Page 88 of His Surrogate Omega

Rohan’s stare was dragged to the child growing within Gray once more. It was like a call of the wild, the instinct within driving him to reach out and caress the omega’s expanding belly. But the thought of touching any man other than his own omega made him tense. He would fight the instinct as best he could. “How about I make you a sandwich and you have a seat?”

“I’m not an invalid,” Gray said.

“No, but I know the way around our kitchen a little better than you,” Rohan chided before pulling out a chair at the kitchen table and nodding toward it.

Gray sighed and headed over to the chair without any further argument. Rohan walked over to the refrigerator and opened it back up. “Turkey or ham?”

“Aaaahhh… both?”

Rohan looked over one shoulder at the omega, lifting a brow.

Gray pointed to his stomach. “Weird food cravings have already begun. Stuff I would never eat. Yesterday it was pickeltopia. Ihatepickles. Apparently, your son does not.”

Rohan tensed again at the mention of his child, his smile fading. As one life hung in the balance, another was coming and the weight of that responsibility grew by the day. Ignoring his maudlin thoughts, he pulled meats, cheeses, and other items out to make a proper sandwich. Once he cut a few slices of bread, he reached for condiments. “Mayo or mustard? Or maybeboth?”

Gray chuckled and then shrugged. “Why not?”

Rohan continued his sandwich making, adding another for himself, as he hadn’t eaten all day. And he wasn’t totally sure when he’d eaten the day before, either. Food had been the last thing on his mind…

But now that there was a little glimmer of hope, he felt himself relaxing a bit.

He watched Gray from the corner of his eye, suddenly fascinated by this man he’d underestimated. Gray was like Jamie in so many ways. They were about the same height and build. Jamie’s hair had been nearly the same shade before chemo had turned it mostly white. They even had similar mannerisms.

But as much as they were the same, they were different. Gray wore his hair in a plain braid down the back instead of the intricate patterns and braids Jamie had once worn. Gray’s style of dress was plain, as well. He favored the loose pants and long tunics most omegas wore, but in plain, neutral colors instead of Jamie’s bright ones and patterns.

Jamie was outgoing. A bright star in the night sky. Gray seemed more introverted. He had a sense of calm and peace to him. If ever they needed calm and peace, it was now.

When he was done, Rohan brought both plates to the table and went back to the fridge for a couple of sparkling water bottles. He took a seat directly across from the omega and handed Gray one of the bottles.

“Thank you,” Gray said before diving into his sandwich. Two chews in, and he moaned. “Oh my gods, that’s good.” He chuckled. “Or maybe I was just that hungry.”

Rohan smiled slightly as he watched Gray eat. The instinct fired up inside him again… it was hotwired in his genetic code to provide and protect the omega carrying his child. It was weird that offering a simple meal had him feeling joy.

Halfway through, Gray slowed down eating his sandwich. He looked around the kitchen, seemingly spying everything. “I haven’t spent much time here at your home. It’s lovely.”

“Thank you,” Rohan murmured.

“Avoided it, actually. I didn’t want to be here near you, if I’m completely honest.”

Rohan met Gray’s stare and was a bit shocked by the confession at first. But he completely understood it. He hadn’t wanted to be close to the omega, either—likely for the same exact reason. The instinct called for them to grow closer. The child was like a beacon. It would forever bind them. Distance was the only salvation in their case, and even then, that didn’t stop the fire within completely.

It only dimmed it, at best.

“This is such a big house for just the two of you. Does it ever feel weird rattling around in here?”

Rohan finished chewing and wiped his mouth. “Well, the plan was to fill it with a family. That just hasn’t work out as we’d hoped.” He sat back in his chair, realizing it would never work out as they’d hoped. Surrogate, or not.

“I’m sorry, that was rude of me. I should’ve realized… I was just a bit shocked by the size of this place and it only being the two of you here.”

Rohan smiled. “No reason to be sorry. It is a huge place for only two.” He looked about the kitchen. “It had fallen into disrepair before we bought it… and so we got it for next to nothing. It took a bit to remodel and update it, but we had fun making it our own.” He paused, remembering all the miscarriages that had come as they’d readied the house for a family. “I’ve offered to get a cook or a housekeeper more than once—just to help give Jamie a little company in this place and make it feel a little less lonely. He said there was no point until the children came and we really needed the help. Of course, we plan to get one or both once the baby comes, to lend Jamie a hand.”

The words sounded odd coming from his mouth. Would Jamie even last to see the child born?

“Well, you two will soon have the family you wanted. You can hire all the help you’ll need.”

Rohan met Gray’s gaze. “While I want to be lifted by the hope you’re feeling… I’ve talked to his doctor. This treatment… it likely won’t give us any miracles.”

“Not if you think like that. You need to be positive.Especiallyaround Jamie.”

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