“You should try to go back to sleep, Beau,” Jaime murmured. “I’ll help you to bed.”
Beau didn’t answer, but let the older Omega pull him to his feet. He realized he was still wearing nothing but a towel. A dull spasm in his belly made him wince. Now that he was so close to his due date, he’d been dealing with occasional cramping, which Dr. Enas assured him was normal for this stage.
Just as it faded, another took hold, stronger this time. He stopped walking, bringing a hand to his abdomen with a grimace.
“Ow, shit.”
“What’s wrong? Jaime reached over and hit the switch on a nearby lamp.
Beau massaged the painful area. “Just cramps. Don’t worry, they’ve been happening recently.”
Concern was creased into every line of Jaime’s face. “Are they getting worse?”
The last of the ache faded, and Beau finished the short trip to his bed. He let his towel fall around his hips, covering only his lower half
“That last one hurt more than the others, but I’m probably dehydrated from crying.” As he said it, another tear streaked down his face.
“I’ll get you some water.” Jaime bustled out of the room, leaving Beau alone.
Inside him, a little body squirmed.
“I know,” Beau whispered. “It must be getting tight in there.”
He trailed his fingers absently over the distended skin, feeling it move with each kick. Sometimes, he wondered if hewasn’t feeling a foot at all, but a tail. It was strange to think about a half-Mer child, thrashing its tail around inside his body.
Jaime returned with a cup of water and a loose pair of shorts.
“How are the cramps now?” he asked, sitting beside Beau.
“They’re okay. Kid’s just moving a lot. Maybe that’s why.”
“May I?” Jaime gestured to Beau’s belly.
“Go ahead.” Beau leaned back and took a sip of water while Jaime laid his hand over his bare skin.
A little smile softened the worried look on Jaime’s face. “Strong and healthy.”
“That’s what I tell myself when they kick me awake at night.”
“Got a prediction on what you’re having?”
Beau knew the older Omega was trying to distract him, but he was grateful for it.
“I don’t know about the gender, but I’m pretty sure it’s an Alpha. Did I tell you Dr. Enas estimated they’d be twelve pounds?”
Jaime fought back an expression of shock. “That is a big baby.”
“You’re telling me.” Beau sighed. “You said your biggest was less than that, right?”
“Yeah, I never did hit that twelve pound mark.”
“Lucky you.” Beau leaned forward to peer around the doorframe. “How did you manage to get away with that when Vuos is so damn big?”
Jaime chuckled softly. “I think it might have helped that myPapáwas five foot two on a good day.”
Beau grunted as another cramp burned through his lower belly. “I hate to ask, but could you help me with the shorts? I can’t reach anything past my knees these days.”
“I’ve been there,” Jaime said, nodding. “I’ve got you.” He swung the door shut and helped Beau tug the elastic waistband into place. But as Beau made to sit back down, Jaime grabbed his arm. His mouth was open in a little “o” and his eyes fixed on the spot Beau had been sitting.
