Page 18 of Roman (Destined Paranormals #7)

Chapter 18

Beau

“ I can’t believe you’re not carrying twins,” Lewis said. We were in the bakery kitchen, working on refilling the trays for the display cases. It didn’t seem to matter how much we “baked”; we always ran out. I didn’t think shifter enforcers could have such sweet teeth, but apparently, they did. But at Lewis’s mention of my stomach, I smiled as I looked down at it. He wasn’t wrong. I didn’t have just a tiny bump; I looked ready to give birth. Well, in this shirt, at least. I needed to just give in and wear larger shirts.

I’d been concerned about how quickly I’d “popped,” but when I’d asked Dr. King about it, he’d reassured me it was simply because I was so slender before becoming pregnant that my baby didn’t have anywhere to grow but outward. Add in that I was mated to an alpha who was an entire foot taller than I was, yeah, we were probably going to have a larger baby. Especially since we were having a little tiger shifter.

I smiled as I rubbed my hand on my rounded stomach. I was definitely too pregnant to go out in town off the mountain, but it was completely safe for me to go anywhere while here on the mountain.

“Hey, Beau, your brother is here,” Sean said as he poked his head through the door. I couldn’t help but smile and hurry around the counter. Evan and I were good. We weren’t where we used to be, but we were getting there. We had talked a few times, and he’d apologized, again, about how he’d treated me when I’d found Roman.

I loved my brother, but I loved Roman and the baby I was carrying as well. I had struggled for a couple of weeks after Roman and I claimed each other, but eventually, I realized that if Evan couldn’t accept the fact that I was mated and starting a family and still be able to run the bakery, then Evan would need to not be as involved in my life going forward. That had hurt, but thankfully, things hadn’t come to that because Evan did accept the fact that I was mated, and he and I had talked at least once a week since.

I followed Sean through the door, and sure enough, there was Evan. When he saw me, his face lit up with a smile.

“Evan. I wasn’t expecting to see you today, but I’m not going to complain.” I rounded the counter and went to my brother’s outstretched arms. He wrapped me up in a hug, and I closed my eyes. I’d been hugged by him so many times in my life, and it was comforting that he was still in my life. Especially since he was going to be an uncle soon.

“I had a bit of time this afternoon before I have to leave.”

That completely ended the comforting feeling. “Leave?” I asked, looking up at him.

“Yeah. I’m an enforcer, Beau. I have assignments. My team is going out tomorrow.”

Oh. I guess I hadn’t realized that. It had been some time since he’d gone out on assignment. Or maybe it hadn’t and I just didn’t know? “Well, I hope you’ll be safe.”

Evan’s smile widened. “You know I will. But that’s not the only reason I’m here. I’m going to escort you over to the omega clinic. Roman messaged me, and he’s running about five minutes behind. There was a water main breakdown in Timber Valley, and he had to be detoured. But it was quite a detour.”

I narrowed my eyes at my brother. “Why are you telling me that instead of my mate?” I asked before immediately reaching out to Roman through our bond. “Roman? Are you all right?”

“I am, sweetness. But I’m still five solid minutes from the cabin. I didn’t want you to be late for our appointment, so I messaged your brother. I apologize for not reaching out to you directly. Evan is going to walk you over to the clinic.”

I sighed. “I am capable of walking over by myself. It’s not far. Or I could just wait here for you to arrive. It’s not like Dr. King will not see us if we’re late.”

“Please just let Evan walk you over? He hasn’t gotten to spend much time with you, and he is adjusting to things and how they are now as well.”

“Fine. Please be careful.”

“Always. I’ll see you in just a bit.”

I focused up at my brother and narrowed my eyes. “I’m not sure what’s going on, but seriously, five minutes late isn’t really something that he should be so worried about. But whatever.” I turned to Sean. “I’m headed out to my ultrasound.”

Sean offered a huge smile. “Exciting times.” He glanced at my brother. “But shouldn’t Roman be going with you?”

I nodded. “He’s on the way, apparently, but there was a detour or something. I’m not sure.” I didn’t think they were lying to me; it was just such an odd thing though. Why now? Of course, water main breaks could happen at any time, couldn’t they? I left with Evan, and once outside, I looked up at my brother. “Can you explain a little more what a water main break is?”

