Chapter VII

"Sorry, I didn't know they would react like this", Thierry answered as he looked at Cael. "Killian..."

Thierry didn't know what to say. Killian was a smart kid, but he didn't think he would understand all that was happening just by looking at Cael. And he didn't think he would react like that. Collin has always been close to Dev, but Killian put up a barrier limiting how close the man could get. But the idea that someone would substitute him made the boy tear down the wall and let his feelings flow in a big wave.

While he thought of his boys crying back in the car, Thierry looked at Cael's gloomy face. It must be hard to be rejected by his own sons. And worse when they run away from you crying.

"It's okay", he said. A fake and tearful smile tried to hide the sadness in his eyes. "They are kids, we can't control how they will react".

"I'll talk to them, and we can try it again next time. But I believe we should take it slowly, until they are ready to be near you". Thierry answered, feeling guilty and a little bit of pity toward the man who couldn't even hold his sons.

It was strange. Until a few days ago, he didn't even want him to know about them. But now he was working towards a good relationship between them. Part of him questioned why he was doing that. But the other just asked: What if it was you? What if you were just a few meters away from your kids and couldn't hold them?

Thierry looked how disappointed Cael was with the whole situation, and he held his hand, like he would do with the boys when something bad happened, and he just said:

"I'll talk to them. I promise, everything will be alright".

---------------*--------------

On the way back, you could hear a fly's wing flapping. The boys were sleeping, their eyes swollen and red from the crying. When they arrived home, they laid them down on their beds.

"I'll prepare us something to eat", Thierry said and left Dev with the boys. Dev just stayed there, looking at them, thinking.

He still remembered when Thierry told him he was pregnant. Thierry had just arrived in the country and Dev asked him to go out to drink. As they were ordering, he noticed Thierry just asked for some soft drinks.

"Uh? Why are you ordering that? We are celebrating! You should get some good drinks!" Dev enticed him.

"I can't." Thierry answered, unfazed.

"Why? Some crazy diet?", Dev laughed.

"I'm pregnant", Thierry said, without changing his expression.

Dev pestered him that he should have told him that earlier. Asked how many weeks, who was the father, if the two of them were together, if they were getting married. Before Thierry could answer one question, Dev was already saying the next. When he understood that the man was a one night stand and was totally out of the picture, he held Thierry's hand and said:

"I'll be this baby godparent and will give him everything I have. He will be the most spoiled baby in the world".

Since then, Dev didn't leave Thierry's side and accompanied him wherever he went. He would always get him after work and take him home. He would take him to the doctor, and accompany him during the doctor consultation. He reminded Thierry of taking his vitamins and prepared him his weekly meals and froze them so he could be more comfortable. He would get him food when he had his cravings. And Thierry felt comfortable with Dev around, he could trust him and knew that if he imposed a limit, Dev would follow it. But he never had to.

But their relationship changed during the fourth month. The babies were not developing well and Thierry felt constantly sick. The doctor examined him and came to a quick conclusion:

"You're suffering from a severe alpha pheromone deficiency", he said, "I'll prescribe a suppository, and I want you to come back in a week. But I need to tell you that in 30 to 40% of the cases, the suppository won't work".

"And if they don't work?", Thierry asked.

"The only option is to seek the help of an alpha and obtain pheromones directly. If possible, I even recommend skipping the suppository. The alpha pheromone is more efficient and the results are faster", he said looking at Dev who was standing next to Thierry. The doctor didn't understand the relationship between the two of them, but they were definitely close.

When they went home, they sat down to talk. For an omega, to bathe in alpha's pheromone was something intimate, that you would do with a husband or a lover. Hence, the tension between the two of them that always considered themselves friends.

"I'm scared for the babies", Thierry said, "But I don't want to make you uncomfortable. And I don't want our relationship to change because of it".

"I understand. I also want the best for the babies. But I won't do anything if you are not comfortable with it". Dev answered. "If this is what you want", Dev held Thierry"s hand, "I'll do it for you".

To absorb the alpha pheromone, the closer and the more contact the better. That night, they slept together in each other's arms, Dev constantly reassuring Thierry that everything would be okay. It was intriguing how different Thierry was when it came to his company and his babies. The cold and domineering personality he showed to the world, became fragile and sensible.

"Thank you", Thierry whispered.

"Anytime".

