Chapter 22
Jade
Guardians of Glitter Bomb Territory
We managed to make it back to the farm without any major issues.
This time Beryl let me help him with the luggage while Jondi rode on his shoulders.
All the way back kiddo came up with funnier and funnier names to call Beryl.
Everything from Dragon Dad to Watcher Dad because he spied on him in the pond.
Back in the car he continued his game and started trying to combine the sounds of Dad and Beryl.
He came up with Bad and Bird. Beryl had vastly underestimated Jondi’s creativity when he told him to call him whatever he liked.
He was either going to be Bird or Bad Dad if he left it up to that kid.
Still, hearing them crack up together soothed something in my soul. We really were a family now.
We pulled back up to the house to my parents sitting on the porch and relief flooded over me.
My carrier leapt down the steps and opened my door before I even had my seatbelt off.
I hadn’t told everyone, but I had texted him before we left, asking if he could call the clinic and see when I could get into see Doctor Lawngry.
Philip was technically retired or I may have asked for him.
My sire helped unload the luggage and Jondi from the Wing Mini while being informed about the names that now belonged to Beryl.
“More aliases than a bank robber,” my sire teased.
“Tell me about it,” Beryl laughed.
When I finally got out of the Wing Mini, my carrier pulled me into a tight hug.
I hugged him back like I was Jondi’s age and being told I couldn’t fly at the new playroom.
I’d been a parent for a long time but this was my first pregnancy and despite all my education and secondhand experience, I was afraid.
More afraid than I could tell Beryl. My alpha was nervous enough without me letting him know I was nervous enough for all of us.
Dad held my face in his hands and kissed my forehead before saying, “You’re going to be alright.
It’s all going to be okay. Before you ask the baby is with Ty and Feral.
Doctor Lawngry could’ve gotten you in this afternoon, but I figured you’d want to decompress before going to see him.
If you really want to know, we’ll have Philip swing by.
Cypress said they’re not doing anything this afternoon.
I haven’t told everyone, but you know I tell Cypress most things.
He’s my Eran. Well, my Eran without the dating history. Or Evie could even do the ultrasound.”
I nodded along as he spoke because the sound of his voice made my lion purr. When he stopped talking, I told him all about the lake house and how the hell Beryl and Jondi were getting on. He didn’t look surprised at all.
“Of course, they’re getting along,” he smiled.
“They just needed some time to get to know each other. Beryl’s a good guy.
He’s just… I think this is his first time being in a relationship where there is real reasonability.
No one becomes the perfect mate and parent overnight.
That takes time and practice. Now, let’s get you inside.
We grabbed subs from Sandy’s. I hope you’re up to eating. ”
“So far it’s just been bacon that sets off my morning sickness,” I frowned.
“What betrayal!” Dad said, bringing a mock offended hand over his heart.
“It’s definitely a betrayal! Like the pigs are getting revenge from beyond the grave!” I nodded as we walked inside the house.
It was good to be home and back in our little territory.
***
That evening after my parents went home, Philip did stop by with his portable ultrasound machine.
We had just tucked Jondi in for the night and were sitting on the porch.
It was a cool-ish evening without a cloud in sight.
It was almost firefly season, and I couldn’t wait until they twinkled every evening lighting up the world.
“Wasn’t sure what you two decided, but thought I’d stop by just in case,” Philip said in lieu of hello as he walked up. “Not that this replaces going to see Michael at the clinic, but it will let you know one way or another. Have you taken a test yet?”
“No,” I shook my head. “I figured throwing up because of bacon and the gummies helping was enough for a positive.”
“Not always. Those gummies help with just about any sort of stomach upset,” Philip said. “Ships stock ‘em for motion sickness now.”
Beryl shifted in his seat, and I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. If he went all cave-alpha I was going to trip him before he ever got near Philip. He was a family friend here to do us a favor not someone to be treated like a threat.
“What’s on your mind?” Philip glanced at Beryl. “Just mind you, one of my mates is a dragon. I’ve learned a few tricks and if all else fails, you should know Cypress is a nesting omega dragon.”
“Nesting?” I grinned.
“Well, no egg yet but soon from all the scans,” Philip nodded. “Really soon.”
“Congratulations,” I said, still smiling. “Beryl’s not going to bite you.”
