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— Did we really have to ride with this clown?” Chase asked sarcastically, sitting in the backseat with Grayson.
— Oh, come on, bro, I already apologized!- Grayson pretended to wipe a tear from his right eye. - Aren’t you happy to see our parents again and introduce Joshua to them?”
— Not exactly a pleasure. I feel like Dad’s going to burn me alive with his stare.
— I’m nervous too,- said Joshua, sitting behind the wheel. - Knowing how much Chase hates visiting the Millers’ house, I thought I’d go alone. But suddenly, he decided to come with me. Now I’m curious to see these so-called parents who raised my husband.
- With that attitude, maybe we shouldn’t go at all,- added Dane, who was in the front passenger seat. - Who knows what their parents are like…
- You’re both worrying too much!- Grayson replied enthusiastically. - Papa is just a sweetheart, and Dad is only a little strict.
- Did we grow up in the same family?- Chase asked with disdain.
" So, Papa is an arrogant, dominant omega, and Dad is a tyrant",- Dane and Josh thought at the same time, exchanging glances.
- I heard Ashley Miller is very strict and serious with everyone and almost never smiles,- Dane added.
- Dad’s not as serious as he looks,- Grayson said — and all eyes turned to him.
- Dad…- Chase paused, choosing his words. - …is the kind of man who can say ‘Welcome’ in such a way that you feel like apologizing for being born.
Reassuring.
- By the way, I heard Stacy and Larien will be there too. Even Bliss and Nathaniel are coming!
Chase sighed tiredly.
While talking, they had already reached the mansion, where the family’s servants were waiting.
"Time to meet the awful omega who raised Chase",- Josh thought to himself with fury.
" Holy shit, I’m about to meet the President of the United States."- thought Dane.
Once inside, Dane and Josh were stunned by the luxury surrounding them. Just as they were about to speak again, a man who looked about twenty ran up to them.
- I’m so glad you came! Oh my God… Chase, I haven’t seen you in so long.
- Hi, Papa!- Grayson beat his frozen brother to it and hugged the man around the waist.
- Grayson! How have you been? Everything okay?- Koi asked, looking over his eldest son.
" Papa?! This guy is their father?!"- Dane and Josh exchanged surprised looks.
- Oh, and these must be your lovers?- Koi stepped closer, first looking over Chase. Then, turning to Josh and Dane, he said:
- Would you mind if we get to know each other better at the table? My husband is a little impatient, and besides, it wouldn’t be fair to the others otherwise,- he said awkwardly, waiting for an answer.
- Of course!- Josh, as if hypnotized by those blue eyes, finally snapped out of it.
- Perfect! Then follow me.
- I was expecting some arrogant old man, but he’s actually not bad,- Dane whispered in Josh’s ear.
- Don’t jump to conclusions. I’m sure he’s a real monster,- Joshua muttered, clenching his fists.
At the table sat a tall, muscular blond man, three women, and two men. As soon as Ashley spotted Koi, he immediately stood and pulled out a chair for him.
- Ashley! You don’t have to, it’s embarrassing…- Koi blushed, but still accepted the gesture from his husband.
Once seated, Koi nudged Ashley slightly to get him to start the conversation.
- Well,- the man began in an even but cold voice, glancing around at everyone present, - I’m glad to see you all here… even those I didn’t expect.
Chase felt Josh tense up beside him and discreetly touched his knee under the table, as if warning: "Don’t react."
- Grayson,- Ashley turned to his eldest son, - you were late again, even though you were in the same house as us.
-Well, Dad,- Grayson replied with a smirk, - I had to greet my brother and his… husband. Can’t just leave guests alone.
- And that’s still no excuse to wander the halls,- Ashley cut him off.
Koi gently touched his husband’s hand and changed the subject:
- Let’s introduce everyone at the table. This is Stacy, Grayson’s twin sister,- Koi pointed to a striking blonde. - Larien,- he gestured to the sly-eyed girl hugging her partner, - and that’s Chrissy and Nathaniel,- he indicated the couple sitting closer to the center. - Unfortunately, Bliss is running late…
- Nice to meet you,- Joshua said politely, feeling the attentive gazes of everyone present.