They went back the next week, but the results were not good. The situation improved, but just slightly. His levels of alpha pheromone were still extremely low and that was negatively affecting the babies. The doctor explained that they should increase the absorption through the contact of bodily fluids and increase in proximity. Thierry and Dev couldn't react when he said that. Dev, seeing how Thierry was uncomfortable with the situation, held his hand saying 'everything will be ok'. This movement calmed him.

"This is the best plan to help the twins, right?", Thierry asked the doctor.

"We could try the supplements, but the result will probably be disappointing, and may even worsen your condition".

They left the doctor's office, Dev always holding Thierry's hand. Thierry had a gloomy expression that carried on until they arrived in the apartment. Dev locked the apartment door and looked at Thierry, who was lost in thought. He looked at those green eyes that lacked their typical light. Dev gave him a peck on his lips that woke Thierry up.

"Thi, I'd do anything for you and the babies. Just say it. You can count on me for whatever you need and I'll never dare say no. So, please, let's do it. Let's save these babies".

"Are you sure?"

Dev gave him another peck on the lips. Thierry reciprocated the kiss, with a longer and deeper movement. They parted their lips and let their tongues meet, a strange and delightful dance. Dev lifted Thierry's shirt and caressed his back, slowly feeling his smooth skin and the beautiful form of his body. Thierry got away from his touch just to reach back to him and guide him to the sofa. He made him sit down and sat on his lap. He unbuttoned the red-haired man's shirt, revealing his muscular chest and tanned skin. Dev also took off Thierry's shirt, showing his slightly protruding belly. As he took his shirt off, he kissed him from the neck down to the belly, kissing around the belly button. He went back to kiss Thierry on the lips, but the other man held him closely his chin on Dev's shoulder.

"Are you okay? Don't you wanna do it?", Dev asked.

"I want to. It's just... I'm glad it's you here with me. I wouldn't wish there was anyone else".

Dev pushed him away so he could look at his face. The light back in his eyes.

"I'm also thankful for being here. That you trust me to share this moment with you", he said that and kissed Thierry in the forehead. Thierry dove back and kissed in the lips, deeper than before.

"Let's go to the room", Thierry said, "The sofa is not comfortable".

They visited the doctor again the next week and the results were good. The alpha pheromones were stable and the babies were well. Thierry's levels never dropped again during the pregnancy.

The twins were born two weeks ahead of schedule, so there were only Thierry and Dev. Thierry's family only arrived the next day. Dev was the second to hold the twins, after Thierry. Before they were born, he was the one Thierry asked for help in choosing the twins' names.

As he remembered all that, a movie passed in his head. He always told himself he was not the boys' father. At most, he was an uncle like Emil. But all he did since before they were born, wasn't it what father would do? All the important moments until now, weren't he the one who was there? And didn't he want to be there to all the ones to come? Wasn't he the one who took care of them and comforted them? Isn't that what a father is supposed to do?

Deveraux never had a good relationship with his father, or his family in general. His father was always distant and he barely had any childhood memories with him. His mother was always there and took care of him, but it was more like an obligation than an affection. So, even before he knew he was infertile, he never thought he would be a good father.

But what wouldn't he do for those boys? Wouldn't he go to hell and back for them? Wouldn't he lay down his life if needed? He looked at the boys lying in bed, especially Killian. He knew Collin had a special relationship with him, and how close they were. He was even the one who chose Collin's name. But Killian... It was touching to see him calling him daddy, a sensation in his heart that he could not control. He wanted to be these boys' father. Even if he was not the biological dad, he would be the one who was there for them.

_________*_________

When Dev finally left the room, Thierry was already serving the food. He got his plate and sat down to eat. His eyes were red from crying. Thierry held his hands, thinking about what happened that morning.

"Wanna talk?", he asked.

"Yes". He said, swallowing the fear in his throat. "I was thinking, and I can't keep this ambiguous behavior with the kids. I want to be there for them, not as an uncle, nor a godfather. I want to be their father. To be there for them now and forever. To care and protect. To be here when they cry and when they smile. I know that will complicate our relationship and there's all the matter with their biological father. He deserves the chance of being a father, being together with the kids. But I wish you could give me a chance too".

