Chapter 9 #2
“No way,” he said and looked at me with wide eyes before he turned his head back to the image floating in the room. “Is that our baby?”
“It is. You have one other aura with you, so you are carrying a single baby. No multiples for you this time around.”
Camden moved to where he was sitting sideways on my lap. “I’m not going to complain about not having twins. Ever, really.” Camden reached out and touched the air that was near the image I was magically projecting. “Is that really our little peanut?”
I chuckled. “It is. I can do an ultrasound like this for you as often as you’d like,” I told him. “I would have mentioned the baby sooner, but I didn’t know if you wanted to be the one to share the news with me or if you wanted me to tell you.”
Camden sighed. “You can tell me. Always. I will never complain about you telling me we’re pregnant.
Or not. I’ll be sad if there comes a time that I don’t catch, but I’m not going to be upset with you when you share that news with me.
I know it happens. Especially with fox shifters.
Our gestations are incredibly short, our heats come every nine months once we’re mated, and it seems as if there are a lot of times that we don’t catch. It’s part of life.”
“I’ve shared unfortunate news such as that with others before, but I’m thankful that I’ve not had to since I’ve been here. There have been a lot of newly mated couples and lots of babies being born. Which is why you’re here. Help is most certainly needed.”
Camden sat up and shook his head. “I’m not sure why. You can do it all with magic.”
I reached out and touched the image again, and then it disappeared.
“Quite recently, there were several sets of twins that were born here at the council. Having another doctor, or even a nurse or other assistant, would have been incredibly helpful. It is true, I can deliver the babies, but then I have to pass off the first baby to the alpha father before delivering the second. Sometimes their focus is still completely on their omega, and that’s understandable. ”
Camden nodded. “I can see that. I’ve always had at least a nurse at the clinic I worked for.”
“When the council asked if I wanted an assistant, I told them that I’d be happy with any help. I have no issues with you being a doctor. It’s certainly beneficial.”
Camden leaned up and kissed my chin before he stood. “I’m glad,” he told me. “Is there a way to turn the lights back on, or can I just use the switch?”
With a bit of magic, the lights were back on, and the blinds were reopened. “Did I say something wrong?” I asked.
“No. I’m happy I’m here. Beyond it, actually.
But I’m all warm and cozy on your lap and was going to fall asleep if I didn’t get up,” Camden told me with a smile.
He held out his hands, and after I took them, he tugged on me, and I stood.
“I love cuddling with you, and I’m certainly going to do it later this evening.
But we were supposed to be organizing the house?
” Camden looked around the office. “I think maybe I should get rid of more things.”
“Why would you do that?” I asked.
“Because we have stuff for two households now, and I really like your stuff more. It seems to fit this house and area. Mine isn’t bad, at least I don’t think so, but we have too much stuff.”
“We can get rid of mine and keep yours,” I suggested. I placed my arm around Camden’s shoulders and pulled him to my side.
“But I like your furniture more. It’s…nicer.”
I chuckled. “It’s magic,” I told him. “If you are sure about getting rid of some of your things, we can donate them to the new secondhand store. It’s new and is over between the transport building and the larger mated enforcer neighborhood.
Everything is donated, everything is free to take, but it helps newly mated couples or new parents. ”
“Oh, that sounds lovely. But will they want my furniture? It’s not baby things.”
“Everything is needed. There are young enforcers that join that have very little. There are some fairly young new couples who don’t have a whole lot, who are still working to save for things. It was a great idea that was dropped in the council’s suggestion box.”
Camden looked confused. “The council has a suggestion box?”
I chuckled. “They do. That’s where the store came from. And the bakery. And the clinic we will be working in together. Same with the restaurant that’s going to be opening up a little later in the spring.”
“Oh, there’s a restaurant opening?” Camden’s brow furrowed. “But I thought there was a cafeteria at the council building?”
“There is. And they do have a takeout window around the back of the building. But it closes at seven in the evening, and there are several that eat later for various reasons. From my understanding, the restaurant is going to be the first of a few. But the largest vote was for a burger-and-fry-type place.”
Camden sighed. “I can see that. I do like me a good, thick, juicy burger. With extra bacon. That’s the best. Especially after a long run. Or a steak.” Camden groaned and placed his hand on his stomach. I was going to ask what was wrong when I heard his stomach growl.
“Oh. Are you telling me I need to feed you?”
“No. I can feed myself. But I’m realizing that it’s been some time since we’ve eaten, and I should probably find something. Apparently, I am hungry.”
I chuckled. “I’ll happily feed you. Which would you prefer? A steak? Or a thick, juicy burger with extra bacon?”
Camden whimpered. “That’s not fair, Maxwell. I want both.”
I swept Camden up into my arms and laughed when he squeaked. “Then you can have both,” I told him. “We’ll split them, each taking half, and then you get to satisfy the craving for both things.”
Camden placed his hand on my cheek and forced me to look at him. When I did, he kissed me. “That has got to be the sexiest thing I’ve ever had someone suggest to me before. You would really fix both? And be all right with that? And sharing?”
I nodded before shaking my head. “I’m not sure who you’ve been around, and it doesn’t matter at this point, but you are my One.
I would do absolutely anything for you, and that includes making you a burger and a steak for the same meal.
” I continued walking, and in under a minute, we were at the table.
I set Camden down on his feet and smiled when he squealed again.
There on the table was everything I’d said I’d make for his meal.
We both had steaks, burgers, a pile of fries for Camden, and a sweet potato for me.
I pulled out the chair for my One, and after he leaned up and kissed me quickly, he sat, and I helped him push his chair in.
Even without our bond, I could sense Camden’s happiness at something as simple as offering what he wanted.
I couldn’t help but wonder why it was that there seemed to be so many who either wouldn’t or didn’t offer the simplest of gestures for others?