Page 20 of Roman (Destined Paranormals #7)

I was done. Over it. Miserable. I was all the things. But mostly, I was finished with being pregnant. My waist was long gone, as was anything below my stomach. My body and it’s needs and desires were no longer my own, and one minute I was starving, and the next, I didn’t want to look at food. The only thing that didn’t irritate me was my mate. Roman had been the most amazing during all of this, but I was honestly going to be surprised if he wanted to go through it with me again. I knew I hadn’t been the easiest to deal with, despite my trying my best to be as easygoing as possible.

I had indeed been put on bed rest a week ago, and I was certain that added to my irritation. Roman had managed to talk his way into not having to go into work this week, and we were not sure how things were going to play out if I didn’t have the baby soon. He had to go in next week for office hours, but he was hovering and was adamant that he stay home until I had our son.

With the dull ache I felt in my back, I was beginning to think it wouldn’t be too much of an issue. “Roman?” I called out when the ache in my back suddenly intensified. He had run downstairs to check on something, but he was a shifter, and I knew he could hear me from anywhere in the house. The pain in my back moved to my side and intensified even more, and I was almost positive that labor was starting. “Roman?” I reached out through our bond.

“I’m on my way. I felt whatever that was and just messaged Dr. King.”

I heard pounding footsteps coming up the stairs. Roman rushed into our bedroom, pure panic on his face. I tried to smile at my mate, but I was certain it was more of a grimace than anything.

“I don’t think you need to worry that much,” I told him. “I think I’m in labor, but probably not active to where it’s time to push.”

“Can I check your omega line? Dr. King wants me to look at it.”

I nodded and pulled my shirt up. Actually, it was Roman’s shirt because none of mine fit any longer. I could put them on, but they wouldn’t pull down over my stomach. That was an issue, but not so much so when I wore one of Roman’s. And the looks my mate had given me when he saw me in one of his shirts…if I hadn’t already been pregnant, it was possible that would have happened. My mate was incredibly possessive and quite handsy when he saw me wearing his clothing.

Roman’s face morphed from concern to what I’d call panic. He immediately pulled out his phone, but just as he did, there was a familiar voice from the stairwell.

“Hello? Might I come up and check on Beau?” Dr. King called out.

“Dr. King, there’s a head here, and it’s not Beau’s!” Roman shouted.

Seconds later, Dr. King came rushing into the bedroom. Immediately, I felt a calmness wash over the room. I wasn’t sure if it was simply because the doctor had arrived or if it was because he’d used some sort of magic to relax my panicking alpha. I didn’t feel the presence of magic, so it was most likely that it was simply that the doctor was here.

“I decided to simply come and check on Beau with him being so close to his due date and with how large the baby is.” Dr. King looked down at my stomach and nodded slowly. “It seems as if it was a good call on my part. Shall we get the baby delivered?”

“Yes, please,” I said. Dr. King smiled at me before he turned toward Roman. He stared at my mate for a moment before his smile grew, and he shook his head. There was suddenly a chair beside the bed, and then Dr. King was moving Roman toward it. After Roman sat and looked at me, I couldn’t help but chuckle despite the situation we were in. “Are you all right?” I asked my mate as I reached out and gently touched his arm.

Roman looked at me, somewhat in a daze. “There was a head there.”

I smiled. “Well, it happens, you know. That’s how babies are born. They have to come out somehow, and it’s easier when the head comes out first.”

“When did your waters break?” Dr. King asked, pulling my attention toward the doctor. “And are you having any sort of contractions?”

“Umm…I’m not sure they did?” I told him. “I mean, I really had to go to the bathroom this morning, and when I sat down, it seemed like there was a whole lot, but I thought that for some reason my bladder somehow was extra full? I haven’t had any contractions, really, just an ache in my back. It’s moved to my sides just recently though, and it became more than an ache.”

Dr. King sighed and shook his head. “That was back labor. The extra from this morning was most likely your waters breaking since it would have been very obvious otherwise. You happened to get lucky that it happened on the toilet instead of when you were lying in bed. Although, if it had happened when it was more obvious, then you wouldn’t have had to labor without assistance.”

I thought about that a moment before I shrugged. “It hasn’t been difficult.” I side-eyed Roman before quickly looking back up at Dr. King. “I’m more worried about my mate, I think.”

Dr. King looked at Roman before he chuckled. “He’ll be all right. Some alphas experience that initial shock, and then they seem to simply snap out of it. But I’m wanting to focus on you. How about we get your little guy delivered?”

“Yes. I think that might help Roman?”

“It will certainly help you and most likely won’t hurt your alpha.”

I looked over at Roman while Dr. King moved closer to the side of the bed. I felt the ache and then didn’t. But there was magic, and when I looked at the doctor, his hand was glowing. “Is that the floating feeling that takes away pain?”