- We’re pleased too,- Larien replied unexpectedly warmly, then tilted her head and added, - though I still don’t understand how you put up with Chase.
- He’s actually a very pleasant person,- Josh replied without blinking, ready for criticism.
Chase snorted, leaned over, and whispered:
- Great, now they’ll either pester you or insult all evening.
Ashley frowned and tapped his fingers lightly on the table, restoring silence:
- And now that the formalities are done, let’s move on to the main reason we’re here.
The room fell silent. Even Koi straightened up and stopped smiling so openly.
- For dinner?- Dane ventured, breaking the pause.
Ashley slowly turned to him and raised an eyebrow slightly:
-For a conversation.
- Ashley! Don’t scare the guests, it’s just an introduction. We’d have met each one separately, but Nathaniel and Chrissy were only free today.- Koi hesitated. - Besides, a family dinner isn’t such a bad idea…
Chase rolled his eyes.
At that moment Bliss entered the dining room, walking with slow, confident steps toward the table.
- Sorry, Papa, Father, my flight was delayed and there were some issues,- Bliss smiled, though confidence tinged the expression.
Ashley looked up, his stern features softening.
- Bliss,- warmth crept into his voice — a tone no one had yet heard that evening — I’m glad you’re safe.
Ashley rose, met Bliss with a hug, and brushed a hand through his hair as he had in childhood.
- Everything okay?- he asked more gently.
- Yes, Father, just a flight delay,- Bliss waved it off, then kissed Koi on the cheek before sitting next to Larien.
Grayson muttered,
- Yep, the favorite is back.
- Jealous it’s not you? You just had to be born an omega,- Bliss shot back without even turning.
Josh watched and noticed that no matter how happy Ashley was to see his son, his attention constantly returned to Koi — every glance and movement seemed to silently ask:
"Is everything okay, love?"
- Well,- Koi clapped his hands happily, - I think we can start dinner now.
The servants quickly filled plates with hot dishes, the room filling with the aroma of roasted meat with herbs and fresh bread. Cutlery clinked, but conversation resumed only after Koi set down his fork and spoke first:
- Today’s a special occasion — a chance to introduce Joshua, Dane, Chrissy, and Hannah to the family.
Ashley nodded, but again his gaze lingered on Koi before giving a small nod.
Josh caught the moment and noted mentally: "Wow. This man clearly lets his husband have the final word."
- Joshua,- Ashley turned to him, - tell us what you do.
Josh replied calmly, describing his work, and quickly noticed that Ashley didn’t interrupt — occasionally nodding, seemingly more out of respect for Koi’s fascinated attention than genuine interest.
- Sounds good,- Ashley said, turning to Koi. - What do you think?
- That’s so cool! An omega working as a bodyguard. Chase is lucky to have you — take good care of him, okay?- Koi smiled warmly.
Only after Koi spoke did Ashley nod.
Grayson snorted and nudged Dane under the table:
- See? First ‘Daddy approves,’ then ‘Father agrees.’
Bliss leaned back in his chair, smiling lazily:
- That’s because Daddy always comes first. We all know that.
- And we all live with it,- Stacy added, rolling her eyes.
Koi sighed:
- That’s just because your father respects me.
- It’s called hierarchy,- Bliss said just loudly enough for everyone to hear. - Omegas are in charge in this family.
- Of course. May I ask you a question, Mr. Koi?- Joshua began.
All eyes lit up, even Nathaniel turned toward Josh.
- Of course, what is it?- Koi answered with interest.
- It’s a bit personal,- Josh warned.
- Don’t worry, it’s fine. We’re family now,- Koi said with a smile.
Ashley stared at Josh intently, occasionally glancing at Koi’s reaction.
- I’ve always been curious about your family line,- Josh began. - Are some of those present your nieces and nephews, or adopted children?
Someone at the table snorted; others choked on their food.
Ashley glared at Josh, then looked at Koi, who seemed embarrassed.
- Koi, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to,- Ashley said gently.
- It’s fine, dear. Is it the number of children that surprises you, Joshua?- Koi asked awkwardly.
- Exactly.
