Page 28 of Not Ready

“Let me ask you this. Have you had increased anxiety? Trouble sleeping? More Braxton Hicks type of contractions recently?” Garza asks pointedly.

“Yes, I wrote all of that on the form.” She tilts her head to study the doctor.

“Those are classic symptoms, along with a general feeling of exhaustion or fatigue,” he says.

“I figured that was just pregnancy in general,” Vale replies.

“Yes,” Garza agrees. “But even if you weren’t pregnant, I’d still check your labs as soon as they come in. I’d almost guarantee the diagnosis of being touch starved will be verified by your results. The condition is always serious for omegas, but it’s compounded by the fact you’re pregnant.”

“Why wouldn’t her doctor have put her on that formula stuff from the beginning?” Holt asks, leaning forward.

“APT? I don’t have a good answer for that.” Garza sighs. “It’s still considered experimental. No insurance companies cover it fully, although most do offer discounted rates. Perhaps they knew it would be a financial constraint? At the very least, they could have offered you matching services to connect you with volunteer alphas in your area.” He pauses, shaking his head. “For whatever reason, the government seems to be keen on suppressing these new developments from the public. So, maybe they haven’t read the multitude of research studies I’ve read recently. It’s impossible to tell.”

“Wow.” Vale twists to look up at me, but she doesn’t go on.

“I’ll write you a prescription for both prenatal vitamins and the APT,” Garza says, watching me like he’s waiting for the alpha explosion.

“We appreciate it.” I force a smile that might be terrifying, based on the way Holt shakes his head. Well, I tried. “When does she need to come back?”

“You’re getting close. Let’s plan for two weeks. If you’re not feeling any better in a few days, then I’d like to see you back in no longer than a week. Don’t worry about calling last minute. We’ll fit you in, under the circumstances. Do you plan to deliver in town?” Garza asks.

Vale’s eyes fly to meet mine. Her lower lip wobbles. I thumb it, nodding my agreement. “Are you sure? What am I supposed to do about Kate? A lot can change in six weeks.”

“You’re sticking around for the foreseeable future.” Holt stands. “Might as well make a game plan ahead of time.” He pats Garza on the back and gives Vale’s knee a squeeze. “I’m guessing she’s riding back with you.”

I nod my agreement and he leaves.

“Do you have any other questions for me before I head out?” Garza asks, also standing.

“The alpha pheromone therapy…” I run my hand down Vale’s arm. “Is it universal? How do you know it’ll work for every omega?”

“We don’t, but it does have a much higher success rate than strictly praying,” Garza says. “I’ll look into it more before I see you again.”

“Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but the real deal is always going to be more effective than a supplement, right?” I ask with an unnaturally giddy excitement.

Is it slightly underhanded?

Possibly, but I’ve been looking for an excuse to tie myself to this woman since the first time I caught sight of her gorgeous blue eyes. Which was, incidentally, after I fell for the soft cadence of her voice and the delicious curve of her hips, since her live shows were always neck down.

“Bishop,” she whispers.

“I’m just asking.” I shrug. “We clearly want to go with whatever is best for you and the baby.”

Garza chuckles. “Pheromones from a compatible pack are ideal. A single alpha would also work, in a pinch.”

I would fist pump…if that wouldn’t be wildly inappropriate.

I call in a to-go order from my favorite mom-and-pop restaurant as soon as we leave the office. We grab it on the way back to the house, but Vale is quiet the entire trip. She does eat with me once we make it home, and then she immediately heads up for a nap.

“How did it go?” Mercy asks once she’s gone.

I fill him in on everything Dr. Garza said. “She’s been run down, working two jobs, and had no idea it wasn’t normal pregnancy symptoms.”

“That is unfortunate.” Mercy shoves his sandwich away. “At least there’s a solution for the condition. She’s finally been diagnosed. Hopefully, that, combined with the opportunity to relax until the baby is born, will allow her some respite.”

“She doesn’t have health insurance,” I mutter, burying my face in my hands. “Holt keeps telling me to be careful, or I’m going to scare her away. Truthfully? I’m not sure I could let her get away if I tried.” I’m legitimately concerned that I’d track her down and bond her before she could escape again. Then I’d have to spend the rest of our lives apologizing for my crazy ass while trying to win over her trust. I’d really rather not have to go that route, but my impulses are full-blown caveman on the crazy meter. “If I added her to my insurance, does pregnancy qualify as a preexisting condition?”

“I truly don’t know about that, but I do know you can only add a domestic partner after a year of cohabitation.” Mercy’s head tilts. “Or a life event, like a wedding.”

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