Asher’s expression turned thoughtful. “The adoption papers themselves are legal. You had no knowledge that the birth certificate was forged, and you’ve been model parents for eightyears. I doubt any court would intervene. As unfair as it seems, my fathers had the right to give Zeller’s baby away.”
“Not if the baby’s alpha father didn’t agree. That could negate the adoption if it came out. If he makes a claim,” Wes interjected.
“Not to be a broken record, but he isn’t in the picture.”
“Still—”
“Don’t borrow trouble.” It was as forceful as Asher had been all night. “I’m just hoping that if Zeller finds you, you’ll be gentle with him. He doesn’t know most of the story I gave you, and he didn’t ask for any of this.”
“Of course.” Assa put a hand on Asher’s forearm. “You have our word.”
“Thank you.” Asher glanced toward the den and Wes wondered how he felt, knowing that his biological nephew was in there, eating pasta and oblivious to the drama.
“Asher?” Wes asked.
“Yes?”
“I thought of another question.”
“Okay.”
“We have a big birthday party for Ryde happening at the end of next month.”
Asher shrank inward. “That’s nice.”
“March 30 falls on a Saturday this year, so we lucked out and can have the party on his actual birthday.”
“Oh.”
“But March 30 isn’t his birthday, is it?”
Asher shook his head.
“When?”
“April 30.”
Wes had always known the baby they’d been handed on May 1 was a newborn, but having it confirmed was a gut punch.
After closing the door behind Asher, he and Assa sat back down on the couch. Wes pulled his husband to his side. He thought about getting some pasta, then realized he had no appetite. It was almost surreal hearing Ryde’s laughter from the den.
Long minutes passed before Assa said, “At least we know now. We don’t have to wonder.”
Wes released a lengthy exhale. “True. And it sounds like nothing can be undone. The adoption was legal, and Ryde’s been safe with us for eight years.”
“Zeller—” Assa paused as if he was getting used to the name “—might show up on our doorstep one day, and we should be ready for that.”
Wes pinched the bridge of his nose. How did you prepare for something like that? Especially after everything Asher told them. Zeller’s baby had been stolen from him. He’d endured unimaginable suffering. What would they even say?
“We’ll need to be easy with him. Careful, like we promised Asher,” Assa said. “If this happens, we’ll figure out the right thing to do. Zeller is not our enemy.”
“No. He’s Ryde’s birth father. And that means something.”
Wes and Assa agreed that there was little else they could do that night. They joined their son in the den, watching a cartoon they’d seen a dozen times before.
Later that evening, as they prepared for bed, Assa let out a short chuckle as he turned down the lights.
“What?” Wes smiled.