Evan smiled. “It’s my understanding that the water in the buildings is delivered through underground pipes. The main is the big one that’s out by the streets or under them.” Evan shrugged. “They can break, and when they do, lots of water comes rushing out and floods the area. That’s why the road that Roman was taking was closed.”

I nodded, only somewhat understanding. “I guess they can’t just use magic like we do, huh?”

Evan chuckled. “No.” We walked a short distance, and when we made it to the store, I wondered if I would have met Roman sooner if he had still worked there.

“So where are you going? Can you say?”

“To Canada. We’re going to be sorting out some issues with a pack up there. There has been more than one report about them. It’s nothing too serious, just some issues with some in the alpha’s circle.” Evan shrugged. “I don’t quite understand all of the dynamics of packs yet, but it’ll be a good learning experience. I’m going more for the magical support. Although, Frederick is the lead, and he’ll be with us, so I don’t think he’ll actually need me. We’ll see though.”

“That sounds…interesting,” I said and chuckled. I didn’t know what else to say, really. I knew even less, and although I trusted Evan would be safe, I still worried a bit about my brother.

“It sounds boring if you ask me. But I work for the council now, and it’s something I have to learn all about. I don’t mind, and my team has been amazing at helping me to learn all that I need to, but it can be a bit confusing since we didn’t grow up with anything like this. What the packs have might not be the same in the covens. Or in the prides or dens. It’s different for even different packs. So you never know what to expect.”

“At least I’m just doing what I’ve always done. Although I didn’t really know all of the ins and outs of actually running a bakery from before. But Lewis and I have figured it out.”

“He’s quite the surprise,” Evan said. I nodded. I knew there was nothing between my brother and my friend and never would be, but I had to wonder if Evan wanted to find his mate. “And here we are,” Evan said. I looked up and realized we’d made it to the omega clinic. It wasn’t that it was such a far walk; I’d just not been paying attention.

“You know, I absolutely could have made this walk without being escorted. I’m not sure what you and Roman are up to, but I do appreciate that you let me know you are going to be out on assignment. Will you be gone long?” His previous assignments had only been about a week’s time. That didn’t mean that would still hold true.

“Should be only a week. It’s not a difficult assignment, and we’re not the only team going out. Atticus’s team, with the exception of Ramsey, is already out. You already know why Ramsey isn’t in the field at the moment.”

I did. Phineas was due any day now. He’d had a terrible pregnancy, but I’d heard that wasn’t uncommon when it came to gargoyle pregnancies. Roman had been in almost constant contact with Ramsey and had even come up to Treasure Ridge to visit a couple of times when Ramsey was “losing his mind,” as Roman had put it.

“I hope Phineas has their little gargoyle soon and that his delivery is so much easier than his pregnancy has been. I’ve sent him some of his favorites, frequently, and Roman has kept me up to date about everything that’s happening with them. I feel bad because he’s been pulled in two directions. He wants to be there to support his brother as much as possible, but he’s also been worried about me.”

Evan pulled me into a side hug. “You are such a good person, Beau. I’ve seen Ramsey walking around the council like he’s in another world, and maybe he is. I don’t have a mate, so I don’t have a mate with a difficult pregnancy.”

“I’ve heard that Alexander almost died during his pregnancy, or maybe it was when he was in labor. I can’t remember a lot of things anymore, but I think it was labor. I’ve met Knox and Philip several times, and their twins are just the cutest. But Ramsey and Phineas haven’t been to any family meals since Phineas got pregnant again.”

“Hey now, when am I going to be invited to these family meals?”

I widened my eyes. “I’ve invited you, Evan. Every time I’ve offered, you always say that you don’t want to impose on my time with my new mate.”

Evan stared at me blankly. “Oh. I guess I didn’t realize it was a family affair.”

“Every Sunday. Obviously there are times that not everyone can make it, but Roman and I have all week to ourselves. On Sunday, we have family meals. On Saturday, we’ve started spending time with Calum and Asher. They actually live next door, and Calum helped Roman get the new position at the university. Asher is fae, just like we are. They have an adorable little girl.”

