Chapter Twenty
Lars
We went against the man who owned the baby store. He insisted that a neutral palette was the way to go, especially since we didn’t know and weren’t going to find out the sex of the baby.
But the tan and khaki and cream colors made me feel, well, not alive.
“I’m glad we went with mint green. It’s so bright and happy,” I said while painting in a W formation. William was in the rocking chair folding jumpers and blankets and burp cloths for the hundredth time.
“Me, too. I didn’t like the other stuff. And the bunnies make it all sweet.”
I chuckled. “Bunnies in a wolf’s den.”
“Yeah, the irony isn’t lost on me either.” William made a noise of discomfort, and I turned to see him picking up a laundry basket.
“Omega, let me get that.”
“It’s a basket full of tiny clothes, alpha. I’m fine.”
Sighing, I went back to painting. “You didn’t sound fine.”
He put the clothes away and came over to circle my waist with his arms. “I’m the one who’s expecting. You don’t get to be grumpy. That is my right.”
Shaking my head, I put the roller down and turned in his arms. Not an easy task with his basketball-sized belly between us. “I don’t get to be a little bit grumpy?”
“Okay. Just a smidge. Are you finished painting for the day?” he asked.
“I am. Why?” I waggled my eyebrows. “What did you have in mind?”
“I made plans for us tonight. You are off work. I am off work. It’s a Friday night, and you’ve been sweeter than normal lately. I just wanted to thank you for being an incredible mate. Plus, I want some dates before the baby comes.”
I cocked my head to the side. We clarified everything in our relationship. We knew what even a slight misunderstanding could do to a couple. “Do you not think there will be dates after the baby?”
William shrugged. “I don’t know. My parents didn’t date after having kids.”
I cupped his face. “We are not your parents. I’m going to take you out for a date as often as we can. Zeke already offered, as did his omega. And there’s that new babysitter service where everyone is checked and scouted before they come to the house. Even if we need to schedule those things, they are important to me.”
“They’re important to me too. But tonight, let’s go get ready.”
“Where are we going?” I asked. Usually I planned the dates, but I was excited to see what he came up with.
“Your clothes are out on the bed, and I’m not telling you.”
My omega went as far as to make me wear a bandana over my eyes on the way. We arrived, and I was surprised to see we were at the observatory. “Is this the show I’ve been wanting to see?”
“It is. But I knew it would be more special if it was just the two of us, so I booked the whole place. And I brought a picnic.”
“How did you do all this without me noticing?” I asked.
“You were busy with work and painting. Putting together cribs and rocking chairs and a changing table. You’ve been working so hard for us.” He rubbed his belly, and every drop of sweat was instantly worth it. It was worth it all along, but William always showed me his appreciation, and I did my best to show him as well.
We were stronger than ever as a mated couple and, while I would never want to relive what we went through, this almost, almost, made it worth it.
We went inside and watched a movie followed by an under-the-sea film that made me feel like I was right there with the whales and the sharks. I would have protested the booking of the whole theater, but my mate’s computer security contracts were doing very well, and I knew he wouldn’t do what we couldn’t afford.
We sat on the floor in between the features and shared a picnic of sandwiches and potato salad. They were store bought, but I didn’t care one bit. My stomach was full. My omega was carrying our child. We were here together, and more in love than ever.
What could be better?
“Hey, I wonder if there are cameras in here?” William whispered, looking around the place as the feature was drawing to a close.
“Even if there aren’t, there is at least one employee here, mate. Someone is running the projector.”
“Oh. Too bad.”
I knew that look. This latter stage of pregnancy had turned my mate into a beast in bed. He was damned near insatiable, and I loved every second of it.
“If you’ve seen enough whales, I’d be happy to take you home and care for that need of yours.”
“Are you sure you’ve seen enough whales? Because you’re about to bring one home.”
“That’s not funny, omega mine. You’re insulting my mate and the father of my child.”
He sighed. “I know. I’ll try not to. But, please take me home?”
“Absolutely.”
Our fantasies of how the night would go ended once we got home. Growing our babe wore my mate out and, once his head hit the pillow, it was all over. I showered and took off his clothes while he slept then went to get water for his side of the bed.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered as I got in bed.
“I’m not. Tonight was amazing. Thank you for going to so much trouble for me.”
“Ah, Lars. I’d cross the world for you.”
“Same, my love. Same.”