As lovers, it was interesting to explore their new dynamic as a reunited couple. They didn't have the honeymoon stage of new lovers, but there was still a sense of giddiness that surrounded them. They were remembering certain things they had forgotten about each other as well as discovering things that had changed. There were fewer moments of awkwardness and more moments of comfort.After Emma had gone back to town that day, she spent a few hours talking to Lucus before finally falling asleep at close to two in the morning. What had started as a call to tell Lucus about some of the things Clary had shared about her field trip became a conversation that ranged from debating the best place to buy fried chicken to internet safety for children. At one point, they went back to their past."I missed you. So much."It was a little past one, and the world outside Emma's window was calm. Lucus quiet confession was whispered through the phone, and Emma felt her heart clench a little."I missed
Zia met them at the entrance to Palace, camera hanging around her neck and a grin on her face."Zia, what are you doing here?" Emma asked, giving him a quick hug."I'm your photographer for the day! I was waiting for the confirmation from Lucus that he got you to agree to the family hanboks.""Did you plan this?" Emma turned to ask Lucus."Uhh, not really a plan... it was just a potential idea we discussed," Lucus mumbled sheepishly, rubbing at the back of his neck."I'm excited. Thank you. I know this will be a memorable day for Clary. And for me too."Lucus ducked his head, shy at the heartfelt way Emma expressed her thanks. He quickly scooped up Clary and walked towards the entrance. "Come on, princess, let's go take some photos."Emma looped her arm around Zia and nuzzled a little bit into her neck. "Thank you. You're the best.""I know."They spent the whole day walking around the palace exhibits and taking pictures in the spots that Zia pointed out. Luckily, there weren't too ma
"You're touched that he still kept your old passcode all these years, huh?"Zia winked as Allen shook her head with a small laugh. "No, I think he's an idiot for not changing the security code for almost a decade. You should change these things once in a while.""Sure, Emma. Whatever you say."After their more eventful Saturday, they decided to make Sunday a chill day. After breakfast, Lucus had taken Clary out to the cafe to bake with her, while Emma and Zia had spent the morning grabbing brunch and then going to a museum. Zia shared some of the photos she had gotten around to editing, sending them to Emma's phone.There was one in particular where Clary was sitting on Lucus shoulders and Emma was poking at one of Clary's feet. It was not one of the posed shots; it must have been a candid shot that Zia had taken while they were setting up. All three of them were laughing, the look of joy on Emma's face making it almost unrecognizable. It was a drastic difference from the first family
Damon turned and walked over to the couch, taking a seat and relaxing before looking at Emma."I'll offer you the same thing I did last time. Child support in any form that you need for your daughter and yourself A house, tuition for school, and lessons for whatever else she wants to learn will all be provided for her. I'll even extend it past when she reaches adulthood and make sure she's provided for until she can stand on her own two feet. All you have to do is hide away again."He shrugged as he continued, "I won't even specify where you have to go. If you want to go abroad and start afresh, I'll make that happen. If you want to stay in Korea, fine. Just disappear from my son's sight and don't contact him again.""I will not do that.""Really? Even when the consequences this time are much worse?"The alpha leaned forward and fixed Emma with a cold look."If you refuse my offer, I will make sure that every success Lucus has achieved in the last seven years disappears."Prepared to
When Lucus cried himself to sleep, Alex helped him get to bed while Allen heated up some of the food and put the rest in the fridge. When Alex came back out, he put a plate of food on the table and told him to come eat."Are you staying here?""I think it's best that we do, right?""Yes, eat something. I think we'll need to keep our energy up in the days to come."Alex reached out and grabbed Allen's wrist as he moved away from the table.He said softly, "You need to eat too," and pointed to the food on the table.Allen was happy. "I'll do it, but first I want to make sure he's sleeping well."After giving Alex another encouraging smile, she went into Lucus room and sat on the edge of the bed, watching his sleeping shoulder move up and down in a steady rhythm.She couldn't help but think about the first time she saw Alex, just over a month after Emma had gone missing. Zia finally got in touch with her, told her what was going on, and asked her to check on Lucus. When she got to the ap
When she got home, the dishes for breakfast were already done, and Zia was sitting on the couch with two bottles of beer and a few cans of beer on the coffee table.Emma asked, "Were you going to drink during the day?""No, but just in case you needed it."Emma laughed and shook her head as she sat down next to her and curled up against her. With a small hum, Zia put out an arm and pulled Emma close to her.Emma mumbled after a few seconds, "He was the reason I failed every interview.""What?""He said he made sure no one would take me in if they still wanted sponsorships and chances to perform.""...Chairman Madden? Was it him?""Yes.""What. What the fuck?"Yep.""So that's why you left: because Lucus father was standing in the way of your dreams?""What? No, that's silly.""Then..?""He said that if I didn't leave Lucus, he would shut down all of his stores and kill him.""Emma, she can't really mean that.""That's what he said, and if he could stop me from going to an interview an
