Page 50 of Executives' Omega
I nodded again, breathing through the pain.
A moment of silence, then Jace murmured something to the massage therapists, and the sound of them leaving the room.
I opened my eyes as a hand landed on my shoulder. Jace looked at me with a concerned expression. “I think that was a real contraction, Ryan. It was too long and you were in too much pain for it to be a Braxton-Hicks.”
“I…” I started. “But he’s not due for another week.”
He chuckled. “I think that’s his decision to make.” He looked around. “Ah-ha. Ok…” He turned back to me. “I assume you have a labor tracker on your phone?”
I nodded.
“Good. I noted the time, so we know approximately when they started. Take a minute when it’s over, then let’s head back and get dressed. I’ll wait with you at home until your mates get there.”
“O…ok,” I replied, even as I started trembling.
“Oh, Ryan,” Jace said, moving to crouch in front of me. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
I swallowed. “What… what if I’m not cut out to be a papa?
He squeezed my hands. “You’re going to be a wonderful papa.”
“But I’m clumsy and…”
“No,” he stated. “I’m going to stop you right there. You’re going to be a wonderful papa, and you’re surrounded by people who know just how good you are and support you. You have four wonderful mates who see what an incredible man you are. Your whole family is here and we’ll help with whatever you need. You’ve even got a nanny. You’ve got this.”
I swallowed, choking back tears. “Are you sure?”
He smiled. “What I’m sure of is that right now your body is flooded with hormones to help your baby make his way into the world, and you’re hurting too. That’s making some of your old insecurities come back. But we both know that little voice inside your head is a liar. You’re better than it says you are. Trust me, trust your mates. Soon you’ll meet your baby, and you’ll see just how wonderful of a papa you can be.”
I sniffled and nodded. “Ok”
“Think you can walk to the changing room?”
“I… I think so.”
“Good.” He helped me to my feet. “No rush. We’ll go at your pace. I told the massage therapists that they might need to bring you a chair if you have another contraction in the hall, but I don’t think it’ll be necessary.”
“Ok.”
Terror and anticipation were at war within me as we walked to the changing room. I wanted to see my baby, but I worried that I wouldn’t be able to be the kind of papa he deserved.
A few minutes later I was dressed and sitting on a chair in the lobby as Jace brought the car around.
“Owen will be there when we get to your place,” he stated as I pulled on my seatbelt. “Linden said that they’ll be there as soon as possible.”
I nodded and tried to control the trembling while Jace drove, but as soon as I spotted Owen’s car in the drive, I couldn’t stop it. I barely allowed Jace to park before trying to get out and into the safe space of Owen’s embrace.
“You’re ok, Bug,” he soothed as we got settled on the couch, him somehow not minding my huge pregnant belly on his lap. “You’ve got this.”
I took a deep breath of his warm scent. “What if I’m a bad papa?”
He chuckled and rubbed my back. “Do you hear what you’re saying?”
I shook my head.
“You said ‘what if’. That’s a huge win, a year ago you would have been sure of it.” He kissed the top of my head. “But we all know you’re going to be a great papa.”
“How?” I whispered.
