Page 138 of Vegas Baby!

“What’s on the list of everything, though? Is this a healing post-baby concern, a self-conscious thing, or something with your pack?”

“Mostly self-conscious. I always took suppressants before so that I could try to coordinate heats with Andrew visiting so I haven’t really had that many.”

“That’s totally fair. A first heat with your pack can be nerve-racking even if you’ve had a ton, but they adore you. All you have to do is let your body do what it does best. Omega instincts will kick in, and your alphas are going to lovingly rock your world.”

“I guess that’s fair. I want it to be a good experience for all of us.”

Her fingers curled into mine, giving my hand a comforting squeeze. “It’ll be much better than your nerves are telling you. Did you end up deciding on if you’re trying for the next baby in this heat or waiting?”

We’d been talking a lot about growing our family lately now that we’d found such a good rhythm taking care of Lucy, and so many of the relatives tripping over themselves to babysit. “We’re going to risk it, just let it happen when it happens.”

“Oh, I hope we get to be bump buddies again!” Callie was already pregnant with her next baby, though not very far along yet. “We’re going to have to have so many playdates.”

“Sign me up.” I beamed back at her.

“Who’s going to watch Lucy during the heat?”

“She’s going to have a sleepover with Micah’s parents. We let the grandmas duke it out over rock paper scissors.”

Callie laughed. “It’s so cute they’re all so excited to spend time with her.”

“I ended up being in a way luckier position than I ever thought I would be. The grandmas are so great and so supportive. I am a little jealous that Lucy has so many people eager to be part of her life because that’s not something I had growing up.”

“Me either,” said Callie. “I’m glad we could both do better for our kids. Now, what I would suggest is maybe go off your suppressants tonight, let your body start to adjust. You can have Grandma on standby and all of Lucy’s things packed and ready to go. Then you can let yourself slide into your heat instead of putting pressure on everything to activate as soon as you go off the suppressants.”

“That’s actually a good idea. I was already freaking out a tiny bit over the timeline. I always feel a little off when I’m on suppressants, so honestly I can’t get off them soon enough.”

“You’re going to have a fabulous time,” Callie promised, pulling me into another hug. “If you trigger early and Grandma’s busy, you give us a call. Lucy can hang with our girls until Grandma comes to get her.”

“You’re a lifesaver. I’m really glad we got to be friends.”

“Me too.” Callie took another long sip. “Any other hot goss?”

“Oh, Andrew got convicted. Life in prison.”

“Oh, shit. Really? What all did they get him on?”

“A good chunk of it is for vulnerable omega assault, but Micah and Charlotte were both caught in the crossfire too, and the hospital pressed charges for every nurse and security guard he nailed when he went down swinging. Plus, in their digging they uncovered a bunch of white collar crimes. The judge decided that since he was willing to attack a sleeping omega in the hospital, he was a danger to society and would be serving the sentences consecutively instead of concurrently.”

“Damn. I’m glad they threw the book at him,” said Callie. “You ever going to tell Lucy about him?”

“Eventually, when she’s older. Charlotte was granted her divorce finally. He’s been fighting it, but I guess the conviction broke him enough to let her go.”

“About fucking time.”

“I hope she finds a really nice pack when she’s ready.”

“A whole squadron of alphas to give her the love she deserves. I’ll cheers to that.” Callie clinked our glasses together.

We hung out for another hour, just relaxing as women and omegas instead of moms, trusting our packs to manage baby care without us.

I skipped my dose of suppressants at dinner and made sure everything Lucy could possibly need was ready to go at a moment’s notice. I let Mama Mary know the plan, gave her Callie’s information just in case, and got ready to watch a movie with my pack once Lucy was asleep for the evening. She was finally falling asleep without needing to be held and we were taking full advantage for some pack time.

But one thing I wanted to do one thing first. “Micah, can I borrow you for a minute?”

“You can borrow me for a lifetime.” He grinned and hopped out of his seat to follow me.

I drew him out into the backyard.

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