A Mate for Lu - Amy Bellows Page 0,48

to tell my parents, though. Lu’s brother may be able to break my jaw, but he doesn’t have the power to be disappointed in me. That power lies solely with my fathers.

I feel like a teenager all over again.

We get Mary out of her car seat and walk hand in hand down the driveway. This is the house I grew up in. It was my quiet refuge all through my childhood, and now my children love it as much as I did.

I open the front door. Jesse is reading a book in the family room. They glance down at where my hand is joined with Lu’s.

“Hey, Jess,” I say.

They keep staring at our hands. “Dad, are you… Is Lu...”

“There’s no easy to way to say this, and it’s okay if you need some time to get used to it. But Lu and I love each other, and we’ve decided to commit to each other as mates.”

For a moment, they simply sit there in silence. “But you always said penguin shifters mate for life. Even when their mate dies.”

I did say that. So many times.

“I’m sorry, Jess. When your father died, I was so sad and confused, it was hard for me to imagine taking another mate. You’re right, it is against the rules. But now that I’ve had some time to grieve, I don’t think it should be. Lu won’t ever replace your omega father. But I think he’ll bring a lot of joy to our family.”

For a moment, I think Jesse’s going to be upset. I would certainly understand if they were. They remember their father better than Morgan or Parker do.

But Mary chooses that moment to let go of Lu’s hand and run for Jesse’s legs. Jesse crouches down to look her in the eye. “That makes you my little sister.” They smile and pick Mary up.

“Sam pancake daddy,” Mary says.

Jesse smiles at me. “Can we call you that too?”

“Very funny.”

Jesse turns with Mary on their hip and walks toward the dining room. “Grandpa Jerry has a cookie jar.”

“Cookie!” Mary squeals.

My alpha father comes around the corner. He glances down at our hands too. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on here, or do I have to guess?”

“I… he’s… this is Lu, my mate. I’m taking a second mate.”

My father stands there for what feels like eternity. “But Allen. Allen is your mate.”

My omega father emerges from the kitchen holding Mary’s hand, Jesse trailing behind them. Both Jesse and Mary have butter cookies in their hands. “Ah, is this your daddy?”

Mary nods.

My omega father holds out his hand to Lu. “Welcome. I’m assuming you’re the mystery behind bowling night.” He winks at me with a smile. “I’m Jerry, Sam’s omega father.”

Before I get reprimanded for not introducing Lu again, I say, “This is my new mate, Lu.”

The two of them shake hands.

“Would you like to come in and have some coffee? I just made a fresh pot,” my omega dad offers.

My alpha father clenches his jaw, but he doesn’t argue.

“Maybe we shouldn’t. I know this is a lot for you to process. I just wanted to introduce you. Where are Morgan and Parker?”

My omega dad elbows my alpha father. “I, for one, would love to get to know my new son-in-law and his adorable daughter. If certain people are too ornery to join us, that’s their problem.”

Lu smiles shyly. “Alright.”

We follow my omega father into the dining room where the cookie jar has been properly plundered, and is now empty on the table.

My alpha father stalks off to his study. But I take in a deep breath. Todd said it was important to give people time. I can do that.

“Now, first I have a question for you, Mary,” my omega dad says, “Chocolate or vanilla?”

“Chocolate or vanilla what? It’s ten in the morning,” I remind him.

He waves me off. “It is never too early in the morning to spoil my grandchildren.”

I roll my eyes, but Lu is smiling. That’s when I realize that Lu’s parents are dead, so Mary’s never had grandparents before.

“Banilla,” Mary answers, very matter of factly.

“Alright then. I’ll be right back.” My omega father, who is nearly sixty years old, grins like a kid in a candy store and nearly skips on his way to the freezer where he produces an ice cream bar. In the middle of winter. It’s so ridiculous I have to laugh.

He gives me a playful push. “Oh, hush. It’s not every day I get a new grandchild. Let