The big day!

No other match had ever been as tense as this one. Facing strong teams was completely different from what Gabriel had ever imagined in his life.

The shouts coming from the stands showed a larger number of fans for the Montreal team. Even though the match was being held in the neighboring city, they had come just to be there. For the volleyball team it was the social energy needed to keep their morale up.

The final of the regionals was intense. Montreal found themselves on set point that could lead to their victory. Their opponent looked tense and nervous, yearning for a point that would hand them the chance to turn the score around.

The whistle had sounded. The ball had been drawn.

The rally had started frantically, with the players moving about the court according to the leadership of their captain. Coming towards them, Gabriel had positioned himself raising the ball to Milles who had cut back, but the reception from his opponent had been good and they were able to hit back.

Milles and Gabriel joined in the net forming a double block which slowed the force of the ball. Nicolas would receive it and soon Boyle would cut to the other side of the net.

The movement of that rally had become frantic in seconds. Neither side surrendering their victory. The adrenaline was doing its job, with the focus being that sphere going from one side to the other. Gabriel couldn't take his eyes off it, just as he paid attention to the movement of his teammates.

With the ball coming from the other side and received, Gabriel had run to the back of the court and lifted it directly into the net where Nicolas had already jumped in waiting for him. The ball had been placed directly into the captain's hand, which had cut strongly.

There was a player about to receive the ball, but Nicolas' strength had been greater than expected. Because he had touched the receiving player, the point had been given to Montreal guaranteeing their victory.

The gym was filled with cheers and euphoria from the stands. All the Montreal players gathered on the court in a group hug, shouting in disbelief at their victory. Soon afterwards, the award ceremony was held, with each of the players displaying the golden medal on their chests.

Gabriel looked at that gym feeling the euphoria covering his chest. He would never forget the feeling of being on the court conquering something together with his teammates. Participating in the regionals had been difficult as he now had other responsibilities.

In spite of combining studies, training and work, Gabriel had asked his PE teacher to return to play only in the following year. After all, he had to help his omega.

― Biel! It's time, man, run! ― Warned Milles with a poke in his rib.

― Time for what? ― Questioned Boyle curiously.

― Nothing that matters, let's celebrate! ― Shouted Nicolas, although he already looked sleepy. ― I accept pizza, and the teacher pays!

― I don't remember saying I would pay...

― Nothing fairer than the technician paying for a pizza since we work so hard!

Awakening from his reverie, Gabriel had pulled on the technician's wrist, checking the time on his watch. Wide-eyed, the boy took his bag that was with the technician and left without saying goodbye to the others. He needed to arrive as soon as possible or it would be too late.

The flow of people leaving the gym was intense. Gabriel stood on tiptoe looking for the old car without finding it. Grabbing the mobile phone from his sports bag, he dialled the number quickly and kept looking for the car.

― Have you left yet? ― Said the female voice on the other end of the line.

― Yes, but I can't see you.

― Oh, I had to park on the other side of the street. I'm in front of a pet shop.

― Okay, I know where that is.

Hanging up the phone, Gabriel crammed himself between people having trouble even crossing the street. Why the hell was the city so busy just that day?

Amidst the apologies for bumping into someone or stepping on someone's foot, Gabriel finally reached the pet shop and found his mother's car. Soon he got into it, sighing for the second victory of the day, which seemed to have made him run an Olympic marathon.

― Oh you're all sweaty and without a coat, you'll catch cold. Put on a sweater!

Before throwing his bag in the back seat, Gabriel had put on his sweatshirt as requested and was getting ready in the car. Miriam soon plucked up the courage to drive the car through the city, trying to find shortcuts to get to the highway as fast as possible. However, the congestion seemed to spread even to the simplest and most hidden streets.

Having finally reached the highway, Miriam extended a bag with snacks to Gabriel.

― I thought they were going to leave early today.

― That was the intention, but the guys managed to tie us up in two sets. If I'd known it was going to turn out like this I wouldn't have even played.

― Theo warned us that the match would be complicated.

Shrugging on the bench, Gabriel bit into his snack and silently agreed. Obviously Theodore knew that the match would be complicated, it was he who had set up the whole strategy of the match, which had guaranteed the first two sets to Montreal. But the omega didn't know that the opposing team had also gathered information about them and had managed to put together a strategy that would turn the match around.

Had the omega been present in the gym, surely he would have noticed and given last-minute guidance that would prevent that frantic rally.

But there was no point in thinking about it at that moment. They had won, Gabriel was already returning to his city and eating a delicious X-Bacon.

The return to the city took some time, and to reach the hospital was torture. Especially when Gabriel had received the call from his mother-in-law advising that they couldn't wait any longer. The alpha was already anxious to the point of not stopping in his seat, and his mother only laughed in the purest patience.

