Page 20 of Curtis & Jae (Mate Match #1)

Twenty

Jae

By the time we got home after the appointment, I’d worked myself into a state. Any time now! While I couldn’t wait to meet the baby, I was terrified about the labor part.

Yes, I knew it was going to hurt. I was sort of on board with that. I planned to take as much of the pain relief that I could. The birthing center didn’t do epidurals, which I was okay with. They weren’t all that useful for male omegas, anyway.

With the Entonox, AKA nitrous oxide and oxygen, my TENS machine, the battery-operated device with electrodes to block my pain that Curtis had thoughtfully bought for me, and pethidine, I was sorted for pain management.

It would be fine. Probably. I also had a birthing ball for at home.

It was so cute that Percy thought it was a toy.

Curtis, the meanie, locked it away in my office from him.

Erika knew I wanted to be mobile during active labor until I wanted to push and had told me the center had birthing balls there.

My mind was a mess, trying to figure out if we had everything we needed and if I was even ready for this mentally.

“Are you okay? You’ve been awfully quiet.” I could feel Curtis’ concern.

“Nervous. Feels like we’ve been waiting for the baby to come forever, but sort of overlooked how they come out of me.”

“It’s not too late to opt for a c-section if you’d rather.” Curtis wore a frown. “I can take more time off work, or your mom can come by and help while you heal.”

“Hmm.” I paused. “I did think about it. The long healing puts me off, and it limits how many babies we can have.”

“Already planning more?” His face broke out in a grin.

I couldn’t help my answering smile. “Yeah, I am. Already I can tell you’re going to be an amazing father. You’re so thoughtful and kind. You’ve been a dream partner through all of this.”

Curtis pulled me close, kissing the top of my head. I loved it when he surrounded me like this. “Well, I’m happy to make as many babies as you want. With you as their daddy, they will be adorable.”

Just being in his arms relaxed me.

“Why don’t you take a nap?” Curtis suggested. “You seem tired.”

Sleep sounded so good. Getting any decent rest was damn near impossible with my belly as swollen as it was.

“Yeah, I think I will. I’ve felt tired and sore all over, all day.”

Concern flitted across his face. “Why didn’t you say? Can I run you a bath first?”

“Nah, getting in and out of it is a pain. A shower might be nice, though.” I was so grateful for the bench in the shower stall.

“Okay, let me start the water for you and find something for you to wear after.”

“Will you join me?” I felt particularly needy at that moment. My alpha had to be with me. I needed to soak in the scent of his pheromones, feel his touch.

“Of course. Let me get things ready.”

Curtis, proving he was the best partner ever, had the water temperature perfect, our towels were heating on the rail, and I just knew my most comfortable clothes were waiting for me. Not that much fit me anymore. I was so looking forward to getting into my old stuff after the baby arrived.

I sat, back aching, on the bench while the water cascaded over me. It felt so good. The heat worked on my tired body, making me feel languid.

My alpha washed me with gentle, loving hands, before quickly cleaning himself. He wrapped a towel around himself before he dried me thoroughly and led me to the bed.

Dressed, I tried to get comfortable enough to rest. I still ached and knew sleeping would do me good, but there was something else I wanted.

Luckily, Curtis knew what I needed. “How about I suck you off before your nap?”

“What about you?”

“Jae, I’m so hot for you right now, a few strokes and I’ll be done.”

We hadn’t had penetrative sex for a couple of weeks because I found it uncomfortable. I’d grown addicted to blow jobs and hand jobs before bed. I always slept better when I was sated.

“On me?” I wanted to be covered in his scent. Wanted to taste him.

“Yeah,” Curtis’ voice was a low rumble.

He wasted no time lowering my pajama pants and boxer briefs to get at my stiff cock. He licked and sucked on me until I begged him to let me come.

When I did, Curtis climbed over me, straddling my chest without adding any of his weight to my body, and stroked himself.

“Open up,” he groaned. I did as he asked, sticking out my tongue to catch his release. As he came, I leaned forward to get it all, making Curtis moan my name like a plea.

Happy and sated, I drifted off to sleep while Curtis cleaned me up and redressed me.

Pain woke me. A sharp feeling coupled with heat over my lower belly.

“Curtis!”

He came running into the room. I’d felt him get up a while ago, probably to do some chores or paperwork.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think my contractions have started!”

Relaxing some, he thought for a second. “Do you want to wait for the next one, or get your ball and TENS ready?”

“Maybe wait?”

We waited for a couple hours, having a light snack and moving about some, while the contractions became more painful and regular.

By the time they were ten minutes apart, I was sitting on my ball with my TENS machine in place, using the stimulation to help with the discomfort each contraction brought.

