Chapter 24
Wilder
“While your guard dog is away, do you want to go get snacks and more nesting things?” I asked, bounding into the living room where Hailey was lying on the couch, hand stitching some quilt pieces together.
Her head shot up. “Didn't Merrick buy a load of snacks recently?”
“Yeah, but they were healthy snacks. I was thinking that, while he's away, we could get the gummy bears and the chocolate and all the delicious things he wouldn't approve of.”
There was no mistaking the appreciative look in her eye at my mention of gummy bears. “I mean… we could do that. Where’s Nolan?”
“Working. Boring, I know.” He’d grabbed his laptop this morning and set up shop in one of the rooms so he could take care of client emails.
“Are his clients upset that he just left?” Hailey asked in a concerned tone.
“I mean, it's not ideal, but luckily, he can do a lot of his work remotely. Also, he has colleagues that can take over the in-person stuff for now. Taking care of our pack is more important.”
“Can he even practice here?” she asked.
I nodded. “He has to get his licence transferred over, but it’s doable.”
It was actually a fair bit of work, but I wasn’t going to stress Hailey out by telling her that. My nursing licence would also be subject to similar issues, but I would do it for her.
“Which nesting store are you thinking about going to?”
“There are several good options, but about an hour away, there is one of the chain stores that I got that bunny from, and apparently, that store has even more colors…”
“Sold!” Hailey sat up, grabbing her phone.
Sweet treats and nesting supplies were the way to any omega's heart.
“Wait, don’t you have a bike?”
“Yeah, but we can't take that, so we're going to take Nolan's car. That big, ridiculous SUV can fit so many pillows in it.”
Hailey cocked her head to the side. “You know what? I never thought a minivan would be useful, but now I'm considering how many blankets and pillows I could fit in one.”
“Why get a minivan? We’ll just buy you a straight-up truck.” I smiled as she grabbed her handbag.
A delicate laugh escaped her, making my nerves sing. “I feel like a huge van would be overkill. There wouldn't be enough space in the house to fit that many nesting supplies.”
“But you would have one hell of a time trying to make them fit.”
She didn't disagree.
As we walked toward the car, she pulled out her phone and started texting. “I'm going to let Merrick know where we're going, so he doesn't freak out,” she explained.
“You're going to tell him you're buying junk food?” I asked incredulously.
“I'm not going that far. I'm telling him we're going to the nesting supply store. If we happen to stop at a grocery store along the way, then you know…”
She trailed off, a mischievous smile spreading across her face, and I looped my arm through hers.
“I love it.”
The moment we got to the grocery store, Hailey made a beeline for the junk food. I simply stood by, pushing the cart as she loaded it up with goodies.
“Have you been having any particular cravings?” I asked as she grabbed several jumbo bags of chips.
“Not really. The separation sickness has had me feeling like crap and not wanting to eat, so I haven't noticed anything yet.”
“Well, as soon as you do, let me know, and we’ll get it for you. Even if I have to convince your guard dog to let you have triple chocolate cake.”
Hailey giggled. “You know, you're saying all the right things.”
Good.
I wanted to say all the right things. I wanted Hailey to trust me. To care for her and our child was an absolute gift. Despite the situation, I was more than excited, and I wanted her to know that.
“Of course, it's the least I can do. Have you booked any medical appointments?”
“I need to book another sonogram soon, but I need to pick which doctor I'm going to. I'm probably a few weeks behind.”
“I think that's more than fair, considering everything that's been going on.”
Now that she was bonded to Merrick, and the separation sickness was slowly easing, we had the time and space to ensure the baby was healthy and well.
“Okay, next stop is the vitamin aisle.”
“Vitamins?” Hailey asked with an adorable scrunch of her nose.
“Yes. You need prenatals, and a bunch of other supplements. No arguments. I am a nurse, remember?”
“That reminds me. What’s happening with your work?”
The last thing I wanted to do was make Hailey feel bad, but I was missing my work desperately. As much as I enjoyed being there for her, Merrick was usually by her side. So, I was spending a lot of time just existing and not doing anything useful.
“I took an extended leave when we realized we needed come here. In a few weeks, I have to decide what to do. I can't see us leaving this place anytime soon, though.”
“I'm sorry,” Hailey whispered, her hand reaching for mine. It was sympathy hand holding, but I’d take it.
“You've got nothing to apologize for. It was Preston who upturned our lives. I love my job, but I'm sure I can find something else.”
Even as I said it, the words felt odd, slightly hollow in my chest.
I adored my job and my team back in Seattle. I’d been working at the same hospital for nearly five years, and I had an excellent rhythm there.
Deep down, I knew the chances of me going back there were minimal, but it didn't mean I wasn't going to miss it terribly. Then again, I’d happily walk away without a complaint for the sake of our omega.
“They're always looking for nurses here,” Hailey said. “I've got a friend who works at the hospital, and she's always bitching about how short-staffed they are.”
Did I want to continue nursing? I knew I wanted to do something that involved helping people, and nursing had been an excellent way to fulfil that desire.
Soon enough, though, there would be a baby in the picture. A tiny human who would need copious care and affection.
While I had no doubt that Hailey would be an amazing mother, I also knew from the few conversations we’d had that she would go back to work when possible.
It was clear that being a paramedic fulfilled her—though she had mentioned nursing school.
She would have an excellent tutor in me, if that was what she wanted.
So, having someone at home to put their effort and energy into caring for the baby would be endlessly useful. I could support my omega in chasing the career that she enjoyed while also helping to look after our child.
