Fresh As A Daisy Omega: A MPREG Omegaverse Romance (Omegas In Bloom Book 1)

by Ava Beringer

  “I know what your favorite smell is.”

  “Favorite smell?” I asked. “You mean besides your tantalizing scent?” He rolled his eyes fondly.

  “I know I’m delicious, but I meant your other favorite smell.”

  “I don’t have one, honey.”

  “Yeah, you do. Petrichor.”

  “Petrichor? What the heck is that?”

  “The smell after it rains,” he said simply, settling back onto my shoulder and folding his hands in front of his belly.

  “There’s a name for that?”

  “Yeah. Remember how you told me you loved your grandma’s farm? After the rain you’d run through the fields and get all muddy because you loved the smell. Petrichor.” It hit me in the heart that he remembered such a random detail about my childhood and my grandmother. I clasped his chin and tilted his face toward mine.

  “I love you,” I mumbled.

  “I love you, too.” His eyelids were drooping and he was leaning into me a lot more.

  “You’re tired. Time to get you home.”

  As the sun went down on the city, Colby and I headed toward the L. Thankfully, we had a short ride. As we crossed Millennium Park past the “giant bean,” as Colby called it, the Bucket Boys started up a drumming beat on their flipped-over white paint buckets. We watched for a few minutes, me doing an awkward white-guy bop that had Colby in hysterics. We tossed a twenty in their bowl and moved on.

  Back amongst the skyscrapers, the first thing we saw was a drunk stagger into a corner and lean his hand up against the building. There was a hiss sound, and soon liquid ran down the sidewalk between his feet. I grimaced and pulled Colby closer to my side.

  We turned the corner and almost ran right into a man in tattered clothing who jerked when he moved. His face was gaunt and covered in scabs and his bloodshot blue eyes were wide and rolled like a spooked horse. He was on us in seconds.

  “You got five dollars, man?” My guess was meth.

  “Here you go, my friend.” I gave him a twenty.

  “Thanks, brother,” he said, disappearing into the night as quickly as he came. I was used to that sort of thing, but Colby wasn’t. He clung closer to me. I held my arm tighter around him, a protective hand on his stomach.

  We walked past a few guys asking if we “needed anything” and I turned them down every time. It was true that a lot of guys in business suits liked to party, but not this one. I wasn’t even wearing my suit now, but I still had “corporate” written all over me. I usually took it in stride; this was a big city for you. Now, I was extra protective, warning anybody who got too close to Colby away with my eyes.

  The train was crowded to the point there weren’t any seats left. We were still looking for one when the train took off, leaving Colby to cling to a metal pole while I wrapped myself around him to hold him up. No one was in a rush to give up their seat, so I asked a nearby alpha, who just snarled at me.

  I started to snarl back, but Colby put a hand on my arm.

  “I’ll just stand. It’s a short ride.” Someone tapped my shoulder from behind.

  “He can sit here,” an alpha woman said.

  “Thank you,” I said, guiding Colby to the empty seat. I saw the big breath he let out as he eased into the seat. Guilt ate at me seeing how tired he really was- why hadn’t I seen it sooner?- and how cruel some people could be. Thankfully not all, but the callousness shook me.

  Ten minutes later, we came to our stop. A throng of people gathered near the doors, ready to burst off as soon as they opened. Most were mindful of Colby and his belly, but when we coasted to a stop a huge guy pushed his way through, shoving out of the doors before everyone else. He shoved Colby and Colby stumbled out onto the platform. I caught him by his elbow, righting him before he could fall.

  “Are you alright? Is the baby alright?”

  “We’re fine, Preston, it’s-” If he was about to say it wasn’t a big deal, he was dead wrong. I didn’t hear anything, because I went after the man that pushed him. I was going to murder him.

  I grabbed the big man by the shoulder, spun him around, and shoved him up against a pillar. One hand was balled up in his sweater, the other was cocked back, ready to fly.

  “Son of a bitch. Think you can go around shoving pregnant people, huh?” The guy was bigger than me, probably would have made a good middle linebacker, but I was an alpha protecting his mate and unborn child and he knew that. His eyes widened and he held up his hands.

