by Taylor Rylan
“Oh! I didn’t think of that. But really, I think we might need two nurseries. Or maybe we’ll have to get a second set of furniture.”
“Why?”
“Well, think about it. After I have this little one, I’ll go into heat again in about nine months. I carry for only two and a half months. That means we could have a new baby each year!”
“Okay, I hadn’t thought that far. I agree. We can always set up a second nursery. There are five extra bedrooms. If we fill them, great. If not, that’s okay, too. Now, have you decided on the décor yet?”
“Hmm, well, I was thinking about it. What if we wait until the ultrasound next week to do that? Then we can know if we’re having a boy or a girl. It’ll also help with picking clothes. Well, that is, if you want to know what we’re having.”
“Linus, I don’t care if we’re having a boy or a girl. I’m thrilled we’re pregnant. But no matter what, I’m going to love our little one.”
“I know you will. You’re going to be an amazing dad. I just know it. How could you not? You’re so incredible as a mate.”
“I’m glad you think so. I completely messed up again today when we were showing Brice around.”
“Oh? How so?”
“Well, we were going to the diner for lunch, and I left the station and walked over and got into my cruiser.”
“Okay…”
“Sweetheart, where’s the diner?”
“In town. I’m not getting it Gage. You know where the diner is.”
“You’re right. I do. It’s across the flippin’ street. So why would I need to get in my cruiser? When War got to the diner with Brice, he turned and looked for me. I saw him, which was the only reason why I got out of my cruiser. He gave me a blank look when I caught up and Brice laughed.”
“What were you thinking about when you left the station?”
“I don’t really recall. We were going to lunch. I guess maybe I was thinking about coming home to you for lunch. I’m not exactly sure though.”
“Hmm.” It got me thinking, and I noticed that Gage’s bumbling ways always seemed to be centered around his absent-mindedness. Gage was genuinely an amazing person who was incredibly loyal. He never intended to hurt anyone, and he always thought about others. But he was absolutely absent-minded.
“What?”
“I was just thinking. It seems that you’re easily distracted. And right now, I think you’re even more so since I’m pregnant. It’s almost as if you’re the one with pregnancy brain and not me.”
“What is pregnancy brain?”
“It’s exactly what it sounds like. Its forgetfulness attributed to being pregnant. I guess with all of the added hormones and everything else going on with the body, we can be a little forgetful.”
“Doesn’t bother me. I still adore you and no matter how forgetful you get, I’m always going to. Now how about we go upstairs so I can get out of uniform, you can change out of your sweats, and we’ll go into town and hit the baby store. If nothing else, we can get all of the furniture for our little one. There are a lot of neutral-colored sets that will work for both boys or girls.”
“That sounds wonderful,” I said before getting up off of Gage’s lap. I turned and winked at my sexy mate before I sent him a scene of me riding his cock until he knotted inside me. I took off running at his growl, but it was useless. He caught me before I even left the office, and then I was up in his arms, and we were climbing the stairs at a rapid pace.
We spent the next several hours in bed—naked—and knotted together. By the time we’d woken from our nap, showered, and dressed, I was starving.
“Alpha?”
“Yes, sweetheart. We’ll eat first. Even if I couldn’t sense your hunger, I can hear your stomach growling. What are you in the mood for?”
“Honestly? A big, greasy bacon cheeseburger and fries.”
“Well, you’re in luck. I happen to know that there’s such a place in Timber Valley, so we’ll get you exactly what you want.”
“Can I have a milkshake, too?”
“You can have anything you want, Linus. Come on, put your coat on and we’ll go,” Gage said as he held my coat out for me. I slipped my arms into it, and then my mate wrapped his arms around me and nibbled on my neck, causing me to moan, while he reached down and zipped my coat.
“That was mean,” I pouted as he stepped back and grabbed his own coat.
“How so?”
“Really? You got me all excited and now we’re leaving. Now I’m going to be left hanging.”
“You sure about that?” Gage asked as he opened the door to the garage. I went through and then climbed into the truck as he held that door open. In no time, we were on our way to Timber Valley for an evening of dinner and shopping. What I didn’t realize was that my mate had every intention of stopping at Flathead Lake along the way and bringing me to another mind-blowing orgasm.
Gage — 17
My mate was horny. I was lucky to begin with that I’d gotten a young mate. Add in second trimester hormones, and I was more than happy to please him whenever he needed. Even if that was in the front seat of the truck in the Flathead Lake National Forest. Yes, as a sheriff’s deputy, I should have set a better example, but it was January in Montana. There wasn’t a soul out there.
After Linus was taken care of, he was completely relaxed on the way to Timber Valley where we had greasy bacon cheeseburgers, fries, and milkshakes. Then it was off to the baby store to pick out furniture. We agreed on a light wood finish and were waiting for it to be delivered. We were told a week, but that was almost two weeks ago. I wasn’t too concerned yet, though.
“Gage?”
“Hmm?” I looked up from where I’d been sitting—spaced out—beside Linus up on the exam table. Arik and Linus both giggled at me. I focused on what was happening and looked over to the very pregnant Arik.
“I asked if you were ready to begin?”