“Yes, but you don’t seem to be experiencing pain, so I’m not using quite as much up front. I’ll increase the magic if you feel a great deal of discomfort once you start pushing.”

“How will I know when to push? I don’t feel any contractions.”

“Can you just deliver the baby?” Roman asked, suddenly pulling from the shock he seemed to be experiencing.

Dr. King looked first at Roman and then at me. “I can, if that is what Beau wishes. I can deliver the baby much like I would for a warlock or vampire.”

I shrugged. “Maybe that will be best? I truly don’t feel the need to push. But Roman said there’s a head there?”

Dr. King glanced back down at my stomach and nodded slowly. “Yes, indeed. It would seem that your son has your hair, Beau. There’s a head full of dark hair right there.” Dr. King moved his hands, I felt more magic, and then he nodded. “Yes, so I’ll increase the magic, and we’ll get your son delivered.”

Before I could say a thing, I definitely felt that floaty feeling overcome me. Dr. King wasted no time getting to work. I felt my body wiggle, and watching the doctor’s face was an experience. His brow furrowed, he narrowed his eyes, and finally, after my body moved a bit more, Dr. King’s face relaxed. Then he held up our son, and he had to be one of the largest babies ever.

“Roman, would you grab that towel that is beside your mate, please?”

Roman reached for the towel that I knew hadn’t been there earlier, and when he held it out, Dr. King carefully placed Cooper in it. Roman wrapped our son up, but when I didn’t hear any noise from the baby, I became worried.

“Did you wish to cut the cord?” Dr. King asked.

“No, I’m good with you taking care of that,” Roman said.

Dr. King did something that I couldn’t quite see, and then a green glow surrounded the towel and our son in Roman’s arms. That seemed to be everything that was needed because Cooper gasped, then let out a loud wail. Some might be annoyed by that sound, but I thought it was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. Cooper continued to cry, but Roman immediately went into daddy mode and started gently bouncing him.

That didn’t seem to help too much, but when Roman brought our son to his chest and spoke to him, that worked. Cooper’s cries quieted, and after a few more softly spoken words of love, Cooper became quiet. When Roman turned my way, there were tears in his eyes. He gave me a look that anyone would be able to define: pure, unconditional love.

“He’s beautiful, Beau,” Roman said as he brought our son closer so I could see him. “He definitely has your hair, but his eyes are blue.”

I smiled as I got my first look at our son. He looked…squished but adorable. Roman wasn’t wrong though. He had dark hair and big blue eyes.

“Hey there, little fella. Well, not so little, I guess. Welcome to the world. Your daddy there has been waiting to meet you,” I said quietly.

“Beau, I’m going to use magic to close your omega line,” Dr. King said, drawing our attention. When I pulled my eyes away from the baby, Dr. King looked at me with a serious expression. “Your omega line tore on both sides, and it will be incredibly painful unless I close it magically. You will still be able to have more children, but if they are large like this one, you might have tearing again.”

“I understand,” I said. I wasn’t surprised. Cooper looked like he was a large baby, and I wasn’t that big. Dr. King nodded before he bent back down to take care of my omega line. I turned my attention back to Roman and our son and couldn’t help but reach out to wipe away the tears that were running down my mate’s face.

“I’m sorry he’s so large and has caused you issues,” Roman said.

“Don’t be. Large babies happen. Who knows, maybe our next one will be a tiny little fae and I won’t even look pregnant.”

Roman chuckled a bit before he wiped at his eyes. “You just gave birth, literally, and you’re already talking about the next one?” Roman shook his head. “I love you,” he whispered. “I’m not sure how I was gifted such an amazing man as you, but I know I’ll cherish you and all of the children you are willing to gift to me.”

“I love you too,” I told him.

Dr. King cleared his throat, grabbing both or our attention. “I just wish to get Beau situated so he can see the baby better and hold him.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll move.” Roman stood and went around to the foot of the bed where he stood and watched as Dr. King expertly helped me sit somewhat upright.

“You cannot stand until you can feel your legs. If you need something, that is what your mate is for. Have him fetch things for you.”

I smiled up at Dr. King at those words. “I will. I’m good at that already.”

Dr. King nodded once. He pulled a light blanket up to my waist before he stood. “Good. Rest up for a bit. Your omega line is closing quite nicely. The sides that tore, I used magic, and they are already healed. I will be downstairs getting the paperwork sorted for the council to file for Cooper. He is a big boy. He’s ten pounds and thirteen ounces.” Dr. King made a face. “I apologize. I should have delivered him for you a week ago. One never knows if we should let things happen naturally or if we should intervene. I am pleased that things turned out as they have and everyone is healthy.”

I was still stuck on the almost eleven-pound baby. That was…huge. Maybe not for an omega dragon or bear, but for me? There was no wonder now why I looked like I was going to deliver at any moment a month ago.

