Page 29 of Omega’s Oath

“Four centimeters and fifty percent effaced.”

“Wow, no hanging around for this guy.”

Six hours later, Omega felt like the survivor of a natural disaster—part shocked, part grateful that it was all okay but mostly joy at the beauty he’d witnessed. He blocked out all the blood and the fear, when after the baby was born, Rose began to bleed heavily, the red life source covering the floor as she bled.

They’d handed him her son to hold as the nurses and midwives flew into action and stopped the bleeding with pressure on her belly and injections. In the midst of all that, he’d fallen in love, not only with the woman who was the strongest most amazing person he’d ever met but also with the tiny bundle that hardly weighed anything.

Omega stood and leaned toward Rose, who was sitting up now, only having held her son briefly before they’d taken him when she’d begun to bleed, and handed him into her arms. He braced his arm around them both as he sat half on the bed. Omega kissed her head as they gazed down at the tiny pink bundle with dark hair and sapphire blue eyes, his fingers stretching as he blinked sleepily up at them.

“He’s so beautiful.”

“Like his mother.”

Rose looked up at him, leaning her head against his shoulder. “Thank you. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

“Me? I did nothing. I’m in awe of you, Rose. You made this human who is so perfect. You nurtured him and birthed him, and I’ve never been more humbled in my life. To share an experience like this with you is the most beautiful thing ever to happen to me.”

She gave him a watery smile and looked back at her son. He didn’t blame her, he felt the same and he wasn’t even his son by blood but God help him, if he had anything to say about it, he would be in every other way that counted. Now, more than ever, he wanted Rose to see that he was in this for the long haul. Til death they did part if he had his way. He loved her so much and that little boy that his chest hurt from holding it all inside him.

“I want to call him Jude. Is that okay with you or is it too weird with it being your middle name?”

Omega felt tears hit the back of his eyes and blinked them away. “I love it and it suits him. I’m honored to have any association with this little boy. I know now may not be the time, Rose, but I need you to hear this. I love you. It took me so long to see it because I was a fool and fought it, but I have never loved anyone like I do you, and this little boy stole my heart the second we locked eyes. I know I have a lot to prove, but I want to be there for you both. To be a parent to him and partner to you.”

“I love you, too.”

Her words, which once would’ve felt like a vice constricting him, were like a balm to his soul. “I won’t let you down again, Rose, either of you.”

“I know.”

Her faith in him was such a gift and one he’d treasure always. He knew they had a lot to overcome and there’d be difficult conversations to be had in the coming days, but he knew they would get through it. The alternative wasn’t something he’d even consider.