Chapter 13 Cornelius #2
We both nodded and followed Constantine out of his office and into the room next door.
When we entered, I saw a comfortable-looking exam table and a computer and monitor.
“Okay, Matthew. Just climb up on the table and lie back and get comfortable. Nothing today will hurt, and all we’re going to do is a quick exam and take a peek at your baby.
I’m kind of surprised really,” Constantine said as he pulled out a step and held out a hand to Matthew, gesturing for him to climb up.
“Surprised about what?” I asked as I helped my One up onto the table. He turned around, and after sitting down, relaxed on the reclining bed.
“That you haven’t already done your own ultrasound, actually. I haven’t done one in quite some time, honestly. Most of the time, they’re performed by the couple.”
I was shocked. The thought hadn’t even occurred to me. When I looked at Matthew, he was glaring at me.
“I’m sorry, love. I didn’t think about it.”
“I could have seen our baby sooner? Really?”
“You could have done the same, Matthew,” Constantine said, but Matthew shook his head.
“My magic isn’t working properly yet.”
“Yes, that’s true. And I have asked about that.
Master Edison will be here early next week after he’s done some digging about that situation for us,” Constantine said before turning to look at the monitor.
While he pushed buttons, I watched Matthew after hearing about Master Edison’s impending arrival.
He gave me a forced smile, and I reached for him, trying my best to reassure him.
“Everything will be all right.”
Matthew nodded just before Constantine gently lifted his shirt and then tucked a towel into the waistband of his sweats. I smiled at the baby bump that I knew had grown but still wasn’t overly large.
“Well, your bump doesn’t look too big, but it’s not too small either. This being your first, you will be slower to show, and it will take longer for you to pop as it were. Now, shall we see what we can see?”
Constantine squirted a light blue gel on Matthew’s stomach and then rubbed the wand around, spreading the gel.
After he had the wand exactly where he wanted it, he hit a few buttons on the keyboard, and immediately the room was filled with the swishing sounds of our baby’s heartbeat.
Matthew and I had both listened to it in our suite, but it was different through the speakers on the computer.
“How does one do an ultrasound?” I asked because I knew that I would certainly want to experience this again.
“You project it. You have to use your magic and go inside the womb and project the images up and out.” Matthew had a confused look on his face, but I knew exactly what he was saying.
Like when we read others’ minds when needed.
At times, over past experiences, it had been required that we’d searched humans’ minds in order to survive.
Grabbing the image of our unborn child would be similar.
“Okay, daddies. Say hello to your little guy,” Constantine said as he turned the monitor toward us.
“Aww, look at him,” Matthew said as he looked at the screen. I reached for his hand and laced my fingers with his, enjoying the contact. Needing it even. That was our baby. We’d done that. We’d made a baby together, and he was amazing to look at.
“He looks so lifelike. Is he developing okay? My being sick didn’t hurt him, did it?” Matthew asked.
“Not at all. A lot of pregnancies start with morning sickness. He’s just fine. Look, here are his fingers and hand. He’s making a fist right now. And this is his nose as you can see. His lips, cheeks, and ears.”
“Oh.” Matthew’s mood suddenly shifted, and I wasn’t the only one to pick up on it.
“What’s wrong, Matthew?” Constantine asked. I stared at my mate instead of looking at the doctor.
“Nothing. Umm, could you show me the side of his head?”
“Sure. Did you see something you want me to explain?”
Even though I wanted to see what Matthew was seeing, I continued watching my One. When he sighed and his face fell again, I turned and looked at the screen and smiled.
“Look, love. He has your ears. They’re so adorable, like you. I can’t wait to see what our little fae is like,” I said excitedly. I turned back toward Matthew and stared at him as he lay there with his mouth open.
“You’re excited? You mean you’re not upset?”
“Why would I be?” I asked. “He’s a part of you and me. We created him, and he’s going to be wonderful no matter what. Did you think I’d be upset if we didn’t have a warlock?” I asked although I already knew the answer to that question. Matthew sighed deeply.
“I guess like any pregnant person, they want to please their mate. I wanted to give you a warlock.”
“But why? Why would I be any happier with a warlock baby? I’m thrilled to have a little Matty running around the place.” And I was. I was looking forward to it actually. Matthew shook his head, a confused look on his face.
“You have to remember, fate knows what they’re doing, Matthew. And Thomas and Canyon paired you with Cornelius because he’s your perfect match. You couldn’t disappoint him by giving him a miniature version of you,” Constantine said before he wiped up Matthew’s stomach and pulled down his shirt.
“I’m sorry, Cornelius. I’m still a little unsure at some of this stuff. I’ll work on it though. I promise.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. We’ll figure it all out together, okay?” I asked before pulling our joined hands up and kissing the back of Matthew’s hand on his knuckles.
“Okay, here are your pictures. Everything looks good. The baby is measuring well, and everything is closed as it should be, and is where it’s supposed to be.” Constantine handed over a strip of pictures to Matthew, and my One’s attention was immediately drawn to the images.
“Thank you, Constantine. Is there anything I should look for? Avoid? And is it okay to have sex?” I asked.
Matthew gasped, and a quick peek showed pink cheeks again. Constantine and I both chuckled.
“Sex is a definite yes. Just as long as he’s comfortable, it’s a go,” Constantine said before turning and looking at Matthew. “If it hurts at any point, that’s when you stop. You can have sex up until you deliver, as long as it doesn’t hurt, understood?”
Matthew nodded.
“Good. Now, the baby is measuring good for the size of a fae baby, so that combined with the pointed ears would lead me to believe you were having a little fae.” I agreed with that.
I was a bit surprised that Matthew hadn’t sensed it before now, but then again, his magic wasn’t exactly working the best right now.
“Thanks, Constantine. I appreciate the help and guidance.” Because this pregnancy stuff was completely new to me. I’d not grown up with a large family and hadn’t spent a lot of time around babies. Matthew only smiled absently as he continued to stare at the pictures.
“It’s what I’m here for. Now, your omega line looks good.
It’s silvery right now,” Constantine said, looking at Matthew.
“Cornelius, when he gets closer to his due date, you’ll need to check the line frequently.
It’ll turn from silver to pink and then red.
Once it’s red, it’ll start opening a few days after that.
That’s when you need to come to me, understood? ”
“Yes,” Matthew said while I said, “Absolutely.” I smiled at him and couldn’t help but lean in and steal a quick kiss.
“I’ll be sure to keep an eye on it,” I said.
“Have you ever delivered through an omega line before?” I asked, curious.
Warlocks didn’t have one, and a C-section performed by another warlock was required.
“I have. Just recently, actually. I was with Marco and George at their pride and helped deliver two to be exact. That’s how I know about watching for the color change.”
So that’s where he’d gone off to for the past couple of weeks and why he couldn’t change anything. He had no idea of knowing when the babies would be born.
“Thanks, Constantine,” Matthew said as we left the office. My One was on cloud nine as we headed back to our suite. I knew everyone was anxiously awaiting the news of our little one, but I had a promise to keep and intended to do so.