I woke up in the middle of the night, fighting back the urge to pee. I ran to the bathroom and leaned my head against my kneecaps. Ugh. I didn’t know whether I needed to vomit or pee first. I never thought I’d be here, going through the terrible stages of pregnancy like this.

Of course, Jason woke up right when I did. He gently nudged the door open, knocking lightly. “Are you okay? I heard you get up.”

“I just feel shitty,” I admitted. The knot in my stomach grew. I knew what was coming.

With my pants down to my ankles, I hopped off of the toilet seat and mooned my alpha. I vomited in the toilet, knowing that I was at my worst.

“Oh, my omega.” Jason ran his hands down my back before running to get me a glass of water. “Drink this when you’re ready.”

“I’m a wreck,” I said, cleaning myself off. I turned on the bath and sat back down on the toilet. I laughed when I started pee’ing. Jason clumsily stood by me, holding the glass of water. “Don’t look at me. I’m such a monster right now.”

“Can monsters be as handsome as you?” he asked.

I appreciated him for his caring words and the deliberate attempt at nursing me back to health, but I sure didn’t feel handsome. I felt ill.

“I love you,” I said, sighing. “I think I just need to take a bath before I go back to bed.”

Jason stroked my wild, unkempt bedhead. “Wake me up if you need me, okay? I’ll be on the couch dreaming about you and our baby,” he said.

I stepped into the bath and smiled as I lowered myself into the water. “Thank you, my love,” I said. He had a peculiar look on his face as he slowly backed out of the door.

“What?” I asked, suddenly feeling very self-conscious.

“Um.” Jason smirked. I saw where he directed his gaze. I looked down into the water and saw my cock, standing above the water, begging to be pet.

“Oh, gosh,” I said, blushing. “Well, this is embarrassing.”

“Like hell it is,” Jason said. He shut the door but stayed inside of the bathroom. “I’m going to get you off, omega.”

“Jason, come on. It’s just a weird reaction to my body’s hormones,” I said. I didn’t know how it was possible to get hard right after you vomited all your Easter candy, but it was. Oh, it was.

He clutched his palm against his metal belt buckle. Slowly, he clicked it open and unraveled the leather belt. I gulped, feeling my body turn hot. My cock extended, inches above the water.

I ran my thumb down my shaft, clutching my cock like the loaded gun Jason used to own. He slid off his jeans and stepped into the hot tub. “Close your eyes. Take a breather. You’ve had a long two months,” Jason whispered.

“Oh, fuck. You’re really going to do this,” I replied, licking my bottom lip back. I wasn’t used to being doted on. I was usually the giver, but that only came from my proclivity as an omega. The truth was that I wanted to cum so bad that it actually began clouding my whole psyche.

Jason had strong, working-class hands. His palms were hardened with years of struggle and pain. He knew how to grip a cock and he sure as hell knew how to slide one down his open throat.

His palm latched around my shaft, loose enough, to let his fingers brush the top of my balls. I tried not to groan too load, but it immediately felt too good.

He kissed the sides of my pelvis. His tongue curled around each ball as I lifted my hips out of the water. “Mmm… Jason,” I moaned. “You’re really good at that.”

“It’s because I love you,” he whispered.

His muscular ass lifted out of the water. I reached out and ran my hand over his cheeks, lightly circling his hole. My legs spread open for his hand to clutch against my taint. Jason dipped his head down, and he swallowed every last inch.

When a man holds his mouth down for more than five seconds, you want to congratulate them for the intense effort. When he literally doesn’t come up for air after thirty, well… that’s a whole different story. And yes, Jason was a whole different story.

He held my cock in him, pumping his throat up and down. When he released, he gasped for air. He was undoubtedly diving in the water for my shiny, valuable pearls.

Drool hung out of his mouth. I wiped his lips and spread it over the head of my cock. Jason stroked me effortlessly. “You have the best dick in all of Idaho,” he whispered.

“In all of Nevada too. Trust me on that,” I said, smiling playfully.

He bobbed down one last time before I felt my balls shoot up and tighten. The warm, emotional pleasure that came afterward told me one thing: I was going to blow.

