Chapter Forty-Six
Fiona
“You seem to know what you need to do, and I really appreciate that,” the pack services coordinator told us as we sat around the table in the meeting room with a workbook and some pamphlets.
“We’re trying,” Carlos said earnestly.
I squeezed his hand.
“Right now, communication is absolutely key. You don’t have to start the paperwork that you’ll need for your application or get a lawyer yet.
But this framework,” she held up another brochure, “will outline all the things that you need to do. Some of which are included in the residency establishment checklist. This ensures that you’ll have everything you need by the time you’re ready.
Also, you don’t need to submit everything the day the waiting period is up. ”
Well, we kind of did. But we didn’t tell her any of that.
“You’re going to want to get your bond with your alpha registered, Fiona. We have a registry office at this center and it’s open today,” she said, her eyes flickering over to Hale.
“We should do that after this, if you’re ready.” I squeezed his hand. I had a little bit of time before my appointment.
“It’ll be good to have it populate in our files. My university needs it before they can authorize any accommodations anyway,” Hale added.
“Fiona, you have a meeting with your advocate today, correct? You should have them look over your mating agreements or other paperwork before you sign anything,” she added. “The rest of you should all have someone look over any paperwork if the same lawyer prepared them.”
“I already planned on doing that, thank you,” I replied. I had both mine and Saoirse’s and mine and Carlos’.
She continued going over the basics and she assigned everyone tasks. Also, she encouraged us to sign up for pre-pack-formation counseling.
“Thank you so much, I feel so much better about everything now. I mean, I know we can do it. There’s just a lot. It’s easy to get overwhelmed,” Hale blurted.
“That’s what we’re here for. We’ll see you in a couple of weeks,” she told us as we left the room and went back out to the pack waiting area.
“How does everyone feel now?” Dusty asked. “Personally, I thought it was helpful.”
“Me, too,” Carlos replied.
Hale nodded, holding up a pamphlet. “I like these. It makes it seem less daunting.”
“I agree,” Saoirse added. She still seemed like she didn’t feel well.
“That’s why we’re here.” I was so glad Hale was feeling more optimistic about everything.
A woman came out with a clipboard and looked around. “I think there was somebody wanting to register their bonds?”
Hale beamed at me. “Let’s do this.”
The two of us followed the lab tech to a little medical office that said Mating Bond Confirmation. There was already a tray with a couple of vials and syringes.
“It’s very easy. I take blood samples from both of you and then I enter them into the reader, which runs a government test to confirm that there’s a bond and it’s a match.
After confirmation, it will populate in your files.
I just need you to fill out these forms, confirming the date of bonding and certifying that this was what you both wanted. ” She handed us each a tablet.
We filled out the paperwork. She talked to us both individually, and then did the blood tests.
The lab tech looked over at us as she ran it through the machine. “You both did such a good job. Everything is set. It should populate in your records in the next day or two.”
“Since we got blood drawn does that mean we get something from the comfort cupboard?” I grinned.
“I have these.” She went to a cupboard and came back with a little basket that had candies and trinkets in it.
“Wait, I get a treat for getting blood drawn?” Hale’s eyes lit up.
“Yes, you do.” She handed us the basket.
“I’ll take this one. Thank you.” I grabbed a little chocolate, unwrapped it, and popped it in my mouth.
Hale took one as well. “Wow, I’d go to the doctors more if I got treats.”
Alphas didn’t get treats after their doctor’s appointments? How sad.
We went back out to the lobby where Carlos, Saoirse, and Dusty were waiting. Saoirse had her head on Dusty’s shoulder, and it was adorable. I covertly took a photo and dropped it in the brunch group chat
Me
I can’t get over how fucking cute Saoirse is with Dusty.
Timotheé
I still can’t believe you have BroKen in your pack. Also, you’re not mated to him. What?
Arya
But she still gets to live with him.
Dom
You should keep that photo for blackmail.
Saoirse sat up. “Everything is okay?”
“Yep. This is where I leave you. I have things to do here,” I replied.
“Do you want me to wait for you?” Hale asked, a little anxious. “I mean that’s what alphas do, right?”
“Here? No. We’re safe here. I’m going to be here for a while, since I have a bunch of appointments,” I assured. “If you want to leave me the car, I’m fine with that. Otherwise, I can just call a ride or call you.”
“Here’s the keys.” Carlos handed them to me. He’d driven this morning.
“Thank you. I’ll see you in a little bit. You’re going to go move Carlos’s shit, right?” I asked.