No sooner had he parked the car in front of the hospital than Gabriel had stumbled out of the vehicle. He ran to the hospital entrance without even talking to the attendant, going straight to the maternity ward.

Only when he arrived did he ask for the room of a certain omega, receiving the visitor's badge. With the pass cleared, he had followed the nurses' directions, meeting his mother-in-law and Pete in the corridor.

― Oh, Biel is finally here!

― Sorry I'm late, but what about Theo? And Kauã? Was he born yet?

― Easy boy ― Pete laughed, taking a piece of bread from Gabriel's chin. ― He just went into the operating room. Soon he will be released, you can finish eating.

Gabriel lowered his eyes to the sandwich that was still half eaten. Sighing relieved that he had arrived, the alpha sat on a chair finishing eating while waiting in front of the surgery room.

The birth had been scheduled for that day despite the conflict of the finals match. Gabriel had even tried to make them change the date or not attend the game, but Theodore had insisted that everything would be fine. They even tried to see if they could bring the date of the surgery forward, but the baby's position didn't give many indications that it would be a good time.

Kauã wanted to be born just that day.

He barely slept due to anxiety. He wished he could stay with Theodore all the time, by his side, calming him down. But the omega was sure that the game would finish on time. And look at that, he was an hour and a half late!

His instincts had been right on that score.

Now that the adrenaline was finally dissipating, the alpha felt sleepy. He leaned his head against the wall, crossed his arms and kept his eyes closed just to rest a little. Although the mere movement in the corridor made him open his eyes hoping it was the doctor releasing him to enter.

It had been another hour before that wish came true.

The doctor had left the operating room, lowering his mask at the same moment Gabriel had jumped out of his chair.

― Then Dad arrived. - Laughed the doctor, receiving an embarrassed smile from Gabriel.

― How are they?

― Everything went well, the baby looks healthy. As soon as we transfer them to a room you will be able to see them.

A sigh of relief escaped not only Gabriel but also the other couple who were waiting for the news. Soon Gabriel's mother was also joining them, congratulating her son on Kauã's arrival.

Pete and Aline had to go back to work, and Gabriel remained with his mother's company. Because she had not had lunch, the alpha accompanied her to the food court where they could calm down.

― Ah, I need to sleep.

― Forget it. Well-slept nights don't belong to you anymore.

― I know, mum. ― Laughed the alpha, massaging his burning eyes.

Despite the tiredness knocking at the door, Gabriel hadn't quieted until he returned to the hallway and was notified that Theodore and Kauã were already in the room. Running to find his mother's car earlier would not compare to his hurried walk down the halls until he reached said room.

Opening the door, his eyes met with those blue pearls and the giant smile showing its little fangs. Just there, Gabriel had felt all his tiredness leave his body.

― You have arrived! ― whispered the omega extending his hand to his boyfriend, who hurried into the room to hold him. ― And he didn't even take off his team uniform.

― Let the record show how desperate I was to get here.

And then, the two of them both lowered their eyes to the tiny being wrapped in a blanket that lay in Theodore's arms. Pulling away the blanket, wearing a tiny little towel, Kauã was sleeping quietly.

Gabriel had lightly touched his cheek with the tip of his index finger, watching the newborn shrink into the covers and then let out a yawn. Laughing foolishly, he observed that Lilian's gift had been chosen as the child's first outfit.

― He is beautiful! ― said the bewildered alpha. ― And so tiny.

― Isn't he? Very light, here hold him to see.

Theodore extended his arms for his boyfriend to take the child, and when he did he had the most beautiful glimpse in all his life. The most genuine smile appeared there along with the warmest look. Gabriel looked at his own son with such emotion that it was hard not to tear up.

― Hey champion, do you recognize daddy's voice? I spoke to you a lot while you was in the oven, didn't I?

The omega didn't stop laughing, quickly wiping the tear that was running down his face. But he had been caught in the act by his boyfriend. Moving on the bed, Theodore had patted the quilt for Gabriel to sit next to him.

With him so close, the two of them were unable to take their eyes off the little baby. Yet there had been a moment when Gabriel had lifted his head, catching Theodore in the act of silently admiring him.

― Have I told you I love you?

― Perhaps? I don't remember...

Gabriel deposited a quick kiss on Theodore's lips, shutting him up.

― I love you, Theodore.

Opening an embarrassed smile, the omega blushed slightly at hearing those words. They still seemed like a dream.

― I love you too, Gabriel.

Holding Gabriel's face, Theodore deposited another kiss on his lips. This time longer and softer, proving to himself that this was no mere dream.

He had conquered the transfer student.