Page 2 of With A Little Luck

Chapter One

Quincy

Almost Eight and a Half Months Later

I ’m not a morning person under the best of circumstances, but I had to be up for an early morning shift that I’ll have to head back to once I’m done here.

My lower back throbs, and I plaster on a fake smile as Dr. Lindsay continues stressing me out. I’m doing my best to stay upbeat, but she seems to have made it her life’s mission to give me anxiety.

I understand she’s trying to be helpful. It’s just not information that I want to hear.

“I can already tell you’re anxious by your scent, but Quincy, the goal is to have a healthy baby. We can’t put a price on that,” Dr. Lindsay says.

And of course, she’s right.

Having a healthy baby is priceless.

But she must not understand the severity of my financial situation.

“The Alpha Pheromone Therapy is pricey,” she says. “But it’s worth it. The risk of miscarriage, preterm labor, and even severe maternal complications all go up exponentially when a female omega isn’t exposed to alpha pheromones regularly during the pregnancy.”

She’s told me the same thing at my last two appointments, but I wasn’t having any concerning symptoms.

The last few weeks, I’ve felt rundown in a way I haven’t been able to shake, no matter how much sleep I get. On top of that, I’ve been having cramps and running a fever the last three days, which is why I called and came in early for my checkup.

“It’s new, and some insurance companies don’t cover it, but we know it works,” Dr. Lindsay says, meeting my gaze.

“It’s a twofold process. A vaginal suppository used three times a week that simulates alpha semen and a daily packet of a simulated pheromone solution.

You apply that to your neck or wrist. When using these in combination, it lowers your risk factor to almost that of a bonded omega with regular access to alphas. ”

“I checked into it last time you mentioned it,” I admit. “I’m not being purposely stubborn, I swear I’m not. I don’t have insurance. Do you know that medication is like three grand for a month’s supply ? I can’t afford that.” Even I can hear how hysterical I sound by the time I finish my sentence.

“That is highway robbery.” Dr. Lindsay grimaces.

“Okay, if the APT is off the table, let’s discuss sending you to one of the omega sanctuaries.

There’s an Omega Exchange location less than an hour away.

They have a volunteer program. You can ask to be matched to alphas.

Even three visits a week for half an hour would be sufficient.

I’m worried the symptoms you’re having are your body’s early warning system.

We need to pay attention to those signs. ”

She’s trying to look after the baby, but my eyes still ache.

My stomach bounces as the baby rolls or stretches, and I run my hand over the movement.

I’m in a nightmare of my own making.

That morning when I woke up in the hotel room with Ridge, I truly did intend to leave my number, but I got distracted by all the calls from Donna…

Gran passed away that night.

Everyone has told me that she’s at peace. Being with her pack is what she wanted. And I know that. The guilt still threatens to eat me alive when I think about the fact I wasn’t there.

Not that I could have done anything.

If Donna hadn’t been the one to find her at her five a.m. check-in, then it would have been me when I went in to wake her up for breakfast.

That might have traumatized me even worse. I’ve never been alone with a dead body, and I can imagine I would have panicked rather than taking the methodical approach Donna did.

My guilt over not being there when Gran passed is only compounded by the fact I left Ridge with no way to contact me.

Of course, there’s a chance he never would have called, but if I had left my number, it would help offset some of this never-ending regret I have over how I handled things that morning.

I certainly wasn’t expecting to end up pregnant.

That’s for damn sure.

I also can’t be too surprised, considering I ended up lost to the fog for several hours. The first time we had sex, I remember him using a condom, but after we moved to the shower… It’s all a big blank spot in my memory.

Dr. Lindsay told me that if my body was fighting the suppressants, there’s a good chance that my birth control was ineffective too. If I had known that, I’d like to say I would have been more careful, but the reality is, it’s practically impossible to fight biology once the fog takes over.

She was also kind enough to go over the math with me multiple times , and based on the last time I was with Pete, there’s statistically zero chance the baby is his.

My one-night stand with Ridge was enough to knock me up. It’s kinda insane to think about. Having a baby wasn’t in my immediate plans, but I’ve always wanted children. It’s just happening a little sooner than I planned.

“I know you’re experiencing some guilt over not being able to locate the baby’s father, but that happens sometimes,” Dr. Lindsay says, like she can read my thoughts.

“At this point, you have to take your feelings about him out of the equation and make the safest choice you can for yourself and your daughter.”

My gut churns.

I hear what she’s saying.

It’s just so overwhelming to think about.

Ridge was a really nice guy—at least, the little I got to see—and I feel terrible over the mess I’ve gotten us into.

I’ve tried everything I can think of to locate him, from going back to the bar repeatedly to begging the front desk staff at the hotel to give me his information.

They refused.

So, I tried again.

And again a different night.

Then I saw a sign that said they were hiring, but unfortunately, the manager recognized me from the last time he told me to get lost.

I wouldn’t have been above taking a peek at their system to gain his full name and information…

Only, the whole trying to get hired thing ended up getting me permanently banned from the premises. At this point, the bar owner probably has my picture in the back office, warning his bartenders about me.

And still, I’ve found nothing.

I almost think Ridge must have been on vacation or in town for business, because even social media stalking of residents of Burlington produced nothing.

That’s not even getting into the embarrassing in-person stalking I did of anyone named Ridge with a Burlington address…

It’s so hard because some days I think I’ve come to terms with the fact I’ll probably never be able to find him. Other times, I get some delusional hope that I’ll walk into work and find him eating a breakfast special.

The bar we met at wouldn’t hire me, but I found a cozy little restaurant and bar about ten minutes away that hired me on the spot.

It’s just close enough to where we met that I’ve convinced myself there is a chance we’ll run into each other.

With every passing day, that hope dwindles a little, and it kills me.

“Here, just take the information for The Omega Exchange,” Dr. Lindsay says, dropping a pamphlet in my lap. “I’m going to make a few calls and see if I can get samples of the APT. No guarantees, but we’ll never know if we don’t try.”

“Thank you.” I pick up the brochure and study the front cover.

“I want to see you back in a week if you’re not feeling better, but you might hear from our office before then if I have any luck with APT.” Dr. Lindsay stands and smiles. “Remember, Quincy. You and the baby are priority number one. I have to believe her father would agree if he had a say.”

I almost snort.

That’s a reach.

Not that I know Ridge well enough to guess how he would react or what he would recommend, but he seemed protective, and alphas are territorial. I highly doubt he would like the idea of me spending time with other alphas while I’m pregnant with his baby.