Page 24

Rocky was bouncing along, his hand on Mal’s back as they walked the short distance from the sheriff’s office to Doc’s house/office. He could imagine his wolf tail wagging – Yes, this is me taking my pregnant mate along for his doctor’s appointment. He was over the moon and so excited.

“I really appreciate how wonderful you’ve been this past week,” Mal murmured as he nodded greetings to a couple who passed them going the other way. “It means so much to me being able to walk down the main street without you dragging me in the other direction.”

“Why would I do that? The doc’s office is this way.” Sometimes my mate says the strangest things. “Did you want to go to the diner for lunch after our appointment?”

“You’re not trying to drag me to the bakery?”

“That’s all the way up the other end of the street.” Rocky glanced down at his mate who was smiling. “Why would I go there unless you’re having cravings? Is that why you asked to go there? If you tell me what you want I can run up there…”

“No, Rocky, it’s fine, thank you.” Mal was still smiling so Rocky assumed that was true.

“So, the diner for lunch? Or we can see if Cam has any sandwiches or filled rolls left.”

“The diner would be great. I think Hazel is making beef ribs today.”

“My treat.” Arriving at the doctor’s office, Rocky opened the door. “After you.” He followed Mal inside the waiting area.

“You’re being a true gentleman today.” Mal’s smile widened.

“I’m excited, and happy and…I just want to see the blobs.”

“Ah, Mal, and Rocky, too. Nice to see you haven’t been annoying my patient this week.” Doc held the door open of his examination room. “Come on in.”

Rocky’s knee was bouncing as he waited for Doc to check Mal’s blood pressure and made a few notes in his records. “You’re looking a lot better this week. How have things been going? Any sickness, trouble sleeping, unusual pains?”

Doc is doing this deliberately. Rocky was sure of it. He’s writing like a toddler just learning to shape the alphabet. Let’s get to the good stuff.

Rocky doubted anyone else would understand why seeing the scan was so important – not even his lovely Mal. He knew Mal was pregnant with twins – Mal told him, his wolf told him, and Mal’s wolf did, too. He’d even seen the first scan pictures, but they were just printed blobs. Rocky needed to see with his own eyes. Moving blobs, 3D blobs, blobs that would become babies.

“Right, let’s get you up on the bed, Mal.” Doc’s words broke through Rocky’s thoughts. “Rocky, if you stay on that side of the bed, you won’t be in the way, and you can still see what’s going on. Just keep your growls and your teeth to yourself. There’s no other way of doing this, unless I get close to your mate.”

I haven’t done anything wrong. But just as he thought that, Rocky saw Mal lift his shirt and Doc’s hands were hovering over his stomach with a wand thingy. The growl building in his chest was automatic – Mal’s junk is right there – and Rocky swallowed it down, even as the growl threatened to choke him.

“Hey, are you all right?” Mal reached out his hand.

Grabbing it, Rocky nodded, his lips firmly shut. Must. Not. Growl.

“Okay, then. We’ve had a bit of growth since last week,” Doc said, and Rocky was sure he was aware of how badly Rocky was struggling. “Rocky, pay attention to the screen and I can point out what you’re looking at.”

Rocky tried seeing the screen with one eye while keeping an eye on where Doc’s hand was with the other, but it wasn’t possible. He felt as if he needed eyes on two stalks so he could see both things at the same time. Finally giving up, Rocky paid attention to the screen.

“This is baby one.” Doc pointed to the screen with his free hand. “You can see their spine curved down that way, the head is the blob this side, and then you have four limbs.” Doc peered at the screen. “We have eyes and all the facial features… ooh. I think this one knows we’re watching.”

“They moved.” Rocky was sure his eyes were going to fall out of his face. “Look. Look. Mal can you see? That one moved their arm. They’re telling Doc, stop poking my daddy. Oh, Mal. Can you see?”

“They are bigger this week,” Mal said quietly. “More detailed, too.”

“It’s what I expected,” Doc said. “Now, if I can just get this one to move, and yes…there we are. Baby number two. You’ll see this one is a bit smaller, but nothing worrying. At the risk of making a generalization, I’d say you’re having an alpha and an omega.”

“Can you see?” Rocky didn’t realize he had tears in his eyes and had to blink a couple of times so he could see clearly. “The bigger one is shielding and protecting the little one already. They are so close together.”

“It’s not like they’ve got a lot of space to spread out.” Mal chuckled. “But yeah, babe, I can see what you’re seeing. Our twins aren’t going to be identical, but two little individuals.”

Doc was doing some clicking, but Rocky was watching at how the bigger one moved - they’re moving – to block the little one again, causing Doc to mutter a curse.

“You could’ve waited a few more minutes, little one.” Doc clicked a bit more, and then printed out a picture.

Spinning on his stool, Doc put his wand away and handed Mal a soft cloth to clean his belly. “According to the measurements, compared to last week I’d say you’re three to four weeks in. The little ones have got most of their features and organs, although we probably won’t know the gender for about another week. From now on, all they are going to do is grow.

“I’d still like you to come in weekly, just to keep a check on your blood pressure, but from what I’m seeing everything is processing normally, so you can make it two weeks, unless you have any issues.”

“We’ll come next week.” Rocky was still staring at the screen which had gone dark. “We have to see them again – you know, check on them and make sure they’re okay.”

“Rocky, they are still in my belly,” Mal said. “Just because you can’t see them on the screen…”

“Next. Week.” Tearing his eyes from the screen, Rocky looked at his mate, his grin splitting his face. “Don’t you understand? We’re having babies!” Rocky didn’t think he’d been so happy in his entire life.

“Welcome to the party. You’re only a week late. But it beats falling into a dead faint on the floor, I suppose,” Doc said drily.

That happiness persisted as they said their goodbyes, making plans for another appointment the same time the following Thursday. Rocky kept a tight hold of Mal’s hand as they made their way back to the street, but then he just couldn’t hold it in anymore.

Dropping Mal’s hand, Rocky flung his arms wide and yelled as loud as he could down the street. “We’re having babies! Two of them!”

There were a few cheers from the people drinking at Cam’s, and a smattering of applause from friendly locals just going about their day. Rocky waved at a couple of them and then dropped his arms, turning to his mate.

Mal was shaking his head as he slid his arm around Rocky’s waist. “Do you feel better now? Can we go and get lunch?”

“We can do whatever you want, my wonderful mate.” Nothing was going to ruin Rocky’s day.