Page 35 of Unexpected Delivery

Hayes

Ahuge part of me wants to wrap Arbor up in my arms and hold her until she gets over whatever mental block she’s had around us since leaving the hospital. Maybe she was just too exhausted to fight the added care immediately after giving birth, but my instincts thrive on being needed.

Gracie grunts, struggling against the blanket she’s swaddled in.

I chuckle at the face she makes and plant my palm on her stomach, giving her a few reassuring pats.

The nurse said newborns have something calledactive sleep, and it can often be mistaken for the baby being awake. I’m not an expert or anything, but I think that’s what this is because her eyes stay shut, and she doesn’t start crying.

My phone chimes in my pocket, and I tug it out. Hael sent multiple pictures, but the one that makes me laugh is of Nana on a motorized scooter, pointing at something on the baby aisle. Morris leans over, snatching it. The picture shows his overflowing cart and Hael grinning as he points over his shoulder at the cart he’s pushing. It’s also packed to the brim with baby shit.

And all of it is stuff we need, but I’m afraid we’re going to push too hard, and Arbor will bolt.

It’s a biological response in omegas.

When they’re overwhelmed, they run.

Alphas chase.

At least a few hundred years ago it would have been expected. However, society as a whole has evolved to understand more about consent and autonomy, no matter a person’s designation.

And that’s a good thing.

It’s stressful, though.

All we want to do is look after her, but at the end of the day, we’re still unbonded, unknown alphas. It’s going to take time to build trust and to prove through our actions that we’re nothing like Gracie’s dad.

Hael sends me another picture while I’m lost in thought. It’s two breast pumps and the wordshelp me.

Snorting, I reply to get the one that’s cordless and remind him to get breast pads. Now that Arbor’s milk is coming in, she’s going to need them, and the pharmacy only had a small pack since the others were sold out. Probably because that location is right across from the hospital.

I’m in the process of running through anything else I might have forgotten to add to the list when Arbor calls out from the bathroom.

“Hayes?” Her voice wobbles, and I shove my phone away, taking off. I don’t reply until I’m outside the bedroom because I don’t want to wake Gracie.

“Right here.” I come to a stop at the bathroom door. “What’s up?”

“I think there’s a set of clothes on top of the dresser. Would you bring them to me?” She barely peeks out the small opening as she hides behind the door. “I need to hop in the shower.”

“Give me two seconds.” I spin around, head back in, and grab the pile of clothes.

Her nursing bra is on top, and I sneakily check the tag before glancing at the size of the dress she has laid out.

Morris and Hael can grab a few more sets of everything while they’re out. Arbor hardly has anything.

Bringing the change of clothes back to her, I pass them through the door. “I’ll stay with Gracie while you’re busy.”

“I appreciate it. After I’m done, I need to do a load of laundry.” Her eyes widen. “Oh shit, could you ask them to buy the baby detergent? It’s a special brand for newborns, and I left my bottle at the cabin.”

“Got it. Call me if you need any help.”

She squints and finally nods. “Thank you.”

I stride back to the bedroom before letting my head fall back as it shakes at the ceiling.

Yeah, waynotto be a pushy asshole.

We’re pretty much doomed.

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