Page 19 of Calling from the Heart
“Yes, yes I can. We have to unload all of this car too.” Owen opened the truck door and started gathering things from the back seat of the vehicle. “Do you think we could get a kitten? I really don’t have time for a dog right now, but I would love to have a cat.”
Jeb just cracked up. “Sure, anything you want, baby. We can stop at the shelter after the wedding. How about that?”
“Sounds good.” Owen reached out and took his hand. “I love you, like all the way down to the bone love you.”
“I love you too, baby. Merry Christmas Eve.”
And it was. It was going to be the merriest damn thing ever.
Six
“Okay! Everyone gather around for the baby food tasting challenge.”
Oh, gag. Owen grinned, because at least he didn’t have to participate in that. His mom didn’t either, because she was there on Zoom, and he could hear her laughing.
This was the last game before they opened presents and had refreshments. The entire damn hotel ballroom was set up with balloons, there was enough food to feed an army, and the cake Jen had gotten him had three tiers and was frosted pink, decorated with dozens of rainbow butterflies and roses.
Owen kept tearing up. This was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for him.
Mom and Dad had decided to save up their vacation time and just take it all after the baby had come instead of traveling up for the baby shower. Owen was a little sad, because this was a great party, and he wanted his folks here in person so he could get hugs, but he got it.
Once the baby was born, he’d need help. So would Jeb. And Mom and Dad wanted to spend the time with their actual granddaughter instead of being at a huge party where they didn’t know anyone.
Jen plopped down beside him, grinning wide. “So you’re having fun? You like the cake? We talked about doing it in hearts and stuff, since Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, but--”
“Oh, don’t talk to me about Valentine’s Day! I have to deal with a class of excited kindergarteners tomorrow -- cards, cupcakes, and heartseverywhere. Besides, I’m having a blast. This is amazing. You guys are so good to me and our little Carrie here.”
Carolyn Jennifer. Jeb and Owen had finally come to an agreement after going over what had to have been twenty-seven-thousand baby names. Cheyenne. Dakota. Angel. Belinda. Deborah.
But Carolyn was his momma’s name, Jennifer was for Jeb sister’s, and they could call her Carrie. It was a win-win.
Jen grinned at him, hugged him tight. “I cannot express to you how exciting this is. I’m going to be the best auntie ever.”
“I have no doubt, seriously none. This baby and you are going to be best friends.”
Owen’s entire world had become this whirlwind of activity. They’d gotten married. They brought home their cats, Boots and Socks, from the shelter.
Boots was white with black feet, Socks was black with white feet, and they were silly, goofy demons. Owen adored them, and they were a perfect fit for their lives. He’d gone back to school to teach. He was due around spring break, and so they’d all decided that he wouldn’t come back after spring break if he hadn’t had her yet.
So he’d been working. Jeb had been working. Owen had moved in. The nursery was decorated.
They’d painted it and decorated it in fish. Silly goofy fish with bubbles. It was hilarious, and Jeb was so proud of himself. It was absolutely one hundred percent nothing Owen would ever havechosen in his entire life, and that didn’t matter. In fact, it didn’t matter in the least. Because it was perfect.
Now he was on the downhill slide in pregnancy. He was fat and happy. He was home. He was having the best baby shower in the history of--
The sharp, sudden pain hit his belly, and he cried out and stood in complete shock. As he did, water poured out of him, splashing on the floor at his feet.
“Owen?” Jeb’s eyes went wide. “Baby? What— Oh my God.”
His mouth fell open. “Oh my God. What do I do now?”
“Well, someone’s going to get a couple of towels. The hotel, they have them.” Mom’s voice snapped out, and it kind of cleared Owen’s head a little bit. “Have someone -- Jen maybe -- go get your bag and a change of clothes from the house, and then, once you get all cleaned up, it’s time to head to the birthing center. I am going to head out there.” She turned to stare at his dad. “I told you, Jack. I told you we should have come out.”
“I know. You did. We’re going to pack our suitcases and call work to get subs in for us.” Dad’s smile was more than a little self-deprecating. “You’re going to be fine.”
“Of course he is. He’s amazing.” That was Jeb’s father, the big booming voice ringing through the room.
“Right. Right, I’m not the first omega to ever have a baby.” And he wasn’t alone.
