The numbers weren’t good. Not good at all.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Talon
My mate’s blood pressure was sky high and he was confined to bed for the duration… Bored out of his mind but determined to do whatever it took to carry our baby safely to the end of the pregnancy.
One thing that helped was the opening of the doors to our pasts. Once we began to speak, we’d continued to. Neither of us regarded the fact that the other had old relationships as a problem, and as I listened to his words and watched his animated features, I could not help but be thankful that we’d had our spat. It wasn’t good for a relationship to have secrets.
The opening up of parts of our hearts that had been scarred closed also seemed to have an effect on Rowan’s health. I didn’t want to say anything yet, in case it changed, but he was less tense, and when I rubbed his feet, they weren’t as swollen.
“Alpha, do you ever wonder how mates find each other? True mates,” he clarified. “It’s such a big world out there.”
“It sure is. But I would have searched the whole world until I found you, omega. I can’t imagine living without you.” I set his right foot down and reached for the other. Smoothing the arch, I felt the pulse there and marveled at the life force in my hands. “I believe, now, that Fate will make sure we have a chance to meet our fated. Maybe some choose not to accept the gift.”
“But how sad is that?” He tugged his foot back and sat up on the bed. “It doesn’t scare you?”
“No. Not when you’re right here. Give Fate some credit. Look what they did for us.” I continued my massage, putting his leg in my lap and kneading my way into his calf. My omega carried a lot of tension in that part of his legs, and there was so much there now.
“I know you love me and you are my fated, but I feel like such a sack of potatoes, lying here in bed and doing nothing while you work and support us and everything.”
“I am glad to help because I can. And we have the house staff to help. Omega, the reason you are in bed is to help your blood pressure. How is that doing?”
He looked past me.
“You have been taking it?” And why hadn’t I?
“Yes, but probably not often enough.”
“Can I take it now?” Releasing his leg, I got up from the bed and opened the nightstand drawer to withdraw the cuff we kept there. “Is this all right?”
“Okay.” He held out his arm and I fastened the cuff in place. “But it’s probably awful.”
“Relax if you can, and let’s see.” He should be having peace and quiet and here I was making it all worse. But I needed to know whether he was doing all right. If not, I’d call Amir right away. I watched it inflate and ease back while I studied the little digital screen. “Omega, look.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rowan
Three words I never thought I’d hear myself say: Pregnancy Yoga Lessons.
But here I was, stretching and moving along with the instructor Talon insisted be brought into the house, even after I showed him the plethora of videos available for free online.
That man didn’t listen.
My blood pressure had corrected itself, which Amir said was a rare thing but sometimes happened with shifters, and with my due date coming up, he signed off on the yoga provided my BP continued to be normal. I had to test it before and after each session.
After my session with Jada, she insisted on a small meditation. I turned around to roll my eyes but complied, opting for my chair next to the bed instead of trying to get down onto the floor only to need help getting back up.
I’d made that mistake day before yesterday when she insisted on the same thing.
I closed my eyes and listened intently to her words. Words of calm and reassurance. Sometimes her counsel during these meditations was so on point, I would swear Talon had given her a Rowan point by point email, telling her what to say.
“Breathe in calm and breathe out turmoil and anxiety. All is well.”
I repeated the mantra. I wouldn’t easily admit it to anyone except Talon, but as much as I fussed and kicked up dirt about the meditation, I thought it was helping.
I had made it to week thirty-eight and so, I was all clear. Whenever this babe of mine wanted to come, we were ready.