Chapter 8 

It had been over a month since Ethan came home, his old boss had been found and was currently in jail without bail this time. Ethan had given his full story to the police who had followed his trail back to the empty apartment. It was very likely his old boss was never getting out of jail, they had found he’d been stalking and having other people stalk down several members of the Brothel, Louis included. He didn’t go out without Leon or if he did it was with Mark and Felicia. Felicia had become quite determined to pin him down finally but every time he’d somehow get out of it. His physical wounds were healed, his feathers were all almost fully grown in. The issue was the mental problems, Leon had found him a psychologist after the first nightmare a few days later. He went with him Thursday nights and then they would get dinner together, or pick out a movie. Even though it all started in the Library there was no stopping his need to read and visits. 

Today they were at Felicia’s little boutique trying on their suits. He was really impressed by her work, there was no jacket to his suit, instead it was made more like a kimono top made of a soft white cotton that was warm. There was a soft orange embroidery to the edges that made him happy and burnt orange lining and under robe that snuggly wrapped around him. He spun around in the dressing room and giggled, he didn’t look fat like he thought he would and the pants fit perfectly.

“Does it make you that happy?”  Leon asked from the room next to him. He was trying on his own suit, a traditional black suit with a burnt orange tie. 

“Yes this is what I’m going to wear the first time I get to marry my Mate.” He twittered happily. 

Leon wanted to see him in it but he restrained himself; he'd see it in a few days. He smiled and looked at his sister who was checking the jacket length. “You must have done a decent job.” He told her.

“I did an amazing job.” She told him. “Isn’t that right Ethan?” She asked.

“Yes! My sister in law did such an amazing job! I almost don’t want to take it off.” He told her.

“You are going to have to, I can make something similar for you at home, if you are that comfortable with it but it will be after the wedding.” She told him, straightening out the back of the jacket. It was perfect. She couldn’t wait to post this on her website but it would be after the wedding, there was no way she was going to let it slip after what happened. 

“I’d like that, and it’s something I could wear next time too.” He added. 

“I’m done here, you can take it off now and I’ll have the last of it set for the wedding.” She told her brother. “I’m coming over to check on it now see if we need any adjustments.” She said walking out and checking on Ethan, Leon calmly took his jacket off and resisted the urge to follow his sister, his possessive need to protect Ethan had gotten worse since the incident. It was also worse due to the fact he was getting closer and closer to his due date. He smiled, though the room was decorated in neutral tones he had stored away several items that would give away the babies gender. Most were stored in the closet that he knew Ethan didn’t go into, he knew he was curious but he also was stubborn on not wanting to know. 

Changing back into their clothes Ethan with help from Leon they left to have dinner. Leon ignored his sister’s prodding asking if he knew what they were having yet and didn’t dare mention he’d bought anything for them. His whole family wanted to know but he kept it tight lipped, the only other person who knew was Mark who hung up the clothes in the closet but he pretended not to know and he kept them from snooping in the bedroom. His little brother had shown up after months of little contact, it turned out he had found his own mate and had been busy trying to pursue them, and had recently won them over. He was also attempting to clean himself up, go back to school and make something of himself for his mate.

A week later Ethan sat in the bridal room of the church, he had been so nervous about today. He knew there was no reason to be, he was more than happy to be marrying his beloved Leon. It was happy anxiety that he had. He thought nothing could go wrong until his father had shown up. 

“That is my son! I expect to be allowed to be part of this wedding, and if not I won't allow it to go through!” He heard him yell. 

“Ethan is an adult, he is allowed to make his own choices, and he clearly chose not to invite you.” Naomie told him. 

“How do you know that? I want to see him and I want to speak with him now! I will call the officials and tell them you are forcing my Omega son to marry Your Alpha son.” He threatened. In a panic Ethan poked just his head out of the room and looked down the hall at his father, they barely looked alike with the exception of their feather color and eyes. He was larger, a bit heavier set, and older looking than Ethan recalled his nose was still red and so were his cheeks. Ethan was thankful he took more after his bluebird mother, but seeing his father he knew he was still a drunk, he might even be drunk now.

“No, I purposely didn’t invite you so go away.” He told him clearly as their eyes met. He pulled his head into the room and shut and locked the door just in case. He was glad he did as it rattled a moment later.

“Ethan open this door! I am your father!” He demanded.

“No, I’m an adult I chose to not invite you, you are not welcome to my wedding!” He said trembling in the room alone. “Go away!”

“But Ethan I can tell you are scared, you don’t have to marry this Alpha come home we’ll take care of you I promise.” He told him. 

His words reminded him of when he’d called to ask to come home, he didn’t want to be at the brothel and his father told him it was for his own good.  He lied and told him it was only for a few years then promised if he was good he could come home. They never contacted him after that, he wasn’t allowed to call home, they had even changed the house number so he couldn’t. Home was now the apartment he shared with his mate, the one he’d felt so comfortable in the one where they would start raising their kitten in.

“No, that’s not my home.” He told him, or he tried to tell him.

“What do you think you are doing? It’s you who is scaring him, he clearly said he didn’t want you here.” Leon roared at his father. His trembling stopped and relief swept over him. There was a knock from the adjoining door.

“Ethan, do you want me to come in?” Lorain asked. He went over to the door and let her in, seeing him she hugged him and petted him. “It’s Okay, Leon will take care of it.” She told him.

