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“If you’re not already, offer small snacks. Usually crackers, breads, things of that nature. One omega’s go-to meal for pregnancy sickness is oatmeal. It can sit incredibly heavy in the stomach though, which is not what we’re hoping for at the moment. It will be trial and error until Beau finds out what works for him.”
“Thank you, Dr. King. I really appreciate your help as well as your willingness to come to us tomorrow. I know it’s short notice.”
“It is all part of the job. I’ll see you tomorrow. Call back if Beau becomes worse despite the tea. He should feel at least somewhat better with either of them.”
“I’ll be sure to do that. Thank you again.”
The call ended, and I set my phone down beside the box. I didn’t have a tea kettle and would need to get one. What I did have was a coffee maker that could make hot coffee in minutes. That would have to do for now. I grabbed a mug, placed one ofthe tea bags in the bottom of it, and placed it under the coffee maker. A few buttons later, the coffee maker started brewing hot water instead of coffee.
“Beau?” I called out as I walked to the back den.
“Yeah?”
“How do you take your tea?” I asked. He was leaning back on the couch, his eyes closed. “Dr. King actually left some here for you a couple of weeks ago when he was here. I just didn’t realize the book and box that he left on the end of the counter.”
“Just tea. Nothing else is needed in it. I like it warm, but not too hot.”
Well, shit. I rushed back to the kitchen, wondering if I was too late. The coffee maker was streaming out hot water, and there wasn’t much I could do. I let it finish, and once it had, I took the mug and carefully dumped out about half of the water. I’d let that steep for a few minutes before I added some cold water. That would make it warm, right?
I had no clue, but I would figure it out. For now, the hope was to get something going that would calm Beau’s stomach.
“Sweetness? Did you wish to try some crackers? Toast? Fruit?”
“Applesauce? Do we still have some of that? The kind with cinnamon in it?”
I smiled as I opened the fridge to check. It looked as if we had enough for two more servings, so I pulled it out to pour Beau a small bowl of it.
“We have some. Anything else? You sure you don’t want some crackers? Scones? There’s a few of them left here on the counter.”
“Just the applesauce, please.”
The urge to argue was there, but I didn’t. I wouldn’t. Beau knew what was best for his stomach at the moment, and if hewanted only tea and applesauce, that was what I was going to get for him.
I grabbed a spoon, pushed the tea bag down a few times, and watched as the water darkened. I had never been a tea drinker, and I didn’t really know the specifics of making a perfect cup of tea, but I was going to learn.
I dunked the tea bag a few more times, deemed it acceptable, and then pulled it out, dropping it in the sink for the time being. I added some water to the cup, stirred it, and hoped for the best. I’d ask Beau what his method was for making tea, but right now, I was doing my best to take care of my pregnant mate.
I grabbed the applesauce bowl and quickly made my way back to my mate. He was how I’d left him just moments ago, but his eyes opened, and he turned his head slightly my way as I approached. The tired smile spoke volumes.
“I’m so sorry, sweetness. I didn’t know that Dr. King had left tea. I remember him talking about the book, but I had no idea he’d left a box with tea tins in it. This is supposed to be the tea from your realm. It’s not the one that will make you sleepy though. If you need that, we’ll make it later.”
Beau held out his hands, and I carefully passed the mug to him. “I don’t think I need something that will help me sleep. I seem to be doing enough of that on my own.”
Beau carefully took a sip of the tea while I sat in front of him on the coffee table. He made a face, and I winced.
“Bad? I tried. I’m not a tea drinker, and I don’t have a kettle. I’ll put in an order for one though.”
“It’s a little cool.”
I made another face. “Sorry. I dumped out some of the hot water, and after it sat for a few minutes, I added cold water. I am sorry, Beau. I can go make you another cup if you’d like.”
“It’s fine. It could have steeped a bit longer, but maybe that was because you added too much cold water?” Beau tookanother sip, and when he made a face, I reached for the mug and took it from him. I placed it on the coffee table beside me and handed him the applesauce.
“Hold this,” I told him. He took the bowl, bringing it close to his chest. I stood and easily swept him up into my arms. “I’ll sit you on the kitchen island, and you can help me brew you the perfect cup of tea.”
“I’m sorry to be trouble.”
I looked at my mate and kissed his temple. “You will never be trouble. I just suck at making tea because it’s not my thing. I know how to make tea, but it’s not something I ever do, and I know little about how long, how hot, things of that nature. As you know, I drink scalding hot coffee.” Beau shook his head. When I carefully set him on the island, he crossed his legs and stared at me. He was at an almost perfect height now, and I took advantage and leaned in to give him another kiss. “Now, tell me how to make your tea.”