“Well, let’s let him talk and see what he’s thinking,” Philip said, resting one foot on a step.
“I was going to offer you my seat, if you wanted to sit down,” Beryl said.
“Do I look that old?”
“Healer’s perk,” Beryl shrugged as Philip adjusted his hat.
“Well, better than wanting to bite me. I’ve had just about all the biting I can take from first timers. Why I retired,” Philip said.
“Do we need to go inside?” Beryl asked.
“We can do the scan anywhere Jade feels comfortable,” Philip said.
I pulled my shirt off over my head and Beryl stood up in front of me as if everyone living on the farm hadn’t seen me running around in just a diaper as a kid.
“If you’re not pregnant, I’d be surprised,” Philip chuckled as I stretched out on the porch and he walked around me to sit between me and the front door because Beryl’s energy was the same sort as when an alpha didn’t let you walk on the outside of the sidewalk because it was the ‘dangerous’ side.
I rested my arms under my head and grinned up at Beryl.
Then motioned with my eyes that he should sit down.
My lion didn’t mind having his belly exposed to the world but Beryl looming over us like that when we weren’t about to romp made him nervous as if a threat would crawl out from under the porch and eat us at any moment.
To his credit, Beryl did sit down on the porch floor with us once he realized he was making me uneasy.
“How’d Jondi like the lake?” Philip asked, making small talk while he booted up his little portable ultrasound machine.
“He had fun,” I smiled up at him. “He’s excited about being a big brother.”
A second later, Philip held his wand up for Beryl to see before he pressed it against my belly. I held my breath unsure of what to actually do while being on the receiving end of an ultrasound wand.
“You can breathe regularly,” Philip said as soon as he noticed and I let out a long, slow breath. “Why are you so nervous?”
“It’s a big change,” I said. “Being pregnant and running a business and everything.”
“Eh, the pregnancy is a big change. Everything else stays the same. Just takes more effort and you have to ask for more help. This might make you laugh. The other day Ruben did an interview with some relationship magazine. One of those new ones who are trying to be like Happy Omega and they asked him why polyamory and he said so we had more help with the kids. Interviewer didn’t know what to say.
Didn’t know if he was joking or not. He’s not going to make it far in journalism.
They’re going to send him out to cover the opening of that art school too.
Bet that magazine flops on its tail. Looky, there. There the baby is.”
We both looked at the little monitor on his portable. There in what looked like the corner of my womb was a tiny little jellybean.
“Most likely a lion unless some other mammalian shifter if hiding in either of your genetics,” Philip grinned. “Congratulations you two. Do you want to text your parents or should I because you two are going to slink off and celebrate making a baby by doing exactly what made the baby?”
“I’ll text them,” I said.
“And you should tell your mum. No one’s told her yet and that’s a miracle,” Philip glanced at Beryl. “Believe me, she’s going to want to hear it from you. Hell, you can go and swing by there now, if you want.”
“Are you going to stay with Jade while I do?” he asked, still staring at the monitor on the portable device.
“Not that he needs me too, but I’m going to sit on my haunches and talk for a bit,” he nodded.
When Beryl was gone I waited for Philip to drop bad news. Someone was hurt. Something happened at Flight School. Something was wrong with my baby and he didn’t think Beryl could handle it without his mum around.
“Don’t smell so nervous. It’s nothing as bad as you’re probably thinking, kid,” Philip said and held out his hand to help me sit up.
“Zevna’s been kind enough to humor me while you’ve been gone, but I made a tiny change to the employee schedule and I hope you’ll stick to it.
I didn’t want to say anything in front of Beryl because I knew he’d insist on it and you’d say no just to prove it’s your business and your mate isn’t coming and running it.
I did it because I want that playroom to stay open and I want you and all your people who work there to be safe. ”
“What did you do? Hire an army?” I asked.
“Nothing that outrageous,” he shook his head like I had lost my mind. “I just made it a rule that no one works alone anymore. Even when security is there. At least two employees there at all times. For opening, closing, during lunch breaks. At least two people there and actively aware.”
“That makes sense,” I nodded. “I can do that.”
“And you’re opening an hour later,” Philip said quickly as if he could squeeze it in there. “Just so more people are out and about when you open your doors.”
“Philip! Some of those kids can only come to the playroom before school!”