Page 4 of Baby and the Beast

Jesse watched as Seth stood, turned around, and surveyed the room. There was no furniture other than the old box carefully lined with paper and then blankets to keep his baby warm. Jesseknew the water was on, but the only way of heating it was the small gas burner.

The next gasp from Jesse as a pain hit had Seth hurrying back over. They were coming nearly constantly now.

“What can I do?”

Jesse panted through the pain. “I don’t know where to start.”

“Real talk. You’re about to deliver a baby.”

Jesse winced but nodded.

“Why don’t you want help?”

“Because if the family finds me, they will kill the cub.”

Seth blinked. Jesse knew it sounded verymafia-like, and Seth was probably having visions of guys running around with submachine guns. Not exactly right, but the danger was just as real. “The cub?”

“Baby, whatever,” Jesse panted, then moaned, and his fingers scrabbled to find something to hold. He could feel pressure building in his abdomen and knew he was going to have to check how far he was open very soon. Seth immediately clasped his hand and coached his breathing until the contraction was over.

“You done this before?” Jesse asked when he could take a breath, and Seth stood to get him a drink of water.

“Only the pre-stuff, sorry,” Seth admitted. “I was booking my sister into the ER when all the action happened. It came on a lot quicker than we were expecting.”

“I can’t believe you’re not asking a million questions.” Jesse admitted and took a swallow of the bottle Seth had gotten from the bag he had brought in.

“Neither can I, to be honest. I guess now isn’t really the time.”

Jesse studied him for a second. He still didn’t understand why the guy wasn’t hightailing it out of here. But then as his eyes took in the sturdy way he held himself, the broad, dependable shoulders, and the calm manner, he didn’t think a lot fazed him.Jesse swallowed heavily. What he wouldn’t give to have someone like that with him all the time. In another life, maybe.

“Do you know what to do?”

Jesse nodded and pointed to a pile of wood in the corner. “If you move that, there’s a small trapdoor. Pull out the bags.”

Seth moved quickly and did as he was asked. The opening was small, but the bags contained everything from powdered milk, bottles, small baby clothes, and disinfecting wipes. Jesse watched as he got out some trash bags, packets of dried soup, and some protein bars. There was also a couple of pairs of sweatpants he might need and a larger blanket. He picked up a pair of brand-new shoelaces and glanced at Jesse in confusion.

“Tying the cord.” Jesse almost smiled at the look on Seth’s face.

“Now what?”

“You need to heat some water and put them in to sterilize them. Then put the plastic bags on the floor under me.”

Seth did as he was asked. “How do you know what to do?”

“My mom is the birth mother for our family.”

Seth seemed to absorb that. “And what I saw when I came in?”

Jesse gazed at him, fear and worry stark in his eyes. “My family is a little unique.”

“I guess so,” Seth responded dryly, and Jesse was going to offer more when the next contraction started. Seth held his hands and coached his breathing as before.

“Can you wipe my hands?” Seth nodded and cleaned Jesse’s hands, then helped him sit up a little so he could reach down, and he cautiously fingered under his scrotum. He was fully open.

“How does it work?” Seth blurted out.

“I have the internal organs of both sexes, and an opening that forms during labor. It’s very rare in our family, and I’m supposed to take the usual precautions against unplannedpregnancies. I got stupid drunk on my birthday when a group of us hit a mixed bar.”

“Mixed?”

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