It was a shame Beast couldn’t always treat Laurent to all the clothes or beauty products he liked, but they were still rebuilding and renovating their clubhouse, and his husband never complained about money, always taking adversity in stride.
“Of course he does. Wants to be just like you.”
Laurent sat next to Beast and slipped under his arm. “I love watching them play and grow. They’re all so different, have various likes and dislikes. I’m left wondering what paths they will choose in terms of college. If we can afford it, that is,” he quickly added and kissed Beast’s cheek.
Beast patted the back of Laurent’s head, playing with his long, smooth hair. To this day, he sometimes caught himself wondering what a young, beautiful man like Laurent saw in a forty-year old biker, but then he remembered what they’d been through together, and it all made perfect sense again. Maybe he was lucky. Maybe this family was the universe’s way of righting all the wrongs Beast had suffered?
“We’ll see how business goes,” he said, though he didn’t have much hope for being able to actually pay for any kids’ college in full. But there was enough time left to worry. For now, he just wanted to relax before an avalanche of feet came their way. He adored their boys, and their cousin Xavier, but the noise could be a lot to handle. Being in nature made it easier to relax, even with all eight of them around.
“Handling the elementary school expenses is enough trouble. I wish there was two of me so that I could bring additional income for the household.”
Beast snorted. As lovely as that idea was, he also found it ridiculous. “What you’re doing is a full-time job. How you manage to still look so fresh at the end of each day is close to freaking me out. Maybe you’re a closet vampire?” Beast teased, swiping hair out of Laurent’s forehead.
Laurent grinned, and if possible, it made him even prettier. “An hour to myself, whenever possible, is not a luxury but a duty if I am to be a good father and husband. Fortunately, we are blessed with many close friends.”
Jack crawled out of the tent crying and clung to Laurent’s neck from the back. “Papa, I had a nightmare!”
Laurent turned around and hugged him. “It’s all right. Just a dream. Look at Dexter over there—” The smile disappeared from Laurent’s face, and he got to his feet at the sight of Dexter pushing Jasper into the waves. “Stop that right now!”
Dexter looked to them with a scowl. “He said my rain boots are ugly!”
Laurent shook his head and grabbed the boy’s arm. “I’ve had enough of your behavior! That’s no reason to hit your brother. It’s about time you learned some manners young ma—”
The waves never appeared large until moments before hitting the shore. When Beast noticed one breaking behind Laurent, there was no time to warn him. The water hit the backs of his knees, and he fell flat on his face with a sharp yelp. By the time Beast ran up to Laurent, the water had rolled over him twice.
All the boys froze, only to burst into laughter when Laurent scrambled to his knees with a mop of damp hair sticking to his face.
Beast tried very hard not to laugh.
He managed.
“Are you okay?”
Laurent was gasping for air and looked like he was about to unleash some mayhem. “No, I’m not okay! I’m soaked! Come over here!” he yelled to Dexter. “I’ve warned you so many times!”
The smile was instantly wiped off the boy’s face, and he stayed away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to fall.”
Beast cleared his throat. “Maybe remember this moment next time you do something that’s not nice,” he said, pulling Laurent away from the ocean.
Laurent groaned. “I’ll catch pneumonia walking around like this.”
Out of nowhere, Marcel erupted in tears. “I was telling him to stop pushing Jasper, papa.”
Just great, more animosity. And as much as Beast loved Marcel, nobody liked a snitch.
“We should dry you first,” Beast said, twisting some of Laurent’s hair and squeezing the icy water out of the strands.
Laurent entwined his fingers with Beast. “Maybe we should ask Malachite to watch the kids for an hour? He is already here… I’ll need to strip all these wet clothes somewhere private.”
Beast’s heart started beating that bit faster. He didn’t even hesitate and whistled to get Malachite’s attention before making a broad gesture to invite him closer. Stripping Laurent was an activity he’d love to indulge in the great outdoors. “For my birthday, I want an adults-only weekend with you, by the way,” he said, already toying with Laurent’s shirt button.
Laurent stood on his toes to kiss Beast, and the cold soaking through their clothes immediately seemed warmer.
Epilogue 4 – Gray & Shadow