“You know, Jake, I realize we’re dating now,” I began, “but if you want to keep living with Skylar, that’s fine with me. At least until the baby’s born.”
Jake smiled at me. “You’re sweet. I think we will, for a few months. I love Sky, and I don’t want the change to be too abrupt for him. But he won’t die or anything without me. He’s a strong omega.”
I nodded, recalling the times he’d stood up to me for Jake’s sake. “He is.”
A sudden high-pitched noise made us start. It was unlike anything I’d heard before and I couldn’t place it.
“Did you hear that?” Jake asked.
“Yes,” I confirmed.
Before anyone else could speak, the noise came again. Or rather,noises.Multiple high-pitched cries sounded from somewhere in the apartment.
“The kittens!” Jake and I exclaimed at the same time.
We shot up off the couch, scrambling over each other as we ran to Jake’s bedroom. Once we reached the half-open door, we hid behind it and opened it carefully so as not to disturb the scene.
“Oh,” Jake whispered.
Sure enough, Lilith was curled around a handful of damp squirming bundles. She glanced up at us and blinked slowly.
“Is it okay to go inside and see them?” I asked.
“It should be,” Jake said. “Lilith seems comfortable.”
We picked our way inside with measured steps in order to give Lilith space. But once we entered the room, she seemed more interested in licking her kittens than dealing with us. She allowed us to get close enough to see each individual kitten.
“Five of them,” Jake murmured. “Oh, look at them, Griffin.”
“I’m looking. They’re beautiful.”
Two resembled Lilith, with redesigns of her multicolored patchwork coat, while two others were completely orange. The fifth and final kitten was pitch black. All of them squealed in their tiny voices as they nursed from Lilith’s side.
Jake sniffled.
“Are you crying?” I asked gently.
“No.” Jake wiped tears from his eyes. “Maybe.”
I chuckled. “It’s okay. It’s an emotional moment.”
Jake let out a shaky sigh. “This just makes me more excited for ours. If I’m this emotional about kittens, then I can’t imagine what it’s gonna feel like for a baby that actually comes out of me...”
My heart overflowed and I put my arm around him. Seeing him so overjoyed about the kittens gave me a sense of relief - like we reallycouldhave a baby together, and everything would be all right, no matter what the demons in my brain told me.
Then Lilith lifted her head and let out a loud demanding meow.
“What is it?” I asked.
She blinked with narrowed eyes, like she was annoyed at the poor customer service.
“Oh,” I said. “I think she’s hungry.”
Jake grinned. “I would be too if I just pushed five entire babies out of me. Let’s go get her some food.”
