Page 49 of Mate Match: Curtis & Jae
“Yeah, we could all do with a few more hours.” Curtis kissed the top of my head and then Leo’s little nose. “I still can’t believe he’s here. I love you both so much.”
“Love you, too.”
“I might be slightly delirious with tiredness, but I swear to you, I’m going to marry you soon. Make you happy until the end of our days.”
“Is that a proposal?”
“Yeah, it is.” He turned, meeting my eyes. “Jae, will you marry me? Be by my side for the rest of our lives?”
“I’d love nothing more.”
Curtis took a week off to help me out at home. He probably would have taken longer, but the crew needed him and I was fine. Me and baby Leo were learning each other. I knew he loved being held up against my shoulder instead of cradled. Leo liked to nap with his arms sticking up like he was surrendering to sleep. He hated baths, and I got that, still he needed to be cleaned after some epic diapers.
Me and my baby had lots to learn, though we had all the support we needed to do it. Being a dad was the best feeling in the world and I was glad to be going on this adventure with Curtis by my side.
The doorbell rang while Curtis was at the grocery store. It felt like we’d run out of everything. Leo was fine for food because I was nursing, it was just that there was nothing for us to snack on!
“Hold on!” I called to the visitor. I tightened my robe around me and carried Leo to the door, hoping it wasn’t another delivery from my brother or grandparents.
My brother, Jun, had been the one to tell my grandparents about my pregnancy and had apologized many times since then. He was out in Korea visiting them when I called to let them see baby Leo. I was never angry at my brother, it hadn’t been done out of malice, I knew that. My brother just didn’t think sometimes.
His recent olive branch gift was this incredible three wheeled stroller which was perfect for running with, probably more useful when Leo was a little older. I guess he felt guilty about our distance and telling our grandparents before I could. He’d been so warm on the call with them, saying several kind things about Curtis and the baby. Everything was forgiven. Our baby was the start of a new chapter for my family.
Brady’s face was pulled into a frown when I answered. “Hey,” he greeted. “I came for baby cuddles!”
“Everything okay?” I asked while I stepped out of the way to let him in.
“Yeah. It’s fine.”
“Is Xavier still bothering you?” Brady had told me the two alphas were divorcing and the situation with the other omega was complicated.
He turned evasive. “Look, is it okay if we don’t talk about him for a while? I just need—” He stood, wringing his hands.
“It’s fine. Come in, take Leo. I need a shower!” I led him into the living room, where it looked like a bomb had gone off. Bradybegan picking things up for me like the amazing friend he was. There were never enough hours in the day to get the place clean.
“I was going to say, but I thought it was rude to point it out!” He laughed, sounding more like himself.
Once he sat on the sofa, I handed Leo over to him. “Hey little Leo, I’m Uncle Brady.”
It was sweet to see them together. Brady held the baby so carefully, like he was glass and could shatter at any moment.
“Uncle Brady is going to watch you while Daddy showers,” I cooed to my precious son.
“Go! You reek!” Brady laughed.
“See how nice you smell after you’re covered in baby puke.” I took my chance to run for the shower.
The water felt so good! Curtis was great about letting me get washed up, but his visit to the grocery store had run on longer than he thought since we were out of pretty much everything. He hadn’t predicted Leo spitting up on me as soon as he left the house either.
Even though I knew Leo was safe with Brady, I didn’t linger under the water. Just showered off quickly and found something puke free to wear. I needed to do laundry.
When I returned, the living room was fuller. My mom was chatting with Brady and Maddy, who was taking her turn to hold Leo. I heard Curtis and Marty in the kitchen and went to help them after kissing my mom on the cheek.
“Hope you don’t mind us popping in like this,” Marty said while he unpacked the many grocery bags. “We found Curtis looking half asleep in the grocery store and wanted to make sure he got home safe.”
“It’s good to see you!” I went to hug Marty. He returned the gesture and bussed my cheek.
“You look so good! We won’t stay long. Maddy has been desperate to get her baby cuddles in.”
