Epilogue
Epilogue
Two months later...
T his was stupid. He wasn’t pregnant. There was no way. The first time he went into heat with his mate didn’t dictate pregnancy. It couldn’t. Yet, over the last couple of weeks, everything smelled different. His stomach churned in a sickening way. Emerson even began taking naps mid-day, because he’d been so exhausted.
“You’re worrying too much,” Ronan said, wrapping his arms around Emerson. “If it’s positive, we’ll celebrate. If it’s negative, we’ll hit the clinic and make sure you’re not fighting an infection. Either way, we’re going to be okay.”
“Why do you have to be so damn calm?” he whined, leaning his head against his mate’s chest.
The first few weeks after they mated had been the worst. Callum had come back to the academy to throw his weight around. How Emerson could’ve found himself infatuated with the Alpha or his son, he wasn’t sure. He chalked it up to being lonely and not having any experience besides what he saw in the home.
Orion, it appeared, had also found his mate, which probably added to Callum’s rage, since the little omega didn’t want to be shared. As sad as it made Emerson to know his stepfather would be alone, it also felt like karma had a hand in settling the issues.
Then there was the academy itself. When some of the Alphas learned the truth, they’d protested Ronan staying, using the contract they’d also signed as why. However, after a lengthy meeting with the board, they removed the clause, allowing the prospects—under the guidance of the board and academy—of professors and omegas finding their mates, to move forward. Ronan had even helped draft the rules the Alphas would have to follow along with a group of omegas lending their support for how they should be treated.
Which brought them back to the flipped over pregnancy test Emerson didn’t want to look at. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be a parent. In some ways, on a cellular level, all omegas wanted to have children and raise a family. But for him, it held sour notes. He didn’t want to disappear again, even if he didn’t believe Ronan would allow that to happen. The fear was still there.
“I love you, mate,” Ronan said as the timer went off. “Whatever comes next, we’ll face it together. No matter what.”
Emerson exhaled. With a trembling hand he grasped the test and turned it over. Two pink lines. Pregnant. “I’m pregnant.” Disbelief along with a spark of happiness ignited within him. “I’m having a baby.”
“We’re having a baby,” Ronan whispered, kissing his temple. “My love for you is infinite.”
Emerson continued to stare at the lines unsure what to say or how to act. “I’m going to be a dad.”
Ronan chuckled. “Yes, you are.”
Seven and a half months later...
“I’m not ready,” Emerson sobbed. “There’s still so much to do. The nursery isn’t done. His clothes aren’t hung up. I haven’t washed the blankets.” He swiped away tears, nervous and scared at the idea of being in active labor. “I can’t do this.”
Ronan gripped his hand. “Yes, you can, mate. We’ve been preparing for this day for months now. It’s time to meet our son.”
He squeezed Emerson’s hand and brushed his lips across his mate’s brow. Instead of natural labor and delivery, they were being rushed back for a c-section, something not common for omegas. Unfortunately for Emerson, their boy was huge, (which he totally blamed on Ronan’s genetics) and he hadn’t turned, making a natural birth not viable.
“What if he doesn’t like me? What if I’m a horrible dad?” Emerson sniffed. “What if you don’t want me anymore because I won’t look the same?”
Ronan snorted. “I’m going to love you more. Your body help create and make our son. How could I ever hate your body?”
“I’m fat,” Emerson cried, hating himself for being so damn emotional.
“You’re perfect.” He brushed another kiss across Emerson’s lips before stopping at the doors to wait outside.
Emerson hated being alone in a room filled with people. He was scared, anxious, and not ready. His water broke an hour ago while he and Ronan folded laundry and made dinner. Emerson still had two weeks to go until his scheduled c-section.
“Don’t worry,” the nurse said. “Your baby is safe here. So are you.”
“Thank you.” Emerson sniffed, even if he still had trust issues. A multitude of things could go wrong. Then what?
“I’ll go get your mate now,” she said, leaving his side.
A few seconds later she returned, and Ronan was back beside him. The surgery had begun and though he was numb from the epidural, the pressure of being pushed and prodded on remained. Emerson licked his bottom lip, turning his head toward Ronan. “If something should happen, I want you to know I love you so much. You changed my life. I can never say thank you for everything you’ve shown me and given to me. I’m proud to be your mate.”
Ronan grinned, kissing Emerson’s hand. “Nothing is going to go wrong. You’ll see.”
Staring into his mate’s eyes, he believed every word Ronan said. The screeching cry of a baby broke the quiet spell between them and a sob of joy wrenched from Emerson’s chest. He turned his head when the nurse called his name and came face to face with the chubbiest cheeked baby he’d ever seen. He screamed using those new lungs of his, causing Emerson’s tears to double and stream down Emerson’s cheeks.
“That’s my boy,” Ronan said. “Strongest set of lungs ever.”
Emerson swallowed around the lump of emotion lodged in his throat. “That’s my son. So dramatic.” Then gave a watery laugh.
Ronan chuckled. “Best fucking day ever, mate.”
Emerson agreed.