Later that day my dad called, and we set up a date for both my parents to meet Emil. I was worried my parents would overwhelm him. They meant well but they could be a bit too cool if you know what I mean.  

When the day came, I spent all morning doing and telling Emy everything I could to prepare him. I even told him some embarrassing stories my parents usually tall about me so that I could explain them ahead of time. I had also become a lot more comfortable with the nickname I gave Emil in my head. 

“You seem more nervous than I do.” Emil said after listening to me explain yet another story, “I’m sure everything will be fine.” He hugged me, making me stop my prepared rebuttal. I relaxed at his touch. Our bond naturally soothing our nerves.  

Over the past couple of days, I have discovered that Emy is very good at making people feel safe or like everything is going to be okay. I found an injured bird the other day and brought it home to eat but Emy was strongly against it. The bird was squawking at me when I held it but when Emy took it into his hands and reassured it, it calmed down completely. It was honestly like magic. He just had a soft gentleness to him that I had never seen in anyone before. Meanwhile, I’m a big dumb brute. I really am lucky to have him.  

So, after hugging me we headed off to the park. My mom loved picknicks. When I was growing up, we would go on them all the time. My mom would always make the best sandwiches and lots of sides to go with it. It was a beautiful feast on a blanket or picnic table, and we got to enjoy it all in the beautiful weather. I had suggested we go to a restaurant, but my mother was determined to do this for us. 

When we got to the park my parents were in view in our usual spot under a weeping willow tree and when my mother saw my truck, she waved us over. I got out and opened the door for Emil who hugged me when he got out. He was hugging me a lot lately which I wasn’t complaining about, but it made me think he feared something or desperate to feel the bond. 

Taking his hand, I decided it was time to man up and show that I could be reassuring too, “shall we?” I said, giving him a grin that I knew would make him blush as he smiled and nodded. 

My father didn’t wait for us to sit down before pulling both me and Emy into a tight hug, “wonderous day! My son has found his fated mate!” Emy had tensed up significantly and his hold on my hand tightened. I squeezed his hand back to silently let him know that everything was okay. My mother followed but not as dramatic as my father. Instead, she pulled her mate away from us so she could first look me up and down to check to see if I was okay then to examine my mate. I feared her rejection of Emil but before I could say anything to his defense she simply smiled and nodded. 

She reached her hand out to my mate, “you must be Emil. It’s wonderful to meet you. We were afraid that we would never get to meet you.” Emil didn’t shake her hand and looked at me not sure what to do. My mother wasn’t fazed however and continued her instructions, “my name is Sidney, and this is my mate Benit and I’m sure you’re aware that we are Andy’s parents.”  

Emil nodded and said in his small voice, “it’s nice to meet you.” 

After the introductions we all sat down on the blanket, me and Emy next to each other across from my parents. My mother started pulling out her delicious food and we started eating. I was surprised when Emil began talking to my mom about how she made the food. My mother was delighted to answer of course but I was also delighted to see and feel through the bond that my usually scared mate was comfortable around my parents. I didn’t however consider the fact that my mom is an omega and Emy seems to be more comfortable around other omegas. 

Me and my dad spent most of the meal watching my mom and Emy talk. It was clear that is lunch had been more for my mother to get to know Emy because my dad didn’t really have questions for him. My dad learned a lot more about people from simply observing them anyway. Neither of us was really listening to the conversation or at least I wasn’t. I was too busy making my cheeks hurt from how happy I was at seeing Emy pretty much bonding with my mom. My mom seemed happy talking to Emy as well. 

Towards the end of the meal my dad pulled me aside. “I need to talk to you,” I nodded and followed him as he led me away from the chatting omegas. Turning he faced me strait on, “It’s time to grow up Andrew.” His voice wasn’t harsh, rather it was caring. 

“Huh?” 

My dad shook his head, “son it took me a long time to find your mother and you have been blessed to find your mate way sooner than I did. I was this packs Beta for a long time before I found my mate, so I had time to get comfortable with the responsibilities of protecting the pack, but you don’t have that time.” I didn’t get his point and it showed on my face. He sighed, “son there will be times when you will have to choose between the pack and your mate and that will be hard. You’ve always been such a soft-hearted person but you’re going to need to toughen up in order to protect what you love.”  

I got it now. My dad wanted me to do anything to protect my mate because he doesn’t want me to lose him. My dad wasn’t always good with words. I’ve gotten used to translating his meanings over the years.  

I nodded to let him know I understood, and he nodded back, “good.” he put his hand on my shoulder smiling, “now I want you to go have a big family if you want to and make that boy happy alright?” I reluctantly nodded, turning to return to my mate who was helping my mom pack up. 

“Ready to go?” I held out my hand to Emy. 

“Yes.” he took my hand and turned to my parents, “it was wonderful to meet both of you.” 

“Same to you Emil.” my mother turned to me, “you should bring him around sometime, I like him.”  

I gave my mom a polite smile while internally I knew that probably wouldn’t happen for a while. 

With that we returned to the truck and started on our way home. “Can we go to the grocery store before we go home?” That’s interesting, what would Emy need to get there? 

Whatever anything for my mate, “yeah sure.” He smiled at that and became content with looking out the window.