When Emma was done taking notes on her students, she sighed. "Okay, I'm done with my lessons. I'm going to leave before all the staring makes a hole in the side of my head.""We're just worried about you," Jasmine said with a frown and a look of hurt on her face.Emma felt sorry right away and let out a sigh. She moved forward and put her arms around Jasmine. It made her feel better when Jasmine gave her a strong hug back."I'm sorry. I know you're sorry, and I'm very grateful for that. I just... I need to take this next step on my own, you know?""I get it, but if you don't mind, could you remember something for me?"She leaned back and got a little pat on the face from Jasmine. "You're not alone, Emma. I know you've been through a lot on your own, but now you have a family with you, not just Clary but also the rest of us, including Lucus."The last piece of information made Emma think that Zia had probably said more than she had said, but the memory gave him a bit of a shock."You d
"Is this all because of that omega? Are you still willing to throw away your life and your duty as an alpha?""As an alpha, it was my job to never leave my omega alone and always protect her, but I failed because I gave in to your temptations all those years ago.""I really should have gotten rid of that omega a long time ago."Lucus blood started to boil when his omega was in danger. "Don't touch her, because if you hurt her in any way, I will kill you.""Are you threatening to hurt your father?""I'm taking care of my family.""Ah, your family. Do you really think you can be a good father?""Why am I not surprised that you already know? Have you been keeping track of me all these years?""Please, I've known you for longer than you have."Lucus stopped in his tracks. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. "What do you mean? And how long have you known?""Since your omega ran away, it has brought what could be your downfall with it."As Lucus thought about what his father had just sa
The air was filled with the subtle scent of lemons and candle wax.Gold tapestry runners featuring Batik motifs graced the tables by the entranceway to the hall, and crystal vases filled with white roses spilling out sat atop them, while bouquets of white roses wrapped in blue silk ribbons decorated the ends of the old wooden pews. The early morning sun shone through the stained-glass windows of the wedding hall and reflected pretty images onto the floor of the hall. Dozens of candles in every size were placed on the altar, ready to be lit when the ceremony started; they would lend a soft and warm glow to the happy couple as they stood before friends and family professing their love for one another.Zia studied the decorations with a critical eye—everything had to be perfect. She had pale yellow roses braided into her long dark hair and her dress, a long column of silver—not quite white and not quite grey—that shimmered under the lights with every moment. Satisfied that everything was
A small family could be heard all the way down the street from their apartment. A toddler was throwing a fit by the sounds of her crying and screams, and two people could be heard arguing."You! Get out of my home now!!"Emma hissed at her father, who was standing a few feet from his daughter and granddaughter, sporting a scowl.Emma was doing everything she could not to gently set her daughter down in her playpen and lunge for her father's throat. Nadia is now four years old; she's grown to be a beautiful toddler. She was clinging to her mother like her life depended on it and was crying hysterically. Emma was rocking back and forth in his arms and glaring at Robert in hatred."That thing is an abomination. She shouldn't even exist!" David spat, glaring at the toddler in disgust.The toddler whimpered at the insult and clung even tighter to her mother. Emma was enraged and could barely control herself. The only thing keeping her from screaming at her father was the little girl in her
Emma complied, taking the last few steps towards Lucus. The Alpha pulled her into his arms, stroking her back lovingly. Emma wrapped her arms around Lucus as well, not able to prevent the smile she was holding back from spreading across her face. Lucus suddenly felt tense. Emma looked up at him and noticed a sour expression written across his features."What's wrong, Lucus?" She whispered."Nothing."Emma glared, not taking too kindly to being lied to. Lucus sighed in defeat and met her gaze. His eyes held so much sorrow and fear. "I'm not a good father," he whispered sadly.Emma gasped out in shock. How could Lucus think like that? It's not like someone can go from never being around children to being an expert on them in only a few weeks! Lucus was being too hard on himself, setting his expectations too high. Emma would do everything she could not to let Alpha beat himself up over not being experienced with kids."Lucus, you love both Clary and Nadia to pieces! How could you say tha
