Stuff was important!
His mate should understand that the baby needed everything!
Collecting should start for their child the day they came into the world.
Bel sighed, folding the purple zebra onesie and setting it beside his knee.
Ninety-five days. That was how long Bel had been carrying the future of his bloodline. He might not have known he was pregnant until ten days in but the math added up and their precious bundle of joy should already be with them. Instead of Bel hiding in the empty nursery.
What if he never had the baby?
Was that possible? Could he be pregnant forever? It sure felt like it had been longer than the three months that all the lore said.
The wall opened behind him and Bel didn’t bother turning around. He didn’t want to talk to his mate. Atlas was being mean. Okay, that wasn’t fair. Atlas had tried to help Bel with the clothes. He’d also suggested they take a walk or watch a movie together. Atlas was still being the sweet, easygoing mate that Bel loved. Bel just wanted Atlas to be a little more concerned that their baby hadn’t come yet!
“This is where you are hiding.”
Turning his head, Bel scowled at Asmos. “I didn’t let you in.”
“It’s a good thing that your mate did then. Or you wouldn’t have these.” Asmos plopped down beside Bel, showing one hand held a bag of buttery popcorn and the other had a familiar pink box smelling of the sweet cupcakes that Dean had been sending Bel weekly.
Bel waved the baby clothes away before greedily grabbing his treats.
“You’re welcome,” Asmos told him.
He grunted while shoving a handful of popcorn into his mouth. Bel both hated and loved the flavor and texture of human popcorn. Magic really didn’t do it justice and Bel also hated that Asmos and Cary had been right.
“Hey!” Asmos said, nudging Bel’s knee with the tip of his boot. “Want to talk about it?”
“No,” Bel grumbled around a mouthful.
“Since your mate called me and insisted that I come over here to talk some sense into you, I think you might need to talk.”
Bel set his popcorn bag down before he opened the pretty pink box. A dozen artistically decorated cupcakes were lined up. Bel eyed his treat before picking one up and handing it over to Asmos.
“Really?” Asmos asked happily. “You’re sharing?”
“One,” Bel told him. “You can have one.” And he would save one for his mate. Atlas didn’t deserve Bel’s irritation or attitude.
“Okay.” Asmos peeled the paper off the bottom before taking a big bite.
Bel selected his own cupcake, the one with the most icing, before settling in to enjoy it.
“You know you’ll have the baby any day. It won’t be long now,” Asmos said.
“That’s what everyone keeps telling me,” Bel replied bitterly.
“But you’re the one pregnant,” Asmos said.
Bel nodded. He finished the first cupcake and bit into a second.
“I get it, man,” Asmos told him. “Okay, I don’t get being pregnant, because that hasn’t happened to anyone but you. I do understand everyone constantly giving you advice even if you don’t ask for it. Like you couldn’t possibly live your own life without their input.”
“Yeah.” Bel rubbed his hard stomach. Just a few hours ago his belly had been swollen and soft but now it felt like his skin would stretch and peel apart. And it hurt. He groaned again.
“Are you okay, really?” Asmos asked. “No bullshit. No jokes. How are you doing?”
“Atlas is mad at me.” The confession hurt his soul.