“Normally Erika would say wait until the contractions are five minutes apart before coming in, but she wants us to come now. She did warn there might be some traffic. Apparently, there’s been an accident, so only one lane is open.

” Curtis stood in the doorway to our bedroom with clear concern.

“Lara is bringing Milo over to check on Percy while we’re at the center. ”

“Okay.” I stood on shaky legs and waddled to Curtis. “Do we have everything?”

“It’s all in your car.” Curtis had bought me the vehicle months ago to ensure I had the freedom to come and go as I pleased.

Jennie and Marty had helped him pick out the make and model because they both had experience getting car seats in and out of their own cars. He really was the best. So thoughtful!

“Just need the most important thing…” he continued. At my confused glance, he added, “You and your cargo.”

Erika was right, the traffic was terrible. My contractions were four minutes apart before we even got there! I was terrified I’d be giving birth in the car or on the side of the road.

After a brief exam, we were taken down to the delivery suite.

There Erika explained I was already nine centimeters and had probably passed the point of getting the pethidine injection.

She warned that giving it too close to delivery could make the baby sleepy and cause me to push longer. None of us wanted that.

I had to make do on the Entonox, which left me with a buzzed feeling. The room was warm, so I stripped down to a long t-shirt that covered my junk, not that I really cared what Erika or her assistant, Trevor, saw.

At three minutes apart, my water broke. I couldn’t help getting upset at the mess I’d made and apologizing to Trevor, who was responsible for cleaning it up.

“You’re doing so well,” Curtis praised. “The group chat is so excited.”

We’d introduced my parents to Curtis’ family and closest friends at the baby shower.

My sister had even attended with her little one.

It was the first time I’d met my niece, Nari, Iseul’s daughter who had clicked with Maddy.

Our families had hit it off and had made a group chat for all the baby news.

It was sweet to see my parents take so quickly to Ricky.

They’d even had dinner together a few times.

“Jae? Now that your water has broken, I need to check you again. Would you mind coming up onto the bed?”

Curtis helped me climb up. Rather than go onto my back, which ached something fierce, I went onto my knees, clinging to the high back of the bed, my butt raised from the mattress.

“Perfect position. If you want to push like this, gravity will help things along. Well done for going with your instincts,” Erika praised. Trevor monitored the gas and air, making sure I didn’t take too much and get sick.

“Oh, that’s lovely. You’re fully dilated. Do you mind Trevor doing an exam?” I shook my head. The trainee omega midwife went to Erika’s side. “See? Put your fingers here… feel?”

I didn’t pay attention to them, too focused on my body and the almost unbearable need to bear down.

“Erika! I think I need to push!”

“Go with it,” Erika coached. “Follow your body’s lead.”

Time made no sense. All I knew was pain and the need to push this baby out. We were so close.

I felt the baby’s head crown.

“Wait! No pushing until I check.” Erika examined the baby, making sure the cord wasn’t around their neck and it was safe to continue. “Okay, next contraction, I want you to give the biggest push!”

It took a few more agonizing contractions, but the euphoria when the baby slid free was incredible.

“Congratulations, daddies! You have a baby boy!”

Erika cleaned him up, and he made his first cry. It was the most beautiful thing in the world!

“Well done, Jae! You’re amazing. I love you so much. Both of you!” Curtis had tears running down his face as he clung to me.

Trevor came to me with a loosely wrapped baby. “Here you go daddy, meet your baby.”

I turned so he could place him on my chest. I’d lost my shirt after overheating.

“Hello, little one, it’s nice to meet you!” I felt the wetness on my cheeks, but didn’t care. My baby looked up at me, unseeing, but recognizing my voice as they lay skin to skin.

Curtis kissed me, then our baby. “Perfect. Both of you.”

The moment was blissful until Erika caught my attention. Curtis was having his turn with our baby. Like me, he’d lost his shirt so he could hold him close, getting that skin to skin contact to help them bond.

“Could we take your son to weigh him and start his paperwork?”

“Of course.”

“Jae? I’m worried about how much blood you’re passing and you’ve still got the rest of the placenta to go. How about you get on your knees again? Maybe the change in position will help.”

I did as she suggested and pretty quickly she was smiling at me as the placenta slipped out. So disgusting, but also a miracle.

“Do you consent to cord blood samples being taken?”

“Yes.” I’d already discussed it with Curtis.

“Great! Well, you did fantastically. Little one is in excellent health, all seven pounds and ten ounces of him. We’ll get you a snack, maybe some toast and then move you to your room for the night.

You can go home in the morning, okay? Visitors can come for the evening hour, but I’d prefer it if you waited until you got home. ”

“Yeah, me too. I like having Curtis here, though. Does he have to go home?”

“No, there’s room on the bed for him. Do you have a name for the baby yet?”

Curtis beamed. “His name is Leo.”