Would Hailey be open to having more children?
I’d always imagined having a large family. The idea of a huge, chaotic house filled with laughter and children seemed like a dream to me.
Only, that was no longer up to just me. Hailey was the one who would have to birth any babies, so however many children we had would be up to her.
These were all very heavy questions, though, and for now, I needed to support her in getting her snacks.
“If the place and the people are right, then I'll go for it.”
What I didn't say was I wasn't sure how long we would be in town. Would Hailey be willing to follow us to Seattle? What about Merrick? He was settled in a job here. But Nolan, myself, and Preston had a life in Seattle.
Complicated.
A very serious conversation about all that was in our near future, but I didn't want to bring it up while I was enjoying holding my omega's hand in the grocery store.
For now, I would put all of my helping, healing energy into making sure that she was the healthiest and happiest she could be.
The big box store was beautiful.
Hailey walked through the electric doors. “You know, as much as I love the small nesting boutiques, these large stores have such a great variety.”
“Yeah, like eight different colors of giant stuffed bunny. I didn't even know they made that many colors of giant stuffed bunnies, but I was pleasantly surprised.”
“So, pink was your first choice?”
I nodded. “It was a hard decision. There was a tie-dye pastel, one that looked really pretty with ruffles, a checkerboard-themed one, and there was even one that had like the softest gray fluff. Well, you'll see for yourself. Where to first?”
Hailey looked around for a moment, trying to orient herself. “I think bedding first. The new bed is gigantic, and I need some sheets for it. None of my old stuff will fit.”
I glanced around, my eyes landing on one of those large signs that hung from the ceiling. “This way,” I said, pointing at the sign. Hailey turned, following me with a spring in her step.
Not long after, I was scratching my head as Hailey rummaged through the shelves of sheets. “Okay, feel free to call me stupid here, but what's the deal with thread counts? Is that literally how many threads are in a blanket?”
“Basically, higher thread count often feels a lot nicer,” Hailey explained. “Then there's different materials. I really like bamboo sheets at the moment. They feel light and soft and really comfortable. Here, feel this.”
She held out one of the unwrapped sheets. Taking it in my hand, I was pleasantly surprised at just how soft the fabric was.
“Oh, that is nice.”
“I know! I've always wanted to get a full set of those, but they're expensive.”
“Well, get them today, then.”
“I can't! It's too much money! I—” Hailey paused, her head dropping as she breathed hard. “Whoa, sorry. I just got really hot for a second. But it’s gone. Huh, weird.”
“I think we’ll be starting those prenatals right away.
” I studied her for a moment, but it did look like it was just an odd hot flash, which did happen occasionally.
“And to remind you, you're not paying for anything, and I'm not paying.
You wanna know whose credit card I'm using?
Preston's. So if you want my advice, cutie, go ahead and spend his money to be as comfortable as you want.”
“Well, that logic is hard to argue with. I suddenly don't feel bad about my desire to buy extra throw pillows.”
“Preston’s a big boy who’s made a lot of money. Go do some real damage to his card. I want you to use it so much, the plastic starts smoking.”
“Well, that's a mental image, but challenge accepted,” she said with a smile.
And, boy, did Hailey excel at a challenge.
Twenty minutes later, we had two carts filled with nesting supplies and several items that Hailey had flagged down a worker to bring up to the register for us.
“How did you do that so fast?” I asked in wonder as we made our way toward the front of the store.
“I know what I like.” She shrugged. “Half the stuff here, I've been wanting to get for a while so it was easy. The other half? Well, monkey see, monkey like, monkey buy.”
“If there's more stuff you want, we can go to some of the fancier boutiques as well.”
Hailey pursed her lips, looking at her haul of goodies. “I think this will do for now, but I'll take a rain check because I may decide on something else later.”
I made Hailey sit while I loaded the car full of the many nesting supplies. My omega certainly wasn't going to be doing any lifting while pregnant if I could help it.
“You know, it won't be life threatening if I pick up a pillow,” Hailey pointed out. She was sitting in the passenger seat with her legs outside the car, watching me with a curious expression.
“I know you could, but you don't have to.”
I walked by, taking my opportunity to lean down and place a quick peck on the tip of her nose, startling her some. Her expression was well worth it.
“Well…okay,” she said in a small voice.
Hailey was adorable. She was wearing one of Merrick's T-shirts and a pair of leggings, her hair thrown up into a messy bun, her bangs all mussed up. To me, she had never looked better.
“Come on, cutie. Let’s get you home and set up your new, improved nest.”
Hailey looked around the parking lot. “Actually…” A slow, mischievous smile spread across her face.
“Whatever you want, just say it, and I’ll make it happen,” I said, not hesitating for a moment.
“There’s a fabric store not far from here…” She trailed off.
I held up a hand. “Say less.”
Thinking about the piles of fabric and the sewing machine in her tiny apartment, I knew that she would probably love a run to the fabric store.
Hailey’s face lit up with a bright smile. “Really?”
“Of course. And we'll use Preston's credit card to pay for it.”
“Wilder, I don't think you've ever said anything so sexy in your life.”
“Is that the way to your heart? Nesting supplies and fabric?”
Hailey nodded enthusiastically. “Especially when you’re using Preston’s card.”
“And what if I offered to hit a drive-thru on the way for a milkshake?”
Hailey groaned in happiness. Her feet, dangling over the side of the open car door, wiggled excitedly.
Maybe this having an omega thing wasn't so difficult, after all.