Chapter 30
Colton was waiting for Jackson and Steel in the examining room he’d set up for the ultrasound. Steel certainly hadn’t skimped on equipment for the mini hospital. Everything was the best money could buy.
He was pleased Steel allowed him to pick the rooms he wanted for the hospital.
This room was painted in a soothing light aqua, complimented by beautiful beiges and warm wood doors, giving it a sense of tranquility.
He knew it would help alleviate any anxiety Jackson might have during subsequent examinations.
It was hard to believe he was once more working in a hospital, even though it was a private one with only one patient, but still, Colton was doing a happy dance in his mind.
When his family was killed and he went into hiding, Colton felt his goal of being a nurse died the same day.
Now, it was a different world and he was walking on cloud nine because he had a real patient to care for.
“Hi, Colton,” Jackson said, entering with Steel on his heels. “Wow, this is so cool! Did you do this?”
“Yeah, I chose room colors so everything would be perfect for you.”
“Well done. I love it. So, do I need to undress for this test?”
“No, just lie down on the table and open your jeans so I have access to your belly. Raise your t-shirt, too.” Jackson complied as Colton rolled his chair over along with the ultrasound machine.
“This test won’t hurt. First, I’ll rub some gel on your belly,” Colton said, squirting and rubbing the emollient on Jackson’s bump.
“What’s that for?” asked Steel, who stood at Jackson’s head.
“The gel creates an airtight bond between the wand and skin so the sound waves pass directly to what we want a picture of—in this case, Jackson’s baby,” explained Colton, pleased to be using his medical knowledge at last.” Then he said, “Steel, would you please lower the lights?”
“This switch?”
“Yeah, just move it to the middle,” replied Colton, turning on the ultrasound.
“Then if you stand on that side of Jackson, you’ll be able to see the screen.”
Once at Jackson’s side, Steel reached out to hold his mate’s hand.
Jackson turned, smiling at Steel while softly mouthing the words, “I love you.” Grinning, Steel squeezed Jackson’s hand as Colton lowered the wand to his mate’s belly, slowly moving it until suddenly, a loud thumping sound was heard.
“That’s your pup’s heartbeat. Nice and strong,” Colton announced.
Jackson knew his pup’s heartbeat because he’d heard the low, soft, muffled thumps for a while now—they’d lulled him to sleep many a night and the sound comforted him. Still, it surprised him now how much he loved hearing it amplified, drumming out a steady beat.
Colton continued moving the wand as he fiddled with the machine. Then he said, “There’s your pup.”
“Where? What are we looking at?” asked Steel “I don’t see anything.”
“Here, see? Here’s the baby and there’s its heartbeat,” said Colton, pointing to the screen. “I’ll print out a picture for you.”
“Can you tell whether we’re having a boy or a girl?” asked Jackson.
“Nope, the baby is not cooperating today. Maybe next time. I just need to do some measurements for Dr. Wallace and you’re finished,” Colton replied.
Steel and Jackson looked at the first picture of their pup, smiling at each other. “I guess this is the real deal, huh?” said Jackson.
“As real is it gets,” answered Steel.
“All done for today,” Colton said, wiping the gel off Jackson’s belly.
Reaching out for Jackson’s arm to steady him as he got off the table, Steel was determined no harm would befall either his mate or pup at this point in time—or ever.
“So, now what?” Jackson asked Colton.
“I’ll need you back next week at the same time for the next ultrasound. Once I write up my findings, I’ll send them off to Dr. Wallace and we’ll wait to see what he orders. As far as I can tell, everything is looking good.”
“You don’t see any reason Jackson can’t go on a mini vacation, right?” asked Steel.
“No, I don’t, but it really isn’t up to me. I’ll ask the doctor if it’s all right, okay?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. Let me know what he says,” replied Steel.
After Jackson and Steel were gone, Colton took the information and pictures he’d made of Jackson’s baby into his small office next door.
He was pleased with what he saw and everything seemed normal.
Jackson and Steel made such a great couple and they were so much in love.
Colton admired Steel’s protectiveness of his brother and their pup.
But that wasn’t a journey Colton was planning to take anytime soon.
He was determined to finish nursing school, get his degree, and then find a job in his chosen field.
Ever since he was a young child, he knew that medicine was in his future. Cody and Carson always teased him about healing every sick animal he came across. But he couldn’t help it; the need to help was so deeply ingrained in him, it could never be torn from his soul.
For the last few years, he was limited to injured animals he found in the forest. But now he’d gotten the greatest gift from his brother—someone who needed his knowledge and skills to have a healthy pup.
