CHAPTER 354: A LITTLE FANCY UMBRELLA

Andrew knew that this was going to be a lavish event. He’d had no doubt about that from the moment that the Beckett family had spoken about it. He had every right to be as nervous as he was. That was proven when as soon as Maxwell, Andrew and Richard walked in, a hush fell over the room.

Andrew couldn’t tell if that was because it was Maxwell walking in in general, if it was because he was holding Andrew’s hand, or if it was a combination of them wearing a matching outfit, holding hands, and walking in with another man trailing them.

Andrew wasn’t sure, and he was a bit scared to find out what the truth was.

Either way, Andrew found that his attention was divided anyways. The room was gorgeous, there was a live band playing Christmas music, several stations where fresh food was being made, and they had two bars. Andrew knew that they had to be paying for everything. The Beckett’s would never be caught dead doing a cash bar or something like that.

The decorations carried into the main room, with several themed trees decorated all around the hall. Chairs and tables were set up for seated mingling, along with soft couches and clearly marked out locations for bathrooms. Or at the very least, directions to where they were.

Andrew was impressed. He knew that he really shouldn’t be after how meticulously Amir and Ben’s wedding had been, but he couldn’t stop himself. It was pride that filled his chest, pride that this was Maxwell’s family, and that they weren’t rich jerks, just rich.

Or, at the very least, not a jerk to him and his family. Only those who deserved it.

"Andy!" It was a joyous call from someone he considered his family, and Andrew felt his lips turn up as Kim and Jenny approached. Both women were dressed in stunning outfits. Jenny in this beautiful light blue piece that reminded him of snow and ice, while Kim was wearing green to match her eyes and compliment her slowly greying red hair.

Kim didn’t hesitate, pulling Andrew in for a hug the moment she saw him, while Jenny did the same to Maxwell. Richard stood by awkwardly, but Kim didn’t let him do that for long. After she had hugged Andrew, slapping him on the shoulder for good measure, she turned to Richard, her eyes still smiling. "Can you do hugs with someone like me?" She asked and Richard swallowed.

"Well, you’re no different than Andy, so...probably." Richard admitted and Kim grinned, pulling the reluctant man in for a hug. Jenny chuckled, reaching for Andrew after she’d finished hugging Maxwell and gave him a tight squeeze.

"You look very handsome today, Andy. Why the contacts?" She asked, a teasing, warm smile on her lips. Andrew shrugged.

"Wanted to make a good impression." Andrew told her and she sniffed.

"You would have made a good impression even with your glasses on, young man. And you shouldn’t worry yourself with half of these people. As soon as they realise who you are, they’re going to start circling like vultures. Max should keep you nice and hidden so you don’t get burnt out and never want to go out in public again." Jenny told him, and Andrew had a feeling she wasn’t really joking.

Andrew still let out a soft chuckle, squeezing her hands as they pulled out of the hug.

"I’m not a delicate man." Andrew told her and Jenny made a face, clearly not agreeing with him.

"Hmm. Sure. You say that now, until the vultures circle. Then you are allowed to come cry on my shoulder, though I am sure Max will take up the mantle on that." She said, smiling at Maxwell. "Richard dear, come over here so I can get a proper look at you. Did the Beckett’s get you this suit? It suits you." Jenny fussed over the newest manifestor around and Richard flushed, not used to this kind of treatment.

At least, not by others. He hated being the center of attention, and he had no choice right now.

Kim pulled Andrew off to the side to grab a few drinks for the group, after asking what everyone wanted, and the two wandered off towards one of the bars.

"How is everything going?" She asked softly, her eyes hardening as she scanned Andrew in earnest. Away from Maxwell, away from Richard. "Are you doing okay? You aren’t having any difficulty with having two omegas in the house?" She asked, and Andrew twitched.

It was the first time someone had asked him about this. Asked him how he was holding up like this. He didn’t blame anyone. They had asked how he was doing at the beginning, or, maybe they hadn’t. Andrew hadn’t behaved as if he was going to have any issue with Richard coming into the house. He felt that Maxwell had asked, but he expected that of him.

Andrew and Kim got into the small line waiting to speak to the bartenders and he let out a soft exhale. He shoved his hands into his pant pockets, making a slightly contemplative face as he processed her words.

"I think...I’m doing okay." Andrew told her, knowing that he could speak to her as a fellow true alpha. "I am finding that I...might be getting possessive of Richard though." Andrew said, and watched as her eyes sharpened.

"In what way?" She asked quietly, and Andrew let out a sigh.

"Not sexual. There’s no way that would ever happen. He’s my brother." Andrew told her, and Kim nodded.