Thierry wasn't surprised by this. Dev was always there for them from before they were born. And the twins treated him like a father. However, the situation was complicated. Their relationship was... complicated, to say the least. They were not dating, but they were raising two kids together and living together. He knew he could no longer treat their relationship as just friends-with-benefits. For a long time, they both knew that. However, both of them stopped at that ambiguous place so no one would get hurt. But do they want to be more than that? Aren't they already more than that? He didn't know what to answer.

And there was the problem with Cael. He was just introduced to the twins, and, as Dev said himself, he had the right to be their father. And with Dev on the way, his relationship with the twins would become more difficult.

Nevertheless, no matter what he thought, the final decision belonged to the twins. He already knew Dev was a good father. He proved himself in those four years. And, in practical terms, he was already their father. Hence, the only ones with the right to decide were the kids.

"We'll talk to Collin and Killian when they wake up, and decide that together. We still have to talk with Cael about all that, but the last word belongs to the kids".

"Thank you", he cried a little.

While they waited for the boys to wake, they talked lengthy about what it meant to be the boys' father. De facto, he was already the boys' father. He was the one who got them from school at the end of the day and even the teachers referred to him as the twins' father - and Thierry and Dev were too lazy to correct them. He was present in their daily lives and in the big commemorations. He went with Thierry when he went to visit his parents, and would take care of the kids when Thierry was not available. He was on their emergency contacts, and even took the boys to the doctor when needed, or accompanied Thierry. In the end, they asked themselves what would really change. It was more about the relationship with the boys and how he would be introduced to people henceforth. They would no longer correct Collin when he called Dev 'daddy', and they would tell Killian that he could do the same if he was comfortable.

"Hm", Thierry expressed at the simplicity of things and the importance of the word. Especially for Dev.

While they were finishing discussing the details, a sleepy Killian appeared and, without saying a word, climbed into Dev's lap and went back to sleep. Thierry and Dev laughed and, at that moment, Thierry knew he was doing the right thing.

Half an hour later, while Thierry was doing the dishes, and Dev was scrolling through his phone, trying not to wake Killian up, Collin came to the living room. He searched for Dev and went to his side, climbing to sleep on his lap when he saw Killian. He started to push his brother, trying to make him leave Dev's lap.

"Collin, don't push your brother", Dev advised the boy.

"He is in ma place". He said, pushing his brother away. When Killian almost fell, Dev grabbed him and held him close to his chest. Killian started to cry and hugged Dev tightly.

"You can't do that to your brother, baby", Dev told him. Killian, half-awake, cried in his arms.

"You're ma daddy first. I want ma daddy". Collin started to cry too.

"Come here", Dev let go of one arm and hugged Collin. "I have two arms for two babies".

After crying for a while, the brothers finally calmed down. Thierry trusted Dev to deal with this. While he calmed them, he prepared and heated two plates of food. He cut the meat and served a cup of orange juice. Then, he placed it on the table in front of the twins' high-chairs. As soon as they stopped crying, Dev brought them to the table and sat between them. Thierry sat beside Collin, who was the messiest one while eating, but when he tried to help him the boy pouted.

"I want daddy", he said. Dev, who was helping Killian at the moment, laughed. Thierry felt a little wronged, but he let the boy be.

When the kids finished eating, Thierry signaled to Dev that it was time and called the boys to sit on the sofa, where they could talk face to face. With the kids there, he didn't know how to start the conversation. Would they really understand what it meant?

"Kids, we have to talk about this morning".

"About that man?", Collin asked.

"No, not that. Not yet". Thierry answered. "You said that Dev is your daddy. Do you two want Dev to be your father?"

"Dev is our father", Collin answered and Killian nodded.

"Dev is our only father". Killian complemented.

"Killian... You can't be like that. But if you want to, he can be one of your daddies". Antoine said.

"He is our daddy!" Collin said again and Killian nodded.

"Is that really what you want kids?", Dev asked. They might be three, but they have the right to take part in the decisions about their future. Especially the important ones.

Killian got up and ran to Dev, who got him and pulled him up.

"Daddy", he called. Dev felt a warmth in his heart and an overflowing happiness. "Can you be our daddy?"

"Yes, I'll be your daddy". Dev hugged the boy tightly.

"I want daddy's hugs too", Collin came running and jumped on Dev's arms.

They still had to talk about Cael, but they'd leave this conversation for another day. Today, Dev and the twins had the right to enjoy their father-sons bonding moment. And they should wait for a moment until they are calmer and can see the situation in a better light.