“What’s wrong, babe?” Rich looked at me in alarm as I threw my cell phone to the floor and turned back over in bed. I flung myself into his arms, grief making me sob uncontrollably. Gone. My hopes, my dreams, our child... gone.

“You’re scaring me, Dusty. Please take a breath and tell me what’s wrong, my brain is going crazy places.”

I sucked in a shuddering breath and looked up at my husband through blurry, tear-filled eyes. “T-the b-baby. J-Josiah l-l-lost the ba—” I lost it then and cried harder. Rich didn’t even seem to notice or care the ugly snot bubbles I was blowing into the crook of his neck and shoulder as he sighed deeply and hugged me tight.

“I’m so sorry, babe,” he said tightly, his own voice charged with emotion. “Was that Josiah on the phone? Is he alright?”

I shook my head and jerked back with a start. I sat up, wiping my eyes and nose with two quick swipes of the back of my hand. “No. That was the hospital! He asked them to notify us. Shit! What the hell is wrong with me? We need to check on him.” Brain spinning as my alpha urges kicked in to protect the omega, I was held back by Richard’s iron grip on my forearm.

“Hold on, babe. Take two minutes with me first. I need to be selfish and hold you for a few moments before I can get into the right headspace to alpha up and go see about our little omega friend.”

I sighed and turned back over. Friend. He was right. Josiah had become so much more than just our surrogate in the past long weeks of this process to become parents. He was our friend now; it made my heart hurt to think of the pain that he was probably going through on our behalf right now.

“I wonder if his little sister is alright. If he was admitted to the hospital, do you think that she is okay?”

“Babe, think about how responsible and resilient that omega is. Do you really think that he wouldn’t have a plan in place for her care if he should have an emergency?”

I snuggled up to Rich, doubt prevalent in my mind. “Still. He doesn’t seem to have a wide social circle. All he ever talks about is Sam and her babysitter. Every once in a while, he mentions a co-worker? I think he’s too busy working and being a dad to have a support system. And you know that he will downplay this if he can to us. He won’t want to appear weak. We need to push our way in and help him if we can, once we know he’s okay.”

Rich’s hand stroked up the length of my spine, his calloused fingers sending a soothing tickle over my nerves that settled me and made me feel cherished. He sighed softly. “You’re right. He hasn’t mentioned anyone else, and probably would flip if he knew we were even having this conversation. We need to push our way in like you said, and see what we can do to help him. Even if this wasn’t biologically his child, the waves of hormones in his body right now will be telling him differently. He’s also going to be freaking out about the girl’s school costs. We need to reassure him that we aren’t dropping him. If he’s still willing to proceed when his body heals, we need to let him know that we’ll stay the course as well.”

My husband’s pragmatic words set my teeth on edge, although I knew he didn’t mean it the way it came out. He was feeling this loss, too. His planning ahead to try again was just his way of processing. That was my Richard. Set a course, stick to it, and when plan A fails, keep on trucking to plan B.

I lifted my chin to look up into his face, stroking my palm over his cheek and jaw. “I love you, Richard. Thank you for understanding and being there for this with me.”

Rich’s eyes softened as he leaned forward to press a soft kiss to my lips. He hovered a scant breath away from touching me as he whispered, “I’m all-in, babe. Of course I understand. We just lost our child, didn’t we? Now give me a kiss so we can go check on our omega.”

I smiled and kissed my husband, thinking of just how right his accidental turn of phrase had sounded. Our omega. Even if it wasn’t true, I couldn’t help but feel that on some level, it kinda was to me. Not that I would mention that aloud. I would never want my beloved alpha husband to feel like he wasn’t absolutely everything that I needed in this life. Still. The phrase resounded deeply within me. Our omega.

* * *

When we got to the hospital, Josiah was in a cubicle of the emergency department getting a blood transfusion. Once we completely lied by insinuating that he was our omega, the nurse led us right back. He looked pale and weak, lying there on an uncomfortable-looking gurney as an IV line slowly pushed fresh blood into his vein.

He looked up at us as we walked in, his eyes telegraphing a series of emotions from grief, horror, fear, guilt, and remorse. I immediately walked over and sat down at the foot of his bed. I reached for his hand, sandwiching the cold limb between my own.

“Are you okay, Josiah? You’re not in pain, are you?”

His eyes teared up, and he turned his head away to look at the wall behind him. His voice was thick as he spoke. “Y-you shouldn’t be here. The clinic will call you when I’m able to try again. Unless you want to b-break the c-contract and pick someone new. I understand if you d-do.”

Richard opened his mouth to speak, but I silenced him with a look. Turning my attention back to the omega, I stroked his hand gently and spoke in a soft tone.

“We’re not here about the contract, and pardon me, but fuck the clinic. We’re here because we care about you, Josiah. We consider you to be a friend. We needed to see you, and know that you were alright. Can you look at me? I’m worried about you.”

