Page 23 of Brewing for My Mate: M/M Shifter Mpreg Romance
Surely it couldn’t be this fast or this easy? Quinn was on the way, since my omega’s birthing plan involved home birth. I’d been very worried about that, but every checkup showed no issues, and our healer gave us the go-ahead. He’d warned that if there were any issues at all, we’d have to be transferred to the clinic immediately, but he anticipated none.
“Most shifters have smooth labors,” he said. “And if they don’t, there are usually warning signs.”
Of which there were none.
Which made the fact that I was shaking to my core an overreaction. Pike’s pains were a few minutes apart, and he was walking around, hoping to bring baby sooner. Throughout his pregnancy, he’d been a rock star with self-care. Eating well, giving up those double espressos he loved, and getting exercise. We hadn’t done any scans beyond the heartbeat because there were no obvious problems and Quinn did not insist on them. Many shifters did not do them.
By the time our healer arrived, Pike had retreated to the bed to rest between pains. They were coming so fast, those resting moments were negligible, and I was very stressed.
“Hello, Daddies,” he said, entering the bedroom. “I let myself in. I hope that was all right?”
“Of course.” I turned from Pike to greet him. “I think it’s going to be very soon.”
“Well, let’s check on that, shall we?” Quinn gently nudged me aside. “Just give us a little space here to see…oh yes. You’re right. There’s a little head well into the birth canal and you are all ready, Pike. So I need you to lie back and relax for a minute. Next contraction, it will be time to push.”
To push. I’d known he was close, but pushing meant our child would be here any minute. I moved up to take Pike’s hand, ready to lend support.
“No.”
I looked down at my omega. “No?”
“I’m not ready to be a father. We’re going to have to wait for a while. Maybe another month.” I studied his face, looking for signs of joking, but he seemed to be fully serious.
“Mate?” I stroked the back of his hand with my thumb. “I don’t think it works that way.”
“But I have so much more to learn. Books I haven’t gotten to yet. No, the baby will just have to stay there until I’m more qualified.”
Shocked and confused, I met Quinn’s gaze, but he seemed unfazed. “Pike?” he said, “The fact that you feel that way just means you’re going to be a terrific daddy. The ones who think they know everything are the problems. You will be learning every day how to do this job. Both of you will. Now, the contraction is coming. Push.”
“No, I…ahhhh.” His fingers bit into my hand, but I didn’t care. “I can’t stop them. They want to be born.”
“Yes,” I soothed, taking a page from Quinn’s book. “The baby wants to come out and meet us. Don’t you want to meet them?”
“But what if I’m awful at it? What if they regret choosing me?”
“Oh, omega, that’s never going to happen. You’re going to be the best daddy ever, and I will do my best to keep up with you. You’ve already read so many books, seen all the videos, and you’re ready.”
“You’d both better be,” Quinn said. “Because here they come.”
Pike screamed, bore down, and on the third push, our baby slid into the healer’s waiting hands. Our son. Anders. The name we’d picked for a boy. He was bright red and angry at being thrust into the cold world, and I feared he knew about my lack of parenting skills. Never did I think my mate would be anything less than an amazing father, but I doubted I would be as good as him. When Quinn handed me the wrapped-up bundle, I mentally apologized for all the mistakes I was sure I’d make.
But when I looked down into that beautiful red little face who already had the features of his handsome bobcat daddy, I was in love. I might make those mistakes, but it wouldn’t be for lack of trying to do better. He had chosen us, and who was I to criticize our son’s choices.
He’d make many, and we’d support them, guiding him through babyhood and childhood and all that meant. Sure, I was scared but also so excited to see who this little being would become. Who our son would become.
“Welcome, Anders,” I whispered. “Your daddy and I love you so much.” I carried him to the head of the bed and laid him on Pike’s chest. “Here he is.” I wasn’t sure which of them I was saying that to. Only that I adored both of them more than I’d known was possible. My mate and my son.
“I love you.” That covered everything.