Dane cursed Josh under his breath, seeing Grayson and Bliss stifling laughter. He smacked his husband on the back of the head.
- Well, I didn’t have a very happy childhood, and as a beta I always dreamed of having a big, loving family.
"Beta?"- ran through everyone’s mind except Koi and Ashley.
- And when I met Ashley, we had big problems because he was a dominant alpha and I was a beta. But one day a miracle happened, and I presented as a dominant omega.
Everyone listened with interest, still in mild shock. Ashley smiled as he sipped his drink, listening to his husband.
- I originally wanted twelve kids, and Ashley wanted just one…
Ashley choked on his wine at the mention of children and started coughing.
- Oh my God, dear, are you okay?!- Koi patted his husband’s back in concern.
Stacy and Grayson snickered behind their hands at their father’s reaction, while Larien and Bliss could hardly believe what they’d heard.
- And in the end?- Josh asked cautiously.
Koi smiled:
- In the end, we have six wonderful children. All my own.
Josh nearly dropped his fork.
- Six? And they’re all… yours?
- Ours,- Ashley corrected. - But I would’ve stopped at Nathaniel, though I’m glad Bliss was born.
- And I thought my family was big,- Dane muttered, glancing between Koi and Ashley.
- And that’s not the limit,- Grayson added mischievously.
- Don’t count on it,- Ashley said gruffly, though warmth crept into his tone.
Koi just laughed and poured wine for those who wanted it:
- Grayson, it’s your turn to start having kids, not ours.
- No thanks, let Bliss enjoy the mom days. I’m still too young,- Grayson waved him off.
- Yeah right, let Lauren do it — I heard her omega is having twins,- Bliss shot back.
- Wow, sis, you’re like a sniper. Twins right away,- Stacy teased, looking at her irritated sister.
- You said you stopped seeing that whore!- Hannah suddenly shrieked.
- I did!- Larien slammed her palm on the table, making the glasses rattle. - That was a drunken mistake!
- Uh-huh,- Bliss drawled with a smirk, - and of course she came up with it all herself, right?
- Bliss!- Koi scolded. - They’ll sort it out themselves.
Bliss pretended to adjust his napkin.
- I’m just keeping the family informed.
- Well, we’re definitely informed now,- Dane muttered to Josh. - I feel like someone’s about to get stabbed with a fork.
Chase crossed his arms, chuckling quietly:
- I’m starting to like this dinner.
Ashley, who had been silently watching, suddenly leaned forward and said to Larien:
- I don’t mind you making your own decisions, but remember — if your actions harm the family’s reputation, the consequences will be serious.
The silence at the table became almost tangible, broken only when Koi gently touched his husband’s hand to soften his tone:
- Dear, let’s let Larien handle her own life.
- She’s an adult,- Ashley said flatly, leaning back. - I just hope she’s wiser than she was last year.
- Wiser than you think,- Larien retorted, taking a sip of wine.
- I don’t get what you don’t like about me!- Hannah shouted. - I even got a bigger boobs for you!
Grayson, Stacey, and Bliss were openly laughing now, ignoring Ashley’s angry glare.
Chrissy tried to keep a straight face, but couldn’t after hearing the new outburst.
Dane and Josh whispered, commenting on every move of the quarrelling pair.
- And who paid for that?- Lauren shot back. - Calm down and behave with dignity.
- You did!- Hannah blurted, as if it were the most airtight argument in the world.
- Well then,- Larien raised an eyebrow, - that means I invested in your looks. But the dividends…- she gave Hannah a slow once-over, -…still haven’t paid off.
Stacy slid off her chair, covering her face from laughter, while Grayson slapped his knee, almost spilling his drink.
- This isn’t a family dinner, it’s a show,- Dane muttered, barely holding back laughter.
Josh leaned toward him:
- I hope there’s a fight.
Ashley slowly looked from Hannah to Larien, then to Hannah again as she ran out. He whispered something in Koi’s ear.
Koi blushed but nodded. The two quietly left the room.
- Oh, where did Father and Daddy go?- Grayson noticed.
Dane seized the moment:
- You seriously call your dad ‘Daddy’?
