Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Nyx
I always hated the phrase time flies . It seems so generic to use when time is often filled with loads of memories and or challenges. But in this case, I can attest that it does fly.
It flies faster than should be possible.
Since the day I showed up in Shelter Falls, life has been going nonstop. I mean, on the very first day I met my mate. If that wasn't a clear warning of how things were going to change, I don't know what else could have been.
Of course a week into my arrival my mate gets shot while out on a call. And since then, we've had to change everything.
My Omega status is known by everyone in town. Initially, they were all a bit shocked I had withheld the information from them, but they understood being an Omega in law enforcement was irregular. I had to fight tooth and nail for every ounce of respect before coming to this small town.
Besides, the truth didn't change anything.
Once they knew it was obvious they were happy to see their boss mated to the new guy — especially after the scene I'd made when he was shot.
They all came to visit us in the hospital, and it didn't take long for word to spread. Anyone who didn’t know at this point had to be living under a rock. And I suspected even those people knew the Alpha Sheriff now had an Omega who was also his coworker.
Thankfully, the wound was through and through so Julian got to come home just a day after being admitted to the hospital. He had a sling and strict instructions on what he could and could not do, along with orders to rehab his shoulder before jumping back into work.
It's been a month since then, and he's now deep in his physical therapy process.
While I love that he is working to get his movement back, I'm a bit torn too. You see, my mate has a hero complex. He wants to save everyone he can. And while that's great, it is also a bit of a frustration.
I want him all to myself.
I do not want to share him with others, and I do not want to risk any other bullets flying his way simply because he was trying to help.
Granted this one missed being lethal, but what about the next one? And the one after that?
Thoughts like that are what keep me up at night. Well, that and the stomach bug I've seemed to have contracted. The fucking nightmare of a virus won’t quit. I don't know if I will get over this on my own since nearly every over-the-counter medicine I've taken has failed to do its job.
I'm waiting in the emergency room for the doctor on-call to give me some kind of update. This thing surely has to be some rare tropical mosquito transferred thing for it to last this long and not be susceptible to any type of medicine. It’s so weird too since no one else has gotten sick.
Just as I'm contemplating once again where this virus came from a man walks into the little sectioned off area I'm in. I don't know if they put me in a more private space because I'm in my Deputy uniform or if they just remember me from before. It hasn't been all that long, and I was a bit hysterical the last time I was here.
Who could blame me though? I thought my mate was dying. It's kind of a big deal.
“Hi there,” the guy says.
He's likely a few years younger than me and oddly, the resemblance between us is pretty close. We both have thick beards and rounder faces. Where my hair is still long, his is much shorter. He's also in his doctor's clothes, which is a stark contrast to my law enforcement uniform.
I shake my head to dispel the odd moment of finding my doppelganger as I greet him. “Hi. Any news on what's wrong with me?”
The doctor chuckles. “Well, you see, that's kind of why I'm here.”
I arch my brows. “Are you not the doctor on call?”
He shakes his head as he taps the chart in his arms. He's got them crossed over his chest. It's not a defensive move, though I can tell he's not wanting me to look at whatever's on the paper yet.
“I am not the doctor on call, actually, but he did call me once they looked over your blood work. My name is Chance Barnes, and I am an obstetrician. Your bloodwork indicates that you're pregnant, Mr. Pointe.”
There's a pause between us as his words echo through my brain. It's obvious he's wanting me to kind of fill in the blanks and let him know if I’m either okay with this or it's a horrible disaster. Meanwhile, I'm trying to figure out if I'm okay with this or if it's horrible disaster.
The instant I think it, I know it isn't true. There's no way I could ever not want a child with my Alpha. In fact, I distinctly remember the last time we were in this hospital he told me he was ready to have children with me.
I just didn't think it would be this soon. Especially not since we have not engaged in any type of sexual activities since before he was shot.
I know we could probably have sex. His doctor never really said we couldn’t.
It’s more I didn't want to risk him getting injured any further. His shoulder is really sensitive and with the physical therapy he's been working hard. All I've wanted to do is take care of him and nurture him. My Omega instincts have screamed at me to be there for him in every way possible.
Except that way.
My mouth opens and closes a few times as the reality of what he says sinks in.
“I’m pregnant?” I ask.
He smiles softly. “Yes, you are roughly a bit over a month along based on these numbers.”