“I know it just startled me, him showing up.” He told her. 

“I am still his father. I have a right to see him, Ethan open up!” His father yelled banging on the door causing them both to jump. “I’m going to call the authorities!” 

“You do that, from outside, you are disturbing the peace.” He told him. There was the sound of scuffling.

“Let me go! Ethan!” He called out. He didn’t listen, he just let him go.

“I’m sorry this happened and don’t worry, even if he calls the authorities there’s nothing they can do. You and Leon are going to get married today.” She told him. He nodded, he wasn’t about to let this ruin his day, at least any further. “Do you need some help getting dressed?” She asked seeing he had only started to change.

“I could use some help, I uhh, hope no one tells him I’m pregnant I don’t want him to use that.” He told her suddenly thinking about it. 

“No one should mention it and we’ll make sure he’s nowhere near this place or you.” She said helping him change.

There was a knock on the door a few minutes later. “Ethan sweetie are you Okay? Do you want me to come in?” Leon asked from the door. “I’ll keep my eyes closed.” He promised.

“Yes ahh hold on.” He said feeling desperate to just hold him, to take in his scent even for a few moments. Lorain let him go half dressed understanding that this was what he needed, she would go see her own wife once she was done helping. Ethan walked over and unlocked the door and opened it to see his mate standing there in a dress shirt and black slacks, he’d been getting ready as well, his hands were over his eyes. He wrapped his arms around him and took deep slow breaths.

“Are you alright?” He asked putting his own arms around him letting out a little of his pheromones as he could tell he was still shaken, but with every breath his sweet minty scent became clearer.

“I am now, but how did he find out?” He asked.

“Might be my fault.” A Sheepish looking Avian said from down the hall, he’d gotten here just before his father. “I asked someone to be my plus one to your wedding and it turns out they thought it was Evan’s wedding so they contacted his boyfriend who they are currently friends with and told him about it and he asked Evan about it and Even must have gotten it from her… and well things got out of hand shortly after and here I am single.” He told him. “I didn’t tell her anything else other than you were getting married.”

“So Evan told dad, I’m surprised he isn’t here to ruin this too.” Ethan said a little bitterly. “I don’t blame you Mike.” He told his brother. His younger Brother looked a lot like himself, most of his brother’s took more after their mother rather than their father, all of them had the same gray blue hair and brown eyes with the same avian feather colors and the same pale skin. Mike was built bigger than all of them, he was also much taller than the rest of his family as he was an Alpha, he looked more like a hawk or a falcon with his sharper eyes and his stronger build.

“I’m sorry this happened, I truly regret this happened on such a happy occasion.” He told him, bowing his head. “I’ll talk to anyone to make sure you’re not disturbed further.” He added.

“Thanks Mike, also I don’t blame you, just don’t mention this to anyone.” He said motioning to his belly that was very much showing now.

“I won't, I’ll let you be, I just wanted to apologize and make sure you’re okay but your mate seems to have that under control so I’ll let you go now.” He said seeing his brother was alright.

“Thank you.” Leon said knowing it must have been hard for him to admit it was his fault. He kept his eyes closed and kissed the top of his little birdies head. “You alright now?” He asked.

“Much better, Just keep an eye out for Evan, I don’t need him interrupting or showing up.” He mumbled and then reluctantly let his mate go. He leaned up and kissed him, meaning for it to just be a quick light kiss but Leon leaned into it kissing him deeply sending happy feelings throughout his body.

“I love you my little birdy and I look forward to seeing you waddle down the aisle soon.” He said cheekily. 

“I look forward to seeing you at the end of that aisle.” He said as he retreated back to the room. 

“I remember when I got to walk down the aisle towards my wife.” Lorain said thinking of her own wedding day. “Come on let’s get you fully dressed, I don’t want you to catch a cold.” She told him, holding up the undershirt.

He had finished getting dressed when the police arrived and after Leon had a brief talk to them and they had a quick check in with Ethan they left telling his father it was clearly fate and he couldn’t stop it and he was clearly not welcomed. That hadn’t gone over well and after he hit one of the officers they took off with him in the back seat. Now everyone was on the lookout for his twin brother, it wouldn’t be hard to tell them apart. He didn’t show up, or if he did he didn’t hear about it till later. 

Instead Ethan marched himself down the aisle with Mike’s help, he’d wanted to sprint but he couldn’t. He was happy as he got to the end and Mike released his arm so he could stand with his mate. It was a short ceremony, which he was thankful for and then they went out the front and into a Limo that would take them to his Mother-in-Laws house where they had a lovely catered dinner. Louis was the most choked up and happy for him, he couldn’t wait for his own wedding that was going to be next year and Ethan Leon and their kitten were invited. Louis and Ethan had both gotten together often to study for their HED and were planning on taking it next month. 

The next two months flew by and Soon Ethan and Louis had taken their HED tests and both had passed, Ethan’s birthday came with Christmas and there were plenty of gifts for both him and their kitten. Then it was New Years and yet they didn’t seem like they were ready to come. A Few days later and worried they had scheduled a c-section and just as Leon finished doing that Ethan called out to him from the bathroom, his water suddenly broke. Leon called the doctor back and told him he could cancel it and they were coming to the hospital now. Ethan’s hospital bag was packed with not only his clothes but clothes for their baby to come home in, Mark would later bring other things.