Page 321 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus

“I’m also worried about what’s going to happen with Ben. Has he responded to the papers we sent?” Mel asks. Her brow crinkles, and I wish I could fix everything for her.

My hand comes to rest on her belly. It’s a tight fit since she almost touches the table with how far it sticks out.

“Not yet,” I say, brushing my nose against hers. “But that’s just a courtesy. He can be on the birth certificate if he’d like, but thanks to the pack laws, it won’t prevent our pack from being listed.”

It’s a goddamn blessing that our country realized a few years ago that it was a slippery slope to only allow biological fathers to be listed on the birth certificate. Those new laws are the main reason we went ahead and filed the pack paperwork.

We’ll have a wedding or pack commitment ceremony once the little one arrives, but we needed to make it official before then because it gives all members of our pack equal parental rights to the baby.

“I know. I just feel like maybe it’ll hurt her feelings one day...” Mel sighs, glancing away.

The bond truly is a gift at times like these. If I didn’t have that insight into where her head is at, I’d likely worry that she’s still hung up on the cowboy asshole. However, her feelings toward him are clear. She still cares about him, but she’s no longer in love with him. Which is good because he’s a total piece of shit.

Mel hasn’t heard from him since we were in Texas. It’s not exactly shocking, but I do wish he’d either sign the papers to dissolve his rights or make a goddamn decision that he’s going to put in the work to be a father. It’s not looking good based on his behavior up to this point.

“She’ll have more than enough men fighting for the chance to hold her hand while she takes her first steps, or threaten her first boyfriend to keephishands to himself unless he’d like to end up in a shallow grave.” I grin.

“I love you,” Mel whispers, pushing her mouth to mine.

I kiss her back, pouring every bit of my love into the bond.

Chapter Forty-One

Oliver

Miller notices Mel is in labor before she does. It’s probably due to the fact he’s always feeling all over her damn stomach. Not that I have room to talk, but he’s next to her on the couch, and he very covertly begins timing the tightening of her stomach.

Her due date is still five days away, but they taught us in the classes that it’s rare for a baby to be born on the exact day.

Melody is in denial for several more hours. “It’s Braxton Hicks. It’s like eleven p.m. I just need a glass of water and a good night’s sleep.”

She does try to get some rest, but she’s up and down constantly going to the bathroom.

By four in the morning, it’s clear she’s in labor. Her contractions are coming every three to four minutes and have been for close to two hours. We’ve all started feeling them quite strongly over the last hour.

We call the doctor, and he’s surprised we aren’t at the hospital yet.

There’s pure pandemonium as we pack up the hospital bags and get settled in the SUV.

“Ohmigod, I already feel like I have to pee again,” Mel says as soon as she moves to grab her seat belt. She had to go immediately before we came out to the garage too.

“I brought a towel,” I say, grabbing one out of the bag at my feet.

“I don’t think that was the right answer,” Nik mutters, staring down at where Mel is squeezing the fuck out of his hand.

“Did someone grab my phone?” Mel asks, frowning. “I didn’t think to pick it up.”

“I’ve got it,” Carver assures her as Miller backs us out of the garage.

I’m pretty sure he texted Ben to let him know what’s going on. Not that he cares. He’s had the better part of five months to come to terms with things, and he still hasn’t done the adult thing or at least told us where his head is at.

I shove up my glasses, facing toward the front of the car. I don’t like thinking about what happens if he changes his mind.

Our family is about to expand. The baby is coming, and life is about to completely change. Nervousness wars with excitement, but I know we’ll be fine.

Well, as long as Ben doesn’t come out of nowhere and ruin everything.

We make it to the hospital and check in. They determine Mel is in active labor. She’s already almost four centimeters dilated. They taught us in her birthing class that labor is easier and tends to progress quicker if the mom stays active. Melody never stopped hitting the gym during her entire pregnancy. Although she did significantly cut down the amount of time she spent there, especially the last few weeks.