Chapter 3
Just as quickly as he’d adjusted to the idea of fatherhood, he’d gone off of it.
Everybody, every single person, had failed to mention the anxiety and nervousness that came with having a newborn baby. Even his brother-in-law, second cousin and once good friend Alphard who was soon to father a baby of his own.
“Orion, old chap, there’s really nothing much to it. You just pick them up when they cry- oh sorry… that was terribly insensitive. Well. Just stay and talk to them and give them a smile, get the nanny to change them and feed them and you can just do the enjoyable parts. Like cuddles and bedtime stories.”
“That is terribly irresponsible- they’re not something you can raise when it’s convenient for you… they’re a life long thing.”
Alphard snorted, he really was a snobby brat of a man. “That’s what everyone says. So cliché, Orion.”
“When your baby comes you ought to be a lot more responsible. You really ought to.” Orion huffed.
“Oh. Anyway, I’m going to call her Carmen. Cute, don’t you think?” Alphard stirred his drink, excessively, just to have something to do.
“Mm. Any reason why?”
“Carmen McRae.” In True Alphard Black Fashion.
“Oh. There’s a surprise.” The French man battled and battled and battled to keep the eye roll to himself.
“You know Orion,” whatever Alphard was going to say was far less meaningful than the mouthful of whiskey waiting for him, “ever since your English got good… you’ve been an awful cheek.”
“And ever since Ekaterin found out about all the flings and is dumping the baby on you, you’ve been on the drinks. So don’t. Let’s not start. I want us to be friends again.”
Walburga’s little brother stood up to pace. Here we go. A lecture was incoming. It isn’t impossible to do as your told. Remember.
“You’re a child still. Has anyone told you that? Because if they have failed to do so, listen to me. Life isn’t happy families and merriment. We’re adults and we’re not in for a good life anymore. We’re now destined to serve House Black.”
What bollocks. Even Alphard didn’t believe in what he was saying.
“Alright, mate. Well. Good luck with Carmen.”
And as Orion was making his way back home, he nodded proudly to himself. Mate. How very British of him, he really was adapting well.