He slowly inserted a finger into my ass, curling it against my spot. My hole clenched around his knuckle tightly, and the fast quake of my prostate extended into my whole body. My cum shot out in intervals, landing in Jason’s eager mouth. With just a few gulps, he had swallowed all of me.

I watched as every inch extended out of his mouth. Jason winked as I couldn’t stop easing upward, panting. He sat back with a smug grin on his face. “You… you…” I stuttered.

“I just rocked your world. I know. You’re welcome,” he said.

“You smug bastard.” I laughed and took his hand. “You’re feeling so good about yourself right now.”

Jason stood up and stepped out of the tub. “You’re damn right, I do.” He dried himself off and checked his phone. “Damn. It’s already four in the morning. Guess I’m up for the day.”

I bit my tongue. “Now, you’re just making me feel bad,” I said.

He chuckled and knelt down next to me. He pursed out his lips and gave me a little peck. “Baby, it’s okay. Don’t worry about it. That was really fucking hot.”

“As long as you’re not mad at me, I’m okay,” I said.

The weirdest part about being pregnant was that I somehow felt guilty for being so inconvenient. It wasn’t even Jason’s fault either. My cycles were throwing me for a loop as much as everyone else. It seemed like the added benefit was my alpha’s ability to go with the flow.

I took some time alone in the bath. I closed my eyes and let the Epsom salt work its magic. Water is a beautiful thing, and when your belly is the current home of another human, it somehow feels even better.

The clarity that I needed came in the form of memory. Lawrence and I didn’t have a childhood we could brag about, but we did know how to make the most of it at times. Anytime I felt down or confused about having this baby, I thought about all of the good times that we had together.

Whether we were riding bikes in the desert or playing paintball in our backyard, we had memories to fall back on that strengthened our bond. Our baby would have more than that. Jason was a giving man. Well, he just proved that.

I drained the water from the tub and wrapped a soft white towel around my belly. My breasts ached a little, but it wasn’t as bad as yesterday. Outside the bathroom, I could hear the television running a news story. I peeked my head to see the whole freakin’ family staring at the screen.

“Schwartzy, get over here,” Lawrence beckoned.

“Alright. Let me get ready first. I want to brush my teeth,” I said.

Jason was utterly silent, but the tension became visible within seconds. “Seriously, dude. Get over here. You need to see this.”

“Why is Uncle Trent on the screen?” James asked.

“Shh,” Jason whispered. “I want to hear what they’re saying.”

Deputies are saying that he deliberately set up these safe houses to pursue massive drug…

“Dammit,” Jason growled. “He knew it. He knew they were coming after him!”

“Is he okay, daddy?” James asked, pressing on his eyelids to wake up.

I walked over and picked James up into my arms. “He’s going to be fine,” I told him.

Jason ran to grab his leather jacket. He threw it on and took my hand. “They’re trying to find him now. And I think I know where he is,” he said.

“Wait, you’re leaving? At this hour?” I asked.

Jason nodded confidently and swung his keys around his fingers. “I’m definitely leaving. I need to make sure he’s okay. This won’t rehabilitate him. It’ll cause him to slip again. I know what you’re thinking, but he needs us, Schwartz,” Jason said.

“I’m coming with,” Lawrence added.

“No, bub. You need to stay and look out for James,” I said.

“Like hell. We’re both coming,” Lawrence said, defiantly standing up to me.

I just did not have the energy to fight him on this. “Okay, but you’re taking my car. Got it? Follow behind us, but make sure you stay out of the way of any danger,” I warned.

“What danger? We’ll be fine,” Lawrence said.

Whatever. Jason was already out the front door and had his lifted truck running in the driveway. I jumped into the front seat and felt the cold leather against my shirtless back. I had a change of clothes in one hand, so I quickly put them on as he pulled out onto the darkened street.

“Hot,” Jason said.

“I’m mad at you right now,” I declared.

Jason quietly chuckled and held onto the steering wheel as he darted across the empty highway. “I know you are,” he said.

“And that doesn’t make you feel guilty at all? You don’t feel like maybe you should just let this play out?” I asked.

“Omega, what would you have done if Lawrence was in trouble? Would you just let it play out?” Jason asked.