He turned his head to look at me, a single tear running down his pale cheek. I leaned forward without thinking, and brushed it away with the pad of my thumb. My heart skipped a beat at the feel of his petal-soft skin, making me suddenly aware of my actions. His eyes widened at my touch, and I quickly pulled my hand away as I sat up again.

Rich pulled a chair over and sat down at Josiah’s side, his strong hand brushing the omega’s shiny hair back from his forehead as he spoke finally. “Dusty is telling you the truth, little one. Our concern at the moment is just for you. And we mean you our friend... not you, a contracted surrogate. Please let us know what we can do for you. Do you want to talk about it? Or not talk about it? Either way is fine. Tell us what you need, Josiah.”

Josiah bit his lip and looked between us with a bit of hesitation before answering softly. “What I really need is a ride home. My phone and wallet are in my locker at work, so I’m kinda screwed in that department. I was just going to wait here until the dizziness passes and walk, but the idea of a ride is too tempting to refuse.”

“Josiah,” Richard all but growled protectively. “Of course we will drive you home. If it weren’t for your little sister needing the familiarity of her routine, I would insist on taking you home with us to stay in one of our guest rooms.”

The omega smiled wanly at that and nodded his head. “Yeah, eight-year-olds need routine. Even little girls that are smarter than they have a right to be.” His eyes popped open then. “Mrs. Jones! She’s going to be expecting me at midnight. What time is it?”

I looked at him in confusion. “Midnight? The cafe is open that late now?”

He tried to look away evasively, but I pushed the issue as my gut swirled with concern. “Josiah? Do you have a second job?”

Josiah nodded curtly. “I work at Pete’s. It’s an alpha bar over on the west side.” He groaned then and put a hand to his head. “Shit. My car is there, too. And Larry is probably worried sick about me right now.”

“Larry? Who’s Larry?” I asked quietly, ignoring the frisson of jealousy that flitted through my chest. Not my omega. Not my right. Focus, Dusty.

“He’s my boss. The last thing I remember is talking to him before I came to in the ambulance. Can we stop by there and get my things and my car? I probably didn’t earn any tips, which sucks, but I have to have my phone and car to get Sammy to school in the morning.”

“Shh. It’s okay, we’ll help you,” Rich all by crooned as he stroked a gentle hand over Josiah’s scalp, calming the poor guy who was getting more wound up by the second.

The omega’s long, sooty lashes fluttered down to fan over his pale white cheeks as he closed his eyes, finally giving into our attempts to soothe him. “Thank you. I don’t know why you’re being so kind, but thank you.”

“Josiah. We’re your friends; what we’re going through is as intimate a process as three humans can go through except for sex, right? Let us be there for you, just like any other friend would.” I spoke calmly, stroking his hand as I reassured him.

“Do you have a number for your Mrs. Jones?” Rich asked quietly. “I would offer the use of my phone, but they have big no cell signs posted everywhere in here.”

Josiah’s eyes flew open and he shared a long look with Rich before nodding and quietly rattling off a number. “555-7769. Ask her to not worry Sam?” He bit his lip. “Um. Nobody knew about the pregnancy yet, I figured I would tell people when I had to, you know?”

Rich nodded kindly and stood. “Don’t worry, little one. I’ll take care of it, and I know how to be subtle. I’ll let her know that you took ill at work, but that there is no reason to be concerned. I’ll let her know that you’ll be home as soon as you can.”

“Thank you, alpha. Thank sounds lovely,” Josiah murmured sleepily. The effects of the day must have been hitting him now that he was finally relaxing. I grinned at the stunned look on my husband’s face when the little cutie called him “alpha.” Rich flushed and left the room to make the call while I sat guard over Josiah.

* * *

Rich and I hadn’t said a word, but the look we’d shared told me all I needed to know about our mutual distaste for Josiah’s second job. Pete’s bar was a nearly seedy dive on just this side of the bad part of town. The idea that he was working there nights while also holding down a full-time day job at the cafe both saddened and impressed me. This guy was doing everything he could to provide for his sister, even offering up his own womb for our child just to get her the education she needed. My respect for the omega grew stronger the more I learned about him.

The one bright spot had been his boss, Larry. He was a protective alpha who’d been leery of his weak employee showing up with two alphas in tow after what he’d been through. And he obviously knew exactly what had gone down, judging by the shade he’d been throwing at the two of us. Once we’d retrieved Josiah’s things, Rich had driven him home in our car while I’d followed in his. There was no way we were letting him drive after he’d just received a blood transfusion.

I pulled up and parked in the assigned numbered space that Josiah had told me about, while Rich double-parked our SUV at the curb in front of his building. I looked around the area. It wasn’t bad, actually. This side of the street looked to be one of those rent-control districts filled with hardworking people, while the other side sported buildings with a uniformed doorman on duty in front of each one. The contrast was both amusing and sad to me.

I joined them inside the lobby, my eyes taking in the clean but threadbare rug and peeling paint. The elevators had an out-of-order sign, which made Josiah groan in disgust. He looked apprehensively at the stairs and shook his head. “It figures that those old-ass elevators would do their weekly breakdown on the one night that I need them the most.”