"I know, I didn’t assume that. I’m just curious." Kim said, waving a hand as if she truly hadn’t considered that a possibility. Andrew chuckled.

"Well, I just...think I need to protect him? Like, he’s part of the people I protect? He’s family, and I’m possessive of him in that way." Andrew said as he felt a few people glance at him in curiousity. Kim was a big deal here, and he was speaking so casually with her. They also looked nothing alike, even if they were related by blood. It was only the way that their eyes reflected every once in a while that could have hinted at a blood relation.

"Hmm. That’s interesting. I think that might be similar to what I look at my children like." Kim told him, her expression thoughtful. "It’s a strong emotion. Are you having difficulty being away from them right now?" She asked and Andrew realised with a start that he was feeling a little lost.

"I...yeah. I am." Andrew said, surprised at his own reaction. Kim’s gaze softened as she smiled, patting his shoulder.

"That’s very sweet of you, Andy. I’m sure Maxy likes it as well, and so will Richard for tonight at least. I’m surprised he came, but I’m also glad he did. May and Ford messaged me letting me know they were on their way. Jordan and Rose are running a little behind. Traffic." She said and Andrew nodded.

"That’s understandable. I’m happy he came as well." Andrew hesitated, before he leaned in. "I recently found out that someone at work has a crush on him, and I think they are in attendance tonight." He whispered to his aunt, who blinked, before turning to him with a shocked expression.

"What? Really? Who?" She asked and Andrew shook his head.

"If I told you, I would be ruining the surprise. It’s fresh, very fresh. I don’t even think Richard will notice, and they also have a rather good poker face." Andrew told her, and Kim grew thoughtful.

"Are they someone who is close to him, or close to you?" She asked and Andrew smirked.

"Hmm. That’s not quite accurate." He said as they got to the front of the line. Kim ordered for her and Jenny, while Andrew ordered for all three of them. Andrew got something non alcoholic thanks to the look that Kim gave him, and ordered a nice whiskey for both Richard and Maxwell. He did ask for a nice paper umbrella for one of them to tease Richard, and the bartender had a great poker face as they stuck it in the whiskey, neat.

Richard frowned as he noticed what Andrew had in his hands when he came back towards the trio. It had grown in size as Amir and Ben had joined them. Ben was all smiles as Andrew handed off the whiskey to Richard and Maxwell, and reached out to hug Andrew first.

Then, Andrew turned his attention to the pretty pregnant Amir.

He was glowing, all smiles, and his hand resting on his stomach with ease. His glasses caught the light of the hall, and like Andrew and Maxwell, they were wearing a matching outfit. Unlike Andrew and Maxwell, they were wearing the traditional clothing of Amir’s culture, and Andrew felt his body smile as Amir reached for him, hugging Andrew warmly.

Andrew held the man carefully, not wanting to hurt him and Amir chuckled.

"You’re so thoughtful, Andy." Amir said, his brown eyes soft as he pulled back, squeezing Andrew’s arm. Andrew smiled, before he handed over his non alcoholic drink with ease.

"Thank you. You can have this if you want it." Andrew told him, and Amir chuckled, his smile growing.

"You aren’t drinking?" Amir asked carefully and Andrew shook his head.

"No. I’ve been careful about it for a while." Andrew told him and Amir just smiled. He took the glass with ease, taking a sip before he let out an appreciative sound.

"Thank you. This is delicious. What did you get?" He asked and Andrew explained that he’d ordered one of the non alcoholic drinks that was on the feature board, and Amir nodded thoughtfully. Ben was watching Amir talk to Andrew, his heart in his eyes, and Andrew felt himself smile.

He was glad that Amir was doing well, and that Ben was so smitten with the man. Ben was talking to Kim, Jenny and Maxwell, while Richard hovered between Maxwell and Andrew and Amir. It was a cute thing that Andrew noticed, but didn’t poke at Richard for. The man knew next to no one here, he was going to hover nervously.

The room was slowly filling up while they were chatting, and Andrew could feel some rather intense stares on his shoulders as time went on. Finally, he looked up, half expecting to see Maria or maybe Rose, but that wasn’t who he saw at all.

Andrew felt his eyes widen, and he was glad that his hands were empty as they went slack.

There were a group of omegas, male and female but mostly female, who were gathered a slight distance away. That wasn’t unusual, that was actually rather normal for a gathering like that. What was rather unusual was that Andrew knew most of them. Very well. At least, when he was in university before he left.

A shout went up, and one of the girls began to move towards him.

"I knew it! That’s Andy!" She shouted, and Andrew felt his body tense. He could feel Maxwell, Ben, and everyone else turn their attention to him. This was not going to help the rumours that Will had heard, and he worried that this might make Maxwell feel upset as well. Uh oh.