I leaned my head against the cold window and thought about that. I knew what he was getting at. “Okay, fine. You win. My senses are heightened. I don’t want to be put in danger.”

“He’s somewhere in the desert, near the Snake River,” Jason said. “It’s where we used to go whenever our parents fought. It’s not too far from here. I doubt any cops will be looking for him there.”

We drove in silence, veering off the highway when we needed to. We entered a dirt road and stopped when we saw some large rocks and the water below them. Sure enough, he was there.

Jason flashed the lights at Trent, who nearly fell into the water when he saw us. “Get in the truck, guy,” Jason said.

Trent looked like a different person again, but I was sure that he wasn’t on any substances. He looked like a frightened or wounded animal. The helpless glare made me feel terrible for him. I hopped out of the truck and walked toward Trent, extending a hand.

“What’s going on? They found the safe-houses?” I asked Trent.

“Nah. It’s worse than that,” Trent said, shaking. His face was pale from the shock of the situation. “My friends turned me in. I knew they would. They want me dead, but they’ll settle with a ten-year sentence.”

“I think you should come with us,” I said, grazing his arm.

He jumped back and cowered. “I fucked up. I fucked up so bad!” he screamed. The pain was too much to bear. Lawrence pulled up behind the truck and stopped, waiting.

“Yeah, you did. But so what? You can get a second chance. We’ll help you,” I said. But I had no clue how that was going to happen.

Trent finally took a breath and stabilized himself. He began laughing through the tears. “They don’t have anything on me, the bastards. This is the last of the stash.” Trent held up a big suitcase. “I was going to dump it in the river.”

Jason trudged along the rocks. “I don’t know if this is a good idea,” Jason said.

“What else can I do? I’m out of options, brother.” Trent looked absolutely defeated. I couldn’t believe I was about to back him up, but I agreed with him.

“Give me that.” I took the suitcase myself and unzipped it. Inside were large, square bags of drugs I probably didn’t want to know about. I ripped them open and let the contents fly out into the river.

“Omega,” Jason sighed. “You shouldn’t have done that.”

“It’s done. Look, I don’t support this business at all, okay? I want to make that clear,” I said. “But if you’re aiming to change your life, I don’t think prison is the best option.”

“But now we’re accomplices,” Jason said.

I groaned loudly and walked past the two men. “I’m done talking about this. All I want is a family without the devastation. Find it in your hearts to forgive me for helping, or don’t. It’s your choice,” I said.

“He’s, uh, going through a lot right now,” Jason explained.

“Don’t give me that crap, Jason!” I yelled out from the truck. “Get in the truck. We’re going to Trent’s to settle this with the sergeant.”

Trent knew he had to face some consequence. They might not have had anything on him then, but his partners in crime most likely did. He’d have to deal with that. He couldn’t run away anymore.

Jason shut the truck door and leaned back. “You’re a spitfire,” he said.

“Damn straight, boy,” I replied. “I still don’t know how to feel about Trent, but he’s family now, I guess. I’m not going to let him sink to the bottom of the ocean over this.”

“Just the drugs?” Jason laughed. I rolled my eyes.

Lawrence, James, and Trent followed us to Trent’s old house. His home was the place where we first met, and Jason received a rather brutal beating. There was nothing but bad memories there, and this time seemed to be the final straw.

“Oh my God,” I whispered.

“No, no, no, no,” Jason murmured. He jumped out of the truck and ran toward the fire trucks and police vehicles.

Trent’s house was on fire. We watched as the flames spread through the foundation. The metaphorical storm that I had been running away from was back, and we couldn’t do a thing about it.

“Daily!” Jason yelled. “Sergeant Daily! Where is he, dammit?”

Two beta-looking police officers held Jason back. “Get me sergeant Daily!” he screamed. They threw his body into the dirt and cuffed him.

I ran forward without thinking. “Get off of my alpha!” I screamed. One of the officers grabbed my wrist. Jason freaked out and nearly kicked the officer in the face. It was a total mess.

Finally, sergeant Daily saw the commotion and came forward. “Get off them, fools,” he said, waving the officers away.

“My home,” Trent whispered. “What happened to my home?”