“Oh, yeah. I’ve been told it’s amazing to hear the heartbeat through the monitor speakers. I’m excited about that.”
“And that’s it? Nothing else?”
“Well, I’d like to see the baby as well as know that Linus is okay.”
“I’m sure Linus is just fine, but we’re about to find out. Now, to be certain again, you don’t want to know what you’re having?”
“No,” Linus and I both said in unison. We’d agreed to wait after he found the perfect woodland animals nursery set. He said it was exactly what he wanted, and it would work for either a boy or girl so that’s all he needed. We also picked up several outfits for each gender so we’d have something for a little one to wear. But mostly, we picked up tons of sleepers.
“Okay, so no to finding out if it’s a boy or girl. Got it. Alright. Let’s get started then, shall we?”
Linus and I nodded, and then Arik was squirting the blue gel on my mate’s rounded stomach. When he rubbed it around with the gray wand, I watched, concerned.
“Don’t worry, Gage. I’m not hurting your mate or your baby. We’re going to have a peek though, okay?”
“Sorry, Arik. I’m just a bit protective of them.”
“That’s understandable. Now here’s a treat for you two,” Arik said as he reached over and pressed several buttons on the keyboard, and then the room was filled with a swishing sound.
“Wait! Is that our little one?”
“It sure is. Here, look,” Arik said as he turned the monitor towards us to give us a better view. Linus almost immediately started crying, but I sensed nothing but awe, happiness, and love coming from him, so I knew they were happy tears. I simply stared at our baby as it moved around. I gave Linus’s hand a gentle squeeze and continued to stare at the monitor as Arik highlighted parts of the body by drawing circles and lines on our little baby’s parts.
“What are you doing?” Linus asked.
“I’m getting measurements to check with development. I’ll say this right away to put you both at ease. Your baby looks just fine. Ever
ything is measuring perfect for the development stage.”
That was a relief to hear. Like any alpha, I worried about both Linus and our baby. I wanted nothing to happen to either. Hearing that Linus was doing well, as was our little one, was reassuring.
“Wait. Is that…are we having?” I asked, looking at the image of our child on the monitor.
“Umm, yep. But I wasn’t going to say anything because you two didn’t want to know.”
“Yeah, but the fact that our baby isn’t shy at all and has its legs wide open for all to see, it’s hard not to know,” Linus said as he giggled. I looked over at my mate and smiled before looking back at the screen.
“Well, now you two know. I promise, I won’t tell anyone unless you want to announce it,” Arik told us as he put the wand down after wiping it off. He then grabbed a clean towel and wiped off Linus’s belly.
“Do I need to come back for another ultrasound?”
“Not unless you start experiencing problems. Right now, everything looks great, and I’m putting your due date on the twentieth of February.”
“Really? Only around four more weeks?” Linus asked.
“Yep. Linus, I need to let you know that most likely, I won’t be able to deliver your baby.”
“Don’t worry about that, Arik. We already figured as much,” I tell our alpha mate. He’s even more pregnant than my mate and is due the middle of February.
“I appreciate that, Gage. And I’ll be there if I can. I just don’t know if I’ll be the best choice to deliver your baby then.”
“That’s alright, Arik. Edison already said he’d help if we needed him to.”
“He did?” I asked my mate, shocked.
“Yeah, he did. Is that okay, alpha? I mean, if you want someone else, we can see about finding someone else to deliver the baby.”
“No, sweetheart. That’s not what I meant at all. I just didn’t realize you’d talked to him.”
“Oh. Well, yeah. I guess I talk to him and Wallace maybe once a week? It seems they’ve kind of adopted the entire den.”
“They really have,” Arik chimed in with a smile on his face. “It’s just second nature for Papa. He’s always been responsible for so many. I know he’s really struggled to step back a bit the last couple decades so Arthur could step up. I honestly think he’s feeling like he’s found a new home or something.”
“I know that your dads have been an asset to the den, Arik. I wouldn’t be here without them, and neither would Linus. I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for us.”
“I’m sure they know how you feel, Gage. Now, onto lighter, happier talk. Here are your pictures. Enjoy them and be sure to let me know if you have any cramps, bleeding, gush of water, you know the drill.”
“I do. Thanks, Arik. So, two weeks from now?” Linus asked as I helped him sit up.
“Yes. I’d like to get another checkup in, just to be sure everything is still on track before I have my little lady. Unless I’ve already given birth, I’ll see you in two weeks.”
“I still think it’s awesome that you’re having a girl. I’ve never been around a tiger cub before! I think it’s so great that there’s finally going to be girls in the den.” Linus said as he bounced on his toes. My mate was so adorable when he was excited.
“Wait, how did you know?”
“Sam told me the other day that he’s having a little girl. He said they were too old to not find out. And I swear, Jai is having a girl. Have you seen how big his belly is?”
Arik blushed and looked down. Hmm…what was he hiding?
“Arik, I want to thank you again,” I said as I ushered Linus out the door. In the kitchen we were met by a smiling War.
“How’d it go, you two?” War asked. He was going to ask tomorrow at work if I didn’t fill him in tonight.
