Chapter Eighteen
Isaac
“I don’t want to leave the house, or even this room.
” Thomas cradled our egg in the crook of his arm, gently rocking back and forth as he sat amongst the blankets and pillows in the middle of the room.
“If I feel like this now, how will I feel once the egg hatches and our child is kicking and rambling to us? How will I continue to work at the station?”
“We will face that question when the time comes.” I plopped down in the nest and placed a bowl of fresh berries in front of him. “I made us a quick and easy snack. We need to keep ourselves fed and hydrated. Let me do the work and you just enjoy bonding time.”
“I’m serious though.” Thomas popped a blueberry in his mouth. “I made a big deal about wanting to stay at the fire station and not being a stay-at-home papa, and now, that is all I feel like doing.”
“From my experience with other omegas, it is often the hormones rushing through your body right after birth that causes you to feel like you must not be separated from your young.” I fed him a strawberry.
“But after a couple months, you will feel more capable of knowing what you truly want again. So just enjoy the moments you have now and face the big questions in a couple months. The fire station gave you six months’ leave for paternity, and we are in a good financial state.
There is no need to stress out about the future right now. Give yourself some time to relax.”
“You’re right.” Thomas leaned over and kissed me. “I’m just freaking out about things. But I think I remember reading about not making huge decisions for at least a few weeks after giving birth if we don’t need to. I just thought that was bullshit, but perhaps it has some validity to it.”
“And when the time comes to go back to work, we will reevaluate how you feel.” I brushed a stray hair from his face.
“You wanted to continue to work and I support that if that is what you still want. But I will support you if you also change your mind. And I will also be here at home, so you will not be alone in making decisions for our family.”
“Thanks, babe.” Thomas fed me a blackberry and took a raspberry for himself. “I feel a bit better. Sorry for getting a bit freaked out.”
“No worries, babe. I’m always going to be here for you to vent to and share your worries.” I moved the bowl and placed it on the table beside us. “That reminds me though, have you called your sister back? She wanted to check in with you after you woke up.”
“Not yet. I’m afraid she will need me to help her.” Thomas shrugged but lowered his head to kiss the egg. “And I don’t want to leave here but also hate telling her no, you know?”
“I do know. I have siblings of my own with nieces and nephews I adore.” I handed him his phone and took the egg because it was my turn to cuddle it. “But you need to learn to set those boundaries and she loves you enough to understand that. Call her. She was worried about you.”
“Alright.” Thomas hit the contact information for Rebecca and put the phone on speaker. “I don’t feel like holding the phone to my ear though.”
“I’ve been that exhausted before.” I laughed. “Do you want privacy though? I can go into the living room for a minute?”
Thomas shook his head just as his sister answered the call.
“Thank the goddess.” Rebecca’s voice sounded over the speaker. “I was sitting here thinking about how you two and the baby were. Did everything go smoothly? I know that laying the egg can be rough for some omegas. With the twins, I needed to get a C-section.”
“Everything went well.” Thomas shook his head. “I texted you that before I took a nap.”
“I know but I needed to hear your voice. Now that I have, I feel a hundred times more relieved.” I could hear her twin sons playing and yelling in the background. “I can’t wait to come visit you when you are ready for company.”
“There isn’t much to see right now. Just a pretty blue egg. But once they hatch, you can come see your niece or nephew.” Thomas laid his head on my shoulder, his eye lids starting to fall.
“Oh, okay.” Rebecca’s voice lowered a bit. “You sound a bit tired. Do you need me to cut this call short?”
“If you don’t mind.” Thomas handed me his phone. “I’m gonna take a nap. Talk to Isaac or hang up. I’ll call you later.”
“I’ll let you both rest. You’ll need to get in all the naps now for when the baby is out of that shell and crying all night long.” Rebecca chuckled. “I love you all. I’ll wait for your call tomorrow.”
“Love you too. Tell the boys to behave,” Thomas mumbled as his body relaxed into my side.
I disconnected the call, placed the egg in front of Thomas, and joined my mate in a nap. Our little one safely tucked in Thomas’s arms as I held him from behind.
The sun was already down as my eyes opened again; only the light of the streetlights shone through the open window.
I lay still, holding my mate in my arms. I smelled the mixture of our senses lingering on a few clothing items he had added to the nest before the egg was delivered.
The scents would penetrate the shell and let our child know his daddy and papa’s scent signatures.
It also calmed the omega hormones swirling through Thomas both during delivery and post birth.
And as an alpha, I was thrilled to smell both of our essences combined and know we were one now.
I pulled my mate closer and kissed the side of his neck.
“Honey, I just gave birth. This is no time for getting excited.” Thomas groggily nudged me with his elbow. “Stop thinking sexy thoughts, or I’m gonna make you go in another room.”
“Who says I’m thinking about anything besides holding my mate and getting a nap.” I pulled him closer to my chest. Stop moving and just let me love on you.”
“Fine. You can hold me. But stop poking me in the ass with that thing, will ya?” Thomas pushed his butt back and rubbed it on my hardened cock.
“Well, you stop doing that, then, you little tease.” I smacked his right butt cheek.
“Okay, sorry. I’ll stop.” Thomas arched his neck, allowing me to lay a kiss on his mating mark. “Let’s go back to sleep.”
“Sounds good to me.” I placed one last chaste kiss on his shoulder and laid my head back down on the pillow. “I love you, mate.”
“I love you, too,” Thomas whispered, the signs of him falling asleep apparent in the tone. “Always.”