Lucus made quick work of her shirt as well before Allen returned with a white hospital gown. Lucus lifted Emma up slightly so she could slip it on her. They had just laid Emma back down when a door burst open and the doctor walked in. She was wearing her pale pink hospital gown and white flats.She came strutting through like she owned the place. She shoved Lucus and Emma aside, making her way over to Emma. She was currently panting and sweating as if she had just run a marathon. She grabbed one of the towels from the nightstand and dabbed it with some of the cool water in the bucket. She wiped the sweat rolling down her face before she began setting up everything she would need for the delivery.The group sat there for the next hour and a half. It was silent. Allen was in the other room talking to Alex, who had arrived ten minutes beforehand. Emma had requested that they leave the room. She didn't feel comfortable with anyone witnessing her give birth to the baby other than Lucus. Sh
A tap on Lucus window startled him out of his thoughts. He saw a woman in her forties with messy brunette hair standing in front of his window with a takeout bag. He rolled the window down, and she shoved the food at him. He rolled his eyes as she walked away. He looked down into the bag and noticed something strange.There was only lava cake.He snatched the bag and stormed out of the vehicle and into the restaurant. He slammed the bag on the counter in front of a startled-looking employee. She had her purple hair tied into a bun, and her green eyes were wide. He felt no remorse."I have been to two different Burger King's! I've had soda spill on my shirt, and then an old woman slapped me in the face! I got pulled over by a cop who vandalized my car and gave me a seven-hundred-dollar ticket simply because I'm married to Omega! Now your ignorant people make me pull off to the side to wait for onion rings that I've never received! I demand three large orders of onion rings, another sli
5 Years Later:"Lucus!"Omega sighed, placing her rainbow-striped bookmark in her fantasy drama novel. She strode out of her office and into the living room.His Alpha was sprawled out on the sofa, his chin in his palm, as he watched an episode of Modern Family. Emma was wearing nothing but an oversized hoodie and a pair of grey shorts. Despite the baggie hoodie and fluffy red blanket covering her torso, her nine-month pregnant belly was obvious.They'd wanted to be married for a little while before they had another child. So, after two years of traveling the world and going on many fun adventures, they settled down back in their apartment with Clary. They then proceeded to make mad, passionate love all night long. It was more overwhelming than any other time. Of course, it only took one round to impregnate Emma, but once they got started, they couldn't get enough of each other."Yes love?" Lucus asked.He couldn't help but eye the dozens of candy wrappers strewn about the floor. The
The whole idea had been Allen's.When she'd suggested the idea to Emma—to celebrate Clary's birthday in a cute and fun way that the little one could enjoy—she hadn't come up with anything wrong with it.Neither of them had taken in Alex as a factor, though. Which, between the three of them, they really should have?"I don't think that outfit is appropriate for children."Lucus raised his eyebrows in confusion. He gestured to Clary, who was clad in dark blue denim jeans and a deep green knit sweater, before turning to Emma with an expression that suggested he really thought Emma had lost her mind this time."I meant yours," Emma explained, pointing to Lucus bright yellow skin-tight jeans and glaringly obvious rainbow singlet, which he'd paired with a deep red jacket and black shoes."We're going to a zoo, Lucus, not a nightclub."Lucus pouted, and Emma sighed."Just dress it down a little for me today." She asked. "Please? I'll let you choose my outfit another time if you do this for m
"Where are you getting it?" Zia asked Emma, taking a cotton ball and dipping it in antiseptic."On my wrist," she says, holding out her right arm. Zia nods, wiping the skin of her wrist beneath her palm.She puts the cotton ball down and then purses her lips."Could you... I might need you to swap chairs with Lucus; I don't want to do this upside down."Emma nods. "Of course."She and Lucus switch, darting past each other. Lucus raises his eyebrows, hoping to get something out of either of them, but neither Zia nor Emma say a word."This is borderline torture." He complains, flopping into his seat. Zia smiles sympathetically, as if to say "This wasn't my decision".Emma just looks a little nervous."So, I'm going to outline the drawing in marker first, so you can be certain of its placement, and then if you're happy, I'll start." Zia explains.Emma nods, her eyes darting over to Lucus before returning to Zia. She smiles encouragingly, picking up a black, fine-tip, skin-safe marker and
"You want to get a tattoo?"Out of all the things Lucus ever thought he'd hear Emma say, getting a tattoo was not even a registered possibility."Yes." Emma nods, and Lucus knows Emma enough to accept that she's being completely serious."But you already have my mating mark on your body." Lucus states. He folds his hands behind his head, leaning backwards against the headboard. He had a feeling this conversation would be one he'd need to be relaxed for."Well, yes, but that's not the same." Emma replies. He sighs as Lucus raises his eyebrows."Mark's fade; some are permanent, but not all of them, and they're different. Mating marks speak of my mating. Tattoos are something that both of us can have, and it's more special and ... forever."Lucus leans over and kisses Emma's bare shoulder."You genuinely want this?" He asks to be certain. There's a warmth flooding him just from hearing that Emma wants to get something permanent that they can both share. Something different that no other