- He’s just trying to suck up — wants to earn the favorite title like I have,- Bliss began. - It’ll take some effort. But don’t be discouraged, sweetheart, maybe you’ll make it.
- Bliss, you’re bold for an omega,- Stacy said.
- Bold?- Bliss smirked, leaning on the table. - Sweetheart, I’m not bold — I just know Daddy adores me, and Father… loves me.
- Not just loves,- Larien added, leaning back in her chair. - He lets you get away with everything — even things that would get the rest of us disinherited and banned from the family home.
- That’s called talent,- Bliss winked.
- That’s called arrogance,- Stacy and Grayson said in unison.
- And jealousy,- Bliss added smugly, reaching for his glass.
Ashley and Koi returned to the room, Ashley was looking concerned.
- Oh, Daddy, why are you back so soon?- Grayson squinted.
- And why wouldn’t we be?- Ashley replied firmly.
- Didn’t you have a premature heat?- Nathaniel asked matter-of-factly.
- Thanks for your concern, son. My blood pressure just spiked and I got a sudden migraine,- Koi said, holding his head.
Bliss looked at his father sadly, his throat tightening like barbed wire.
Stacy and Larien tried not to sound worried, but blurted out together:
- Then why not rest?- Realizing they’d spoken in unison, they both blushed.
- Thanks, girls, but even if I were sick, I wouldn’t miss this dinner for anything,- Koi said with a smile.
Ashley gave his husband a worried look, sighing.
Josh, Chrissy, and Dane exchanged awkward glances.
"I hate moments like this",- Dane thought.
Chrissy tried to lighten the mood with a question:
- I heard Mr. Ashley played hockey in high school. What about you, Mr. Koi? With your build, I’d guess track and field.
- Only for extra credit! I never liked sports,- the brunette replied.
- What about cheerlea— Ashley’s mouth was suddenly covered by Koi’s hand.
- Ooo, Daddy was a cheerleader?!- Bliss nearly bounced in his seat. - What a plot twist!
- It was only for a couple of months,- Koi grimaced, taking his hand away. - And I only agreed because of the volunteer credit!
- They needed a guy to fill in, and there was this superstition that if a guy dressed as a girl performed on stage, the season would be a success,- Ashley drawled with a grin.
- Oh my God, Ashley, shut up!- Koi tapped his husband’s knee, covering his face with his hand.
- Do you still have the uniform?
- Even if I did, I’d never show it to anyone,- Koi replied firmly, sipping water.
- Daddy in a mini skirt…- Grayson mused dreamily, -…doing a one-leg stunt…
- Grayson, that's enough,- Ashley said coldly, but a hint of a smile touched his lips.
- If you don’t stop,- Larien said, barely containing her laughter, - I’ll start digging through the family photo albums.
- Larien, don’t you dare,- Koi warned, though his tone was more tired than angry.
- Well, I don’t have to look — I keep it in my wallet,- Ashley added.
- Father, show us!- all the Millers shouted except Chase and Nathaniel.
- I’ll only show it if Larien agrees to go on a date with my colleague’s friend and stops… self-indulging,- the blond said firmly.
- Mmm,- Larien groaned, sliding down in her chair.
- Come on, sis, do it for the family!- Stacy stood up.
Fueled by his twin’s energy, Grayson stood too, under Dane’s strange gaze.
- Come on, sis!
- Don’t you want to see Daddy in a skirt?!- Bliss added.
- Why would a daughter want to see her father in a skirt?- Nathaniel joined in.
- Shut up, the oldest. Chrissy, tell your boyfriend not to be such a killjoy,- the three chorused.
Chase just watched with a smirk, keeping Josh’s hand on his knee.
- Listen, even I want to see those pictures,- Dane said, glancing between the two older men and the guy shaking Larien.
- Dane, you’re officially part of the family!- Stacy declared.
- Mr. Koi, it can’t be that embarrassing,- Josh began.
- Don’t even try to persuade me, Josh. Dane, Josh, you’re both omegas — why do you want to look at another omega in a skirt?
- Well, actually, before I started dating Chase, I’d been with plenty of omegas and betas,- Josh said.
- Me too!- Dane added proudly.
- Exactly,- Josh nodded in agreement. - So we’re quite interested.
