Deep down, in a part of him that Rowan couldn’t know about, he was praying that Rowan was pregnant, but also added to that was a prayer that Ro also wanted them—both Mikhail and their child. Mikhail watched the baby and daddy for a few more seconds before he got moving.
So that he wasn’t that weird guy staring at a baby, he got moving. His quick gander into town for a test ended up with him nipping into All Saints, Jack & Jones, Topman, Next, Ted Baker, and a couple other stores until he had more bags than he could count. Most of the purchases were for Rowan since he seemed to imagine his mate in every item he saw. He also found some cute stuff for his nephews in Next and a little something for Axel and Alfie for helping him out with Rowan and to make up for missing Christmas and Boxing Day. By the time he was done, he ended up on the other side of Arndale at Selfridges.
Mik wandered towards the jewellery section, first to the Tiffany store, but nothing called to him. He left Tiffany and wandered over to Chopard where he saw the most exquisite white gold and diamond bracelet. There was something delicate but still strong about it that made him feel like it would be perfect for Rowan so, of course, he bought it.
He just knew that it would look stunning around Rowan’s wrist. If he would even take it.
That thought soured his mood, so after paying for his purchase, he exited Selfridges and walked back towards the way he came. He knew Boots was on his way back, but located outside the mall.
He walked into Boots, and boy, was it large, larger than anyone they had close to them. Mikhail wasn’t sure where to begin. He had no idea where to find the pregnancy tests, so he began walking up and down the aisles. He passed make-up and hair care products until he finally came across a whole section that had more pregnancy tests than he ever knew existed and you could ever want to find. Mik groaned, looking at all the options.
He flipped several over and looked at the back. He wanted the one with the fastest results, and after finding one that said within five days of conception you could have the results, he chose that one. And just to be safe he grabbed another option that set accuracy to 99.9%. He figured with those two he had a pretty decent selection.
He headed to the counter and paid for the tests. The employee smiled at him and said, “Congratulations in order, eh?”
Mik wasn’t sure what to say to that, so he simply smiled.
“Or condolences?” The young man added with a chuckle.
Mik ignored the curious look and simply placed his card on the POS machine, then took the bags with the tests and put them in one of his many carrier bags.
“Thank you,” Mikhail said, and left the store.
Maybe because it was on his mind as he walked back to his hotel, he noticed a lot of fathers with their kids, but he didn’t stop and stare, this time simply walking faster in the direction of his hotel.
Mikhail did his best not to think about babies, but he did, however, find himself wondering what today would have been like had the condom not broke.
Would they have returned to bed? Or, maybe they would have gone into town together, spent the day getting to know each other more. As much as he would love having a baby with Rowan, there was a part of him that couldn’t help wanting that missed time.
It was pointless to even think about what could have been.
The walk back to his hotel wasn’t long, but Mik was grateful for his shifter genes. Between the load of bags he had and the cold weather, he would have been shivering something fierce if he didn’t run warmer than the average human.
Mik entered the lobby and took the elevator back to his floor, and when he arrived at the door, it was a bit of manoeuvring fit to get the card key out of his pocket without dropping all the bags. He finally got the door open and walked into the room, dumping all the bags on the table and stretching. When he looked up, it was to find Ro sitting on the edge of the couch, arms folded in his lap.
Mik quickly walked over to Rowan but stopped before he did what he wanted, which was to pick him up and hold him tight. When he opened his mouth, what came out definitely wasn’t what he’d planned. “How’d you get in here?”
Rowan stood. “I can leave if it’s a problem.” He wrung his hands and looked away. “The room was being cleaned, so I kind of came in, and I guess she thought it was mine.”
Mik took a step forward and stopped again. “It’s definitely not a problem. I suppose I’m just a little taken aback to find you here,” he admitted. “I wasn’t sure when I would see you again…” his voice trailed off.
Ro shrugged. “I guess I just needed a little walk about.” Ro lifted his gaze to Mik’s and bit his lips before adding, “I’m sorry I took off. I just needed to think.”
Mik moved a little closer to Rowan. “I completely understand. It’s a lot to take in.”
He wanted to be supportive of whatever Ro needed, but he wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t want to freak his mate out anymore, which was why he didn’t mention the test—not that right then would have been the time—but Mik did have to fight the urge to pull Ro into his arms, kiss him, and beg him to believe him that everything would be alright.
“Did the little wander help?” Mik asked.
Ro bit his lips and took a deep breath. “I guess you could say that… I’ve been running.”
Mik raised his brow, and Rowan must have seen the confusion on his face.
“Since Zac,” Rowan clarified. “I told myself that I was over it…” Rowan wrapped his arms around his middle. “Do you know I’ve not dated since then? I always said it was because I was finding myself.” He looked up and met Mikhail’s gaze, “and I did.”
Mik nodded acknowledging his statement.
Rowan seemed to take that as his cue to continue speaking. “I stopped… I mean, I don’t want to… Can we try dating? I don’t know about mating… I can’t, not yet.” Rowan seemed to be working himself into a tizzy.
