Chapter 27
Colton went over his final list several times to make sure it was as complete as he could make it.
The first list he submitted was perfect, but Steel asked him to add more patient rooms to the mini hospital he was setting up on the lower floor, hence the need for a new list. He was meeting with Steel shortly and wanted to be fully prepared, ready to answer any questions his brother-in-law might have.
He regretted he hadn’t completed the final year of his nursing program but it was what it was.
He wasn’t alone in lost dreams. After the massacre, all his brothers had to give up their dreams as well when they went into hiding.
He had managed to take some classes online in the past few years, but not enough to earn his RN degree.
That could put him at a decided disadvantage with the doctor Steel hired since some doctors were notorious for treating nurses badly because they didn’t have an MD after their name.
But not having one never bothered Colton.
Nurses, he was convinced, had more hands-on contact with sick people and could help them recover faster because they were the ones patients most often trusted and turned to for help.
He didn’t know who this doctor would be but made up his mind he wasn’t going to be pushed around or talked down to simply because he lacked a degree on his wall. His brother was relying on him. Walking toward Steel’s office, Colton could feel his wolf pacing. Hmm, guess it was time for another run.
His wolf’s uneasiness ignored, he knocked on the door, waiting for a response.
In the past, he’d have entered after knocking but that was before his brother mated.
He’d learned the hard way after Steel came on the scene never to do that.
As it was, the picture of his brother sucking Steel’s cock would forever be etched in his mind and he wasn’t keen on adding to that file.
“Come in,” Steel called. Entering the room, he saw Jackson sitting next to his brother-in-law. Steel kissed his mate, then turning to Colton, “Have you brought the list of equipment we’ll need?”
“Yes,” said Colton, sitting down and handing Steel the list. “As I’ve said before, the doctor you hired should give final approval but the one piece of equipment you should buy immediately is the ultrasound machine.
I’ve been trained to operate it and Jackson will need a number of these tests throughout his pregnancy. ”
“Why?” asked Jackson.
“To see if the baby is progressing as it should, alert us to any potential problems, and also give you the sex of the pup—if you choose to know it—before the birth,” replied Colton.
“The sex of the pup? But I already know it’s a boy,” said Jackson.
“Really? And how did you find that out?” smirked Colton.
Jackson’s cheeks flamed red and Steel interrupted the brothers. “I don’t have a problem, but as you suggested, I’ll fax Dr. Wallace to get his input.”
Colton expected Steel to consult the doctor; he was just startled that the call would be done while he was present. He watched as Steel scribbled some notes on the list before faxing it to the doctor. “I asked Dr. Wallace to call as soon as he’s reviewed the list.”
Nodding, Colton checked Jackson over. “You look good today. How are you feeling, bro? Has the morning sickness abated at least a little bit?”
“Actually, I feel great today,” Jackson said with a big smile.
“Good, maybe you’re nearing the end of morning sickness and extreme fatigue,” said Colton.
Just then, the phone on the desk rang and Steel picked up the receiver.
“Hello… ahh, Dr. Wallace, just a minute, I’m going to put you on speaker,” he said, pushing a button and Colton heard the doctor for the first time.
“Hello, hello, can you hear me?” said a voice sending shivers down Colton’s back.
“Yes, Dr. Wallace…”
“Call me Ian, please.”
“Hello Ian, I’m Steel. Jackson, my mate, and his brother Colton are with me. I faxed you a list of equipment Colton made. He recommended I buy the ultra sound machine immediately so he can see if everything is all right with the baby. Before I do that, I just wanted your approval.”
“Who put together this list?”
“I did,” replied Colton.
“Do you have medical training…”
Oh yeah, there he was, the snot-nosed, know-it-all doctor who thought only he knew anything. “I completed three and a half years of nursing school,” Colton said angrily. He saw his brother look at him with raised eyebrows, as if to ask what Colton’s problem was. Shit, I need to cool my emotions.
Ian heard the anger in Colton’s voice and was puzzled. What had he done to arouse those feelings in this man? “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply anything by my question. I was impressed with the thoroughness of the list, wondering how you knew so much.”
Yup, it was now official, I’m an asshole.
Shit. He over-reacted, jumping to the wrong conclusion.
Dammit to hell, he needed to get his head on straight but every time Ian spoke, he was put on edge.
