Gentle Bonds

"Is this okay?" Soren swung his arm in a wide circle, encompassing all the work they'd done over the past few days. 

The octangular platform they'd set up had tall pillars at each corner, wound with light blue silks. White flowers were everywhere, their fallen petals dusting the dark  wooden boards beneath them. More silks of the same color were draped overhead, twining together and flowing gracefully in the gentle breeze.

"Okay? It's beautiful." Kai breathed as he turned in a slow circle, wide eyes taking it all in. He shook his overgrown bangs out of his face. 

"We're going to put the food here, and this table is for gifts--"

"Gifts?" Kai's eyes followed where he pointed, taking in the tables that lined one of the sides. 

"Gifts. Just like a wedding where you're from, right?" 

"Yeah. . ." Kai said slowly. He wasn't sure he liked the idea of all that attention. 

Soren and Sage continued showing him around, whisking him this way and that. A group of children, ages maybe 4-11, suddenly came tearing from the kitchen, torn bits of buttery bread in their hands. They screeched and giggled, two young men chasing the bunch. "Come back here!" They shouted.

The children ran up the stairs to the platform, sliding on their knees under one of the tables. The two men followed them, stopping in front of the three. They bowed and tried to catch their breath. 

"We're so sorry," The taller one apologized as he gestured towards the table where the group huddled, giggling as they ate the last bits of bread. "We were trying to make the challah for the wedding, but they just came out of nowhere--"

"It's alright," Sage reassured them, taking each of their hands in his own. "But we don't want them up here on the platform. Let's get them out." He pulled the shorter man along with him, walking over to the table and crouching down to talk to the kids.

The other stood beside Kai, a helpless look on his face. "I'm so sorry, I hope they didn't mess anything up--"

"They didn't." Kai laughed. "They just startled us a little."

Soren placed a hand on Kai's shoulder, then reached out with the other and took the man's hand. "Kai, this is Reed, and that's Koa over there. They're the wives from the family in the pod to the left of ours. We're close friends."

Reed smiled gently and gave Soren's hand a quick squeeze before he let go. "Nice to finally meet you, Kai."

"Nice to meet you, too." Kai said back as he took the hand Reed offered, shaking it. 

"I'm sorry again about the children, we were so busy with the bread that we didn't notice them!" Reed laughed and placed his hands on his hips. "How have you all been, Soren? It's been a while."

"We're good. It's been busy lately, first with Kai's arrival, and now the wedding. How's Koa doing?"

"He's having a bit of a hard time. . . it's his first, you know? He gets really sick in the mornings."

Kai was confused for a moment before he watched Sage and Koa stand, and saw his robes fall around a round belly. They were gesturing for the kids to come out, and when they obeyed-- sheepish looks of shame on their faces-- they lined them up and started talking to them. Judging by the stern fingers they pointed at the children, they were lecturing them.

"He's resting a lot, right?" The conversation continued beside him.

"We try to make him, but. . . you know how he is. He feels like a burden if he's not helping." 

Kai couldn't help but ask what was on his mind. "All-- all those kids aren't yours, are they?"

Reed laughed, his eyes twinkling in the afternoon sun. "No, no. I only have one. He's the little one there," Reed pointed to the end of the line, where a little dark-haired boy stood with big teary eyes as he was scolded. "Finley. He's three now." Reed smiled proudly.

"He's really cute," Kai said. He felt his eyes drawn back to Koa's belly. . . he couldn't quite wrap his head around it.

Reed followed his gaze, smiling a little as he understood. "Let's go over there, you can meet him."

Soren nodded and grabbed Kai's hand, pulling him towards the other two. 

"-- and you best behave from now on. All of you. You don't want us to talk to your sires, do you?"      (A/N:  sire is what children call the alpha in their family, because saying their 'alpha' would be talking about their future husband. So the alpha father is called a sire. I hope that makes sense lol.)

The children all shook their heads and muttered 'no's as they were sent off to play. Sage and Koa turned to greet the others, amused smiles on their faces. 

"Little rascals," Koa giggled as he stuck out his hand for Kai. "Nice to meet you, I'm Koa."

"Kai." He shook the hand.

Sage gestured for them to sit on the floor of the platform. Kai settled in the small circle between Reed and Soren, across from Koa. He watched as the others talked about their husbands and children, and daily life. . .

Reed again caught Kai's eyes on Koa's stomach. "Kai, is there anything you're worried about? Pregnancy wise?"

Kai was caught off guard by the sudden question. "Um. . . I just. . . It's so strange to me. I don't really know. . ."

"Would you like to feel?" Koa asked gently, reaching out and taking Kai's hand from his lap. "He's kicking right now."

Kai's mouth fell open as his hand was pulled, unsure. But a few moments after his hand was pressed firmly to Koa's belly, he felt a little bump against his palm.

He flinched a little, but Koa held his hand in place. He looked up with wide eyes. "That-- that's the baby?" His voice was hushed. . . in awe. 

The others laughed gently, amused by Kai's wonder. "Yes, that's the baby." 

They spent the evening talking and laughing, answering Kai's questions and offering reassurances. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

As Kai lay down that night, in between Sage and Ryker, he thought about everything that was happening. He felt overwhelmed; his wedding was tomorrow, and then he'd be expected to--

No. He couldn't think about that right now. He rolled over and held tight to Ryker's arm, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths. 

He could do this.

                    Part 15 Coming Soon