Page 41 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

Four Months Into Evie’s Pregnancy

"I'm pretty sure I'm dying," Evie groans. She's kneeling in front of the toilet. She's spent a lot of time here recently.

"You're all right," I say, offering her a water and a wet washcloth. We've got this routine down pat by now.

"Maybe I should stop eating for a while?" Evie mumbles. "There has to be some way to avoid this. I think this was a false alarm. Thank God, I just brushed my teeth after the last time."

Murphy pats her head with his giant hand. She truly is miserable. I'd change places with her if I could. Morning sickness morphed into all day sickness. Ginger tea, the pills the obstetrician gave her, old wives' tale remedies… none of them have helped.

"Remember what Dr. Cameron said," Murphy gently reminds her, pulling her up off the bathroom floor. "Being sick sucks, but it's a sign of a healthy pregnancy."

"I'm never doing this again," she groans.

Murph and I share a look. She's quite sick. It makes us all feel terribly helpless.

"Come on, little one," Murphy directs her out into the bedroom. "Let Connor rub your back while I make some ginger tea."

"Okay." She shuffles across the floor. She's slow and careful without her glasses. She curls up on her side, looking pitiful as hell, and I decide one baby is fine. We can spoil the kid rotten and adopt if we want more. I curl up around our wife and gently run my fingers over her back.

"All right," I say, sliding my hands over her lower back. "Let's see if we can't find the proper place to help calm you two down."

"Thanks," she murmurs. "I love you and your magical hands so damn much."

"I love you, too, little omega."

How I fucking wish I could make her feel better.

Seven Months Pregnant

"Sorry, darlin'," Luke says, scooping Evie up. "You know Murphy's watching the cameras right this second. I'm not risking his wrath."

"Pregnant women walk up and down stairs all the time," our wife says with a little humph. She sure snuggles into Luke's chest, though.

Yes, our hovering has exponentially increased over the last few months. It's an alpha thing, and it's nearly impossible to ignore. Thankfully, Eileen was fully prepared to run the place, because none of us have been as invested in the day to day business as we were before Everly.

"It was one little stumble," Evie reminds us. "I didn't fall. Just wobbled a bit. The belly throws me off balance."

Luke and I grin as he sets her on her feet in the lobby. She's not wrong, but still she can be a little clumsy. Murphy implemented the no-stairs rule after that close call.

Evie had no idea that sometimes pregnancy can change your optical prescription… Yeah, now we know. We've learned all sorts of things in these last few months.

"Come on, sweetheart," I coo, trying to distract her. "If you eat all your fruits and veggies, I'll sneak you an extra dessert."

Evie beams. "I know you're placating me so hard right now." She shrugs, laughing. "I don't even care. I'm so thankful that I can eat again that I accept your terms with no counter-offer."

Luke laughs, shaking his head, and we follow our wife as she waddles off toward the buffet.