Page 63 of Omega's Fire

I spend the time getting my apartment ready for the baby. I was going to wait for Leo to make big decisions about the right stroller and the right crib, but I can’t wait forever.

My apartment has been transformed. Some things I’ve kept, but I’ve got rid of almost everything and replaced it with new. I want it to be comfortable for them. It might just be for an hour or two while Leo visits with my child, but even that needs to be just right.

For the first time in my adult life, I don’t work at anything to do with biology or lecturing. I don’t work on any research papers or write any opinion pieces. It’s meant to be the omega who nests, but I’m starting to think I could compete.

I’m enjoying this but I’m going to need to get back to work soon. I miss Leo. I’d like to have someone to bounce ideas off, even if he pulls them apart the moment that I open my mouth.

Especiallyif he does. I always liked a challenge.

I’ve just finished painting the orange beak on a yellow duck on the wall of the nursery when my phone begins to ring.

My heart does that stupid skip it always does when it rings, even though I know Leo’s blocked me on every possible platform. Still, hope is a persistent bastard.

“Nash Thorndike,” I answer.

“Dr. Thorndike? This is Michelle Torres. Leo’s mother.”

I stand up so fast my head spins. “Michelle. Is everything alright? Is Leo—”

“He’s fine,” she says quickly, and I can breathe again. “Physically fine, anyway. I’m calling because... well, because Leo suggested I should.”

My chest tightens. “He did?”

Michelle laughs, a soft sound that reminds me painfully of Leo. “Well, consider this your official update. He’s safe, he’s healthy, and the baby is developing perfectly.”

“Thank you.” The words come out rougher than I intend. “For telling me. For... taking care of them.”

A pause stretches between us, filled with everything we’re not saying. Then: “You’re the father of my grandchild, Dr. Thorndike. Like it or not, we’re going to have to work out what comes next.”

My throat constricts. “And Leo? What does he want to work out?”

“That’s the problem.” Michelle’s voice softens. “He doesn’t seem to want anything right now. He sleeps fourteen hours a day, barely eats unless I put food in front of him. This isn’t the Leo I know. The Leo I raised would be making noise. To be blunt, Dr Thorndike, he’d be raising hell.”

The image of my fierce, defiant Leo reduced to sleeping away his days makes something twist sharply in my chest. “Is he... is he talking to anyone?”

“A few texts here and there. But mostly he just seems... lost.”

I close my eyes, pressing the heel of my palm against the ache building behind my sternum. Leo shouldn’t be lost. He should be arguing with everyone, making the world bend to his vision of what’s right. The fact that I’m the one who has dimmed that fire makes me feel sick.

“I want to help,” I say. “Whatever you need. Medical bills, anything—”

“We don’t need your money, Dr. Thorndike.” Michelle’s tone isn’t unkind, just firm. “What we need is time. Leo’s trying to figure out who he is now, with everything that’s happened. And frankly, you’re part of what happened.”

It’s true but I don’t know what to say to that.

“But,” Michelle continues, and I hold my breath, “you’re also going to be part of our lives whether we like it or not. So we’ll figure it out. All of us. When Leo’s ready.”

“How will I know when he’s ready?”

Another pause. “You’ll know, Dr. Thorndike. Trust me. You know Leo. He’s not going to hold back.”

After she hangs up, I sit on the floor in the nursery for a long time, staring at the phone.

I drag myself to the shower, letting scalding water beat against my shoulders while I replay Michelle’s words.

Maybe Leo just needs rest. I certainly do. The bathroom mirror reflects a man I barely recognize. Months of irregular sleep and stress eating have left their mark. My face is leaner, sharper. There are lines around my eyes that weren’t there before.

I need my omega, just as he needs his alpha. I want to drive over there and bring him home, but I know he’ll just run away again.

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