- It’s not even a skirt, it’s part of the uniform,- Koi corrected tiredly, covering his eyes with his hand. - And I still don’t understand why we’re discussing this over dinner.
- Because it’s a family story,- Bliss said innocently. - And family stories are sacred.
- Sacred, you say?- Ashley narrowed his eyes. - Then maybe we should tell how you once—
- No,- Bliss interrupted instantly, - let’s not. We’re talking about Daddy right now, not me.
- Exactly,- Stacy chimed in. - Laryen, just agree already!
- I’m not going on a date with some girl. Especially since I know she’s an enigma!- Laryen snapped, shifting in her chair.
- But you don’t even know what she’s like!- Koi perked up. - Smart, beautiful, from a good family…
- Oh, so you’ve decided to marry me off for convenience?- Laryen raised an eyebrow.
- It’s called ‘family diplomacy,’- Ashley said seriously.
- It’s called ‘trading your sister for a photo,’- Nathaniel snorted.
- Nathaniel, shut up!- Grayson and Bliss said in unison.
- Dear,- Josh leaned closer, - Is it always like this at your table?
- I wouldn’t know, I stopped showing up here precisely because of these little performances,- Chase smirked, watching Stacy and Grayson literally pull Laryen by the arms while Bliss egged them on.
- Fine, Laryen finally exhaled, pushing her brothers away, - but only so everyone will leave me alone afterward.
- You agree?- Ashley’s face spread into a satisfied smile. - Excellent. After dinner, we’ll all go to the study, and I’ll show—
- I changed my mind,- Laryen replied instantly, but it was too late: the whole family erupted into cheers and applause.
- Daddy in a skirt, Daddy in a skirt!- Grayson began to chant, soon joined by Bliss and Stacy.
Josh and Dane exchanged glances—and couldn’t resist joining in.
Koi just sighed, realizing there was no avoiding humiliation tonight.
Everyone except Chase stared at the photo. Nathaniel had been forced to by Chrissy.
The photo showed Koi at about age of eighteen with his cheerleading teammates. The team captain towered above them.
- And really, if you didn’t know that it was Daddy, you’d swear it was some flat-chested girl with short hair,- Bliss began.
- Wow, Dad is lucky! If Dane were dressed like that, I wouldn’t be able to resist…- Grayson added.
- Shut it, you embarrassment,- Dane smacked the blond on the back of the head.
- Mr. Koi, you really should’ve gone into modeling,- Josh advised.
- Yeah,- Chrissy agreed, studying the photo, - With a figure like that, they’d put you on magazine covers.
- Covers of what, dare I ask?- Koi squinted.
- Well… sports magazines, for example,- Dane said innocently, though a mischievous sparkle flashed in his eyes.
- Or calendars,- Bliss added. - March edition.
- April,- Grayson corrected. -Spring issue, skirts fluttering…
- You two are about to get it,- Koi said wearily, though his ears were already burning red.
- All right, all right,- Bliss raised his hands, - We’re just proud that our family has such… a multi-talented member.
- Daddy,- Grayson said with an exaggeratedly sweet smile, still staring at the photo, - You just don’t understand: this is a family treasure.
- Yep,- Stacy picked up, - We can use it to blackmail you at every opportunity.
- Just try,- Koi said coldly, but the tiny smile tugging at the corners of his mouth betrayed him.
- Okay, the main question is,- Bliss leaned back in his chair, chuckling, - who gets to keep this pearl of the family archive?
- Me!- Grayson blurted out first. - I’ll keep it in a frame on my nightstand.
- Don’t even dream of it,- Stacy cut him off. - It should hang in the living room so guests know right away what kind of… history we have.
- I don’t even get why you’re all making such a fuss,- Ashley interjected, carefully tucking the photo back into his wallet. - I’ve had it for 20 years and I’ll keep it. Relics should stay with a responsible person.
- With you?- Laryen asked skeptically.
- Of course. I’m the one who started all this,- Ashley shrugged.
Koi blushed but said nothing more.
A short silence settled over the table, broken only by the clinking of dishes. In all the chatter, no one noticed night had fallen.
Maybe this evening wasn’t so bad after all…