Page 44 of Baby and the Beast

Chapter Two

Nash was past caring. Once the real pain had started, he didn’t care about anything except getting this damn kit out of him as fast as he could. Something made Casimir pause for what seemed an interminable minute, but his next pain took care of his curiosity. He appreciated the cool oversized shirt that Casimir swapped all his too-hot, too-tight, too-stuffy clothes with. He could feel his body relaxing a little once he was undressed. The fire had warmed the small cabin, and his gruff bear of a man didn’t shirk with the cool cloths or the water. “You’re not a real bear, right?” Nash gasped out, not sure he was making any sense. His sense of smell seemed to have deserted him, along with his sanity.

Casimir murmured something unintelligible which Nash didn’t have the strength, or the spoons left to deal with it.

“I can see the head,” Casimir clipped out after what seemed like forever.

“Oh good,” Nash said weakly. That was good.Does that mean I can stop now?

“Nearly,” Casimir answered a question Nash hadn’t realized he’d said out loud.Nearly?

“Is that the best you can do? What happened to encouragement?” Except the last word was garbled, as it turned into a scream.

Casimir ignored him. “How about you use your breath to push this little one out?”

“How about you goboil your head?” Nash screeched out. He nearly missed the lip twitch, but Nash was done. He couldn’t. His mom was supposed to be here, and he suddenly wanted her with such a passion his eyes watered.

Except she hadn’t wanted him.

But then pain and pressure melded until, with a rush it seemed all over.

And much too quiet.

Nash’s eyes snapped open.Casimir seemed transfixed by the slippery bundle in his large hands,that wasn’t breathing. “No!” Nash cried out.

But Casimir gently turned the infant over and rubbed its back, murmuring encouragement. Flicked tiny feet with what seemed an enormous finger. Nash was frozen. He couldn’t move. This was his fault. His stupid pride. So the guy had wanted a blow-job, big deal. He was—the cough, then the gasp, and finally the wailing cry sounded so loud in the small cabin. Nash didn’t know why, but he covered his mouth to stop any noise escaping. Casimir looked over at him, then simply passed the baby to him. Nash reached out at the same time and took the squalling baby. He stared in wonder. “It’s a girl,” he croaked.

“Yep,” Casimir agreed. “Think you can tell me what comes next?” And he handed over a torn-up sheet to wrap her in. Nashfelt the next cramp just as he’d gotten her secured in the pillows alongside him.

“So, wait till the cord stops pulsing,” Nash gasped out. “Then tie the first piece of string about four inches from her belly button.” The rest passed by in a complete blur, and before he knew it he was laid on a clean sheet with her cradled against his bare chest. Casimir didn’t say much, but when he finished cleaning up, he came back into the bedroom, put down a large glass of tea, holding his boots and coat.

Nash took him in, heart pounding in sudden panic. “You’re going somewhere?”

Casimir shrugged on his jacket. “She needs milk, and I don’t have any.”

It took Nash a moment to catch up, but then he realized Casimir had seen him just about naked. He’d seen a man’s body give birth, and it had never once entered Nash’s head Casimir would think it crazy. What did he say? This man was a human. But then Casimir had probably saved both their lives. What was a little secret between friends?

“I can feed her myself,” he blurted out.

Casimir’s expression never changed. He didn’t so much as raise an eyebrow. “Okay.” He took off his coat. “Do you need anything else?”

“I’m a man.”

Casimir didn’t even blink.

“This is going to sound crazy.”

Casimir shrugged. “I reckoned you were an omega, but I didn’t know what sort. It’s no big deal.” And he turned and left the bedroom. It took Nash a few moments to unhinge his jaw and close his mouth.

Nash looked down at his daughter. Being born seemed to have exhausted her.I know how you feel.But he needed to feed her.

Nash blinked suddenly as a wrapped bundle was placed in his leaden arms. He frowned. But he’d been holding her. Now suddenly she was clean. He seemed to have lost time.

“You need to feed her,” Casimir said. Nash’s arm slipped under her weight which was ridiculous. She barely weighed five pounds, if that. Casimir caught his elbow and Nash sagged against him. Casimir pulled over a pillow to prop him up.

“How do you know about omegas?”

“My family had a ranch. Cattle mostly. We had an omega turn up once.” Casimir supported his arm, but Nash felt almost disconnected. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t seem to hold such a tiny thing. His stomach growled in protest, he didn’t remember the feeling of being full. It seemed like he’d been empty a long time.

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