Page 27 of A Baby for Christmas
But before he could throw it, Cooper's attention was diverted by something else. Another dog. A vaguely familiardog.
"Isn't that..." Robin started, looking at the Golden Retriever who came running up to ourdog.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's Max." I had to laugh. Watching the two pets get reacquainted was too cute. Especially the way Cooper ran in circles around Max before trying to sniff his butt, yippingexcitedly.
"Think he's telling him all about the adventures he's had since you found him?" Robinmused.
"Probably. I hope he's not telling Max about that time I almost took him to the vet toolate."
Robin took my arm and leaned into me, a warm, sweet-smelling weight, by my side. "You're not still blaming yourself forthat?"
I shook my head. "I try notto."
"Just look how happy he is now," Robin pointed out. "That's what matters. You know when our child is born, we're going to make mistakes too, from time to time. We're going to screw up in some ways, it's only natural. We can't beat ourselves up for the rest of our lives every time ithappens."
I sighed. "I guess that's what it means to be a parent? Trying never to make mistakes even when you know you're inevitably going to screwup?"
Robin laughed. "I think that's exactly what it means. But it's notonlythat. It's not only fear and worry, there's also love and pride and all ofthat."
"How do you know?" Iasked.
Robin gave me a soft smile. "I know because I'm already feeling it. Don'tyou?"
I blinked. He was right. The kid wasn't even born yet, but all my protective instincts were already revving up and ready togo.
"You worry so much because your love is so great," Robin went on. "Honestly? I think all parents struggle with that. Or well. Most of them do." The cringe that accompanied that sentence told me he was recalling his own parents—and mine. But we weren't going to be like them. I pressed Robin closer to myself, my eyes still on the two dogs who were playing in front of us without a care in theworld.
"Max!" I heard a young teen's voice shout. It was the red-haired kid who owned the dog. What was his name again? Conrad?Corbin?
"Hey, Conner!" Robin waved. Of course he remembered. I had no idea how he did it, but he rememberedallhis students' names. He cared about them, even after school hours, even after they weren't in his classanymore.
"Hey, Mr. Taylor." Conner stopped when he reached us, and then his eyebrows went up. "Oh, you're really..." he shut up again, probably realizing that he shouldn't speakon.
Robin only laughed. "Yeah, I reallyampregnant."
"But you always... I mean, I kind of thought you were really into omega rights. I didn't thinkyou'd..."
"What, you didn’t think I’d want to getpregnant?"
Conner bit his lower lips, his eyes darting back and forth between me and Robin. "Are you going to stop teaching?" he asked. I wasn’t sure why he cared so much, considering Robin wasn’thisteacher anymore. He must have made a difference in the boy's life somehow. That was good. I knew one reason Robin had gone into teaching was so he could help youngeromegas.
"I'm not going to stop teaching," Robin reassured him. "I'm only going to take a break. Starting a family as an omega doesn't mean youhaveto give up your job, youknow?"
"I know," Conner said, even though I could tell he wasn't wholly convinced. I couldn't blame him. I'd seen too many omegas forced to give up their careers and social lives by their mates. But nothing like that was ever going to happen to Robin as long as I had any say in it. "I just worry because all the other teachers at that school areso..."
"So what? Traditional?" Robinchuckled.
"Yeah."
"Don't worry. Timesarechanging, even if it's slow. There'll be more progressive teachers in the future. If you’re really worried, how about you become a teacher?" Robin suggested. "Have you thought aboutthat?"
Conner chewed his lower lips, studying my friend thoughtfully. "I don’t think I’d make a goodteacher."
"Don’t worry," I spoke up. "There’s other ways to make a difference in theworld."
Robin laughed. "You’re not trying to recruit Conner, areyou?"
"What can I say? We’re always understaffed." I held my hands up. "I’ll take new colleagues where I can getthem."
