Page 31 of Wrong Turn, Right Bear
“It’s a beautiful day and I’ve been cooped up in the house for too long.”
“But I’ve read some… ummm… you know…” I’d been going to say horror stories about babies coming early. But that wasn’t appropriate advice to give to a heavily pregnant omega. “But babies come early.”
“Sure, but I’ve had no twinges and nothing to indicate the birth is imminent.”
My mate wanted to go out on our boat, just for a few hours. Okay, that didn’t sound too bad. With themotor on the boat, we’d putter around the lake and could return quickly if we had to. No problem.
My bear wasn’t convinced it was a good idea, saying he sensed our little one was coming soon. But soon could refer to next month.
“I need the quiet of water and to be surrounded on both sides by untamed woodlands,” Theo told me. “The lake was the first thing I saw in Boulder Pass and I can’t explain why, but I need to be out there today.”
I hid a smile because when we first met, he was fearful of the forest and its inhabitants and while he wasn’t about to take a solo jaunt into the woods for days, he didn’t think of wooded areas as scary.
“Okay. But the first sign of a cramp or contraction, and we’re on our way home.”
“Sounds good. Can you pack plenty of snacks?”
“Sure. Be right back.”
I didn’t want to tempt fate—hey fate had already brought us together so I figured it’d have turned its attention to someone else—but I tucked the birthing book, a blanket, pillows, an old sheet, towels, and ice in a vacuum bag into my bag. If my mate went into labor, I wanted to have what we needed.
In the online forums, there were couples who’d had the birth planned to the last detail, but they were at the cinema, on a plane or on vacation when the omega went into labor. I sent a plea to the universe to ignoremy preparation and carry on playing matchmaker to other fated couples.
“Ready?” Theo couldn’t walk far without getting short of breath.
“Right here.” I flung the bag over my shoulder and took my mate’s arm.
When we arrived at the boat shed, I chose the punt, my flat bottomed boat, so I could position a folding chair on it for Theo and I’d attached a small umbrella. Without me saying anything, he promised he wouldn’t rock the boat. He giggled at his pun but I recalled our first kayaking adventure when he wasn’t heavily pregnant.
But I couldn’t get the motor started.
“Can you row us?” Theo shaded his face and stared at the large body of water.
If I’d been human, rowing to the other side of the lake and back would have been strenuous, but a) I’d been rowing since I was ten and b) I had reserves of strength, common only to my kind.
But while I was faster than a human, rowing was slower than using the motor. If I could convince Theo it wasn’t safe, we could do something else.
“I have a great idea. How about we go for ice cream instead?”
He made a face. “So I voted for the lake and your alternative is ice cream? Make that make sense?” Hehuffed. “I can’t explain it but something tells me I need to get out on the water and away from everyone except you.”
He gave me a look that said I couldn’t change his mind.
I’d secretly hoped the wind would pick up. When it blew from the south, the placid lake became deadly. But there was no breeze and I eyed the water from the shore, thinking it was a traitor.Why couldn’t you be rough, just for me? We’re buddies.
“Comfortable?”
I began to have not second thoughts but third, fourth and fifth ones and considered turning around. Taking a heavily pregnant omega in a punt was probably contraindicated. I glanced toward the boat shed, expecting the police with bullhorns telling me to return and surrender.
“Thank you for doing this, despite your reservations.”
“You and our baby are the most precious things in my life and I worry I’m putting you both at risk.”
“You worry too much but I love that you care about us.”
Breathe. That was my bear’s advice. Great.
I did my best, taking air in and imagining all my worries being carried away when I breathed out.
