Chapter Twenty-Two
Darsh
The tentative date range for the arrival of our babes came and went, but my omega had no contractions or other signs of being ready to give birth.
The twins were doing well, according to the healer, and could come anytime, but Blaze was so uncomfortable we were doing everything we could come up with to get things started.
We’d tried spicy foods, a lot of walking, even sex, but no babies.
My partners and their omegas all had their own birth stories, and at the shower, held at the club of course, they did not hold back on sharing tips and tricks for the new parents-to-be.
“I can’t believe they set it up here,” my omega whispered. “The very first event held at the new building. Did you know?”
“I knew there was going to be a shower, but they kept me out of any details, so no. It’s an honor, though.”
“The decorations are over the top.”
“You think?” Beale, Jabez’s omega, plopped down on the bench next to Blaze and me. “We had so much fun getting everything ready for you, and this big open space made it way easier than say the conversation area in the original building.”
There were miles of streamers and bunting everywhere, all the colors of the rainbow, a kiddie pool where the guests could hook rubber duckies and win the prizes noted on the bottom of them, a three-tier cake in the duckie theme with actual water somehow being circulated from a pond on top down a waterfall and into a sort of moat around the whole thing.
We had a lot of food as well, and a mountain of gifts we’d never be able to fit into the nursery.
Since we’d mated, we’d been socializing a lot with the partners and their omegas, and our friends had set out to give us the shower of the century.
It began at two in the afternoon and at nine when the club was open and starting to hum with activity, we had just cut the cake.
“Everything is so delicious,” Blaze moaned, lifting a bite of cake to his lips and then putting it back on the plate. “But I’ve eaten entirely too much.”
“We all did,” I said, handing both our plates to a server. “But it was worth it.”
“I’m not so sure.” He rubbed his rounded belly. “The twins are cranky about the whole thing.”
“I’m sorry, mate. Why don’t we say our goodbyes to everyone and head home, so you can rest.” I stood and reached out a hand. “I’ll help you up.”
“I think that might be a good idea.” He gripped my hand and moved to stand then sank back down. “Ouch. Just give me a minute, okay? I’m out sure what’s wrong with me but I feel funny.”
“Funny?” Beale, who had been hanging out with us most of the time swooped in again. “Funny how?”
“Kind of gassy. I blame the onion dip.”
“Mate, you didn’t have any of the dip, remember? You said it would give you heartburn?”
“Oh, right. Well, it’s something I hate. And I really don’t have it in me to circle the room and say goodbye to everyone, but I do really want to. And to thank them all.”
“It’s okay, omega.” I eased him up this time. “They’ll understand.”
“Sir,” Beale said. “Maybe my alpha needs to check him out. Blaze looks more than funny. No cramping?”
“No. I’m okay.” He covered a burp with his hand. “Just overdone.”
“I don’t think so. Please?”
“Oh all right.” Blaze sank onto the bench again. “My back kind of hurts too.”
“I’ll get him.” Beale hurried off and came back a few minutes later, towing Jabez by the hand. “I think Blaze is in labor, alpha.”
“You do? Blaze, do you think you’re in labor?” Jabez sat down next to my omega. “Are you having any symptoms?”
“No…oh Goddess, I wet myself.”
“No you didn’t.” Jabez offered him a friendly smile. “Your water broke. Why don’t you two get in your car and I’ll follow you home. You still want a home birth, right?”
“Absolut—ugghh.” He doubled over. “Is it supposed to hurt this badly right from the start”
“I don’t think it’s the start.” Jabez asked my omega a few questions and then shook his head. “You’re well along, I suspect. In fact, if Beale will drive my car, I’d like to ride along with you.”
“You think the babies might come that fast?” I asked, panicking a little. “Should we go somewhere else?”
“No, you have everything set up there, right?”
“Yes.” I’d handled most of it myself.
“Then since the other options are farther away, we’d better get going.”
On the way out, several people offered to bring our presents to us when we were ready for them, and I had my omega tucked in the back seat with his healer at his side, counting the seconds and hoping we’d make it home before the babies came.
Halfway there, Jabez said in a quiet calm voice I barely heard over the roaring in my ears, “Darsh, pull over.”
“Why?”
“Because your first baby is crowning.”
And that was how our children, first Emily and then Eric, were born in the back seat of our car on upholstery that was never going to pristine again.
And I didn’t care at all. They were wrapped in the extra hoodies I kept back there and back on our way home in under two hours.
We’d have quite a story for them when they were old enough to understand.