Evan’s jaw clenched as he looked away. I was going to say more when I heard Roman’s voice. I looked in the direction Evan had and couldn’t keep from smiling. There was my sexy alpha. It was Friday, and he’d had classes this morning, and it was obvious that he hadn’t had time to change. I loved to see him in his slacks and button-down shirts as much as I did when he was in sweats and a T-shirt. They were all fun to get him out of, and I really needed to not let my mind go there. Now was not the time to think those kinds of thoughts.

Roman’s smile grew as he approached, and after he leaned down and gave me a quick kiss, he winked before he looked over at Evan. “Thanks for walking him over.” Roman glanced back at me. “Did you already check in?”

I shook my head. “Nope. We’ve been talking.”

Roman gave me a look, and although I know he wasn’t actually mad at me, he was a bit irritated.

“Don’t be upset with him,” Evan said. “It’s my fault. I let Beau know I was leaving on assignment tomorrow, and we’ve been talking about that. Well, that and family meals.”

Roman nodded at my brother. “You should join us sometime. I understand you’re busy, though, and have a good group to spend time with up here.”

I hadn’t known if Evan was spending meals with the other fae enforcers or not, but I knew we used to, so it wasn’t a far-fetched assumption. “Are you ready to go in for our ultrasound?” I asked, hoping to pull Roman away. We were only a few minutes behind, and honestly, I didn’t think that Dr. King would be upset.

“I am,” Roman said as he smiled. I could see nothing but love in his gaze, and I never knew just how much I could love someone until I met him. Roman wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. “Don’t be a stranger,” Roman said to my brother. “Your brother would love for you to come spend time with us if you can spare it.”

Evan nodded as he looked directly at me. I smiled before I directed my eyes to the ground. We weren’t where we were before, and probably never would be, but our relationship wasn’t as strained as it had been when I first met Roman. There were a lot of changes, for both me and Evan, and we would always be brothers. We had to learn how to adapt, and that had been the difficult part. At least for me.

“Send me a picture of my nephew later,” Evan said. “That is, if you get some.”

I looked up at my brother and found him smiling. “I will. I know I already said it, but be careful.”

“I will. It’s a pack; how dangerous can they be?”

I shrugged because I honestly didn’t know. But I wanted my brother to be safe just the same. Evan waved as he walked away. I looked up at Roman after a moment and found him looking conflicted. Now that I was staring at my mate, I reached out through our bond and realized that he was worried.

“What’s wrong? Was it stressful getting here to me? I’m perfectly safe up here.”

Roman smiled down at me again. “That’s not it. Alexander called earlier. I couldn’t answer because I was in the middle of a lecture. Phineas’s omega line has started opening. Alexander is watching over him, but their baby will be born very soon.”

I started to smile, but at the emotions running through Roman, my happiness for the impending birth dissipated. “You’re not happy about a new nephew? If you’d rather be there with your brother, I understand.”

Roman pulled me into his arms and held on tight. “That’s not it at all.” Our own little bundle chose that moment to kick. It wasn’t hard, more like a flutter, but it was enough that I certainly felt it. “Ramsey is a mess, and Alexander is doing all he can to calm him. Alexander almost bled to death while delivering Rowan. Chief Daegal has had to intervene, and I guess it’s tense.” Roman kissed the top of my head before he released me.

“Where’s Hazel?”

“With Knox and Philip. She’s going to be having a sleepover at theirs for the next week or so.”

I understood Roman’s worry. “Do you want to skip the ultrasound and go see your brother? I understand if you do?”

“No. I can’t do anything more for my brother than anyone else there. I’ve already messaged Phineas, and he replied that he was fine. Just some contractions. That’s how I know that Ramsey is a mess.” Roman leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Right now, I want to go have our ultrasound and see our little guy for the first time.”

I couldn’t help but smile. I had only chatted with Phineas because he’d had his heat at the same time I had my fertile period, and then we’d been ill. It just hadn’t been a good time for us to meet in person. But I could understand Roman’s worry, and I, too, hoped that everything went well with his labor and then his delivery.

“I want that too,” I said. “Shall we?”

Roman responded by opening the door. Out of the sun and into the cheerful interior of the omega clinic we went. We were greeted by Todd, but standing with him was not Dr. King.

“You must be Roman and Beau. I’m Constantine, but most call me Costas. I’m filling in for Dr. King because he’s with your brother, I’m told,” Costas said as he looked directly at Roman.

