Page 244 of Labor of Love

Lothian couldn’t say why he was being so reticent. All he knew was that when he thought about forgiving Ryland for his abandonment, his heart shriveled into a little ball. Anger and terror vied for top position in his stomach, turning it more sour than the smell of flowers did.

“I just can’t.”

“Gods, you’re stubborn.” He sighed. “Shall I have the maid come help you dress?”

“Ye—” Lothian felt a cramping in his belly, followed by a trickle of fluid between his thighs. Horror chilled him as he reached between his legs and his fingers came away wet with blood. “Dante!”

Dante hurried over. “Back in bed with you. I shall send for the midwife.”

He made sure Lothian was settled against the pillows before rushing from the room.

Fresh tears stung Lothian’s eyes. This time, he let them fall. He stroked his belly gently and prayed to the gods that the baby would be okay.

This was not at all what he’d planned, but now that he had it, he wasn’t willing to give it up. In just a few months, he had grown accustomed to the feeling of sharing his life with another being. He even looked forward to late night feedings and changing nappies.

“Please don’t go.” Lothian rested his hands on the mound of his belly. The cramping had passed for the moment. He stared up at the ceiling as tears slid down his face. Babies had always been part of his plan, though he had thought he’d be bonded before they came. But that was life, wasn’t it? Always unexpected.

Some time later Dante entered the room. When his gaze found Lothian still in bed, it softened. “The midwife is on her way. Don’t you worry.”

Lothian chuckled and wiped at a tear. “Too late for that.”

Dante sat on the side of the bed and patted his arm. “It’ll be all right. This happens sometimes. We know this.”

They had learned all about pregnancy complications as newly mature omegas, but experiencing it was completely different. Lothian felt as if he had failed his child already. If he lost the baby . . . . A sob crawled up his throat.

Dante took his hand. “None of that, now. We don’t know anything for sure. It’s best to think positively.”

“I know.” Lothian tried to form a smile. He wiped his cheeks. “I just hadn’t realized how much I wantedthisbaby, I guess. I mean, I always wanted children, but that was just a generalfeeling. I’ve been sharing my body with him for the last five months, and he is a part of me.”

Dante squeezed his fingers. “Him, hmm? So sure it’s a boy?”

Lothian nodded and caressed his bump. “I think so.”

“Alpha, beta, or omega?”

Lothian shook his head. “I don’t know and I don’t care. As long as he’s okay.”

“You’ll both be fine,” Dante said.

He prayed to the gods it would be so. They sat in silence until the midwife, Agnes, arrived. She was an older woman, with white hair and lines around her eyes and mouth. She was also quite knowledgeable about birthing and herbs. She had come highly recommended from another omega Dante knew who had birthed four healthy babes.

Agnes took in their expressions as she rinsed her hands in water. “Let’s not worry until we have reason, gentlemen.” She laid back the covers and sat at the foot of the bed. “Now, let’s see what’s going on here, shall we?”

“I just stood up and felt a pain.”

“Well, lovey, unfortunately baring babes comes with quite a bit of that.” She lifted Lothian’s nightshirt to his knees and parted his legs. Lothian held his breath as she began to examine him. Agnes hummed as her fingers gently explored his belly. Lothian gasped as he felt that fleeting fluttering again.

Agnes raised her gaze to him.

“It feels like bubbles.”

“That’s baby moving about. That’s a good sign.” Dante and Lothian both exhaled in relief.

Agnes continued feeling around Lothian’s belly and inspecting his opening. “You don’t seem to be bleeding now. Any more cramping?”

“No, not since Dante made me lie down.”

Agnes nodded. “That’s good. I think you’re both going to be okay. Some bleeding is common during pregnancy.”

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