4. Jorge
4
Jorge
It turns out that we can still surprise Derrick. I thought he’d lost that ability years ago, but we managed it.
To be honest, even I didn’t expect that a trip to some craft stores would end up with us hauling a massive wooden table, two smaller tables, and multiple boxes with crafting supplies back home. Oh, and some chairs, though Caleb apparently couldn’t get enough for a full set to go with the table so the rest of them will be delivered at some other date.
Finding space to store everything in the house without making our few living spaces unlivable until the other rooms have been finished kept us busy all of yesterday afternoon and until well into the evening. Which was good, because as the day went on, it was clear that the shopping spree wasn’t just from excitement, but also a way to try to keep our mind off what’s going to happen today.
In theory , I know that everything is probably going well with Vera and Mathew’s pregnancies. But a first scan feels like this big milestone. And it seems like none of us know how to deal with the uncertainty.
Mathew hasn’t been able to keep anything down all morning and Vera isn’t even chancing it. She’s had water, but that’s it. And with how pale she looks, I’m not even going to try to convince her to eat something right now. They’re sitting on the couch in the library, huddled under a blanket, even though it’s warm enough to melt them out from under it.
They look so miserable and I have no idea how to make them feel better. I really hope everything calms down for them after the appointment.
Caleb has been overseeing the contractors, which is making them nervous, but they’re also too scared to send the big, burly Alpha away. Which, fair, he even scares me with how he’s glaring this morning.
Riley is pulling all sorts of sewing patterns up on her laptop. From baby to adult clothes, to pillows, to baby toys, to... I don’t know. I have no idea what she’s looking for exactly, but she’s keeping herself busy, which is probably the most important thing. Also, she’s scaring me the least of everyone. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not.
I check the time again, but it’s another hour until we have to leave, and I don’t know what to do that won’t annoy the rest of my pack. Everyone is on edge enough as it is and me pacing or doing anything that makes even a little bit of sound probably won’t make it any better.
Not knowing what to do, I wander into the hallway and when I hear voices from the kitchen, I check in there. Whatever Eli is making smells great, savoury but also something sweet. My mouth waters as I step inside.
Eli is sitting on the counter, grinning, as Timothy stands between his legs, clearly whispering something naughty into the Omega’s ear as Eli gives him a heated look. Okay, better not to disturb these two.
In my haste to give them their privacy I bump into a stack of boxes next to the door, which pulls their attention and even though Eli tries to push Timothy away, the Alpha is staying in place, only looking at his Omega in amusement.
“Did you need anything?” Eli has given up trying to get back to the ground and focuses on me instead.
“No. Sorry. I just heard something and it smelled really good in here.” I back out of the kitchen. “I’m sorry for disturbing you.”
“You weren’t disturbing us,” Eli calls after me. “This one here was trying to distract me while I was trying to work.” I hear movement from the kitchen and then Eli is standing in the doorway. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Everyone is on edge and I was trying to distract myself.”
“Yes. The first scan is scary, and the first scan for your first kid, double scary.” He pulls a face, then eyes me. “After the appointment, take them out to eat somewhere fun.”
He gives me a quick glare. “ Not somewhere fancy like that restaurant or any of the places you usually go to with Mathew. But somewhere simple, a cafe or somewhere else nice. Try to find somewhere they serve something besides full meals or sweets. They might not be up for that. Actually, they might be, but their stomachs probably won’t be.”
“Thanks.” I guess I’ve now got something to do while I wait. To find places where we can eat later.
Well, it’s better than nervously sitting around.
Now, what places do I know that serve simple food, not full meals, and that aren’t too extravagant?
I’m very glad that Derrick drove us to the hospital as I don’t think we would have made it to the appointment alive otherwise. Actually, we probably would have, but I’m not so sure that any of the other road users would have reached their destinations alive…
It was hard enough to keep people from ‘correcting the driving style’ of any of the other road users when Derrick was the one driving, I don’t think things would have gone this well if any of the others had been behind the wheel.