  “It wasn’t personal, man,” he said.

  “This ass-kicking is.” I wanted to brain the man, but Colby was yelling my name.

  “Preston, don’t do it. Can we just go home?” It took a second to come down from the rage, but I saw the logic in walking away.

  “Right after he apologizes,” I growled. Big Guy craned his head around my shoulder a little.

  “Sorry about that, pal. Really”

  “Water under the bridge,” Colby said. I let the guy go and he dropped an inch to the ground. Did I lift him up? I was gonna be sore tomorrow, but I didn’t care. I wrapped an arm around Colby’s shoulders, cradling the baby.

  “Let’s get out of here. You sure you’re okay? Both of you?” I threw a warning glance over my shoulder in case big boy got any bright ideas.

  “Better, with my alpha protecting me. That was hot.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Damn right it was.” I preened a little.

  “Another reason to get you home and in bed.”

  Back home, I made love to Colby slowly, drawing out the pleasure and infusing more love and passion than I maybe ever had. It was both my apology and my declaration of love and protection. By the time we were both sated and I got him cleaned up, I knew he understood.

  After, I held Colby close, my front pressed to his back and our legs tangled up. I traced my nose along the skin on his neck, breathing him in. The underlying scent of adrenaline was obvious. Knowing Colby was scared and stressed broke my heart.

  “Be honest. Are you happy here?” I rubbed circles on his belly. The baby moved their limbs slowly and lazily now that the excitement was all over. This was my future and I had to protect them. Colby put his hand on top of mine.

  “I’m happy wherever you are,” he whispered. That’s not an answer, I wanted to say. He was being honest without being totally honest. He didn’t like Chicago and he missed the Fabulous Flowers Family. Even I missed Primrose Keep, and I wasn’t satisfied at my job anymore…the lightbulb went on in my head. The more I thought about the idea, the more momentum I got. How the hell am I gonna pull this off? Where there’s a will, there’s a way. As my eyes blinked closed, I felt a thousand pounds lighter. I had a plan. I know what I have to do.

  12

  Preston

  “I quit.” The words were out before I realized what I was doing.

  “You what?” Jane said, her voice low and eyebrows high. Everybody in the board meeting swiveled their heads and stared at me. Keep your mouth shut, Preston. Think this through.

  “I quit.” I said it even louder this time.

  “Good one, Reid,” Jane said, chuckling. Skip said nothing, just watched in solemn silence.

  “Now let’s discuss derivatives,” Pat said, continuing her presentation. I shook my head.

  “I’m done, you guys. I’m leaving.” The more I said it, the more I meant it. When I stood up and headed for the door, pandemonium broke out.

  “Preston, you can’t leave. Preston,” Jane said. Her face was composed as always, but the lines around her eyes showed her fear. I hated to do this to her, to Pat and Skip, to all of them, but I had to go. I walked out, letting the glass door swing shut behind me.

  I’d just started taking my degrees and certifications down off the wall when Jane strode in.

  “Tell me what you want, Preston. What percentage raise? A new title? More stock options? Talk to me. We can work this out.”

  “Nope, nope, and nope.” I fit the frames into an old filing box and pulled
my finance books down from the shelf. “I gotta go, boss. I’ll wrap up my accounts and help you remotely while you find a replacement.”

  Jane still held her chin high and shoulders back, but the color had drained out of her face.

  “Who stole you?” I smiled. She meant a company, but she was way off the mark.

  “Colby Dalton. He’s stolen my heart and every other part of me,” I said. Jane dropped her chin in defeat.

  “I’m not happy, but I understand. I want you to be happy. Him, too.”

  “That’s what I’m on a mission to do, Jane. Make him happy.”

  “Then I wish you the best of luck. We’ll hash out the details tomorrow.” She laid a hand on my shoulder, leaving it there for a second, then went back to her meeting.

  I rode home shocked at myself, the train jolting me as it went over bumps and around curves. I didn’t think this through at all. How was I going to set things up in Primrose Keep? First things first; I needed to talk to the Flowers Family.

