbing his eyes. "Eat something healthy. No industrialized stuff".

"Sure, sure", he laughed.

Soon, they were both in bed, in deep sleep. They were woken up by the twins jumping in bed, excited, wanting to know if there was leftover cake.

"Cake, cake", the boys chanted in unison.

"It's too early for cake, kids".

The boys looked at each other and with a strong resolve, they chanted again:

"Pancake, pancake", the boys chanted.

"Okay, okay, I'll make you pancakes". Thierry agreed.

They got downstairs and Thi began to cook.

"Are you alright, hun?"

"Yeah. I can do this much".

"Okay. I was thinking about touching the subject while we eat. What do you think?"

"Go ahead. They get more passive when they are on a full stomach".

After Thierry finished the pancakes and served them in four plates with butter and syrup, Dev asked:

"What would you think about getting another sibling?"

"Another sibling?" Collin asked.

"A baby brother and/or sister". Thierry added.

"I already have a brother", Killian answered, an angry tone in his voice.

"But you could have another one. Or a cute little sister to pamper. Wouldn't you like that?"

Collin looked at Killian, who didn't answer. He just looked at his food and kept eating.

"Mommy would really like to hear your answer, babies". Thierry said.

"Would he have two dads like us?", Killian asked. They didn't know how that was relevant, but Dev answered.

"No. I'll be the only dad. Why?".

Killian didn't say anything else.

"Babies, imagine having two more kids to play with, to talk with, and to keep you company. Wouldn't it be great?", Thi asked.

"Yeah!" Collin answered, enthusiastically. "But where are they?"

"Right now, they are in mommy's belly, growing strong and waiting to meet you", Thi said touching his belly.

Collin got up and got close to his mommy.

"In your belly?" The boy asked.

"Yeah. So they are protected and can grow safely".

"I was in your belly too?"

"You and Killian".

"But we're so big".

"But you were once really small"

While Collin and Thi talked, Killian ignored, visibly upset.

"Lian, are you okay"

"Yeah", he answered, obviously lying. "I don't want to eat anymore".

"Why? It's your favorite".

"I'm not hungry. Can I go watch TV?"

"Your mommy is talking about something important".

"I know. Can I go watch TV?"

Dev looked at Thi before answering, and he just assent. The kid might take some time to process it, and that's okay. He was probably saying, and Dev agreed.

"Okay. You can go. Do you want me to go with you?"

"No, I can go alone". He went to the TV room in silence. Dev wanted to peek into that kid's mind and figure out what was happening, but he could just wonder. He wanted to make him feel better, but he didn't even know the problem. Right now, all he could give him was space.

***

"Daddy?", Killian asked when the call was answered.

"Lian? What are you doing on your mother's phone?" Cael recognized it was strange when the boy answered. First, Killian calling him daddy instead of dad, as he always did. Secondly, why was he the one calling? "Lian, where is Antoine?"

"Daddy, can I sleep in your house today?"

"Why? Did something happen?"

"I miss my daddy".

"Can you get Antoine or Cyrus on the phone?"

"Please, daddy", he cried. Cael could hear the boy's trembling voice.

"Call your mother, I'll talk to him".

"Killian, what are you doing with my phone?", Thierry called the boy, who dropped the phone. Thierry noticed that the boy was crying and picked up the phone to see who he was talking to. "Hi, Cael. I'll call you back".

"Okay".

"Lian, what is happening?", He kneeled next to the boy, the weight of his belly pushing him down.

"Nothing", the boy answered, drying his tears.

"Why did you call your dad?"

"I just miss him", he answered nonchalantly.

"But you saw him yesterday".

"I just miss him", he repeated. "Can I sleep there tonight?"

"Baby, we agreed that you'll sleep at home tonight".

"But I miss my dad". He protested. Thi thought for a while.

"I will ask your other dad what he thinks, okay? We'll see".

Thi knew that all this had something to do with this morning's talk, but not exactly what was happening. Was it better to give him space and let him stay at his father's? Or be strict and say that he should stay here and try to solve it somehow. The boy didn't seem like he wanted to speak.

Thi went to the Dev's office, where he was revising some document's. The man was wearing his glasses today.

"Can we talk?", he asked and sat down in the vacant chair. Dev just nodded, and Thi explained the situation.

"Maybe we should let him go. He may talk to Cael and Nate, or at least let out something".

"You think?"

"I don't know. But I think we can try".

"I will call Cael to ask him if it's okay".

"It's alright". He said after they explained the situation. "I'll pay attention to his behavior. I'll tell you everything".

"Thank you". He said.

***

"I'll go too". Collin exclaimed when he saw Dev getting Killian's things. Dev looked at Thi who was looking through the boy's clothes.

"Okay", Thi agreed. "But you should behave". Killian would feel more comfortable with his brother there.

"I'll behave", Collin promised.

They took the boys to Nate's apartment, and all the way, Collin asked about the babies, excited about being a big brother (again), but Killian was silent. When they left them there, Thi and Dev tried to give him a good-bye hug, but the boy avoided them. That has never happened. They left the boys there and went home. On the way back, Thi cried. Dev held his hand and asked what was happening.

"What if he hates the babies?"

"He doesn't".

"How do you know?"

"I don't. But I believe he doesn't".

"Then why is he acting this way?"

"Only he can tell us".

"If he tells us".

"He will. Just give him some time. Alright?"

"Okay".

"Let this rest. Until tomorrow".

"Until tomorrow".