Chapter Fifteen
Edris
“Is that everything?” my mate asked. He didn’t realize it but, when his hands were idle, they’d drift to his belly even though there was only a hint of our little one growing inside. Protective of our baby already. I couldn’t have been blessed with a more caring omega.
When I told him I’d made some decisions about my career, decisions that involved him, I thought he’d explode with happiness.
The distance wasn’t working for me. Neither was my career.
There was no way I would ever make the difference I wanted to in the big city.
Too many invisible boundaries to cross. Too much paperwork and bureaucracy.
You had to know people to get things done, and others had connections I didn’t because of their families or, worse, their wealth.
But there was one place I could begin to make a difference.
In Autumn Hills.
That one decision made everything better, instantly.
The mayor here was looking to make some improvements to the town. There were buildings that had once been prominent businesses but could be made into places that helped people, benefitted the community.
For instance, Autumn Hills had no library. What a shame.
“I think so. I did a walk through the rooms. I didn’t see anything. I’m all packed up.”
Zac ran his hand up my arm. “Are you making this decision for you or because of us?”
“Both. We’re mated now. Our fates are intertwined. This is better for our family and for me. I can’t take missing you anymore, sweetheart.”
Movers were too expensive, and Zac had furniture for his home, so I sold most of my big items. All I packed were some of my books and personal items, along with my clothes.
I wasn’t in love with my furniture anyway, except my recliner that I would pick up later.
The only thing that mattered to me and my bear was being near my mate and our cub.
“Let’s go home, then.”
We made the drive to Autumn Hills, but this time it would be permanent. We had to go into the bigger town for the big warehouse stores and shopping, but the rest of our time would be here.
A few hours later, I was all unpacked. This traveling light was great!
While Zac started dinner, cutting up all kinds of vegetables for a chopped salad, I stood next to him and seasoned the meat. Such a simple evening and at the same time, perfect.
We ate our meal and had sat down to binge a new series when Zac’s phone rang.
When he stood up with a rueful shrug, I knew he would have to leave.
I would never complain about it, either.
Zac made a real impact on the omegas and families nearby.
Some of them could even afford care in big, fancy facilities but my omega’s doula reputation had made them choose the Autumn Hills Birthing Center instead.
“How far along?” he said, walking to the bedroom, pulling off his shirt. He listened for a few minutes while pulling out his scrubs. “I’m ten minutes away. Meet me there.”
He looked so cute in his pale-green scrubs. He said he didn’t have to wear them but it made things easier when cleaning up.
“An omega in labor?”
“Yes. One of the locals. This is his fourth child, so he waited until the contractions got close together to call, and now, the baby is coming any minute.”
“Want me to drive you?” I asked. Not that I didn’t trust my mate to drive, but he was running around in a hurry, and I didn’t want his rush to make him crash.
“Would you?” He stopped in his tracks. “That would help, actually.”
We ran to the SUV and made it to the birthing center in eight minutes. The couple was already there, and Tyrus was getting out of his car.
They talked a bit outside. Apparently, there were two omegas in labor at the same time.
A good day. Zac said any time a baby came into this world, it was a good day.
I went home and cleaned up after dinner and straightened up around the house. Laundry was next. I found myself missing him, but it wasn’t the same as before. This time, I knew he was coming home. There wouldn’t be another night where I slept alone.
Okay, maybe that wasn’t true. There might be nights where he was at the birthing center, but the others were ours.
Going to bed alone didn’t appeal, so I lay down on the couch and read until I dozed.
Then my phone rang.
“Would you mind coming to pick me up?” Zac asked.
“Yeah, I mind. You can just spend the night there.”
He snickered. “Stop it. I’m ready when you are.”
“I’m always ready for you to be home.”
Turned out, both omegas gave birth within the same hour and somehow, without knowing each other, gave their sons the same first name. Zac chattered on about it until a yawn interrupted him.
I loved to hear him talk about his job. His passion was contagious.
“You didn’t realize you’d become my chauffeur when you moved in, did you?”
We lay facing each other in the darkness after he’d showered and climbed into bed.
“I don’t mind. Not one bit.”
He snuggled in closer. “It’s your first official night here in our home,” he whispered. “We didn’t really celebrate.”
I knew that tone. My mate needed me before going to sleep. Nothing new, but I loved hearing him get flirty.
I pulled him flush with my body. My lips found his in the darkness. “Aren’t you tired, omega?”
“I’m never too tired for you. Not yet. I probably will be after our baby is born, but, until then, I want you all the time.”