Big family gathering.

So, about trying to bond with Noelle’s family a bit more… It was a little difficult, mostly because the group of now seven adults was sitting at the table with drinks in their hands, talking amongst themselves. Even Mr. Aliev, who had been helping me at the grill, got dragged by his wife to join them.

“It’s not like they’re keeping their conversation a secret, but they ARE talking in low voices,” Noelle said next to me.

I flipped a piece of beef and splashed some more salt on it, as per Mr. Aliev’s instructions. By now all I had to do was watch over the grill and make sure nothing burned.

“I suppose they would have stuff to talk about,” I said.

“I overheard some of it,” Grace said. “They’re pretty much gauging everyone’s opinions on our relationship.”

“I suppose that’s why you’re not there,” Noelle told Diana.

“I could at least tell it had something to do with it,” she said. “And I’ll probably be a topic as well. Best to keep my distance for now.”

I sighed.

Something that’s always been on the back of my mind is the fact that we used magic to alter perception of our polyamorous relationship. I know Frey insists that it isn’t mind control, that it’s more like suggesting that the idea of a relationship like this is normal than forcing that thought into everyone. It had definitely saved us a lot of problems. We don’t need to hide or explain ourselves at every turn, nor are we looked down on for doing things differently. It’s something I can mostly ignore when it comes to strangers, people who’ll meet once and likely never again, but people as close to us as our families… It didn’t sit well with me.

I wanted to come clean, to tell them about Frey and the magic we used, but not only would that mean risking losing their approval of me, but also… it could become a potential risk? Luke had already told me that the world of magic was bigger than what I’d seen. He said that, while beings like Frey were outliers in their abilities and power, magic still existed in other forms, and that it was all a pretty dangerous game.

“Oliver, relax,” Grace told me. “We’re not hurting anyone. We’re keeping this among ourselves, right? You don’t need to tell everyone your biggest secrets.”

I groaned. “I know. It’s just… uncomfortable.”

Laughter roared from the table of adults. None of us caught what caused it, but the mood overall seemed good. I suppose that was a good sign.

Alice came out of the house carrying two bowls of salad and leaving them on the table before approaching us. She looked more stressed than she did before.

“Any update on your parents?” Diana asked her.

Alice nodded. “They just texted me. They’re halfway here. Dad’s car had a flat tire and I doubt he’s very happy about having to change it just before coming here.”

Prolonging the wait was prolonging the stress she felt, and knowing her dad would probably arrive in a bad mood wasn’t helping. I reached out with my arm, Alice smiled and moved close into a hug.

“I’m fine,” she said. “I just want to get this over with.”

I kissed her forehead. “Should we have invited Alex for today as well? He’s coming tomorrow, but…”

“Nah, Alex backing me up would’ve done more harm than good,” Alice said, giggling. “Dad doesn’t approve of his choices, either.”

“And yet he’s a happy man, isn’t he?” Diana said.

“Yeah. I know I don’t need my family’s blessing to be happy, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish I’d had it.”

“That’s fair,” Grace said, nodding.

“HEY! Get a room, you two!” Isabelle shouted from across the yard, seeing Alice and I so close.

“It’s my house, I do what I want!” I yelled back.

“Isabelle, bring the photobook!” Mom told my sister, whose eyes shone so bright I could see it even at this distance. She ran to the car to look for the object of my demise.

“Photobook?” Alice asked, the eyes of the other girls echoing her question.

“You’ll see, even if I wish you didn’t.”

Isabelle came back with the photobook in her hands, full of printed pictures taken with an older camera. I believe the very first ones were taken by grandma, then mom continued the tradition after she passed away.

“Oh my God! They’re adorable!” Mrs. Aliev squealed, seeing what was likely a picture of Isabelle and I as newborn babies.

“They actually look exactly the same here, it’s incredible,” Mr. West said, laughing.

The girls with me looked at each other, and with a wordless agreement left me alone at the grill to go look at the photos. Sarah and Mila also stopped playing with the kids to go look, which then led to the kids coming over to me. They seemed a bit tired, so I poured juice for all of them from the jar I had next to me.

“Is it ready yet?” Andrei asked. “I’m hungry…”

“It’ll be done shortly,” I told him. “What’s your favorite food, Andrei?”

“Pizza!” he enthusiastically answered.

“Mine too!” Robert agreed, raising his hand high.

I nodded. “Good choices. Yours, Violet?” I asked the girl.

“I like broccoli!” she said, grinning.

“Eeeew!” the two younger kids winced and made disgusted faces. “How can you like broccoli!?” Andrei asked, almost personally offended.

“It’s tasty!” Violet argued back.

I chuckled. “Everything your mom makes is tasty, isn’t it?”

Violet beamed. “Yeah!”

“That’s true…” Robert admitted.

“What’s your favorite food, Cole?” I asked the older of this bunch.

The kid put his hands in his pockets and grumbled. “I don’t have a favorite food.”

“Really? Nothing?”

“Nothing.”

Ugh, I hate this teenage angst. So damn relatable it hurts.

“H-Hey, O-Oliver?” Cole began. I seemed uncomfortable and unable to meet my eyes. “Why… Um… Why do you… N-No, it’s nothing.” He shook his head.

I think I could tell what made him hesitate. It was the idea that I might get mad at him for asking, meaning his question was likely important.

“No, please ask me,” I said. “What do you want to know?”

“...” Cole took a deep breath. “Why… W-Why do you have more than one girlfriend?”

…

Is this how parents feel when they’re asked where babies come from?

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