A smile stretches across my face as I do the math. Based on what he's saying that means we had to get pregnant within the first couple of days of being together. It’s as if fate knew we needed this to help distract us as we deal with my mate’s injury
“I…” I start. “I’m so happy. I can't even express how I'm feeling. My mate and I just met recently and he's amazing. I want kids and he wants kids and we were just talking about it recently. This just feels so sudden I…I don't know how to tell him.”
The doctor steps closer and places a hand on my shoulder. “Coming from experience, I would say being straightforward is best. But based on my own situation and all of my in-laws, your mate will likely be thrilled. Having a mate is one of fates, greatest blessings. They want nothing more than to love and cherish you. Knowing that the two of you and your love created a child is a beautiful thing. I'm really happy that you're happy about it because sometimes that's not the case.”
We both laugh at his squeaky voice.
“Not that there is anything wrong with people not being ready to be parents. I’m just not the best when it comes to delivering unwanted news.”
I shake my head. “There's no way this baby isn't wanted. If anything, it's just amazing that I could get pregnant this fast at my age.”
He nods and hums. “Yes, I did notice on your chart that you were an older Omega. Sometimes it can be difficult to get pregnant, however, if this was a recent match with your mate like you indicated, it's likely that your body’s heightened hormones create a perfect level of fertility. The timing tends to make having babies much easier.”
“Well, then I guess it's not a stomach bug. I have a lot to prepare for, especially if I'm already one month in,” I say aloud as my thoughts whirl around schedules and planning and figuring it all out.
“Hey there,” the doctor says getting my attention. “I wouldn't stress about it too much yet. You still have plenty of time. And I am more than happy to be the person to help you along this journey. You can take down the information for my office. We can get you worked in. There are even some Omega and baby classes that we offer to get you prepared during and after pregnancy. It's kind of a newer thing, but I noticed that while some people are over prepared, others feel overwhelmed. I want to be sure you're aware you have options. You don't have to do any of this alone. You and your mate will have backup.”
I release a sigh as a weight lifts from my shoulders.
“That will be really good news,” I admit. “I’m pretty sure Julian will be thrilled and go overboard himself, but I am leaning towards overwhelmed. I've already thought of at least twenty things I should have done already to prepare for this.”
The doctor gives me a confused look.
“Julian? Do you mean Julian Bates?”
It's not unusual for people to know my mate’s name. He is the Sheriff. Plus, if this doctor is at this hospital enough I'm sure he's familiar with him.
“Yes, that is my alpha. You know him?”
The laughter he lets out is so loud it draws the attention of a few nurses. They lean around the curtain to check on us. When they see that the doctor is amused and there's nothing to worry about. They take their leave.
I smile at the doctor as I wait for him to finish. He wipes the tears from his eyes and then shakes his head.
“I can't believe it. This is quite amusing to me. Sorry, it's not that I'm laughing at you. It's just the situation. I do know Julian. He and his friend group, who you may or may not know yet, are connected with me and my in-laws. It's complicated. And really, I don't know why we don't all just live in the same town and build our own little commune, but it works how it works now. I am over in Plentywood, by the way.” He motions over his shoulder as if to indicate the neighboring small town. “I won't tell anyone about the news until you've given Julian the information. I have to say it's really funny when I find out that someone I know is pregnant, or that they got their Omega pregnant, before their partner knows.
I snort at his tone. “I mean, your job is to tell people that they're pregnant so who else would find out?”
His responding grin is bashful. “You would be amazed how many Alphas actually smell out their Omega’s pregnancy before the Omega even knows. For instance, Trey told Zeke his mate was pregnant before either of them knew. They were all at a party — from what I've been told — when he blurted out his congratulations. Everyone was like “how did you know” and he's like “I deal with animals who give birth all the time” as his reason.”
Dr. Barnes makes a talking motion with his hand then rolls his eyes.
“I mean, sure, he is a vet, so he does deal with pregnancy, and he knows about the hormone shifts. But it's still just one of those things that's amazing. Anyway, I won't ramble on about that. I will get you a prescription for the nausea and some vitamins. You need to get started on both of those right away, as well as being cautious of any direct hits to the abdomen area. Based on that uniform I would say that you are pretty active.”
I nod. “Yes, however, it's not like I'm out here doing jujitsu or anything. Just your average patrol, but I will keep an eye on my abdomen and take any medicine you can please give me to stop this nauseous feeling. It's hard enough keeping it from Julian since he's so focused on his therapy from his shoulder wound.”
“Ah yes, I remember that now. Well, if my math is correct, right around the time his arm is in fully good use, he'll have a new baby to hold. No better way to test it out than a fragile human.”