“Is there anything I need to do for Beau?” Roman asked.

“Just take care of your mate as you have been doing. He will need to remain in bed for about an hour—give or take. Let him cuddle the baby, dote on him and the baby, things that you would expect a new alpha daddy to do.”

Roman grinned. “I’ll be sure to do all of those things. Thank you, Dr. King.”

“All in a day’s work,” the doctor said. He touched Roman’s shoulder as he walked past on his way out the door.

Roman returned to the side of the bed, but instead of sitting in the chair, he held out our son. I wasn’t even sure when it happened, but the baby was no longer wrapped in the towel. He was swaddled up in a light green blanket that we’d purchased for him.

I reached for the baby, and when I finally got him settled against my chest, he looked up at me and gave a tiny little sigh before he wiggled a bit and then closed his eyes. When I searched for my mate, I found him sitting in the chair beside the bed. “Do you still like the name Cooper?” I asked.

“I do. Are you having second thoughts?”

Was I? Maybe, but I just wanted Roman to have everything he deserved. “I’m not if you aren’t,” I said. “I like the name a lot, and I think it fits him well. But if you want to name him something else, we can.”

Roman shook his head. “No. I love the name Cooper Daniel. Did you want to use Nelson or Thorne?”

I…was that even a question? I suddenly remembered a conversation that Roman and I had last month after Roman’s first visit to the university. “We’re getting married, right? So why wouldn’t we use your last name? I had assumed I would be taking your name as well. Isn’t that how it works sometimes?”

I really didn’t need to get married, nor did I need to start using Roman’s last name. But I had found it funny when he had first told me about his conversation at the university. Then, a few weeks later when we had been hanging out with Calum and Asher, I’d learned that they actually had gotten married, and Asher had taken Calum’s last name. So there were couples that actually took another step beyond claiming one another, but did I need that with Roman?

Roman’s lips parted. “You want to get married?”

My poor alpha. He seemed so lost for words, really. “Why wouldn’t I? I mean, I don’t need to. We’re already claimed. Nothing can break that except death. But of course I would marry you. Why not?”

Cooper became squirmy, but he was easy enough to calm by simply moving him from my arm to my chest. He gave a little wiggle when I placed his head over my heart, and then his little body settled.

“You want to get married?” Roman asked again.

I looked at my mate and snorted. “No, Roman. It’s truly not necessary. I would if you asked and wanted to. I was only kidding around, though, because you mentioned the last name, and it made me think about the conversation you had at the university.”

Roman nodded slowly. He looked as if he wanted to say something else, but instead, he shook his head. If I hadn’t been staring at him so intently, I would have missed it.

“Would you like to let everyone know the newest member of our family has arrived?”

My eyes widened. “Oh. I was texting Phineas earlier. He kept saying I was going to go into labor today because of how my back was aching. We really should let him know that the baby is here. Everyone else too. Maybe in the family group chat?”

Roman smiled. “Perfect,” he said as he got up from the chair. I didn’t quite understand what he was doing until he rounded the bed and then crawled onto it with me. I smiled up at Roman as he got settled beside me. He carefully slid an arm behind me. “Did you want to look at the camera? Or maybe down at Cooper? Or up at me?”

I just stared up at Roman while holding our son. “I love you,” I said. Roman looked at me, and then I heard the sound of the picture being taken. It was unusual for Roman to have the ringer turned on, but it definitely helped to let me know when he’d taken the picture.

“What do you think?” Roman asked as he showed me the phone. “And I love you too. So much.” He kissed my temple, and I closed my eyes. My life couldn’t be more perfect. I had an amazing mate and a healthy baby boy. What more could I possibly need?

“I think it’s perfect,” I whispered after I looked at the image.

Roman moved his arm. “I agree.”

Roman: We regret that we need to skip this week’s family dinner. Beau and I are going to be a bit occupied with this not so little bundle that decided that today was the day he would finally make an appearance. We look forward to seeing everyone soon, but for now, we’re just enjoying cuddling with Cooper. Love, Roman photo attached

“What do you think?” Roman asked. I quickly read the message.

“It’s perfect. Who do you think will reply first?” I asked.

I watched as Roman attached the photo and then hit Send.

“I’m not sure. Probably Phineas since he’s on his phone more than anyone I know.”

Seconds later, Roman’s phone pinged. Then again, and again. He turned the ringer off before he tossed the phone off to the side of the bed.

“I’m not sure who was first, but we can check later. Right now, I think we need to spend some time getting to know this guy better,” Roman said. He slid his arm behind me again and gently placed his hand on top of mine that was on Cooper’s back.

I sighed and leaned into my mate’s embrace. He was right. Everything else could wait. This right here was all we needed.