Page 24 of Omen's Bombshell

Walking to the bassinet, I pick my girl up and hold her close to my body. Omen set up a small basket with diapers, wipes, and a few clean outfits for Amanda in the living room so I don’t have to take her back to the nursery if we’re out here. After quickly changing her diaper, I grab the nursing pillow Marie got me and get set up on the couch to feed my daughter. She quickly latches on once I have my shirt and bra moved out of her way. I run my finger down Amanda’s little cheek. She’s such a tiny baby and sometimes I’m afraid to hold her because I’m worried I’ll do something to accidentally hurt her. Her skin is so soft and I love the smell of her. I never really understood that whole newborn smell thing until she was born. Not even when I was around the twins did I understand that for some reason. Maybe because they weren’t my kids and I really didn’t have the entire motherly instinct thing going on.

After feeding and burping Amanda, I get her back to sleep so I can clean up the living room. I’ve already pulled out one of the meals from the freezer to have for dinner tonight since I never know if anyone will be here. Omen makes sure I have more than enough food because I need to eat and drink a ton of water to help ensure my milk doesn’t dry up or anything. Walking through the room and grabbing any garbage I see, not that there’s much of a mess in the house, I head for the kitchen to throw it all away. At the same time, there’s a knock on the door and I groan hoping Amanda doesn’t wake up since I’ve just gotten her back to sleep. She’s a light sleeper and the smallest noises startle her awake. I’m thinking she gets that from her daddy because he’s a light sleeper from what I’ve heard from Rooster and Marie.

Heading for the door, I unlock it and quickly open it before the person can knock again. Omen stands in my doorway with his arms loaded down with bags of stuff and a box in his arms.

“What is all this?” I question him, moving out of his way so he can come in the house.

“I got you a gift,” he answers evasively as I follow him to the couch after locking the door.

With the open floor plan of the cottage, I don’t have to miss seeing him because I can no matter where he is. Unless he’s in one of the bedrooms or bathroom. Everywhere else is open and you can see from anywhere in the cottage. I watch as he first checks on Amanda. Omen covers her up better with the blanket he bought her and runs a finger down her little cheek as she nuzzles into his touch. Amanda loves to cuddle on his chest when she’s fussy and I can’t get her to stop crying or calm down. It’s like he has a special touch and can get our daughter to go to sleep just from holding her against his chest and singing softly to her. I didn’t know he could sing, but Omen has an amazing voice.

After spending a few minutes with Amanda, Omen turns to me once again.

“Did she just go to sleep?” he asks me, moving to the box where I hear strange noises.

“Yeah. Just fed and changed her before she went back to sleep. I was just starting to clean up in here when you knocked on the door,” I inform him honestly as he finally opens the box and reaches inside.

“If I’d know, I would’ve waited so I didn’t risk wakin’ her up. I’m sorry,” he says, his voice almost a whisper as he starts to raise his hands from inside the box until I see two balls of orange and white fur.

My mouth drops open as Omen pulls out two kittens. I can’t make any noise from the shock filling me. A few days ago we were talking about the fact that I’ve always wanted to have a cat. My parents never got me one when they were alive. Then, when I was living with my aunt and uncle, I couldn’t have one because my uncle was allergic to them. I thought about it when I moved in here since I can have animals, but I was too focused on everything else going on in my life and the pregnancy. Now, I’m not sure if it’s the right time to have a kitten with a newborn baby.

“Omen, why did you get me kittens?” I ask him as he hands both of them over to me.

I take them from him and hold both kittens close to my body. One of them curls up against my body while the other one wants to explore and tries to climb my body.

“They were dropped off at a rescue in a box with about seven other kittens. A vet has checked them out and they’ve been cleared to be adopted. Both of them are about ten weeks old and are eatin’ normal kitten food. I got the brand they’ve been havin’ in the rescue so their stomachs aren’t upset by a different brand or whatever. All the shots they need up to this point have been given. One’s a boy and one's a girl. That’s all I really know about them,” he informs me, a smile on his face as he watches me try to keep the traveling kitten from falling off my body.

“Omen, I don’t know what to say,” I tell him, keeping my eyes locked on the animals in my arms.

“You don’t gotta say a word. Heard you talkin’ about wantin’ a kitten of your own and made it happen. I know it’s not necessarily the best time with Amanda bein’ so little, but I figured this way they could grow up together. You need to figure out names for them,” he says, walking over to me and taking the energetic kitten from my arms to hold against his chest.

“That little one in your arms can be called Rebel. It seems as if they’re going to be the one to give me hell,” I tell him, laughing as the kitten tries to climb his body to no avail. “And I think this one will be called Chance. What do you think?”

“Perfect, Baby Girl. I’ve got everythin’ they need and will get it all set up. Other than feedin’ them in the mornin’ and again at night, you really don’t have to do anythin’ for them. They’ve got toys in here, beds, and anythin’ else I thought they might need or like. If you sit down and close your eyes, I’ll get everythin’ set up. Dinner should be here in about an hour or so. I ordered takeout from the diner and one of the Prospects is gonna pick it up and bring it over for us. Thinkin’ of stayin’ here tonight and sleepin’ on the couch. You’ve been dealin’ with the nights alone and that’s not right. Can I stay here tonight, Baby Girl?” Omen asks me, his eyes darting around the room as if he’s nervous about my answer.

“You can stay here tonight. But, I’d rather you take the bed and I can sleep on the couch. You’re too big for it and won’t be able to truly rest. Tomorrow you’ll be too sore to do much work,” I answer him, a smile on my face as I think about him sleeping on the small couch and hardly being able to move tomorrow from it.

“Not happenin’, Baby Girl. The whole reason for me sleepin’ out here and not on the floor in the nursery is because it puts me between the door and my girls. If anyone tries to get in this cottage, they’ll have to get through me first. Not gonna put you at risk because I won’t be comfortable on the couch. I’ve slept on the floor when we’re on runs and can sleep almost anywhere. All I need is a pillow and blanket and I’ll be good to go,” he says, dragging the blanket off the back of the couch that wouldn’t cover half of his body as he motions for me to take a seat.

Omen covers me up and makes sure I have my cup filled with water and at least a snack by me before he moves around the room setting up all the stuff he bought the kittens. The little ball of fluff who hasn’t wanted to explore the house yet is still curled up in my arms with its eyes closed. I run my hand down its body repeatedly, taking comfort in the feeling of this little kitten feeling safe enough with me to fall asleep on my body. I can’t believe Omen got me two kittens just because I mentioned I wanted one and have never had the opportunity before now.

The rest of the afternoon and night is spent with Omen doing everything while not letting me lift a finger for any reason. I eat the burger and fries from the diner as if I haven’t eaten more than a snack in days. He cleans up the cottage, takes care of Amanda, and tries to get me to sleep while he’s here with her. No matter what I do, I can’t get to sleep. Even though I’m exhausted, my body is simply refusing to allow me the necessary sleep I’m desperate for. Omen even tries to hold me close to him and it does nothing but make me want this every single day for the rest of my life. Omen sure as hell knows how to bring out every feeling I’ve tried to bury deep in my soul to the surface. Sometimes I really don’t like him!

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