At my petrified look, he laughs hard again, then slaps me on the shoulder.
“I’m just kidding. We wouldn't dare give a baby to his bad arm. He might drop them.”
With that he rips off a couple of prescriptions, lays them in my hand with discharge paperwork and disappears behind the cloth curtain. I'm left sitting there with confusion and mix of humor that Dr. Barnes is really strange. Still, I’m glad he was here to give me the news. It's like he said — I wouldn't have known otherwise unless Julian smelled it and mentioned it. Babies haven’t been on my mind at all other than that one conversation we had in the hospital.
After getting my prescriptions filled, I head for home. I let myself inside only to find Julian in the kitchen staring at the can opener and a can of soup with a scowl.
I approach slowly, my lips curled at the corner as I fight a laugh. “What's going on in here?”
His head whips my way, the scowl leaving as a smile blooms in its place. “I was just going to heat up some food before realizing I can't fucking do it. The can opener is manual. When you got one arm, things are kind of hard.”
I shake my head at him then proceed to open up the can and make the food for him.
While it’s in the microwave, I turn to face him. He's leaning against the counter on one side of the kitchen and I'm mirroring his stance across the space. The hum of the appliance is the only sound between us.
I know that he's trying to figure out what's going on with me. I've been off for days, plus I didn’t tell him that I was going to the doctor after I got off work until I was already there. He's waiting out my patience to see if I'll just admit to where I've been and what I've been doing or if he'll have to question me. Of course with both of us being in law enforcement, that type of questioning is closer to an interrogation. It gets the job done though.
Without giving it too much thought, I say the two words that he probably least expects. “I’m pregnant.”
The microwave goes off, it’s alarm blaring through the now silent space.
My Alpha’s eyes are wide, his jaw hanging open. It's much like the look I probably gave the doctor at the hospital.
“You're pregnant?”
“I am,” I confirm. “A bit over a month along, actually. And Dr. Chance Barnes sends his regards. He said it was pretty amusing that he got to find out first. He's also offered to be my doctor?”
I say it kind of like a question. I'm not sure how he's gonna feel about the whole thing. About me being pregnant. About him being injured while I’m pregnant. About someone he knows being away of the pregnancy before him.
Instead of saying anything at all, he moves across the space between us. With his good arm, he tugs me close to his chest. I gently wrap my arms around his waist as to not hurt his shoulder. His hand cups the back of my head and his face dips to the curve of my neck.
“You did it,” he says softly. “You gave us a family. You did it, baby.”
My heart swells at the sound of hope and love and longing in his voice. It's so pure and genuine. I pull back to take him in. Tears flood his eyes as he smiles.
“I’m so happy.”
Fuck.
Now I’m crying too. I can't help it. Knowing that he's pleased, knowing that I've done what I was biologically designed to do, and what we both wanted is everything.
I press a kiss to his lips. The hand in my hair tightens and soon I'm pressed against the countertop, our bodies aligned as he shows me just how much he's thankful for.
I know before I said that I wouldn't sleep with him because I didn't want to injure his shoulder but I'm only human in wanting him. Announcing I'm pregnant has my body aching for his knot.
I need him.
Now.
I strip faster than I've ever have in my life. Then I’m removing his pants too. Taking his top off would take too long, so I leave it on. As soon as we’re bare, I turn around and present myself to him.
Slick coats my hole, the excess pouring out of me as my desire rises. There’s nothing quite like presenting for your Alpha. It’s a heady feeling that comes knowing I’m so openly on display.
Julian groans as he lines his cock up to my hole. “Gonna fill you up again. Gonna keep you bred. Going to remind you of how we made this baby.”
He grunts then pushes all the way in a single thrust. Turning my head I watch his shoulder to make sure he's not abusing it in any way. Of course my mate doesn't do anything to hurt himself. Instead, he keeps his good arm at base of my neck, his grip on my hair as his hips piston in and out of me.
It's hard and it's fast and it's full of emotion that words could never truly express. Our bodies are speaking to one another in a language that's as old as time.
I let him have all of me.
By the time his knot starts to swell, I’m sweating and desperate to come. I stroke my own length to speed the process up. I want us to come together.
When his knot pops through my tight hole, I break apart. He sighs behind me, the relief evident in his tone. It's as if we both needed this but were too afraid to go this far.
Of course Fate, as it always does. provides a way. All we needed was to find out we’d be parents for our desires to take over.