Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Oakley
This morning was the first time in all my years working at the nursery that I called in sick. Tim offered to come pick me up and bring me to the doctor, and Daisy was in the back, commanding that he do just that.
The only way I could convince them not to come over was to tell them how I was throwing up nearly nonstop. The actual throwing up on speakerphone really pushed my point.
I didn’t mean to. My stomach had a mind of its own for the past two weeks.
The truth was, my bear told me what was happening the first time I got sick. I had been over at Auburn’s at that time, and my bear whispered the one thing I wasn’t prepared to hear.
I needed to tell Auburn. I needed to admit to myself my bear was right.
After the heaving stopped, I bit the bullet and called my mate. Most times, I spent the night at his house or him at mine, but with his shop being so busy and him making extra-special flavors for the summer craze in Oliver Creek, I’d spent the night at home and him at his place.
It felt wrong not to be near him, but life happened.
“Good morning, my love.” He always called me that now. Every single time, it warmed my whole body.
“Good morning. Are you busy right now?”
He was doing something in the background. “Not much. Do you need me?”
That question was loaded. I could tell by his tone, but he had no idea why I needed him. “I really need to talk to you about something. It’s important.”
“Wait, didn’t you have to work this morning?” he asked.
I blew out a breath. Time to say the thing and get it over with. “I’ve been throwing up, so I called into work. Can you come over and stop at the drugstore on your way?”
“What do you need?” I heard the jingle of his keys.
“A ginger ale and crackers, please. And one more thing. Can you get a pregnancy test? Maybe more than one.”
Auburn sucked in a breath. He stopped moving. “Oakley, what are you saying?”
“I would much rather have this conversation face-to-face. I know this is difficult, but can you just get those things and come over, please.”
“I’m on my way.”
In less than fifteen minutes, a miracle by any standards of driving and moving, Auburn knocked on my door and then let himself in. He had a key, as did I for his place and the ice cream shop. “I’m here,” he called out.
He put the bags on the table and rushed over as soon as he saw me.
“Do I look that bad?” I asked, laughing.
“You are green. Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on.”
“My bear told me a few weeks ago when I would get up and get sick almost immediately, but I didn’t believe him. I’m tired all the time and nauseated. If I smell anything with eggs in it, my stomach revolts.”
He stepped back. I’d hurt him. I could feel it through the bond. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t believe him. I thought something else was happening.”
He closed his eyes and then grabbed me up in a bear hug. “Don’t keep things from me, omega. We’re in this together, good and bad. Please.”
“I won’t. I’m sorry.”
He kissed my lips. Thank goodness I’d brushed my teeth for the tenth time this morning.
“Let’s move past it. You have a pregnancy test to take, and I brought all kinds of things the pharmacist suggested.
There’s a whole section for prenatal care and one shelf dedicated to nausea.
Apparently, that’s a common thing here.”
Auburn stayed with me in the bathroom while I peed on the stick.
We read the directions over and over. We waited the two minutes and the whole time, he hugged me and kissed my head.
He whispered all the things an omega wanted to hear.
He loved me. Everything was going to be okay, no matter what the test said. He was so lucky to have me.
His bear poured calm and soothing emotions through the bond, not only to my bear but to me.
When the timer went off, I wasn’t ready to face it.
“Can you go check it, please? I-I can’t.”
“Of course.” He strolled into the bathroom and came out smiling. “You’re pregnant, Oakley.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, snatching the test with a little more force than necessary. “Two lines.”
“We’re going to have a baby, omega. Tell me what you’re feeling.”
I looked up at him. “Tell me how you’re feeling first.” I wouldn’t be happy if he didn’t want this. A thousand catastrophic endings came to mind.
“I’m ecstatic. Another dream come true. It’s all because of you. But how do you feel?”
I bent over and rested my hands on my knees. The relief almost made me collapse. “I thought you might not want this. We didn’t talk about it. About starting a family. We don’t even live together.”
“Hey.” He scooped me up and brought me to the living room and somehow managed to grab the bag from the drugstore. “I would never leave you. No matter what happens. I want this. I want you and being a papa and having a family. I want everything with you, Oakley.”
Tears spilled over. I couldn’t contain them anymore. “I’m so happy. I’m carrying our cub.”
“Yes, you are. The rest we will figure out. It’s all going to be fine. I promise. Trust me?”
“I do.” My hands went to my stomach and I laughed through the tears. “I’m your dad, little cub,” I spoke to my baby. “We already love you so much.”