The results of his thoughtless reaction were right there for all to see as Colton said, “I’m sorry, Dr. Wallace…
my apologies. Do you have any questions or additions to the list? ”
Ian felt Colton didn’t like him after hearing the tone of Colton’s answer, though he didn’t know why.
He was sure he never met the young man but that didn’t seem to matter; it appeared he had been judged and found lacking by him.
Should I just back out of this assignment, although it is a fascinating case?
He’d never heard of an Alpha/Omega hybrid before which is why he’d jumped to say “yes” when Oracle called him.
But Colton was Jackson’s brother and Ian didn’t want Jackson’s care compromised by any friction that might develop.
Shit, now my wolf is snarling. What the fuck… ???
“The equipment list is very complete and I was quite impressed by it. I know many doctors who couldn’t do as well.”
“Good to know,” said Steel. “What about Colton’s idea of buying the ultrasound machine right away?”
“I agree with that. I believe Jackson is about two months pregnant?”
“Yes,” replied Steel.
“Then Jackson should have an ultrasound done as soon as possible. Colton, have you been trained to give the test?” asked Ian.
“Yes, I’ve done a lot of them.”
“Would you please send me a copy of each result so I can keep a file on his progress?” asked Ian.
“Sure, no problem.”
“Okay,” said Steel. “I’ll put in an order for all of the equipment and ask the supplier to rush the ultrasound machine as soon as possible. Is there anything else we need to address?”
“I’m finished for the time being,” said Ian. “Oh wait… Colton if you have any notes you’ve been keeping on Jackson, would you please forward copies of them to me when you get a chance?”
“I’ll do it immediately,” replied Colton.
“Thanks. Good-bye, for now.”
A chorus of “good-byes” sounded just before Steel hung up the phone.
Colton got up. “Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go get my notes for Dr. Wallace.”
Jackson spoke up. “Sit down, Colton. You want to tell me why you got so pissed off at the good doctor?”
Colton looked down at his fidgeting fingers.
Dammit, he knew his brother would want some answers since it was so unlike him to lose his temper.
All during their childhood, Colton was always the calm one, never angry at any of his siblings.
So yeah, Jackson would notice his stupid anger at the doctor.
“Sorry about that,” he mumbled. “I just jumped to the wrong conclusion. It won’t happen again. ”
Steel asked, “Will you be able to work with him without any drama? I don’t want Jackson to be put in the middle of spats between his brother and his doctor.”
Colton nodded his head in assent as he looked up at Steel. “Don’t worry, the doctor and me… we’re on the same page. There won’t be any friction.”
“Are you sure? Because I can find another doctor,” said Steel.
Colton nodded. “I promise. Is that all?”
Jackson smiled at his brother. “Yes, and thanks Colton. I appreciate all your help.”
Colton walked over to his brother, bending down to hug him, whispering in his ear, “I love you, bro, and I’m so happy to be part of the coolest pregnancy ever.” He straightened up, smiling at Steel. “Let me know where you’re going to set up the hospital and I’ll start getting the rooms ready.”
~/~/~/~/~
Slate’s phone was ringing again and he knew exactly who the asshole on the other end was.
Josiah, Alpha of the Silver Point Pack was trying to reach him about a waiver on the title issue.
Fuck that! This must be the sixth call in the last two days.
Slate would’ve answered it sooner but he was trying to buy Steel all the time he could until the proverbial shit hit the fan.
And by the sound of it, that time wasn’t too far off.
Better call his brother to see what he wanted Slate to do.
As he dialed, his thoughts once again reverted to Steel’s luck in finding a mate.
Well, maybe not so much luck as having the grit to keep looking.
While he was happy for his brother, Slate wasn’t ready to settle down just yet even though his mother was nudging him in that direction.
No, he was having too much fun finding a different man in every port—oops—make that in every city while traveling all over the world.
Maybe if he entered his toirchigh period like Steel, he might be more focused, but right now, he was free to be a man whore and wasn’t ready yet to give up that title.
“Steel here.”
“Well, hello to you too, brother. Not getting enough since Jackson got pregnant?” chortled Slate.
“Fuck off,” Steel replied with a laugh. “What’s up, little brother—and I do mean little—where it counts.”
“Did your mate ever say you have a streak of meanness in you?”
“My mate loves me and only tells me how good I am in bed. Too bad you’ll never hear that from your mate,” said Steel smugly.