Page 98 of Manny's Surprise Baby

I shook my head, chuckling, and went to take my shower.

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“I’m a week overdue.” Pierce raked his hand through his hair, looking pissed. “Why? Why is this baby not ready to come out?”

“Technically, you’re only four days overdue.” Dr. Peters rubbed his chin, scanning the ultrasound image on the screen. “Everything looks good. I guess the kid just isn’t ready.”

I stroked Pierce’s arm. “Calm down.”

“So you haven’t had any contractions at all?” The doctor squinted, his eyes still pinned on the baby’s picture on the screen. He slid the probe around Pierce’s stomach. “Not even a twinge?”

“Nope.” Pierce sounded frustrated.

“So long as the baby is healthy, let’s not stress out about it.” I hoped Pierce would listen. I didn’t want him getting too agitated over something we couldn’t control.

“Well, if the thing is cooked, can’t we just schedule a cesarean?” he asked.

“I wish it was that easy. It’s different with the babies of a solar eclipse omega. They shouldn't be disturbed until they are good and ready to be born.”

“Really?” Pierce scowled. “Why?”

“They’re never premature. Never. And the one time a doctor decided to take matters into his own hands, he nearly killed the omega and the kid. It wasn’t time. There’s never been a stillborn solar eclipse omega, so don’t worry. Nature knows what it’s doing in this instance.”

“Why do you think it would be taking longer?” I asked.

Dr. Peters flicked his gaze to Pierce. “It might have to do with your past drug use, Pierce.”

He scowled. “You mean forced drug use.”

“Of course. I’m sorry. We all know that wasn’t your choice.” Dr. Peters grimaced.

“What were you going to say, Doc?” I leaned against the examination table.

“Heroin use can damage the kidneys.”

Pierce looked uneasy. “But you said my kidneys are healthy.”

“They are. But there are degrees of functionality. It’s possible that because of that drug use, your body just takes longer to filter the blood and fluids from the omega pouch. That might account for why the baby needs slightly more time to grow fully.”

“You said everything looked developed with the baby.” Pierce sounded almost accusing.

Dr. Peters smiled patiently. “Yes. But I can’t see every nerve ending and cell. There are lots of things going on that we can’t see on an ultrasound. Solar eclipse omegas are complicated creatures. So long as the baby looks healthy during our checkups, I say we trust nature and not try and second-guess what’s happening.”

“I agree,” I said firmly. “So it takes a few days longer. So what?”

“You’re taking time off work. Emily is down in LA without us.” His voice was thick with worry.

Dr. Peters stood and shut off the ultrasound machine. He wiped Pierce’s stomach and then folded his arms, his expression stern. “Pierce, you need to relax.”

“What?” Pierce seemed taken aback by his tone.

“How many solar eclipse omegas have you delivered?”

“None.” He frowned. “But I was here when three of them gave birth.”

“Well, I’ve been delivering babies, solar eclipse and regular, for twenty years. I think I know what I’m doing. I think my experience should have earned your trust by now.”

“I… I do trust you.” Pierce’s face was pink. “I’m just scared.”