Page 39 of Fractured Fang: Omega

Franklin had tea for everything.

Levi bolted towards the house, leaving the illustration in his wake. And because I was me, I tried to get out of the seat, this time successfully—but barely. I didn’t know how Franklin could grow three babies; just growing two was rough…so rough.

I started to waddle because I was at the waddle or be still part of my pregnancy, into our cabin. How different it looked since the first time I stepped inside. Not only did our pack help make it family-ready, but it just felt like home in a way it hadn’t before. I loved it so much.

The door opened behind me, and at first, I assumed it was Levi letting me know that Franklin was on his way, but a quick scent of the air made me aware it was Macs before I even turned around.

“Levi said you need me?” Macs stood there covered in hay. I wasn’t sure what chore he was on, but it probably was left undone.

“I just need tea. Go take care of the critters.” We had just picked up another group of sheep, and there was a lot to be done for them as well as for our current sheep. The last thing I needed was Macs to be here all worried about me while at the same time fretting over not getting the other work done. It was a lose-lose, in my book.

“Levi told me—”

I cut him off. “That I had a hard time getting off the rocker—and I did. But now I’m up and need tea.”

Macs held out a piece of paper—no, the paper that Levi had. How had I not noticed that? “And you just left your son’s art on the ground?”

I snatched it from him. “Thanks for bringing it in. Now shoo—I’ll be sure to send Levi if I need you.”

He begrudgingly agreed, kissing me on the cheek before he left.

I felt bad sending him off, but he’d have been on edge all day if I hadn’t. On a normal day, chores were no big deal, but today one of the sheep was in labor, and I knew his being there for her was important.

I brought the paper over to my art corner. The pack offered to make me an entire room for my art, and I’d considered it. My work was bringing in some good money, and having a place just for it wasn’t a bad idea. But in the end, I decided I wanted it in the main space. What was the point in creating something beautiful if I was locked away in a room away from all the beauty in my life?

With the babies coming, Macs was already working on ways to keep the supplies safe from them when they became mobile. There was time for that. For now, it worked perfectly.

I was intrigued by the idea of a unicorn centaur and would probably play around with the concept between projects.

The door flung open again, but this time it was Levi leading Franklin in.

“Levi seems to think you are in labor.” Franklin set a bag on the counter. “Probably should check that out.”

“Not in labor. I just had a hard time getting out of the chair, is all.” I waddled over to them. “Figured some of your tea would do. Maybe you could tell me about the story you told today. Levi seemed really excited by it.”

“I’m right here.” Levi rolled his eyes as he signed away.

“I know, but am I wrong?”

He shook his head.

“And I’m fascinated by them.” Which was true. I had only half a recollection of hearing about centaurs growing up and never unicorn ones.

“How about this…you let me check you out, and if you are not in labor, I will tell you all about the centaurs from the old ways?” It didn’t sound like I had much of an option, and besides, I wasn’t in labor.

“Levi says the babies talked to him—or more showed him,” Franklin explained, and my mouth dropped open.

“Wait? Can they be shifted in there?” Because that didn’t sound like the best situation.

“No.” Franklin set his hand on my shoulder. “Babies are both and neither in the womb.”

Levi tapped my other shoulder and asked what we were saying. It wasn’t often that we messed up like this—talking in front of him when he couldn’t understand, and I was proud of him for letting us know when we did. I explained it to him, and he ran into his room, coming out with his hearing aids.

“So you don’t have to worry while you are having the babies,” he said matter of factly.

“You want to be there when your siblings are born?”

He bobbed his head. I didn’t see any reason for him not to be and told him that as long as he listened to Franklin, he was welcome.

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