He gently handed the baby to Boaz.
“Yes, but we couldn’t have a baby. We are both males,” he said, staring down at the child.
The baby stretched its arms over its head, its tiny eyes fluttering open. They were a vivid blue, just like Alexander’s.
Boaz’s breath caught.
“How is this possible?” he asked quietly.
“The fae have magic that allows same sex partners to have children,” Killan explained. “We grow the womb the baby is gestated in. To you, it might have looked like a fluffy blanket that turned warm when you lay on it. Once both partners’ essence mixes and is absorbed, conception becomes possible.”
Boaz’s face warmed as the memory of that night flashed through his mind.
Congratulations, it’s a boy,” Manlius chuckled.
Damn.
“Hansel,” Boaz said, turning to his brother. “What do I do?”
“I don’t know,” Hansel replied with a short, incredulous laugh. He stepped closer, a smile spreading across his face as he reached for the baby. He carefully took him into his arms.
“Hello, little thing. This is your uncle, yes it is,” Hansel said, cooing softly. “You’re scaring your dad, huh? Oh yes, you are. You’re a handsome one, aren’t you?”
He smiled down at the baby, already smitten. Boaz’s chest tightened at the sight.
He looked at his son properly for the first time, and something in him shifted, sharp and certain.
“You should hold him,” Hansel said, gently handing the baby back to him.
“I have a son,” Boaz said in a shaky voice as tears ran down his face. He stared down at the baby’s tiny face, warmth slowly filling him in a way he didn’t expect.
He looked up and found everyone watching him. Instead of feeling embarrassed, he smiled through his tears, not caring that they could see him like this.
“Killan, thank you,” he said softly. “You’ve given me a part of him.”
“Uhm… there’s no need to thank me. It was meant to be,” Killan replied, his cheeks turning slightly red.
“And you’re not going to thank me?” Manlius added after a beat. “You had sex in my house.”
Boaz groaned. “Do you have to say it like that?”
“Like what? It’s the truth,” Manlius said.
“Thank you, Manlius,” Boaz said, shaking his head, though there was laughter in his eyes. “Thank you for everything.”
Manlius nodded, blinking rapidly. “Take your baby home, Boaz. And take good care of him.”
“I will,” Boaz said.
He turned and walked out of the house, his baby held gently against his chest. Hansel followed him outside, opened the truck door, and took the baby so Boaz could climb in.
Once Boaz was seated, Hansel rounded the truck and got in beside him.
“We need to buy baby things,” he said as he got into the truck, already listing items as he started driving. “A car seat, clothes, bottles, milk, a new car.”
“A new car?” Boaz asked.
“Yes,” Hansel said firmly. “We can’t use the truck. He needs something safe. And that cabin of yours isn’t going to cut it. You’re moving in with me. We can sort out your living arrangements later.”