A few months later...
"Dad," Zoey complained.
Even though she said it often, I still smiled every time she called me that. Being accepted as her father never failed to warm my heart.
"What's up, Zo?" I asked.
"I'm bored of waiting," she said. "When's my sibling gonna be born?"
I cast a glance across the living room at Chris, who was laying on the couch and sipping on tea with a pout. I didn't blame him for pouting since his belly was the size of a monster watermelon.
"Any day now," I told her.
She crossed her arms. "The baby should hurry up."
I laughed. "Why don't you go tell that to the baby?"
"Okay!"
She ran over to Chris, who looked at her curiously as she leaned over and whispered to his belly. I grinned and joined them.
"She's impatient to meet her sibling," I said to Chris.
Chris sighed. "I don't blame her. I'm getting impatient, too. I'm tired of lazing around feeling bloated all the time."
"What's bothering you this time?" I asked. During his whole pregnancy, I never wasted a moment to make him feel better. As his alpha partner and father of the baby, taking care of Chris's every need was my responsibility.
"My feet are sore from standing on them earlier," he mumbled.
I knelt by the leather ottoman his legs were resting on. "You were on your feet? I thought I told you to stay put and relax."
"I got bored," Chris mumbled. "And I had cravings..."
"Let me guess. You had to make it yourself?"
"Trust me, it wasn't a flavor you'd find at a bakery..."
I paused my foot massage to raise a brow. "Okay, now I'm dying of curiosity. What flavor are they?"
"Chicken and waffle cupcakes," he said slowly, as if waiting for my disgusted reaction.
"Wait, is that why the kitchen smells so good? That sounds amazing!" I exclaimed. "Are there any leftovers?"
"There's a few," Chris said with a shy grin. "You and Zoey can share them."
Zoey wrinkled her nose. "That's okay. Dad can have them all."
I licked my lips in anticipation. "Don't mind if I do."
Pausing my massage, I ran into the kitchen and found the delectable treats waiting for me on the counter. The sweet and savory aromas mixed in the air, making my mouth water. Sure, it was unconventional, but it was created by my mate's talented hands. I would eat anything he made.
And hey, I was a manticore. We weren't that picky.
Just as I finished off one chicken and waffle cupcake and was walking back into the living room with a second one, a loud cry stopped me in my tracks. I knew immediately what it was.
I dropped the cupcake and bolted back to Chris's side. He was hunched over with a grimace.
"I think... baby wants out," Chris said through gritted teeth.