He put aside his musings, forcing himself to do the report for Dr. Wallace, not wanting to give the good doctor any reason to scold him for not sending the patient’s test results promptly.
~/~/~/~/~
Spending the morning in his study, Jackson was catching up on the pack’s affairs he’d fallen behind on due to the side effects of his pregnancy.
But now, these having passed, he was full of energy more than ever.
Doing the bookkeeping, he realized Steel had been paying for most of the pack’s expenses.
That had to stop. Hearing a knock, Jackson said, “Come in!” and watched as Logan sauntered over to him.
“Hi bro, what’s up?” he asked.
After taking a seat, Logan studied Jackson. “You’re looking good.”
“You know what I’m getting tired of? Is everyone asking me how are you feeling or doing or whatever other crap they can come up with.”
“Hey, I didn’t ask you that!”
Jackson sighed. “No, you didn’t, but you examined me as if I were some kind of bug under a microscope.”
“Fair enough. I’ll try to refrain from looking at you anymore.”
“Fuck off,” smiled Jackson. “So, what did you want to see me about?”
“I’ve been wondering how long we’re going to be staying here.”
“Is there a problem about Steel’s home? Do the boys have any issues?” asked Jackson.
“No, no, nothing like that. It’s just that this house doesn’t feel like a home, you know, it’s all cold and impersonal.
I redecorated my bedroom and I did some of our brothers’ bedrooms, but I was hoping you might talk to Steel about letting me loose on the great room and some other areas of the house. What do you think?”
“I think it’s a great idea. I’ll ask him today and get back to you.”
“Also, what are you going to do about a room for the pup?”
“Shit, I haven’t even thought about that. I just wanted to survive my morning sickness and exhaustion.”
“I’d be happy to use my skills to design a nursery. I’ve already done some research and made a list of what would be needed,” offered Logan.
“I’d love your input,” exclaimed Jackson “I’ll put the subject on the agenda when I talk with Steel.”
“And finally, what about clothes for the pup? Have you thought of what you’ll need? Or more like it, have you thought of it at all?” chortled Logan.
“Ha, ha. You know I’ve been a little preoccupied, oh brother of mine. But I’m not worried, because if I know you, all that has been taken care of already,” Jackson said, smirking at Logan.
“You think you know everything, don’t you? Well, maybe someday I won’t have your back”
“Never, brother, never.”
“Yeah, yeah. You’re right. I’ll always have your back. So, kidding aside, what about baby clothes?”
“I haven’t a clue so I’m hoping you’ve been on top of this,” said Jackson.
Handing Jackson a list, Logan said, “I’ve included everything you need for the pup from birth to about six months. You might want Oracle to look at it because I’m not sure how fast a Dire Pup grows.”
Jackson’s eyes widened, looking at the list. Jerking his head up, he eyed Logan. “Shit, you’re kidding me, right? Why all these clothes? How the hell is a pup going to need twenty onesies? What the hell is a onesie anyway?”
“You’re going to be a father and you don’t know what a onesie is?
Jackson, you need to get your head on straight.
I’ll tell you what. Instead of bitching to me about the stuff on the list, ask Mystia or Oracle.
Then follow their advice. But no matter who you talk to, we need to do something about getting ready for your baby. ”
Jackson knew his brother was right, but had avoided thinking about it until he knew the baby was okay. No longer having that as an excuse—because his pup was doing well—it certainly was time to talk to Mystia or Oracle about it.
“You’re right,” sighed Jackson. “I’ll take care of it. Hey, you want to see a picture of the pup Colton took when we did the ultrasound last week?”
“Absolutely! You had it and never told me? Bastard! You owe me,” said Logan, smiling while taking the picture from Jackson. “Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl yet?”
“No. Colton thinks maybe we’ll know this week.”
“What do you want?”
“Me? Just a healthy baby. This is all so new to me I still worry about it, even though Mystia assures me it’ll be okay—but…”
“Hey dude,” Logan said softly, “I’d believe Mystia if I were you. She knows stuff—if you know what I mean.” He handed the picture back to Jackson.
“Yeah, I know,” Jackson said quietly, “but it’s still hard to be strong every minute of every day. I worry about everything. I never thought I could get pregnant. Then I found out I could have a pup. And now I’m worried as hell I’ll lose him or her, as the case may be. Crazy, right?”
“You know, Jackson,” said Logan softly, “I’d feel the same way. Have you talked to Steel about your feelings?”