“Is Phineas all right?”

“Doing perfectly fine, from what I’ve heard. I think it’s more a precaution after what Alexander went through. Still waiting on the omega line to fully open at my last update.” Roman nodded, and I squeezed his hand. Costas glanced between us before he focused on me. “It seems as if your alpha is a bit worried. How about we go show him the baby in hopes it helps distract him for a bit.”

“Yes, please,” I said. I wanted nothing more than to calm Roman.

We followed Costas down the hallway and into the room on the left. It was already set up for me, and without a thought, I climbed up onto the table. I felt Roman’s hands on my waist, and with a little boost, I was on the table and turning around without issue. I was showing, sure, but I wasn’t so large that I couldn’t move. At least not yet. I had a feeling that I was going to show quite a bit more before I gave birth.

“I do wish to apologize to the both of you for the sudden change in provider without notice. I’ve worked with the council for years until they found Maxwell. I have been the coven doctor for Master Edison and now Master Arthur for longer than I care to admit.”

I smiled at Costas. “I’m not upset. I understand that Phineas needs to be the focus for Dr. King.”

“Yes. How about we get to it?”

I nodded. I couldn’t help it—I was excited. I wanted to see my baby. Yes, I was worried about Phineas, but I couldn’t do more than offer support. It was probably wrong, but I wanted to see my baby.

“Please,” Roman said. “I agree with your earlier statement. A distraction would be nice, and Beau deserves to have his ultrasound.” Roman reached out and took my hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing the back of it.

“I agree. Maxwell will keep me updated if anything goes amiss, but he has said that Phineas is laboring quite well. He’s young, and that should help, despite the difficulty of gargoyle pregnancies,” Costas told us just before the lights in the room dimmed. Seconds later, there was an image floating in the air in front of us, and I gasped. There was no doubt what we were seeing: it was our little guy.

“That’s our baby,” I said.

“It is. He’s quite healthy and large for his gestational age.” Costas stared at the image that was projected for a moment before he looked over at us. “Do you happen to know if you were an overly large baby?”

“I’m not certain,” Roman said. “Most likely though. The twins were small, but they’re fox shifters and twins.”

Costas nodded. “I’ve read over Maxwell’s notes. He has your baby being due the first week of October. I’m not sure you will make it that long. Everything looks as it should. His gestational age is on track and exactly where it should be. The length of bones, organ development, all of those things are right where he should be at this age. His size is just larger.”

I sighed. “I’m not surprised. Roman isn’t as tall or wide in the shoulders as the dragons, but he’s not short either. Nor is he skinny like I am.”

Roman leaned close. “You’re perfect for me, sweetness. Don’t ever feel as if you aren’t.”

I smiled at my mate. He was always like that. From the beginning, he’d been so sweet. He had a sexy side too, one that I didn’t think others realized, but that was all right with me. I was more than happy to have all of Roman’s sexual fantasies just for me.

“Would you like to hear the heartbeat?” Costas asked, pulling us apart, but only slightly.

“Yes, please,” I said. I’d been able to “hear” our baby, but I didn’t know how to project his heartbeat or his images so Roman could see and hear him. The room was suddenly filled with the quick swishing sound of our little one. Roman’s hand squeezed mine while I felt his awe through our bond. I was so thankful that we were able to do this. Not only for me but for Roman. He had experienced so much heartbreak in his lifetime, and the fact that I was getting to spend my life and build a family with him was more than I ever thought I’d have.

There was a pinging sound, and when Costas pulled his phone from his pocket, the light from the screen illuminated his face in the darkened room. After a moment, he smiled, then turned the phone off. When he raised his head, I struggled to see his face, but his voice was clear.

“Phineas is in active labor and will be pushing soon,” Costas told us. Roman’s body tensed instantly, but it relaxed almost as quickly.

“We can go if you’d like,” I whispered.

Roman leaned down and kissed my forehead. “No. We’ll see them soon enough, I’m certain. This is important and where we need to be.”

I stared up at Roman for a long moment before I nodded. That seemed to be what Costas needed to continue with our ultrasound. The image of our baby turned, and then we were staring at tiny little toes. I couldn’t help but smile at the image projected. It made me want to hold our little one even more. Soon, I told myself.