He wrung his hands. His body needed more rest than he was giving it. Growing an entire person was hard work, and I had been about to nudge him to make a move. “I talked to my boss today, and she said it would be fine to start my leave next week. The healer says I am due in a few weeks but I’m not sure I can do this for another month.” We were lucky to have found a healer with human/shifter experience.
I nodded. “And you know you don’t have to work at all, if that’s your choice. I can provide for our family financially. We are good stewards of our money, omega.”
“We absolutely are. I want to play everything by ear. I have this gut feeling that once I’m a dad, I’m not ever going to want to leave him or her in someone else’s care for long periods of time. But, for now, you’re okay with me starting my leave next week?”
“Honestly, I’m relieved that you brought this up. I’ve seen how tired you are, omega mine. If you hadn’t said something, I would have. It’s been concerning, but I respected you for working so hard for us.”
We let the issue settle between us in silence. It was our thing. “Want to know what made up my mind?” he asked.
“Of course.”
He leaned forward, pulling his sweatpants legs above his calves. His ankles were very swollen. He sat at a desk but it was clearly taking a toll on his circulation. My bear didn’t like it one bit.
“How long has this been going on, mate?” I took his feet in my hands and kneaded them.
“The past week. I didn’t want you to worry. I’ve been drinking more water and trying to move through the day, but it’s not working. I think I just need to stop before this gets bad.”
“It doesn’t matter if I worry. You have to tell me about these things, okay? No more keeping things from me, please.”
“Okay.”
He turned the TV back on while I massaged his feet and calves. We consulted the healer’s office, and they told him to put his feet up and hydrate. They also wanted him to check his blood pressure. I ran to the store to get a cuff, but thank the goddess he checked out fine.
Before he went to bed, I helped him maneuver to the floor where he lay with his feet up on the wall, something he learned from social media for extra foot elevation.
“How hard would it be for you to make today your last day?” I asked.
He sighed. I wasn’t the only one with the thought on my mind. After seeing the relief on his face knowing he would be off starting the next week, I wanted to extend it.
“One way to find out.”
He texted his boss even though it was getting late in the night. Her reply was swift. She told him to close out some things on his laptop from home and sent a message to everyone telling them he was taking his leave.
She told him she would check in once a week, but other than that to rest and let her know when our little one arrived.
My mate tossed his phone on the bed. “I don’t have to go back. For eight months.”
“Is that weird?” I took my clothes off, readying to get in the shower. After that, I intended to hold my mate all night, knowing he could sleep in the next morning. No more early morning tattooing for me for a while. There would be time for us and, soon, our newborn.
“It is. But I have a feeling it won’t take me long to get used to it.”
“I’m happy to help with that.”
Chapter Sixteen
Altan
“Silly cat, my belly is not a shelf.”
My mate’s laughter filled the room.
“Sothea, what’s so funny?”
He came out with a plate of grilled cheese sandwiches. Yes, an entire plate full because it was my current craving.
“It’s hilarious.” He set the grilled cheeses down on the coffee table. “Bunny Foo-Foo, you gotta get down. Daddy needs his yums.”
She looked up at him like he had five heads and then went back to sleeping.
