Page 25 of Such a Good Omega

He had at every appointment, so it wasn’t a surprise that he planned to do that particular test, but there was an ominous tone to his voice I hadn’t heard before. Steeling myself so as to not worry Rowan, I said, “Sounds good.”

Amir fastened the cuff around my mate’s upper arm and hit the button to inflate it. I had no idea how to read the information, so I waited to hear his report. As of our last visit, his BP had been fine, but when the healer’s brow furrowed, I knew it wasn’t now. Heck. “Well, looks like those swollen feet were trying to tell you something, Rowan. You’re going to be having a little vacation for the next month.”

“Vacation?” I asked, wondering where I could take him that was near enough to the healer for this holiday.

“That’s right. When you leave here, you take your omega right home and tuck him into bed. He’ll be on complete bed rest until the baby comes. I’ll give you a special diet, too, and no worries or upsets for Rowan. We need to get that BP down. Do you have a cuff at home?”

“No,” I told him. “But I can get one overnighted.”

“I have lots of instructions for you, too, alpha daddy. If you’re going to keep that baby cooking until it’s due and keep your omega healthy, you’ve got your work cut out for you.”

“I am not a lot of work,” Rowan protested. “And I don’t need to be in bed. I’m not that tired.”

“That’s not it. High BP in pregnancy can cause lots of unpleasantness. You have only one job. Stay in bed except when using the restroom or for a very quick shower, and do what your alpha tells you to do.” He gave me all the orders, and I vowed to follow them to the letter. This was my family.

He argued all the way home, which I took to mean he had more fear than anything else because Rowan had never done anything but whatever was best for the baby. The healer’s words had made it sound more like it was for his own good, so I had to turn it back around. “Omega, if anything were to happen to you, the baby could die too. And then what would I do? How could I survive knowing that you were both gone. My life would be over. Please, for my sake, and the baby’s, try not to get too upset, all right?”

He thrust his lower lip out. “I can work in bed.”

“You can rest in bed and do as you’re told. Just the way the healer said. Okay?”

“Then who will help you?”

“I will get what I need to done and use one of the guy’s PAs if necessary. You have to finish growing this baby and stay well for my sanity. Okay? Deal?”

“Not sure how it’s a deal if it’s just do it or do it.”

“It’s a deal, just not a choice.”

Chapter Nineteen

Rowan

“What else can we do?” I asked Amir right after he delivered the bad news and the even worse treatment plan.

“Do what I prescribed, Rowan. Please. I know this sounds like not a big deal. Some swelling. Some blood pressure issues. But trust me when I say this could be detrimental to you and your baby. This has to be taken seriously.”

I sighed.

Not only had I been put on bed rest, but Talon would make me stick to the rules like a tyrant. Because he cared, of course, but tyrant.

“I understand.”

Our ride home was silent. Talon’s warm hand rested on my thigh, but he ground his jaw and his eyes were firm on the road. I knew my alpha. His eyes might’ve been trained on the drive but his thoughts weren’t.

When we arrived home, we made our way to the bedroom and stood there. Saying nothing. Softly breathing.

“I can’t take the silence,” I whispered.

His gaze snapped to meet mine. “I’m sorry. I’m so worried. And so upset at myself. If I had taken better care of you…”

“Stop that, Talon. There isn’t a layer of blame that will solve this issue. It is no one’s fault, and you always take the best care of me. We will get through this. Our baby is so healthy and strong already. You heard the healer. Even if something happened today and the babe had to be delivered, it would survive and be well. It’s only a month.”

He frowned. “I’m supposed to be consoling you.”

“Then, get over here and console me.”

Talon stalked over and took off my shoes and socks. He stripped me down to my boxers and helped me into bed. Then he tucked pillows under my legs so they were higher than my heart as the healer had advised.