Luckily, Derrick doesn’t seem too bothered by it, but it wasn’t like I hadn’t noticed his nervous glances back a few times when traffic had been particularly bad. After these last few days, I think the guy deserves some time off soon. I should bring that up with the others later...
The hospital looks very modern, and very large too. It has a drop off and pick up area at the front, which is where Derrick parked, and lots of green, with places to sit between them. I guess there are only so many ways you can make a hospital look inviting, especially one of this size. But they tried their best.
Mathew and Vera are holding hands as they keep shooting glances in the direction of the front doors. Mathew, who normally looks strong and in control is very clearly nervous, and Vera isn’t doing much better. I would almost call it cute, if I didn’t know that even thinking that could cost me my head.
I want to hug them, comfort them, but I feel like that might put them even more on edge while we’re still out here. Better wait until we’re no longer out in the open, possibly until we’re back home.
“Let’s go in.” Caleb starts walking, Mathew and Vera following him, and Riley behind that, while I nod at Derrick who gives me an encouraging smile. Yeah, I might need that...
In the hospital, the sounds are hushed. Not in a way that feels ominous, but in a way that feels respectful. People walk around calmly and there are hushed conversations around us.
We’ve not got any security with us, since we’re all together and getting attacked in the hospital is unlikely. Also, taking a security team in here would stand out way too much.
Vera and Mathew make sure all their data is up to date and then sign in at the front desk. After that, the lady at the front desk points us down a long corridor towards the wing we have our appointment.
The hospital is large and open, with lots of natural light from the windows in the ceiling and there are large pots with plants all along the corridor. The different departments are like apartment buildings within the larger hospital structure, allowing people to wander around and go from place to place easily and protected from the weather, but also keeping everything close together.
Sure, it still feels like a hospital, but it doesn’t feel claustrophobic like some hospitals do. Though, maybe I’ve just had bad luck with them in the past, also a possibility.
Mathew chose this hospital because it’s one of the best in the area, especially when it comes to prenatal care. I’m sure he’s paying good money to get an appointment so quickly. But then, why not, if he can afford it?
“Here it is.” Vera stops in front of a set of double doors. She looks really nervous and her pheromones are a mess. I want to hug her, but before I can, the double doors open and someone lets us inside.
“What name is your appointment under?” A male Beta checks his tablet.
“It’s under Page.” Mathew steps forward. “We’ve got an appointment for two Omegas at half past ten.”
“Yes. I’ve got you listed right here.” The Beta steps back. “If you could go to room seven. Someone will be with you soon.”
“Thank you.” Mathew nods and takes Vera’s hand, before he walks inside.
As soon as we pass through the doors, a soft scent surrounds us, pheromone masking fragrance combined with something that eases them, probably to make sure that everyone’s pheromones don’t influence the other people here.
The hospital has been largely scent free, apart from when we passed people by closely. They must have a strong air filtration system to make sure all the pheromones are filtered out as quickly as possible. Probably another reason for all the greenery in the hallway, a great way to hide the system, while also making it feel more inviting.
Room seven has a desk and some chairs at the front of the room, near the door, and a couple of machines at the back. From the looks of it, this is probably a room for a small pack. There are six chairs in total and the room is big enough for everyone to have plenty of space.
If I go by how the doors for the rooms are spaced, the earlier rooms are probably for pairs, they were closer together, and the rooms further down the hall are for larger packs, the doors are further apart. That makes sense. You don’t need that much space for pair bonded people, while larger packs are going to need more space. Especially if the whole pack shows up for an appointment, which might not happen all the time, but probably happens often enough that they have to plan for it.
Vera and Mathew sit down in the middle chairs, closest to the desk. I sit down at Mathew’s side, while Caleb sits down next to Vera. Riley sits down in a chair behind our Omegas.
We’ve got a few minutes before the appointment, and the mood has definitely gotten much more tense, until Mathew lets out a groan and crosses and uncrosses his legs.
“Hurry up. Hurry up. I want to go to the loo.” His voice is quiet and frustrated and somehow we all burst out laughing at his tone.
Okay, maybe we’re going to be okay. Let’s hope that this morning and the trip here were the worst part of the day and that things are going to get easier from here on out.
I can hope…