“Your alpha is a lucky guy…or unlucky. I’m not quite sure.”
“Oh, he’s lucky, Hailey’s awesome. But if he’s smart, he’ll never step out of line. My girl here is far too skilled with needles.”
I rolled my eyes. “I threatened to stab someone with a hypodermic once.Once.”
“Yeah, in my book, that's one time too many.” Freddie laughed.
Before I could retort, the radio crackled to life, and Freddie was distracted, answering the dispatcher.
“Saved by the radio,” I muttered.
“I think he’s a brave guy.” The firefighter chuckled.
“Hush you, or you’ll be stabbed with a needle too.” I didn’t mention it was a needle full of pain relief, but it still counted.
He saluted at me. “Yes, ma’am!”
By the time we dropped off the firefighter, I was starting to feel lightheaded. As Freddie wheeled him through the corridors, I trailed behind.
Once it was just us again, he stopped me in the hall. “Hey, what's going on?”
“Just feeling a little woozy,” I admitted.
“Do you need to go have a Merrick cuddle?” He laughed as we stopped by one of those crappy coffee vending machines.
“No… I don’t—" The scent of the coffee hit me, and before I could even think about it, my stomach was turning violently, and I had to run to the nearest trash can to be sick.
“Crap. Are you okay?” Freddy asked, running over to help me.
“Yeah, I'm fine,” I said, waving off his concern. “It's probably just the morning sickness.”
Freddie, who had been lightly rubbing my back, stilled.
“I’m sorry. Morning sickness?” he asked.
I was too busy throwing up in the trash to be cool. “Yeah, it's kind of a long story, but I'm pregnant. Quite far along, actually.”
“How far along isquite far along?”
“I'm nearing four months now, but I don’t have much of a bump.” I frowned.
He took a step back, staring at my stomach as I straightened. “You look a little bloated, that's all. You're telling me you’refour monthsalong? Girl!”
“I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner, but I was just trying to wrap my head around it.”
“You know you'll have to take maternity leave soon. Hell, why aren't you taking it now? You know we have to take it early due to the nature of our jobs. Smoke isn’t good for growing babies.”
“Because you've been riding with students for weeks, ’cause I've been sick, and I wanted to give you at leasta fewshifts without an incompetent partner.”
“I appreciate that, but I can make do with the students. If it's for your own health and well-being. You should be at home having your feet rubbed by your handsome firefighter.”
I stood up, wiping my mouth on my sleeve. “My handsome firefighter is currently fighting fires. Remember?”
Freddie was quiet for a moment. Slowly, a smile spread across his face. “I'm going to be the best uncle!” he declared, and all I could do was laugh.
“Well, you can start now by getting me a mint.”
Chuckling, Freddie strolled down to the nurses’ station while I tried to catch my breath.
