Dieter's Prize

Thirty-Six

Dieter's POV

Carter was in fact not happy about the news.

We told everyone at a family dinner and he was sitting beside GG. When we explained what it meant, that he would have a brother his face held no emotion whatsoever. 

He seemed unbothered. And has been since then. Even now at our baby shower, he was off with Rena and Danielle, waiting for Ezra to arrive. Seems as though that kid is the only thing that makes him relatively happy. It did make me feel incredibly guilty but I tried not to focus too much on the feeling and relish in the good. That our family was expanding. We would be having another boy.

Sean Charles Romanoff.

Crispin and I both picked the name. I liked Sean and he liked Charles and he wanted to keep the C names going. But I convinced him that Sean Charles was a 'handsome' name. His words. Not mine.

"Look who it is!" James' voice pulled me from my thoughts as I watched them walk into the party with a giant smile on his face. With Finnick right beside him. I hated to admit it, but I missed those goons. 

"Hey, daddy." James teased as he got closer and clapped my shoulders. 

"Goddess you're disgusting," Finnick said with an amused chuckle. "Dieter, I just want to say, I'm sorry for flirting with Crispin, had I known I wouldn't have." I could sense nothing but truth from him and I could see that it was causing him distress. 

"You are forgiven. We are too old to have meaningless fights." I patted his shoulder and all his tension flooded from him and he let out a deep breath. "Have you found your mate?" I asked but I instantly regretted it. His face fell and sadness overtook his features. 

"No, I have not." 

"Damn, Dieter. Way to ruin the fucking mood." James chimed in and I inwardly groaned. But also made a mental note to introduce him to Tino. They would get along wonderfully.

"A son, how excited you must be," Finnick said quickly changing the subject.

"A brother for Carter. I hope the two grow up close." James' words were light but there was a serious undertone. And I had the same hope as well. "Where is this Koa? I have to meet the man you have replaced us with."

"I have not replaced you." The words slipped out too easily and I groaned as I watched James' face light up at my words.

"That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me." His lip quivered and he immediately wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. "Get in here, Finnick! He hasn't pushed me off yet." Finnick joined immediately but they stayed there only for a moment before I shoved them off of me. 

"Fuck, that was nice." James sighed as he wiped the tears from his face in a dramatic way. 

Yeah, where is Tino?

"Dieter!" I turned my head to see who yelled and it was a very angry-looking Ben and he stomped his way over to us.

"Uh oh, what did you do to make my button so mad?" James whispered, his eyes wide as he watched his mate get closer to us.

I always found it quite amusing that James called Ben his button on occasion. He said it was based on some movie I'd never seen, and it was Ben's favorite. And how they one time did something...really weird during it. I didn't ask for details. That was all I needed to hear before I threw up.

"I'm scared, James."

"Me too, Finnick." I rolled my eyes at their cowardly behavior and I offered a small smile toward Ben.