  My timing was great; Colby was curled around his belly in bed, taking an afternoon nap. After dropping soft kisses on his forehead and tummy, I “borrowed” his laptop. I snuck it into my office and shut the door behind me.

  We had each others’ passwords, so getting on was no problem. I pulled up his chat account and called Miguel.

  “Talking to me once a day isn’t enough for you, honey?” Miguel said as his image came into view. He jerked in surprise. “Oh! It’s my honey’s honey! What’s up, Preston?” More faces shoved their way into view: Ginger, Buster, Gabe, and Clarke’s big eyes at the very top.

  “Is Colby okay? Our baby?” Buster asked. “Wait! Don’t tell me you’re one of those Saw killers and you want to play a game…”

  “Colby and the baby are fine. You think I’m a serial killer?” Buster shrugged a shoulder and picked at his fingernails.

  “I mean, you fit the FBI profile.” I had to laugh.

  “You guys are gonna love this,” I said, leaning closer to the screen. “I want to bring Colby home.” The screams were so loud I had to slam the laptop shut, not just to keep from waking Colby but to save my own ears. I called back and Miguel and immediately answered.

  “Okay, we’re quiet, we’re quiet. How are we doing this? I need to give the troops their orders!” Miguel said, rubbing his hands together.

  “Are you guys good with helping me? I’m going to need some big favors.”

  “Anything you need, we’re doing it. It’ll be worth it to bring y’all home,” Buster said with a sharp nod. It was nice that he included me.

  “Okay, here’s what I’m thinking…”

  The next week was a flurry of activity as I struggled to pull everything together before Colby’s travel window closed. He didn’t know I quit my job, which made it easier to “work from home” and keep an eye on him.

  Miguel and company helped me house shop. I hoped Colby didn’t kill me for buying a house without his input, but his friends knew him so well I believed they’d find something he’d fall in love with.

  A “ding” in my pocket turned out to be an email from Gabe.

  This one is perfect. Everything he says he wants in a dream house. Plus, it’s close to my house! What more could you want? It was a little white cottage with a big yard close to the edge of town. I scrolled through the pictures and loved the hardwood floor, open floor plan, and tons of natural light.

  Look at this one ASAP! I typed back.

  Already did. It’s the one! ;) I took a huge leap of faith and contacted my realtor, one of Buster’s cousins, and told him to get it done. I hired a temporary assistant to find renters for my penthouse and to organize movers who would pack and ship our personal belongings and cars to California within a week.

  In the meantime, I spent a ton more quality time with Colby, attending to his needs and talking to our baby, who was growing fast. I couldn’t wait for them to arrive, to see their face, find out their gender, give them a name.

  “I’m loving all this extra attention and so is the baby. They’ve been so calm and happy. Can you work from home more often?” Colby told me toward the end of the week. It made my heart light to know I was taking good care of my mate and unborn child. It was time to spring my trap.

  “I have a surprise for you.”

  “A surprise? I love surprises! Especially yours.” Colby’s face was eager and bright. I couldn’t wait to see how he’d respond when I showed him.

  “Wait right here. Don’t you move.” I ran to my office and whipped out the golden envelope. I held it behind my back as I came into the living room.

  “Preston, what is it?” Colby was ready to explode. I couldn’t stand the suspense, either. I held the envelope out to him.

  “For you, my love.”

  “Ooh, look how cute this is!” Colby tore into the envelope, no doubt expecting a gift card or something like that. I waited for the moment his eyes landed on the tickets.

  When he finally figured out what was going on, his face dropped into shock.

  “What…who…Preston. These look like plane tickets.” I rocked back and forth on my heels, hands behind my back. I was exceptionally proud of myself.

  “Mmm hmm.”

  “To Primrose Keep.”

  “Yup,” I said, popping the “p”. Colby’s lower lip trembled. His eyes clouded with tears.

  “You’re taking me to Primrose Keep?” Colby threw his arms around my waist, burying his face in my shoulder.

  “I’m taking you to Primrose Keep, baby.” The baby moved against my belly. “You’re not the only one who’s excited.”

