“No, I’m not. I had to deal with that duality while Vallis was invisible only neither part of him was fully safe,” I whispered.
“He is now,” he nodded. “That’s the important thing.”
“Thanks for going ---” I started but Granddad shook his head.
“He’s family just as much as you are, Lero. We do what we can for family.”
“I know but I still think saying thank you is the right call,” I said.
“Maybe, but I’m not a hero. Neither are your dads. We’re doing what fathers should do for their children. For as long as I’m alive, I have your back, kiddo. That’s a promise.”
I hugged him, feeling like the big bad world was a little less big and a little less bad with him in it. It was strange to think that in less than a year, I’d be a dad too. I sort of always got it. The world was full of assholes and monsters. Now, it went deeper than that. Now, I knew, I’d fight pit hounds wielding only dull butter knives with all my claws shaved off if it was the only way to protect my baby.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Vallis
Heartville
As a reward for finally nailing down ‘form’ I got to take a shower after physical therapy without someone standing by in case I fell over trying to wash my balls. During my first shower at the hospital, Lero showered with me. It was true-mate privilege but the whole time I was on edge. I knew I didn’t look like myself but more than that I worried the whole time that Lero would slip and I wouldn’t be able to save him. After that, someone with a medical degree was always in the room. I wasn’t a shy bear, but washing was so intimate. Even with a shower door between me and them it felt as they were invading one of the most private parts of my life. At first, they were mostly people related to Lero and that wasn’t as bad. It was as if my link with my mate made them feel more familiar to me than they were but as my ‘few days’ in the hospital turned into a little over two weeks slowly they went home.
First, Colton took Bolt home, because he wanted to have his baby with his own midwife. He was due now any day. Ivan stayed behind but left yesterday after Doctor Bee assured him a thousand times that I was holding my own. I had to practically shove him out of the hospital. He shouldn’t miss the birth ofhis kid because some crazy person locked me in a box for a few years.
Xenos took Mori home the same day Colton left. I wasn’t sure Lero even registered everyone leaving until it was just Barry with us and he wasn’t going anywhere until we were going home with him. I didn’t dislike Barry, but in my current condition the dude was a little intimidating.
“Glad he’s on our side,”my bear said.
That was going to be the final test before they let me go home. I’d have to shift and let my bear prove he could walk and move around without being a danger to himself or others. That was after lunch and after Lero’s ultrasound. As I washed my hair I marveled at the fact that we’d have a baby in a little more than eight months. The universe was entrusting us with an actual little, breathing person.
“Hey, you’re washing your head fur without help!”my bear pointed out.
I was and it was a step in the right direction. Soon, I’d be home and it would be me and Lero on our own.
“Ha! You wish! Colton and Ivan might live across the continent but Xenos and Barry will be around and you’ve seen Mori’s double. He’s already a carrier. So he’s probably twice as fussy,”my bear rambled on.
“Are you nervous?”I asked him.“About your test.”
“I don’t think I am,”he shook his massive, furry head inside his inner sanctum.“I think I’m ready. You feel stronger and I got to move around inside here while you couldn’t. I think I’m ready to spring us.”
I laughed because what else could I do? Soon, we’d know one way or the other, on how honest Doctor Bee had been about my progress.
***
Since I didn’t like rooms without windows and most of the exam rooms were exactly that, Barry found us a nice quiet garden space behind the hospital. He was there but it was Doctor Bane Hemlock who was to perform the ultrasound. He was mostly in research now, but Barry and Bane had worked together for many years and were good friends.
Lero was laid out on one of the gurneys they used to move people around with his shirt pulled up to just below his nipples. My bear grumbled inside my thoughts about our mate’s stomach being exposed. I took deep breaths and tried to remind him that Bane was a good friend of Barry’s. That Xenos trusted him too. That when everything was falling apart it was to him that Barry had sent us. Our grandfather-in-law had worried that we’d need surgery and he wanted us to have the best stateside surgeons.
“If you’re planning to bite me, get it over with,” Doctor Bane stuck out his hand.
I hated myself but I leaned forward so that my bear could sniff him. He smelled like soap and hot water and under that a wolf who had seen his fair share of bullshit. My bear shifted my eyes to his and looked him up and down. He wore crimson scrubs that I guessed his mate picked out for him. I’d only met Doctor Lee Knight-Hemlock a few times, but it seemed like the sort of thing he’d do.
“He’ll be okay, I guess, but no sudden moves,”my bear said.
“He said no sudden moves,” I relayed the message to Bane, but Lero was already trying not to laugh.
“Well, I’m going to start by measuring his belly,” the healer said, picking up a blue cloth measuring tape.
“Is that okay with you?” I asked my mate who nodded in return.