Daily took out his cuffs and walked gently toward Trent. “We can talk at the station, Trent. Where are the drugs?”

“There are no drugs, you asshole,” Jason said.

“We know there were drugs in those houses. The dogs went crazy, Jax,” sergeant Daily said. “You’re going to have to comply, Trent. Come on, now.”

Trent stepped forward, but I jumped in the way. “No, Daily. You don’t have any evidence on him. It’s not right.”

“Right?” Daily let out a hearty laugh. I couldn’t believe that he was doing this. When I met him months ago, he was a nice, decent man. “Life isn’t always fair, omega.”

The way he said the word “omega” just didn’t sit right with me. I winced as if he jabbed the words into me. “I don’t know who you are anymore, sergeant. You’ve changed. Seriously, like… you fucking suck,” I said. The words spilled from my mouth. I was unapologetic.

Daily’s lips twitched. I had got to him. He stomped away from me and looked at the house. “Let it burn, guys. Time to go home,” he said. Then, turning around he looked at Jason and grinned. “Take the handcuffs off him. The case is ongoing, but we’re not getting any arrests tonight. Pack it in, fellas.”

Trent had tears falling down his face. He didn’t even put up a fight. He just gave up. “Why, Daily? This was my only home,” he said.

“Ask your friends. The whole place went up in flames before we got here,” he said before getting into his car.

The police led the way out. The firemen put out the last flames, but as a family, we were silent and still. There was no wind to shake us out of our trance. There was only the quiet hum of the desert, reaching out to us. Change.

I grabbed Trent’s hand and held it tight. Jason took mine. Lawrence took his and James’. Together, we stood, as the remainder of the house turned to rubble.

“You can stay with us, Trent,” I said. “Whether we have an extra room or not, we’ll have a couch or a mattress for you.”

“You don’t have to do that,” he whispered.

“It’s the right thing to do. We’re not going to leave you alone in this corrupt town,” I said, sighing. I had no idea any of this would happen in the way that it did, but change came in many dark forms.

“Come on, guys. Let’s go home,” Lawrence said. James was utterly silent and unable to make out what he just saw.

“Anyone want to get a pizza?” I asked.

“Gosh. I sure do,” Jason said.

“Can we watch a movie?” James asked.

I took his hand and kissed him sweetly. “There’s nothing I’d rather do today than veg-out and watch a movie with my family,” I said.

Maybe it was a blessing. Perhaps the foundations had to burn before everything could be put together again. All I knew is that the fire changed us that night. Somehow, it solidified our bond and brought us together. In a way, it felt like a hand, reaching out to shape us.

When I stepped into the truck, I felt more tired than I could imagine. “Come on. You can’t close your eyes,” Jason said.

“And why not?” I laughed and opened my eyes. I was immediately taken aback when I saw it, twinkling back at me. “Jason… what is this ring?” It sat on the dashboard of the truck in a black velvet box.

“I sold some stuff and saved up some money,” Jason said. “Schwartzy-bub, will you marry me?”

I choked on my own words. Suddenly, my body felt very heavy. “You know I’m going to say yes, right? YES. I’ll marry you, Jason. I can’t believe how beautiful that ring is.”

He slid the ring over my finger. I fluttered it against the interior lights. “Jason, you can’t spend so much money. We have to be able to afford a house soon,” I said. “And don’t forget the baby expenses.”

“You’re worth more to me than a house,” Jason said. “I might have also donated to your funeral fund too.”

“Anonymous? That was you?” I was shocked.

He nodded, looking pretty proud of himself. “It was the least I could do to help you out. I’ve been in love with you for months, Schwartz. If anything, I’m lucky I accidentally knocked you up. If I hadn’t, you might not be here now.”

“I’d be here. Fate would lead us toward each other,” I said.

I nuzzled against him. I had a million thoughts in my head. What was our wedding color going to be? When could we have it? Where would it take place? There were so many exciting questions to be answered.

It wasn’t always easy to forgive the people you believed were responsible for your pain. It wasn’t easy to move forward at all. But life made sure we did because if we didn’t, we’d lose everything important.

I held onto Jason’s hand, and I vowed never to let go. It was time to start a new chapter of my life.