Page 320 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus

Either way, she’s adorable. She’s all boobs and belly, but the last few days her face has gotten a little puffy with water weight. I would be worried, but Oliver very quietly assured us that it’s completely normal.

We’ve got to leave for her doctor’s appointment in less than fifteen minutes. They’re supposed to be checking to see if the baby has made it head down yet.

The stubborn little lady still wasn’t aiming the right direction at Mel’s last appointment. The doctor didn’t seem too concerned, but it’s been a worry of mine.

I take the turn into the pack bedroom and stumble a few steps. Mel is lying on the floor with one shoe on and the other several feet away. The bottle of stretch mark cream we rub on her belly every night is sitting open a foot out of Mel’s reach.

She sniffles, wiping at her face and glancing away when she spots me. She crosses her short arms over her giant belly and I chuckle.

“Want to tell me what happened, or should I take a guess?” I ask, squatting down at her side.

This is kind of becoming our thing. Anytime I find her in a precarious situation, which is happening more and more often these days, I always ask the same question.

“I dropped the bottle,” she says, tipping her chin in the air.

“And you tried to pick it up?” I laugh. “I thought we learned that lesson last time.”

“I kind of kicked my shoe away too, so I was going to rearrange them both at once. It didn’t go to plan.”

“All right, let’s get you up.” I circle her back with my arms and lift. Once she’s standing, I help her into her other shoe.

“I’m surprised my flats even fit with how swollen my feet and ankles are.” She sniffles.

The belly brushes my cheek as I stand up.

“I love you, gorgeous.” I nuzzle my cheek to hers.

“I love you, too,” she huffs.

She seems annoyed, which is not exactly unusual these days, but I chalk it up to the fact being pregnant is very clearly kicking her ass.

“Ready to see if the little lady migrated south?”

“Yeah, let’s go,” she agrees.

“How’s your ice cream?” I ask, tossing my arm over the back of the booth.

“Heaven, it’s basically sugar and cream made into heavenly goodness,” Mel moans, swirling her tongue around the small amount that’s left of the double scoop ice cream cone.

Mel’s doctor’s appointment went well. The baby is head down and gaining weight like she should be. My level of excitement is only matched by pure fucking terror. I’m going tobe a father in a few short weeks. It’s an unreal feeling, but I can’t wait.

Like I told Carver, if I can keep hold of a football with four two-hundred-and-fifty-pound linemen trying to take me out, I’ve got zero worries about dropping her.

My major concern is Mel has been off since this morning. She’s blocking enough of her feelings in the bond that I can’t tell exactly what the problem is, but I am going to try to find out.

“I’m glad you like it.” I wipe a smudge of ice cream off with a napkin. “Would you like to tell me what’s been bothering you all day?”

My arm wraps tighter around her shoulder as she glances away. I toss the napkin down and tilt her chin to face me.

“Please, tell me what’s got you upset. Let me be here for you.”

Mel sighs, setting her ice cream down in the small cardboard tray. “My mom isn’t planning to come. I asked if she wanted me to schedule her a flight, but I should have known she wouldn’t travel.”

“That’s hard.” I pull her closer. “Oliver’s mom is planning to come for a few days, and she’s over the moon excited. My moms want to come back too, but they’re going to give us some time to settle into a routine. Unless we need them. If we do, then we’ll call. They will drop everything to get new baby snuggles.”

“I know.” Her eyes squeeze shut as I try to figure out how I fucked up so royally when I was trying to help her feel better. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be with grandmas. At least that’s the way I’ll be.” She runs her hand over her belly like she’s making a silent vow.

Where the hell is Miller? He always knows exactly what to say to settle her down. I’m stuck with Carver on this little excursion, but he’s outside keeping the couple paparazzi at bay. Who knows why they’re so obsessed with the fact Mel is pregnant, but they haven’t left us alone.