Page 8 of Pack Plus Three

There was nothing I wanted more than a family. Nate and Devon were my family, but it just wasn’t the same as having a woman—an omega—and children.

“Have you eaten anything yet today?” I asked as she grabbed her cell phone and followed me back to my apartment. I kept glancing at her as she waddled after me. She looked slightly off-balance, and I didn’t want to risk her falling.

Would she just let me carry her everywhere if I asked her? That would be more than okay with me. There would be far less risk of a fall, and not only was she precious cargo, but she was carrying precious cargo.

“I had a string cheese this morning, does that count?” she asked, plopping her butt down at the breakfast bar.

“A string cheese does not count,” I grumbled. This omega needed a keeper, someone to look after her. A string cheese?

“In that case...no?” She grinned sheepishly. “Don’t blame me. Blame the sweet parasite!” she rushed to say before I could open my mouth to admonish her.

I glared playfully at her belly as I pulled out several bowls. “You need to let your mama eat, little one!” I instructed her round stomach.

Daisy rubbed her belly, looking down at it with a smile. “They’ll be worth it,” she said.

“Undoubtedly,” I agreed, grabbing a bowl of stew and chopsticks and placing them down in front of her, followed by a glass of ice water.

She smiled at me in thanks around a mouthful of food. “So good,” she mumbled, quickly taking another bite, despite how hot the stew was.

I made a mental note to serve Daisy food at an easily consumable temperature in the future.

Future.

Just the thought of spending more time with this sweet omega in the future was enough to make me turn to hide my smile.

It was something I wanted, more than I had wanted anything in a long time.

Chapter 4

Daisy

Ihad never particularly been a fan of spicy foods, but this man was a god amongst men when it came to cooking. Every dish he had made me was better than last. The kimchi stew was no different.

Jeremy had kept refilling my bowl without me even realizing, so by the time I got to the end, I'd probably eaten close to four bowls of the spicy fermented deliciousness.

“I also took the liberty of pre-making some extra rice and stew for you to have over the next day or two,” Jeremy informed me as he took away my dish and replaced it with a plate holding a slice of what I could only describe as the most amazing-looking cake in existence.

It must have had at least ten layers, with rich layers of chocolate and sponge.

“This looks phenomenal.” I moaned before I even took my first bite.

“It's quite high in sugar. You have been tested for gestational diabetes, haven't you?”

I shook my head. “My doctor didn't feel it was necessary yet.” Okay, that was bullshit. The real reason was because I couldn’t afford any extra tests, and I was having to make do with this shitty free clinic. Despite the advanced stage of my pregnancy, I had only had one appointment so far, and not a single ultrasound. Anything else would have cost an arm and a leg. I wanted more appointments, more tests. Hell, I would happily test everything under the sun to make sure the little parasite was safe. Unfortunately, due to my rather abysmal financial situation, I had to make do with good old hope and prayers—and I wasn’t particularly religious.

My pregnancy had been fairly easy, other than the nausea, which I had read was very normal. I wasn't experiencing any pain, so I didn't believe there was any reason to be concerned.

That didn't stop me from worrying.

Jeremy frowned at me as he whipped up a bowl of cream to go on top of the cake slice. “I thought the test for gestational diabetes was standard?”

“I think it is. Unfortunately, I have to use the free clinic, and they don't do extensive testing there. That's okay, though. I'm feeling good, other than my inability to keep food down.” I kept my voice light. The last thing I wanted to do was complain at the sweet man who had been feeding me. His smile had warped into a frown the moment I mentioned the free clinic. “Anyway...what have you been up to today?” I asked.

“I had a few meetings, but I did manage to fit in a trip to the hardware store. I've been meaning to get new tiles for the second bathroom here and more wood for several carpentry projects.”

“Are you redoing every room in this apartment?”

Jeremy shrugged. “Pretty much.”

---