I looked at him with concern. “Can you manage the stairs? How many flights are we talking?”

Josiah sighed. “I’m on the third floor. Two flights per floor, so four flights. I can do it, just... give me a second to gather my strength.”

Richard glanced at me with a question in his eyes with a chin tipped toward the worn-out omega. I nodded without hesitation and Richard stepped in and simply scooped Josiah up.

“What the hell?” Josiah squeaked, looking back and forth between us frantically.

“Chill, kiddo. You’re in no shape to climb four flights of stairs. Unless you want to go back to the hospital?” He shook his head and I continued. “Then let Rich carry you up. Trust me, the dude works out every day. He’s loving the chance to show off his alpha brawn. Although...” I paused to glare playfully at my husband. “He really could’ve asked before he picked you up.”

Richard shook his head resolutely and headed for the stairs. “Nope. If I’d asked, he would have said no. We all know it’s true, so don’t bother denying it.” He grinned down at Josiah who blushed and looked away with a soft chuckle.

We made it quickly up to the third floor, and Josiah pointed out his apartment while he dug in his pocket for his keys. We must not have been as quiet as I thought, given the hour, because the door across the hall flew open and a young girl dashed out. She skidded to a stop and stared up at us with shock.

Her big green eyes were mirror images of her brothers in a heart-shaped face that was framed by two messy braids. Her eyes quickly narrowed as her hands came to rest indignantly on her hips as she spoke in a demanding voice that was so adorable it made me want to squish her face.

“Who are you and why are you carrying Siah?” She stood there in a long Winnie the Pooh nightgown and worn-out slippers, nevertheless managing to look every bit the tiny queen of her domain.

I grinned dopily at her, unable to restrain my reaction while Josiah tapped Rich’s chest and suggested that he could stand now. Rich reluctantly set him down, but stayed right there when Josiah swayed slightly on his feet.

“Samantha! Be polite to your elders, you know better. These are my friends, Richard and Dusty. I got sick at work, and they were nice enough to bring me home. Now tell me why you aren’t in bed, please.”

An older woman spoke from the doorway the girl had sprung from. “I’m sorry, sweetie. She must have heard me on the phone and been listening for you. I was planning to keep her tonight so you could rest.”

Sam interrupted. “Of course I was listening! You were talking about my Siah.” She turned her attention back to her brother and began ticking her thoughts off on her fingers. “You’ve been acting weird for weeks and throwing up all the time, and I really didn’t like your coloring this morning. I needed to know that you were okay... you really should’ve called me, Siah. This was irresponsible of you.”

I noticed the fascinated look on Richard’s face as he watched the girl, obviously as taken with her as I was. Josiah just rolled his eyes, obviously immune to her cuteness as he asserted himself.

“Sam. I’m the adult, you’re the child. We’ve established this. Now can we please get you in bed instead of waking everyone in the building up with our personal drama? Seriously, girl. Not cool.”

She nodded and turned to the other woman. “I’m going home, Mrs. Jones. Thank you for taking care of me, but I need to take care of my brother now. Shall I get my things now, or come get them in the morning?”

Josiah groaned. “Just go grab your backpack, munchkin. You and I both know that you’ll go nuts without it by your bed. And I need to sleep.”

Sam nodded and dashed past the older woman to gather her things. The woman looked kindly at Josiah. “I know you don’t wish to discuss it, but I recognized your symptoms last week. If what happened tonight is what I think happened? I’m very sorry. I understand if you don’t want to talk about it, but I’m here if you need an ear. Plus, I make a mean cup of chamomile tea.” She winked with a kind smile and stepped back as Sam came barreling past her again.

Josiah nodded shyly and waved a hand at the older woman before turning to insert his key in the lock. Sam was eyeing us both warily, but kept her attention focused on her brother.

“Are you still going to be throwing up now? What did the doctor say? Was it the stomach flu, or an ulcer? You did mention all of your symptoms, right? You cannot get a proper diagnosis without giving your doctor a complete histo—” Josiah slid a hand over her mouth as he swung the door open.

“Bedtime. I’ll be in to tuck you in, in a minute. I don’t have the energy for the inquisition tonight, okay? I promise that I will do my best to give your questions my full attention over breakfast. Now go.”

After one last dubious look at Rich and me, Sam nodded and quietly did as she was told. I looked around the tiny apartment while Rich stood there awkwardly looking uncomfortably out of place in the tiny apartment.

Despite the cheap furnishings that were worn and threadbare, it was neat and clean. I smiled at the sight of the small French press that stood on the counter of the tiny kitchenette. Truly a man after Richard’s heart, right there.

I looked over at Josiah when I realized that there were only two doors leading off the room. One was to Sam’s room, and the other stood open revealing a small bathroom. “Josiah? Where is your room?” I asked without thinking, as soon as the thought entered my brain.

Josiah’s eyes flicked over to the small couch in the corner. “You’re standing in it,” he stated flatly with a slight flush of embarrassment.