Page 5 of His Omega Bear

When I was packing up in Chicago, I’d made sure the boxes were labeled with a designated room and the contents. When Shep called one of his guys to bring up the box marked sheets and towels, it was easy for them to locate it. Thankfully, the bed was the same size as mine, but I’d given that away right before the move since I’d known my new room had one. But I’d still gone out and bought extra sheets and stuff since I wanted to be sure I had everything I needed since this town was completely new to me.

Once the bed was made and I got Mia settled with pillows surrounding her, Shep and I got to work. I went out to the car and got her portable crib as Shep went for the boxes marked with baby things.

We met back in my room to find Mia sound asleep. The little girl had a powerful set of lungs on her, so I knew she’d let me know when she was ready to eat or needed a diaper change. And even though I didn’t have to worry about her rolling around yet, I wouldn’t feel safe until she was safely in her portable crib and the baby monitor on my hip.

Those baby books the nurses had suggested had become my saving grace when I could get them as an audiobook. My baby bootcamp had been very thorough, even though it was scary as hell.

Shep got his guys going unloading the truck while he stuck with me, working in silence, moving furniture and unpacking boxes. I tried to keep myself busy, not wanting to think about the reason I was in this house and in this small town. But every so often, my mind would wander back to the fact that I was now responsible for a child. My niece.

I’d never even held a baby before her. I didn’t know the first thing about raising a child when all this happened. But here I was, ready to ensure this little girl had a good life. It was overwhelming, to say the least.

I had to just keep putting one step in front of the other, and everything would work out.

We tackled Mia’s room first, getting the big crib and everything set up. Lee had already been prepared with everything, not to mention the gifts from her shower. And I’d received even more stuff after she’d passed. I guess people knew what I was going to need.

I took out my phone and looked at the pictures I’d taken of how my sister had set up the nursery. I tried to set it up the same way Lee had.

I paused, thinking back to the time we’d spent together those last days. I knew she was going to need me since Jay had passed and was extremely grateful she’d taken the time to teach me things about how to feed her and change diapers. Her grief over Jay’s death was heartbreaking, and I knew I might need to step in.

I shook off that thought. Lee had loved Mia. She wouldn’t have left her if she had a choice, right?

A hand on my shoulder had me looking up. I realized I’d stopped putting the dresser together, just holding the Allen wrench in my hand and staring.

As we finished setting up the last of the furniture, Shep broke the silence. “You’re doing good, Jax. Just take it one day at a time.”

I nodded, grateful for his words of encouragement. “Thanks, Shep.” I drew in a deep breath, and blew it out, “I just can’t believe I’m a dad now.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, life has a way of throwing you unexpected turns.”

I smiled weakly. “Tell me about it.”

That was a fucking understatement if I ever heard one.

We finished up her room quickly since we only had a few pieces of furniture to put together.

We finished up the last few boxes and headed over to my bedroom to check on Mia. Even though I had the baby monitor with me, I felt the need to lay eyes on her. She was still asleep, which felt like a miracle, and I wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

We spent the next few hours getting things unpacked. The house began to feel more like me, and when Mia woke up once, she had a diaper change and a bottle. She brought her fist to her mouth and looked at me like I’d hung the moon for her. I held her securely and kissed her head while we talked to her. Before long, she was milk-drunk and back to sleep.

Oh, to be four months old and have no worries but a clean diaper and a full belly.

A part of me felt like Mia realized we were home, her dad’s home. But of course, that was impossible. Still, she was sleeping better out here in the half a day we’d been here than she ever had in the three months we’d been in Chicago.

Hopefully, that would continue to happen. Please let it continue. There was no one to hand her off to while I caught a couple hours of sleep like I had back home.

The house was mostly set up, although the main living room would need new furniture. Still, the large U-shaped couch from my condo fit perfectly in the media room. Yeah, I had one of those. My 75-inch TV managed to look too small in here.

We finished up the last few boxes and collapsed onto the couch. Shep produced beers from heaven knew where and handed me one.

I took a long swig, feeling the cold liquid slide down my throat. “Thanks, Shep. You’re a lifesaver.”

He smiled, clinking his bottle against mine. “To new beginnings.”

I smiled back, feeling grateful for his company. “To new beginnings,” I repeated, taking another sip.

Somehow, I felt more overwhelmed but also more relaxed than I had in a long time.

We sat in silence for a few moments, the only sound being the faint hum of the furnace. I couldn’t help but feel grateful for Shep’s presence. He had been there for me through thick and thin, and I knew I wouldn’t have come this far without his support and his whole family.

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