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Gideon

I had been staying at Kelly’s house nearly every night before we learned he was carrying my child, and every night since, but we needed a more permanent solution. A conversation needed to be had because it was ridiculous for us to continue to maintain two different houses. And I happened to know my omega’s savings were running thin.

So, one morning, toward the end of his first trimester, I broached the subject over coffee. Decaf for him. “Omega, I think it’s time we moved in together.”

He crinkled his forehead, studying me in confusion. “Aren’t we already living together? I don’t think you’ve been home for a week.”

“I have, actually, but just for fresh clothes. But that’s not the point. Exactly. What I want to propose is that we decide which of our homes to make our permanent residence. Together.”

It had been easier to just stay at his home until now, with all of Wyatt’s things there. But that didn’t mean we couldn’t make a change. As long as he was comfortable with the idea.

“Where do you want to live, alpha?” he asked. “Are you okay being here?”

“Yes, I am, but there are some advantages to my place. For one, I own it, so there’s no landlord.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“And for another, it’s bigger, and we have that large room on the second floor that would make a perfect playroom for Wyatt and his little brother or sister.”

“But I can’t afford such a fancy house.” He studied the floor in front of him. “And you do so much for me already, how can I ask you to let me move into your nice house.”

“Omega, what is this all about? We spend all our free time together, you and me and Wyatt. Why are you suddenly acting like you don’t belong in my neighborhood?”

“Look around you. You never say anything, but you don’t belong here. Can I possibly belong in your neighborhood?”

“My bear doesn’t like you talking that way about his omega. You belong anywhere you want to be. And my neighborhood isn’t that much fancier than this one, and if anyone ever says anything to you that hurts your feelings, they are going to have one large growly bear to deal with.” I reached out and drew him into a big hug. “Now, that said, if you prefer this house, I’ll sell the other one and make an offer on it. I just want us to own our home if possible, and I want it to be one that you like. It’s up to you, omega. Which house? Or shall we buy a third?”

He giggled. “I’d have to be crazy not to want to upgrade from this place to yours. Wyatt is going to love his new playroom.”

We had an appointment with Healer Quinn that afternoon, and it was a special one because we were going to get a look at the baby. As I drove along, I tried to avoid bumps because my omega had already drunk a lot of water in preparation for the ultrasound. So far, every visit had gone well, but I was always nervous, wanting to make sure my omega and the baby were having no areas of concern. And Wyatt loved the healer as long as he wasn’t proffering shots.

“Welcome!” Quinn ushered us into his examining room. “Did you drink all the water I suggested?”

“Yes,” Kelly confirmed. “It’s all I can do to hold it in. Can you look now?”

Quinn held up a bottle. “I need you to try to drink a bit more, okay? And then we’ll get out the equipment and see if we can’t get a look at your baby. How have you been feeling?”

“Pretty good,” Kelly said, opening the bottle and eyeing the contents suspiciously. “Is this water?”

“Yes,” Quinn told him. “We’re just topping you off.”

After managing about half the bottle, Kelly allowed me to help him onto the table and lay back. His belly stood straight up, the cutest thing ever, or at least that’s what I thought until the doppler revealed the outline of our child. We couldn’t get enough of the images, watching them move around and having Quinn point out the little legs and arms and showing us where the head was. And then came the question. “Do you want to know the sex?”

We did…unfortunately, our little tadpole was reluctant to give the healer an angle where he could see enough to determine whether we were having a little boy or girl.

We’d just have to wait to be surprised.

Kelly’s blood pressure was great, his weight was textbook, and Wyatt behaved through the entire visit like a champ. We ended up going for burgers and shakes before heading home again, celebrating the baby and the baby daddy’s good health.

After that, it was time to plan our move. Kelly didn’t have a lot of furniture; he’d left his former mate with most of what they’d built together, so we’d be able to move everything with one rental trailer. My omega’s rent was on a month-to-month basis, and we decided to have it all out by the first of the month, which was coming up soon.