“Yep. Clark’s going to meet us with Bucket’s truck,” Carlos replied.
We walked to the main entrance. I gave Carlos, Hale, and Saoirse each a kiss.
“Do you need me to pick anything up for you?” I asked Saoirse. The pharmacy would have over-the-counter medicine.
She shook her head. “I just have a little cold.”
I’d get her something anyway. I took the omega-only elevators. The welcome desk was done in pastels and had cheerful people in polo shirts. The Omega Center only employed betas and omegas, and well, delta security.
“Oh no, your advocate is running late,” the staff member said, looking at the screen, as I checked in with her. “Let me give you a tour. Welcome to the Manhattan Omega Center.”
“I’d like that, thanks.” This was my new Center now. I might as well see what they offered.
This one had a variety of services–not just a clinic, a matching center, and a couple of advocates, like many of them had.
No, this had temporary housing, a gym with a swimming pool, childcare, fitness classes, all sorts of fun and practical classes, a rec room, a full hospital, a birthing center, heat suites, and so many other things.
“This is the comfort cupboard. You can stop by each time you visit, regardless of reason. You just unlock it with your card. This is separate from the one in the clinic,” she explained.
It was the same as the other Centers I’d gone to. These were mostly just little treats. They had a whole other closet for omegas that needed things.
I used my Center card on my phone to unlock it. It was exactly how it sounded–a little closet filled with baskets, each had numbers on it. On the inside of the door was a sign that said limit three points.
Three point items were things like blankets, knotted vibrators, and sets of cleaning products. Packets of bath tablets, sachets of tea, and tiny candles were a half a point. Things like lube, condoms, de-scenting wipes, and vitamin packets were marked as zero points.
So many choices. I ended up grabbing a soft blanket.
“Good choice. On to the clinic? Your advocate will meet you after,” she told me.
The staff member took me to the clinic for my post-heat checkup. I checked in and took a seat in the waiting area. Everything was comfortable and designed to put omegas at ease. It didn’t smell medical. There were plush couches and a cart full of snacks. I played on my phone and sipped some tea.
“Fiona Gallagher?” A nurse in pink scrubs came out.
“That's me.” I grabbed my purse.
Hmmm. Would I take Carlos’ last name? Hale’s? Have everyone take mine? Maybe we’d have a pack last name? I asked that in the group chat.
Me
Should we think of a pack last name? Personally, I think we should all be O’Halloran’s.
I added a gif of chickens.
Dusty
I could get on board with that.
Carlos
Really? You’d give up your parents last name?
Oh. I knew Dusty had been adopted by his moms, but had he kept his parents’ last name?
Me
We could take yours, Dusty.
Hale
I don’t want to stay a Thorne. Name me up.
Saoirse
I agree with Fiona about Dusty’s.
Dusty
I think I’m ready. Or maybe I’d hyphenate? We can talk more about it.
Hale
We can always invent something.
Saoirse
Or we just have a pack name, and those who want to take someone’s last name, can?
Me
All good things to consider.
I put my phone in my purse. We went into a room, where she asked me the usual question. Things like, Do you feel safe? There were also medical ones about the date of my last heat and such. I stood on a machine, gave her my blood, and did all the basic checkup things.
“All done, Hun. Wait here for the doctor,” the nurse in pink scrubs told me as she left me in a comfortable exam room.
The beta doctor came in, her badge visible. “Everything looks good. Your records say that you’re on suppressants, but you also just had a heat. Do you want to talk about that?”
“We’re pretty sure it was caused by us being dumbasses.
We were at a rave, mixed drugs, and got drunk.
We really don’t remember a whole lot of it, and we all ended up bonded, but it’s fine.
We weren’t strangers. Saoirse and I live together, and Carlos wanted us to move in. ” I might as well not sugarcoat it.
Her eyebrows rose. “I see. Perhaps you’d like to meet with new pack services about all that? While accidental bonding can absolutely be a good thing, sometimes people do have concerns and it’s nice to talk about them in a safe space.”
“Oh, we already did that this morning,” I assured.
We went over everything and she changed out my combined suppressant implant for something a little stronger, since I was now living with my alpha mate. Sure, I wanted to get pregnant, but with Carlos’ schedule we probably wouldn’t be able to have a heat until off-season.
“You did so well. I’ll let them know that you can pick something extra from the cupboard,” she told me.
Nice. I got a candle and a little satin eye mask, because I’d forgotten mine and I liked darkness when I slept.