Page 126 of Omega's Refuge

My eyes stung and a lump rose in my throat. I nodded. “Yeah, her words makes perfect sense to me, Rex.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

(one week past the due date)

“It’s a week past my due date,” I grumbled to Dr. Thompson, my OBGYN. “A whole week. I’ve tried warm baths, caster oil, and pineapple. Nothing works. I feel like a human blimp. Rex thinks it’s funny to time how long it takes me to shuffle to the bathroom like it’s an Olympic event.”

Dr. Thompson’s lips twitched as he glanced at Rex. “Is that true, Rex?”

Rex laughed sheepishly. “Once. I did it once because I was trying to cheer him up.”

“Cheer me up?” I scowled. “It didn’t cheer me up.”

“You laughed.” Rex shrugged.

“It was either that or cry.” I sighed, resting my hands on my enormous stomach. “I can’t blame Rex for my unhappiness though. He really is trying to keep my spirits up. It’s this giant belly that I have a problem with. I just want to see my feet again. I just want this to be over.”

“Of course.” Dr. Thompson nodded, removing the blood pressure cuff from my arm. He jotted some notes down on his clipboard. “But you must remember, you’re not the first omega to feel this way at 41 weeks, Tanner. I know it’suncomfortable, but being a little overdue is completely normal for a first baby.”

I groaned, rubbing my hands over my belly. “Normal or not, I can’t take another week of this. This baby is sadistic. I swear it’s kicking my ribs out of alignment just for fun. What can I do, Doc? Just tell me.”

Dr. Thompson pursed his lips. “Have you tried spicy food? Some people say it gets the digestive system moving, which can, in turn, get labor started.”

I grimaced. “I don’t know about that. Water gives me indigestion these days. Spicy foods might kill me.”

“He’s not wrong.” Rex raised his brows. “He’s gone through two bottles of Tums just last week, and he’s been eating bland foods.”

Smiling, Dr. Thompson said, “I understand. Indigestion is a huge issue in the last trimester. What about acupuncture? Some people swear by it.”

I shuddered. “I don’t think that’s for me. I can’t imagine being stuck by needles.”

“Yeah,” Rex drawled. “I don’t blame you one bit on that score, Tanner. I wouldn’t let needles anywhere near me either.”

“I assume you’ve tried walking?” Dr. Thompson asked.

I laughed. “Oh, yes. I’ve waddled every square inch of the ranch. One of the ranch handstried to lasso me the other day because they thought I was an escaped steer.”

Rex laughed. “He’s kidding. I guarantee, that didn’t happen.”

I smirked. “It could though. I’m big enough to be mistaken for a bull.”

“Stop it, Tanner,” Rex said gruffly. “You’re just as attractive to me as ever. I wished you’d stop comparing yourself to whales and cows. It’s not even close to true. I think you’re the most gorgeous omega I’ve ever seen.”

Dr. Thompson looked pleased. “Now that’s the way an alpha should talk to their omega. You’re a refreshing change, Rex. Many omegas come to their appointments feeling unattractive, and the alphas just compound that by not challenging their self-deprecating words. After all, when you’re feeling insecure, silence can sometimes fell like agreement.”

“Rex never makes me feel bad.” I shot Rex an affectionate look. “Rex always says nice things to me. He’d never tear me down.”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

Dr. Thompson snapped his fingers. “You know, sex is an excellent way to stimulate labor. Have you been having regular sexual intercourse?”

Rex’s cheeks tinted pink. “Well, not the last week.”

I sighed. “He’s afraid he’ll hurt the baby.”

Dr. Thompson nodded. “That’s a common misconception. It’s completely false. So long as you don’t lay on top of the omega’s belly, there’s no risk of harming the baby.”

“Really?” Rex looked relieved.

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