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The doctor cocked her head to the side, still looking at the ultrasound. “That could be stress-related. If they return, let me know and we can look at it.”

Bethany sighed. “Well, I was working three jobs and studying, and now I hardly work, so that is probably it…”

“In that case, I would suggest you wait and see, and if they persist, come back in immediately. No need to subject you to tests if you’ve already resolved the issue. Now, your baby seems to be in fine health.”

“They’re so small,” she whispered, staring at the screen.

Dr. Benson chuckled. “I assure you, they won’t feel small when you’re giving birth. This little one seems to be perfectly sized, given you’re what, fifteen, sixteen weeks?”

“About that,” Bethany agreed with a nod before turning to me. “Are the others going to be jealous you got to see the baby?”

I grinned, probably a little smug, but I was too happy to care. “Absolutely. I’m sure Cullen will ensure I get no dessert for a week.”

“You’ll survive. As a doctor, you’re always talking about the dangers of sugar…”

I pouted. “Not fair! You can’t use my own words against me.”

She giggled, a lovely sound I wanted to hear every day. Bethany, Joey, and this baby, giggling in the kitchen at breakfast.

That sounded like fucking heaven to me.

“Oh!” Bethany turned to the doctor, a beautiful blush creeping onto her face. “I wanted to ask about bonding.”

“What about it?”

“Can we bond? I mean, me and my pack?”

The doctor cocked her head to the side. “Are you not bonded already?”

I shook my head. “We want to be, but things moved very fast with the baby, and we were unsure what the current recommendation is for bonding and pregnancy. I’ve read a number of medical journals on the topic, and I am utterly lost, so I thought it best I consult with the expert on the topic,” I said, gesturing lightly to her.

A laugh escaped her as she shook her head. “I swear, doctors make the worst patients. Has he been driving you bonkers?” she asked Bethany with a smile.

“Only occasionally.”

“Hey!” I cried, pouting at the cute omega.

“Unfortunately, to answer your question…It depends. You can bond during pregnancy, but it does pose a few risks. Now, the risks aren’t serious, but they’re there. Personally, if nothing in your situation is going to change by not bonding until afterpregnancy, I would recommend that. But if it is required—because, let’s face it, sometimes it’s best to be legally bonded—then the risk is minimal.”

I nodded along as she continued speaking, spelling out the specific risks. Although, like she’d said, they were minimal, it didn’t seem worth any risk at this stage. “That makes sense.” I turned to Bethany with a sad expression. “I suppose we’re going to have to wait.”

She groaned, throwing her head back. “In that case, you can tell the others!”

That night, once we were all home, I shot off an email to an old friend of mine from med school…one who just so happened to own the medical practice we went to.

“Hey, Gid, a word,” I muttered as the girls made pasta in the kitchen. Cullen was watching, desperate to help, but they were insistent they could manage.

“Yeah?” He followed me out to the hallway. Naturally, we meandered toward his office downstairs.

“I just wanted to let you know that I sent an email that may result in us suing someone.”

Gideon’s eyebrows rose. “Tell me everything.”

“You know the mother who told her daughter that Bethany was pregnant, and then they told Joey that she was going to be abandoned?”

He nodded, crossing his arms. “Yes, that shit is kind of hard to forget.”

“Well, she just so happened to be in the back office of the medical office we went to today. I don’t know if she works there or if she is with someone who works there, but is it a coincidenceshe told her daughter that Bethany was pregnant just days after I registered Bethany and her pregnancy at that very practice?”