Page 102 of As The Shifter World Turns

Dealing with heartburn and the baby kicking my ribs was bad enough, but I couldn’t get comfortable in bed at night so I was lacking sleep. And Micah couldn't sleep with me wriggling and grunting so he had dark shadows under his eyes.

I wanted to be a dad but I was so over the pregnancy, and longed to have my little unicorn resting against my chest.

My boss had one of my colleagues take over my job for a couple of weeks as I was officially on paternity leave. He’d been so busy, he hadn’t had time to interview the candidates—including Ivor—for my job.

After discussing our financial situation with Micah, we’d agreed I’d take six months leave. It wasn’t the best timing if we bought a house, but the first months at home with the baby was important to me and with my mate having flexible hours, we’d decided it was the best option.

The owner of the house we wanted to buy was still wavering about selling and even though our place would be cramped with a baby, right now the idea of not having to move and look after a huge home sounded pretty damn good.

My parents were excited about the possibility of living in the basement apartment and were supportive of our decision. While they hadn’t put their house on the market, they had buyers sniffing around and figured it would sellwhen they were ready.

Ivor was nervous about the interview process for my job, but Neil had stepped up and been doing mock interviews with him. I’d joined from my bed or the sofa, giving suggestions and encouragement through the phone.

We’d arranged for the baby to be born at Dr. Grey’s private clinic but he was out of town for a few days attending a wedding. That made me a little anxious. Even though I had a month to go until my due date, I didn’t like him being away.

“You can’t control the guy’s life, Archer,” Micah said when I told him.Yes, I can.

Yes. Yes. Yes,my wolf agreed with me. He was also nervous about the impending birth and increasingly agitated. Not wanting me to go out and insisting I stay home. There was no argument from me.

“And there’s another doctor covering for him while he’s gone,” my mate pointed out.

I didn’t want anyone else except Dr. Grey. But Micah was being helpful so I nodded. How likely was it that our first born would be early?

“You need anything before I go?” My mate was heading to work but had arranged for Neil to stay with me until Daire got back from the nursery mid-afternoon. Ivor would take over after work and then Micah would be back. Ryder and Martin had offered to fill in any gaps in the schedule.

I gazed at the water, book, tablet, phone and TV remote he’d put on the bedside table. “Nah, that’s fine. Besides, Neil will be here.”

“Neil’s here.” He strode into the room, holding boxes of board games.

“I’m going to love you and leave you.” Micah pecked me on the cheek. “My beast is having a hard time parting from you. Says I should stay.”

“Tell him I’m fine.” I blew my mate a kiss and with Patch on one side of me and Neil on the other, my friend and I spent the next hour playing a board game we’d both loved as kids.

“Neil, can you help me to the bathroom?” While peeing was almost an hourly activity in the past month, now the need was accompanied by discomfort. My body ached and I winced as my friend got me to the toilet. But then there was a whoosh and a rush of warm fluid on my legs.

“Don’t worry,” Neil said. “I’ll get you in the shower.”

“I didn’t pee.”

“Then what’s that?” he asked as he peered at the puddle on the floor.

“My water broke.”

“Oh,” he shrugged. “Wait, does that mean what I think it means?”

“Yes. And the doctor’s away,” I screeched. “I need a shower. And we have to call, Micah.”

“Shower first or phone your mate?”

Neil was so calm. I’d almost expected him to fall to pieces in a situation like this. “I can get you undressed and under the water and then call him.”

“The baby wasn’t supposed to come yet,” I yelled as a warm stream of water pounded on my head and Neil held the phone as close as he could to me.

“I’m on my way back.” My mate was at least a thirty-minute drive from home because a water pipe had burst and traffic was backed up for miles. But I wanted him here now.

“Hurry,” I yelled as Neil dried me and wrapped me in my favorite bathrobe.

“Maybe I can convince Dr. Grey to return,” Micah said. “I’ll call him.”

---