Scout
After a few hoursof assisting in the nursery clean-up — despite the maids’ protests that the prince and his mate shouldn't be the ones doing physical labor — Scout announced he was going to take a quick nap. When Killian offered to join him, Scout dodged him by pointing out what a good job he was doing with the clean-up, and how they needed his help more than Scout did. He felt awful lying to his mate, but there was something he needed to do — alone.
Scout walked briskly down the hall to where Dr. Morris's office was. He tried not to think about the reason for his last encounter with the doctor, although it wasn't his fault.
There was something bothering Scout. Ever since the king had brought up the topic of children, Scout had a strange feeling, like he was forgetting something. When the king had pulled back the cover and revealed the beautiful handcrafted crib — Killian's own childhood crib, he remembered — something had blossomed inside of him, a warm yet intense sensation unlike anything he had ever felt before.
Just as Scout found the door and was building up the nerve to knock, it opened from the inside and Dr. Morris almost walked right into him.
"Whoa!" he said. "Scout? What are you doing here?"
"I was, uh," Scout began, realizing he hadn't thought of anything to say when he actually got there. "I had something to ask."
"Funny, I was just about to come find the two of you," Dr. Morris said. "Is Killian not here?"
"No, I came by myself," Scout said. He tried to ignore the flash of guilt for not bringing his mate along, but he wanted to be completely sure before he said anything to him.
"I see," the doctor said. "What is it you wanted to ask?"
"It's, um... private," Scout mumbled. "Do you mind if we talk inside?"
"Absolutely. Come on in."
Dr. Morris led him to the exam room, where Scout sat uncomfortably on the cushioned table. Being at the doctor's office was always awkward, but even more so when he had such an embarrassing question to ask.
"So, what can I do for you today?"
Scout knew he couldn't avoid answering forever, but he wished he could write it down on a piece of paper or something instead of having to force the words out. He sighed. "Sorry, it's just... hard to say."
Dr. Morris smiled. "Scout, I'm a doctor. I've heard every weird and embarrassing question before. Don't worry."
Scout suddenly remembered what Dr. Morris had mentioned earlier. "Wait, what were you going to ask Killian and I? I know he's not here, but maybe I can let him know."
Although Dr. Morris seemed to know Scout was avoiding the main subject, he indulged him anyway. "I was just going to ask the two of you to take a routine fertility test," he said. "Even if you're not considering children right away, it's good to know in advance if you're able to conceive naturally, if you'll need help from technology, or if you're going to adopt. Just basic stuff for new mates."
Scout's stomach lurched and his rapid-beating heart leapt into his throat. He was almost afraid he would choke on it. Even the doctor was talking about kids. Did he already know?
Dr. Morris's gaze softened. "The topic of children seems to have made you freak out a little," he said with a gentle laugh. "Don't worry, there's absolutely no rush, it's just preliminary stuff in case you two do ever decide to start a family. It doesn't even have to be today. You two can do it whenever you're ready."
Scout still couldn't speak. Everything was happening so quickly. Was this normal when it came to being an alpha's mate? Were all omegas expected to take fertility tests so soon?
"Scout?" Dr. Morris prompted. "Are you alright?"
"I think I might be pregnant," Scout blurted out.
The doctor's eyes widened and he blinked. Then he leaned back in his chair, took a clipboard from his table and began to jot things down. "I see," he said. "Do you have any symptoms?"
"Um," Scout began. He was suddenly hyperaware of how ridiculous he sounded. "I ate a lot this morning. Like, way more than usual."
The doctor nodded but didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.
"And... I dunno, it must sound stupid, but I just have this feeling," Scout mumbled. "I wanted to make sure it wasn't just my imagination, which is why I didn't tell Killian." He sighed. "That probably makes me a bad mate or something, doesn't it?"
"Not at all. It can be hard coming to terms with a pregnancy, especially the first time." Dr. Morris stood and retrieved some items from his cupboards. "Here. I'll need you to..." He handed Scout a clear tube and gestured over his shoulder to the bathroom. "You know."
"Pee," Scout said.
"Yes," Dr. Morris said with a smile.
