Page 11 of Omega’s Oath

Rose nodded and he could see her anxiety easing a little. She lay back and Omega held his breath, waiting for the first time to see a baby who he’d emotionally invested in way more than anyone knew. He felt as much for this child as he did the mother, because he was an extension of her.

He smiled when Rose flinched as cold gel was swiped on her round tummy. The skin had silver lines that patterned across the bottom and he knew from his experience with his cousin they were hated stretch marks but he considered them a badge of honor. Rose didn’t seem bothered by them though.

A swooshing sound filled the room and he glanced at the screen to see gray and white shapes that were moving about, not quite understanding what he was seeing for a moment.

Rose reached for his hand, a smile that lit the room covering her face before she turned back to the screen and glanced at the doctor. “Is he okay, Dr. Ferris?”

“He looks great, strong heartbeat, and there’s a good amount of fluid around him. Nothing to suggest there’s any cause for concern.”

He printed a screenshot of the baby and handed Rose a tissue to wipe the gel from her belly.

“Your blood pressure is up a little and, as I’m sure Dr. Ryder has discussed with you, first-time pregnancies do have more risks of pre-eclampsia. The headaches and dizziness would suggest that, but we need more information to make that call.”

“Is it dangerous for Rose and the baby?” He’d asked the question before he could think and remember it wasn’t his place. Dr. Ferris glanced at him then Rose, and Omega felt heat scorch his skin but didn’t back down.

“It can be if it’s left and allowed to get out of control. We’ll monitor Rose overnight and once we have some results. We can make a plan for her and the baby’s care.”

“You’re keeping me overnight?” Rose looked unhappy about the prospect but didn’t argue.

“It’s for the best. I just want to make sure we get on top of things. All being well you can go home tomorrow. Do you have help at home if you end up on bed rest?”

Omega saw Rose open her mouth to say no, and butted in. “Yes, she does. I can stay with her and help out.”

Dr. Ferris nodded. “I’m going to have a nurse come and take some blood.” He walked away and Omega could no longer avoid looking at Rose who was watching him.

She reached for his hand. “Aide, you have to work. You can’t upend your life for me.”

“It’s not upending my life. I can stay at your place in the evening and overnight and arrange for the girls to keep an eye on you in the day and make sure you’re taken care of. We can get a roster going.”

“Why would you do that?”

Omega looked in her eyes, which were still cloudy with pain, and yet, she was still the most beautiful woman in the world. “I care about you, Rose. You and the baby. I know I fucked up and blew things between us, but you mean the world to me and I won’t let you go through this alone. I’m going to be there every step of the way.”

“I’m so confused, Aide. I want to believe you.”

“But I bolted before and now you’re scared to take a risk when you have so much more to lose and more than yourself to protect.”

Her eyes met his and he could tell he had it spot on. He’d done so much damage to her confidence in him, allowing his own self-doubt and insecurities to screw with what he’d known he could have with Rose. From the very first day he’d been drawn to her and getting to know her, first becoming her friend, seeing the beauty of the person she was, and knowing his feelings for her were so much more.

It had terrified him, and he’d screwed it up. Rose being Rose, she’d forgiven him and given him a second chance with their friendship and he’d allowed his own desperate desire for her to get the better of him. Every day since that afternoon he’d regretted the way he’d handled things, not having sex with her, that had been the single best sexual experience of his life but what he did after and the way he’d made her feel.

He’d vowed that if she ever let him in again, he’d do everything he could to prove to her that he was worth the chance. “Just let me be your friend, Rose?”

After what seemed like ages she nodded. “Okay. If you’re sure.”

He wanted to tell her he’d do whatever she wanted of him, but knew he couldn’t push this. The timing and the situation were delicate, and she’d bolt if he pushed for more now. He needed to earn her trust again and he would. “I’m sure, Rose.”

“Well, I guess I need an overnight bag and my laptop if I’m staying here. Could you grab those for me?”

“Of course. Do you want me to stay with you until they get you settled in a room?”

Rose dropped her head and he hated she didn’t want him to see how vulnerable she was right now, but he also needed to give her choices.

“Yes please.”

Omega took her hand and squeezed. “So, slugger here, is he going to be a baseball fan or football?”

He was smiling when she looked up with a quizzical expression. “Um, why not both?”