Page 134 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

Chapter Forty-Three

Carver

“Well, you’ve certainly got a pair of lungs on you,” I coo, picking Mallory up out of her bassinet. Her little face is red as she shudders through another fuss. My nose wrinkles as I get a whiff of her rancid smell. “Good God, child. Your bowels could chip the paint off an ocean liner.”

“You are ridiculous,” Oliver says, making his way into the nursery.

“Do you want to take this one?” I offer, rocking from side to side.

We’ve been home from the hospital for three weeks, and Mallory still isn’t sleeping longer than two or three hours at a time.

The pediatrician assured us that it’s completely normal for breastfed babies to eat that often, but it’s been tough on Mel. She’s pumping enough now that we can help with feedings here or there.

Nik hired a lactation consultant after Mel cried for two days straight because she was sure she was failing at feeding the baby. As it turns out, babies often lose a few ounces after birth, and it was no great failure on our omega’s part.

I could have kissed the seventy-year-old woman—platonically and completely respectfully of course—when she recommended pumping. It helped Mel feel more confident that she wasn’t accidentally starving the baby because she’s able to see how much Mallory puts away at any feeding.

I personally think she’s just spoiled rotten and she likes sleep eating. It’s where she nibbles for thirty seconds and then falls asleep again until Mel pulls her off.

“I don’t mind,” Oliver says, stretching his arms out for Mallory. “I know you’ve got a particularly weak stomach.”

I laugh, handing off the rotten child.

“Dammit,” Nik says, popping in. “I swear you guys steal her every morning.”

“Oh, by all means,” Oliver says, waving a hand. “You can take care of changing her and getting her dressed. I’ll start warming a bottle.”

“Really?” Nik asks, prowling closer. “Why do I feel like you’re setting me up?”

I snort, heading to grab fresh clothes out of the closet.

“Oh hell,” Nik groans. “Now I know why they weren’t fist fighting for the chance to have you this morning.”

Stepping out of the closet, I see he’s got his cheek nuzzled to hers. She looks so damn tiny in comparison to his giant hands. I toss the clothes over the end of the changing table and grin.

“I’m doubting she wants to sit in that stench any longer,” I say, laughing.

“Shit,” Miller growls, stomping inside the nursery.

I chuckle.

Little does he know how perfect that was.

“I’m going to pick a new time to work out. She always wakes up while I’m on the treadmill,” Miller bitches.

“You know what, you’re right.” Nik winks at me, spinning around and carrying Mallory over to Miller. “You can take this one.”

Miller quirks an eyebrow, tossing his towel over his shoulder, but he sure takes the baby. “Oh yeah, I see why they were suddenly so giving. You assholes are worse than children.”

He takes the few steps to the changing table and carefully puts Mallory down. She grunts and her entire body goes rigid as she kicks. She isn’t pleased with this turn of events.

“My boobs hate me,” Mel groans. She rolls her head against my shoulder and blinks up at me.

“At least your pussy is finally feeling better,” I say, giving her a wicked grin.

“Yeah,” she concedes. “It’s so much easier when she nurses, but honestly I think maybe I’m just not cut out for breastfeeding.”

“And that’s fine too,” I assure her, pulling her mouth to mine.

“Careful, don’t knock off my pumps,” she grumbles, rearranging the circular cone pump in the right side of her bra.

Oliver found a breast pump that’s wireless. She pops each one on a tit and it does its thing while Mel does something else.

“You know it’s been six weeks.” I wiggle my eyebrows.

She snorts. “Don’t get any bright ideas. Not one of you is sticking your cock inside me until I’m sure I’ve got active birth control in place.”

I groan. “When is the appointment again?”

“Friday.” She laughs. “Complain about it, and I’ll stop showering with you.”

“Hey, there’s no reason to be hasty.” My fingers tighten in her hair, and I kiss her again. “I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you too, but I’m dying of thirst. Would you mind?” She nods to her cup on the coffee table.

“Not a bit,” I assure her, grabbing it and heading to get her a refill. She drinks the thirty-two ounce cup like it’s nothing these days.

I make it into the kitchen.

Ben and his mom are sitting at the bar, talking to Oliver.

Ben’s mom is holding Mallory, and it makes me desperate for Mel to feel better so we can visit my mom and dad.

We’re holding off until Mallory is a little older, but it means a lot that Mel immediately agreed without even a hint of annoyance or hesitation.

I refill her cup and move to head out, but Ben steps into my path.

“Yeah?” I ask, trying to keep my tone light.

“I wanted to thank you. That day when you knocked the hell out of me and then made me listen to Mallory’s heartbeat . . .” He sighs, shaking his head. “It hit in a way I couldn’t ignore. It made it real. Melody also told me you were the one who texted to make sure I knew she was in labor.”

I nod.

I’m still not fond of the guy, but I’m pretty sure he reminds me a little of myself at that age. Only I was smart enough not to drag someone else along for the ride. Although at this point, I can also recognize that without him pulling all that shit, we wouldn’t have Melody or Mallory.

“You’ve been doing well,” I say, shaking the ice in Mel’s cup. “Keep showing up and doing your best. That’s all we ask.”

“I will,” he says, holding out a hand.

I need to get Mel her drink, so I shake his hand, heading off without another word.