Page 177 of Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

CHAPTER 6

“Okay! Everyone gather around for the baby food tasting challenge.”

Oh, gag. Owen grinned, because at least he didn’t have to participate in that. His mom didn’t either, because she was there on Zoom, and he could hear her laughing.

This was the last game before they opened presents and had refreshments. The entire damn hotel ballroom was set up with balloons, there was enough food to feed an army, and the cake Jen had gotten him had three tiers and was frosted pink, decorated with dozens of rainbow butterflies and roses.

Owen kept tearing up. This was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for him.

Mom and Dad had decided to save up their vacation time and just take it all after the baby had come instead of traveling up for the baby shower. Owen was a little sad, because this was a great party, and he wanted his folks here in person so he could get hugs, but he got it.

Once the baby was born, he’d need help. So would Jeb. And Mom and Dad wanted to spend the time with their actual granddaughter instead of being at a huge party where they didn’t know anyone.

Jen plopped down beside him, grinning wide. “So you’re having fun? You like the cake? We talked about doing it in hearts and stuff, since Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, but--”

“Oh, don’t talk to me about Valentine’s Day! I have to deal with a class of excited kindergarteners tomorrow -- cards, cupcakes, and hearts everywhere . Besides, I’m having a blast. This is amazing. You guys are so good to me and our little Carrie here.”

Carolyn Jennifer. Jeb and Owen had finally come to an agreement after going over what had to have been twenty-seven-thousand baby names. Cheyenne. Dakota. Angel. Belinda. Deborah.

But Carolyn was his momma’s name, Jennifer was for Jeb sister’s, and they could call her Carrie. It was a win-win.

Jen grinned at him, hugged him tight. “I cannot express to you how exciting this is. I’m going to be the best auntie ever.”

“I have no doubt, seriously none. This baby and you are going to be best friends.”

Owen’s entire world had become this whirlwind of activity. They’d gotten married. They brought home their cats, Boots and Socks, from the shelter.

Boots was white with black feet, Socks was black with white feet, and they were silly, goofy demons. Owen adored them, and they were a perfect fit for their lives. He’d gone back to school to teach. He was due around spring break, and so they’d all decided that he wouldn’t come back after spring break if he hadn’t had her yet.

So he’d been working. Jeb had been working. Owen had moved in. The nursery was decorated.

They’d painted it and decorated it in fish. Silly goofy fish with bubbles. It was hilarious, and Jeb was so proud of himself. It was absolutely one hundred percent nothing Owen would ever have chosen in his entire life, and that didn’t matter. In fact, it didn’t matter in the least. Because it was perfect.

Now he was on the downhill slide in pregnancy. He was fat and happy. He was home. He was having the best baby shower in the history of--

The sharp, sudden pain hit his belly, and he cried out and stood in complete shock. As he did, water poured out of him, splashing on the floor at his feet.

“Owen?” Jeb’s eyes went wide. “Baby? What— Oh my God.”

His mouth fell open. “Oh my God. What do I do now?”

“Well, someone’s going to get a couple of towels. The hotel, they have them.” Mom’s voice snapped out, and it kind of cleared Owen’s head a little bit. “Have someone -- Jen maybe -- go get your bag and a change of clothes from the house, and then, once you get all cleaned up, it’s time to head to the birthing center. I am going to head out there.” She turned to stare at his dad. “I told you, Jack. I told you we should have come out.”

“I know. You did. We’re going to pack our suitcases and call work to get subs in for us.” Dad’s smile was more than a little self-deprecating. “You’re going to be fine.”

“Of course he is. He’s amazing.” That was Jeb’s father, the big booming voice ringing through the room.

“Right. Right, I’m not the first omega to ever have a baby.” And he wasn’t alone.

Not even a little, to be honest. The entire ballroom was full of his friends.

“No, and your mom will be there in a few hours. I’m leaving now. I love you.”

“Love you son,” Dad called. “We’ll be there in a bit, like a few hours bit. I’m going to pack bags!”

He chuckled, the sound cut off as he breathed through a contraction. Okay, that one was real.

Someone handed him a bunch of towels, someone else cleaned up the floor, and Jen was gone like smoke, heading to pick up his bag and some extra dry clothes.

Jeb held him, rocking him gently as he stared.

“I didn’t mean to ruin the party.”

“Are you kidding?” That was Debbie from school. “This is the best baby shower ever. Now we all know who’s going to win the baby raffle.”

The room filled with laughter, and he just rolled his eyes. Of course, of course he would go into labor a month early.

Shit. A month. That was a lot.

“What if it’s too early?”

Jeb pulled out his phone. “We’ll call Devon.”

Jeb’s mom came and sat next to them, her eyes just like her son’s, warm and comforting. “Devon told you that no one was sure exactly when you got pregnant, right? He said that either she was going to be a small full-term baby, or she was a great big early baby. You told me that yourself.” She patted his hand. “I bet she’s not as early as all that. February is a lovely time to have a birthday.”

“Right. Oh, shit. Debbie, can you call the school and tell them that I’m not going to be coming back this year? They’re going to have to find a sub for the next month too.” At least they were mostly all here to see he wasn’t exaggerating.

“No problem,” Debbie said. “The new student teacher is more than happy to sub in and get her experience. We’ve got this worked out bud, so don’t stress. You just focus on raising a happy, healthy infant that you can come show off to your class before the end of the school year, and then next year you’ll be back with bells on.”

He nodded. “I will. You know, I couldn’t give up my kiddos.”

But first, he had to focus on having a baby. A healthy baby who was gonna be perfect. Their Carrie.

He blinked at the sudden rush of tears, and Jeb leaned over to kiss his cheek. “Wow, baby. Now. Right now. You’re having our baby.”

“I think that I ought to wait until we get to the birthing center, love.” Another contraction started, and he groaned.

“Maybe sooner than later.”