Page 40 of Neighbors' Omega
“Six minutes,” Vince declared. “Is that close enough?”
I blew out a long breath, then shook my head. “Not yet. Every five minutes for an hour is what the nurse line said.”
He let out a low growl.
I walked over and kissed him gently. “It’s ok alpha. I know you don’t like seeing me in pain, but this is part of the process.”
He ran a hand over my bulging stomach. “I know…”
“Update the others?” I suggested.
He nodded. “Ok.”
I leaned against the porch railing and watched the activity on our street as Vince texted with our other mates.
It had been just about a year since I’d moved to the neighborhood, and it was home. The old couple across the street who walked their dogs every morning was a sight I enjoyed during breakfast. Kids walking along the street to a nearby park showed just how safe it was.
And the house that I’d originally planned to purchase for myself? A lovely couple had taken over the option once I’d decided to let it go, and were due to close within a couple weeks.
The door opened behind me, and Vince walked back out onto the patio.
“Well?” I asked.
“Shane said he’s almost back, and should be here in about half an hour. Derrick just finished a showing and will be home soon. Roland’s phone went to voicemail, which means he’s driving.”
I walked over and ran my fingers along his jaw. “See, everything is fine.”
He forced a smile, then leaned in and kissed my forehead.
The sound of a car, and Roland pulled into the driveway. He jumped out of the car, jogged over and rubbed his hand over my stomach. “How far apart?”
“Six minutes,” Vince stated.
“He’s been tracking for me,” I stated.
“Nothing else I can do,” Vince grumbled.
I rested a hand on his arm. “You’ve been fantastic.”
Roland chuckled. “I’m sure he’s been worried enough for both of you.”
Vince growled, and Roland threw an arm over his shoulder to hug him. “You know I love ya, man.”
Vince sighed, then shrugged off Roland’s arm and rested his hand at the small of my back. “Shall we go inside?”
I smiled. “Sure.”
They helped me to the couch and sat on either side, cuddling me through my contractions until the others got home and it was time to go to the hospital.
∞∞∞
“Thirty-six hours of labor,” Derrick chided our son, Ethan, who stared blankly up at him, wispy brown hair sticking out at all angles. “Are you proud of what you put your papa through?”
Our baby boy yawned and closed his eyes in reply, smacking his little pink lips a few times before falling asleep.
“And it starts,” Shane laughed. “I thought they didn’t have an attitude until their teens.”
I chuckled and looked down at where our daughter Ellie suckled from my chest. I used the thumb of my free hand to brush some of her soft brown hair aside. “Does your brother already have an attitude problem?”