“It went well, Alpha,” I replied with a smirk.
“Really, Gage? Alpha?”
“Well, you’re our Alpha, are you not?”
“At the station I’m War, so what gives?”
I outright laughed at the exasperated look on War’s face. “Nothing. I just wanted to rile you up. I’m taking my mate home now so we can celebrate our good news. We’re not announcing anything other than the baby and daddy are doing well,” I said with the smirk still on my face. I knew he was hoping we’d announce what we were having. Arik couldn’t tell him otherwise.
“Dammit, that’s just wrong. Everyone knows what we’re having. And Sam and Ivan are getting a girl this time. And Jai is having twins.”
“What?” Linus shouted from beside me. War groaned at his slip.
“Shit. Don’t say anything. It was supposed to be a secret,” War said as his mate walked into the kitchen.
“Really, War? Don’t say anything. You honestly think I didn’t hear you?” Arik said as he rolled his eyes at his mate. Yeah, it was definitely time for us to go. I grabbed Linus’s coat and held it out to him.
“Hurry, sweetheart. I think things might get ugly here.”
“I think you might be right.”
“Okay, well, we’ll be going now. We’ll see you later. War, see you tomorrow at the station,” I said as I grabbed my own coat and put it on as I was ushering Linus out the door.
“I won’t say anything, Gage, but do you think War really is in trouble?”
“Not too much trouble, sweetheart. I’m sure Arik will forgive him soon enough. Arik’s in the third trimester of his pregnancy. He’s getting to that uncomfortable stage. He’s wanting to nest and fix things and just be pampered. I’m sure War will spoil his mate tonight and all will be okay tomorrow.”
I helped Linus into the truck, and then after I climbed in myself, we were on our way home. My mate looked at the sonogram pictures of our little one in the dying light.
“Have you decided which one you want to put in the picture frame yet?” I already had a good idea which he’d choose, but I wanted to know.
“This one,” Linus said as he pointed to the one I’d figured he’d pick. It showed our little one in profile and was adorable.
“And the rest?”
“Well, I have more than one frame. I thought you might want one on your desk at the station or something.”
“I’d love one. We’re still figuring out the dynamics of Atticus but he seems cool. And he doesn’t have any issues with gay people, which is a good thing since War and I both have male mates, or as he would say, partners or husbands.”
“That’s a good thing though. I still can’t believe you guys have a human working with you.”
“He seems pretty nice. He works the evening shift with Emerson, so I haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time with him.”
“How is Emerson doing? I forgot to ask.” Linus asked.
“He’s miserable. He’s waiting for Cassie to turn eighteen. War has apologized to him multiple times, but Emerson tells him he understands. It really does seem cruel that Emerson scented Cassie before she was eighteen. But for whatever reason, the fates thought they were ready to find each other. I know he spends time with her. He said when Ivan isn’t doting on Sam, he’s glaring at him for looking at his daughter,” I told Linus.
“That is such a drastic change in Ivan. It’s great and amazing, though not at all expected. But I’m glad that Sam is finally getting the relationship he deserves.”
“All alphas should dote on and cherish their omegas. It’s just the way things are,” I said as I glanced at my mate. He was beautiful before he got pregnant, but now he glowed.
“That’s how my dad was with my mom. It was amazing to watch them. I wanted what they had, but I was scared, too.”
“Why were you scared? I haven’t ever done—”
“No, not you. You’re amazing. You know that. But when I saw Elliot, and the fact that he was pregnant with three cubs, it freaked me out a little bit. I mean, he’s six feet tall so that helped, but I’m just over five feet tall. I don’t have room for three, Gage. What would we do if I ever had more t
han one?”
“Sweetheart, the fates will only ever give you what you can handle. No matter what, we’ll figure things out together,” I said as I pulled into our garage.
“I know. I mean, I’m absolutely loving having this one, but what about next time? What if I end up with more than one?”
“Then we’ll have more than one. If you get pregnant with more than one, it’s because the fates know your body can handle it. That’s how it works. Sweetheart, why are you worried about this all of a sudden?”
“I don’t know. My hormones are all over the place and weird things keep popping into my head.”
“I know what will take your mind off of all that,” I said as I swept Linus up into my arms and ran up to our bedroom. If he spent an hour on my knot, he wouldn’t think about anything else. That was always a good thing.
Linus — 18
I really won the lottery when I got Gage as my mate. We were excited about becoming parents, and Gage had been extra attentive. He’d been wonderful before I got pregnant, but after, he was continually doing little things for me.
Which was why I was trying to figure out what I could do for him to make our first Valentine’s Day special.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong? Do I need to come home?”
“No. What makes you think something is wrong?”
“I’m getting that you’re distressed.”
“No, alpha. I’m not. Just thinking about some things and trying to figure out what would be the best surprise.” I knew not responding would just have him showing up at home, so I went ahead and told him what was up.
“Surprise about what?”
“Well, it was supposed to be for you. But since I know you won’t let it drop, I had to tell you what I was doing.”
“Oh. I’m sorry, sweetheart. You know I worry and hate being away from you. But with Arik due any day now, War isn’t coming in. That means I’ve got to be here.”