Midnight River Shorts

Jamison and Jace

Jace's POV

I hate family dinners. They're just excuses for our parents and Anna to flaunt how they had a Mate, and Dennis and I didn't. Except now he did. I was the only one who didn't. I parked my car and rested my head on my steering wheel.

The sooner we go in, the sooner we can go home. My Wolf, Rocket, tries to soothe me.

Yeah. I guess. I sigh.

I see Jay walk up to the house in front of me. I hadn't seen him in a while. In typical Jay fashion, he just opens the door and walks right in.

"Knock knock, bitch!" Jay calls loudly as he walks in.

"Shit." Dennis curses quietly. "Jay, hey man, family day. Sorry, I forgot you were coming over."

"All good, man. Just wanted to hang with my best friends." He shrugged. Then froze.

"What now?" Dennis groans, then looks behind him to see me walking up the drive. "Oh, hey Jace."

"Hey, bro. Hey, Jay." I say happily.

Jay inhales deeply then turns around. "Jace." He grits out.

The next thing I know, Jay's lips are on mine. I can't help the moan that comes out of my lips as I clutch at him, holding him as close to me as I can.

"What the fuck is happening?" Dennis whispers.

We pull away from each other, our eyes glowing.

"Sorry, bro." Jay looks at Dennis. "I hadn't seen him since before his birthday and had no idea." His face showing his nerves.

"It's fine." Dennis chuckles. "Come inside. You're officially family now."

We both laugh and follow him to the living room. "Pops, Dad, you remember Jay? Turns out he's your son now, too." He grins at them.

"Jace?" Dad asks knowingly. Dennis nods, the grin still on his face. "Of course." Dad laughs. "Well, I did always want a big family. And with you three and all your Mates, plus this little one, I finally have it."

"You're pregnant?!" Anna and I exclaim at the same time.

Dad laughs and nods.

"Congrats Dad! Didn't know Pops still had the ability..." I snicker.

"Excuse me for loving your Dad, you little ingrate." Pops chuckles. "And now, because it is a tradition..." He clears his throat, and stands up.

"Samuel, not nowwww." Dad whines, but Pops is determined.

He starts singing and dancing badly around the living room. My siblings and I all groan, while everyone else snickers.

"Pop Pop, more! More!" Evie encourages him.

He grins and serenades her, specifically making her giggle. When he's done, he sits back on the couch, and she scrambles up into his lap. "I love you, Pop Pop." She sighs, snuggling him close and promptly falls asleep for her nap.

Pops' eyes water with happiness. He kisses her head and gently stands to take her up to her bed. "Come on, Cam. It's nap time, buddy." Cameron yawns and stands up to follow him and his sister upstairs.

"Who are those cuties?" I ask Dennis.

"My pups." He grins. "It's a long story. Kinda sad."

By the end of the tale, Christina, Austin, Anna, and I are all crying.

"I'm so happy they have you, bro." Anna comments as she wipes her eyes. "You take such good care of them."

"Thanks sis." Dennis says genuinely.

"What a wild trip this year has been." Parker sniffs.

"It really has been." He pulls him to his side and kisses the top of his head. "I love you, Baby."

"I love you too, Den." He leans up and kisses him sweetly.

After the twins' nap, we all get situated around the dinner table. It's a lively affair, Pops breaking into song twice, making the kids giggle, and Dad groan, but grin. After a couple hours, everyone heads home.

Jay's POV

"Do you wanna come back to my place?" I ask Jace as we walk to our cars.

"Sure." He shrugs. "If you gimme a kiss." He grins.

"I'll give you more than a kiss if you stay the night." I tease, gripping his hips to pull him to me.

"Such a tempting offer." He chuckles. "How can I say no?"

I lean in and kiss his soft lips. "You can't." I grin as we break away.

"Okay." He whispers.

"Follow me." I say as I walk to my car.

He gets in his, and we make our way to my house. I didn't like living in the Pack House. It might be okay for some UnMated Wolves, but I like my privacy. We pull up to my house and my palms are sweating.

He calmly walks up to the door and waits for me.

"Fuck." I mutter. I wipe my hands on my jeans and leave my car to open the front door for Jace.

"Jay, calm down." He chuckles. "It's not my first time here. Besides, we're Mates now."

"That's why I'm nervous, idiot." I say softly.

He hums and sits on the couch. "Come here, Jay."

I take a deep breath and sit next to him.

"Why are you so nervous?" He asks, taking my hand.

"I..." I take another breath. "What if I'm not good enough? What if you hate me? What if-"

"Jay." He cuts me off, chuckling. "First of all, 'not good enough?' Bro, you're literally one of the top warriors! How on Earth could you not be good enough?! If anyone isn't 'good enough' in this pairing, it's me! I just turned twenty, and I have no idea what to do with my life!" He laughs. "Second of all, why would I hate you? You're my Mate!"

"Yeah, but-" He cuts me off again.

"No. No 'buts.' None of that." He smiles at me. "Jay, I've always thought you were so cool! I mean, I used to get mad that you'd spend all your time with Dennis. I mean, I get it. You're closer in age, and he's your best friend. But still. I would get jealous he got to hang out with you, because you're so fucking cool!"

I gape at him. "Wait, really?"

"Yes, really." He laughs. "And you already know my family loves you."

"I suppose so." I think back to Dennis' reaction. It was surprise and happiness.

"Exactly." Jace leans closer. "So shut up and be happy with me." His eyes flick to my lips then back to my eyes. "Please."

"Absolutely." I whisper and take his lips with mine.