  “When?”

  “Two days.”

  “Two days?” He did a little bounce on his heels. “But can I fly?”

  “The doctor says it’s okay, we just can’t push it any farther than that.”

  “This means we’ll have the baby at home.” He had no idea. “I need to start packing!” Colby was giddy. He let go of me and waddled away to find his luggage.

  “Make sure to bring everything you’ll need for the next few months,” I called after him, laughing. If I ever had any doubts about Colby wanting to go home, I could put them to rest now. This was the right thing to do. I just hoped the rest of the surprise went this well.

  Two days later, I was covering my ears again. The Flowers Family all came to meet us at arrivals, screaming.

  “Colby, you’re here!” Gabe screamed.

  “Move, you guys!” Miguel screamed. “I’m the boss, I get the first hug and belly rub.”

  “Nuh uh, Miguel. The most fabulous first!” Buster screamed. There was a lot of screaming. So much so, security came over to ask us to tone it down.

  “Hey, do you folks mind? Turn the volume down, please.” Buster looked her up and down.

  “I know how to make you scream, too, Officer Ahlgren,” he said, licking his lips.

  “That’s okay, just, uh, no more yelling, got it?” Ahlgren was tripping over her tongue now, the blush bright red on her fair skin. The scent of arousal and fear poured off her in waves.

  “Only if you’re sure. I can stay quiet. Keep a secret.”

  “I-I’m sure. Just, keep it down, okay?”

  “Oh, I know how to swallow it down. I mean, keep it down,” Buster said with a salacious grin. Ahlgren beat it out of there and the gang went back to hugging Colby and rubbing his belly.

  I went to stand by Hunter, who kept a close eye on Carter, who was toddling around on chunky little legs, exploring everything within reach.

  “I wouldn’t want Buster to have me in his sights. The man would eat you alive.”

  “And I thought Miguel was bad,” Hunter said, laughing.

  “All of them in a group like this? I’m glad I’m on their side.”

  “Heaven help their enemies.” He gave me a backslapping hug that almost broke my ribs. It was incredible to see how gentle he was with his baby and mate. “Good to see you, man, glad you’re back. The gang wasn’t the same without Colby.
They were still a handful, but a sad handful. We’re glad to have you in the family.”

  They helped us gather our things and we rode caravan-style to Heartstone Mansion, where Miguel and Hunter lived with a whole different group that was like family to them. I couldn’t remember all the names, but it was easy to remember Beckett was the laid back one and his mate Alex was his opposite and his son Crest was his clone; Parker was the writer, he and Scott had the three girls; there was also the southern couple, Jordan and Taylor, and the rich douche Spence.

  “We’re gonna have a little shindig, nothing too big,” Miguel assured us with a shrug, ushering us out the kitchen and into the backyard. Hunter shook his head fondly. Miguel didn’t do anything halfway.

  Outside, there were piles of food, a yellow sheet cake, and a yellow banner that read, “Welcome back, Colby, Preston, and baby!” Colby, of course, started sobbing, and about a dozen omegas and children were there to give him a group hug. I just stood back and watched. He deserved this. I was just happy to be along for the ride.

  “Thanks, everybody,” I said to the alphas, who were mostly hanging back from the waterworks. “You guys know how to throw a party.”

  “It’s our specialty here at Heartstone,” Scott replied with a grin.

  “Grillin’s mine,” said the southern alpha, Jordan, holding a little girl on his hip.

  “Like I said, you’re part of the family,” Hunter added with a grin, “and the family just keeps getting bigger.”

  “Preston, come help us cut the cake!” Ginger yelled, her voice a little slurred since she already found the liquor cooler.

  “Yes, ma’am.” I jogged over to help, and the “little shindig” started.

  Twenty minutes later, when Colby was settled with a big plate of barbecue and cake, Miguel put another part of our plan into play.

  “What do you think of this furniture? Hunter and I need to upgrade.” Miguel set his laptop down in front of Colby.

  “Ooh, I love this stuff. It’s a little simple for your tastes, isn’t it Miguel?”