The flight felt long and uncomfortable with my shoulder all banged up. My neck was sore and my head felt heavy but at the same time I had never been more excited. I hadn’t been able to call or email or message Rory between the hospital and plane ride, I had to wait until I was back on Canadian soil, reunited with technology.

I went through some standard procedures, physicals, paper work and general Q&A before I was allowed to take leave. While I was being processed I had been in and out of my apartment and each time reunited with all forms of technology. I repeatedly called Rory, messaged him, and emailed him but there had been no response. It had been a couple days now and I was beyond worried. I had no way to get in touch with him.

When my paperwork finally went through to take my leave I booked a flight to Colombia the next day. I had been so distracted by trying to find Rory I had overlooked the missed call from Ryan. He called me back just before I was about to take my flight.

I was shoving every piece of summer attire I owned into one bag. My backpack had all things electronic and valuable. I didn’t really know when I would be coming back. I heard my phone, I launched myself into it’s direction thinking it was Rory. It wasn’t, but I wasn’t any less excited. “Ryan! Thank god! How are you?”

“I’m good yeah, I just got home yesterday.”

“In one piece I hope?” After I said that I realized I maybe shouldn’t have. Fortunately it wasn’t a problem.

“I’m fine, home safe. I stayed until relief came than was able to get out. Pretty crazy shit man.” I was happy to know he was safe. I had to get going though. I felt bad for cutting him off. He probably had a lot to talk about.

“I’m sorry Ryan, its just Rory isn’t answering my calls, and well, I need to go. My plane leaves in an hour.”

“Oh wow, sorry man, of course we can talk later. But why isn’t he answering you?” The question confused me. “I don’t know I haven’t thought about it. I can’t wait for him to respond though, I need to get down there, see how my baby is doing.”

“Good luck.” With that he respectfully hung up, not taking any more of my time. I began to wonder though after he asked that question. Why isn’t he picking up? Maybe I’ve been gone for so long he found someone else. He has been alone carrying my baby probably needing help this whole time. It’s not like I’ve been able to comfort him, I haven’t even been able to talk to him.

My stomach started to knot. The realities of my actions were beginning to set in. Re-connecting with my ex-boyfriend who’s heart I broke years ago only to mate him and leave him again without contact for seven long months while he carried my child and was due any moment now!

I grabbed my bag and headed for the door. It didn’t matter; he was my omega. He was having our beautiful child. I was getting on that plane to go and find him.

Sixteen hours later and my journey was almost over, or just beginning. I arrived in the little beach town he had been calling home for almost two years. It was a beautiful contrast from the desert sands I had been looking at for the last seven months. But I began to realize I had no idea where I was going next.

People were staring at me. I looked very out of place with my buzz cut hair, massive muscles and extra foot of height. I popped my head into the first restaurant I came across and asked if he knew where Shotty’s Place was. It was the bar Rory had been working at. I had a street address for it but there were not clear marked street signs or numbers of any sort.

The man didn’t understand anything I said by the look on his face but when he heard the name Shotty’s he pointed in one direction followed by a series of other hand gestures that gave me an idea about where the bar was.

I was hot walking with my luggage but the tropical breeze kept me cool and my shorts and t-shirt were a nice change from full combat gear. I could get used to this, I thought.

I heard a whistle and turned my head to see a young Hispanic omega winking and waving at me.

“Hi honey, you lost?”

“Ah, er… me?” I asked stupidly.

“Yes you, there nobody else here but you and me.” He winked as he said it.

“Well I’m not totally lost, I’m looking for a bar, Shotty’s Place, do you know it?”

He eyed me up and down. “Yea I know the one. Why you look there?”

“My…ah mate, Rory, he used to work there, I’m looking for him.” I said realizing I probably sounded crazy looking for someone who was supposed to be my mate.

“Oh I know Rory, you are one lucky man.”

I don’t know what came over me but suddenly I became angry. I wasn’t interested in playing games with this little man. I needed to find Rory and my child. I walked up close to him. “You know Rory?” I must have looked threatening because he started to back up.

“Yes, yes. I have not seen him in long time though.” He answered and my stomach dropped. Where the fuck was he? God, I hoped he was safe.

“Listen, I take you to his house, you see for you self okay?”

I looked around, I didn’t really have another choice. “Okay.”

“I’m Carlos,” he told me as we started to walk the opposite direction.

“Justin.” I answered back bluntly, then added a little smile to let him know I was grateful for his help.

We cut through a path towards the beach and walked about 100 yards along the sand until we reached three little cabins in a row. They were adorable and suited Rory perfectly. My heart started pounding as we walked up the doorsteps of the third little house. Carlos gestured for me to start knocking. I stepped up and rapped on the door twice. “Rory?” I called in after there was no answer. “Rory?” I tried one more time. Carlos looked at me at shrugged.

“I tell you, I no see him in a long time.” I didn’t know what to do. I turned back towards the sea and stared at it motionless. Carlos said nothing. I stood there staring for a while until out of the corner of my eye I saw movement. It was a girl running frantically along the beach in our direction. I watched her run until she was standing beside us, panting.

“Oh my god.” She managed to spit out as she put her hand out and touched my chest. “Are you?”

“Justin?” I completed her thought. “Yes.”

“Holy fuck!” She screamed. “Let’s go! Now!” She grabbed my arm pulling me off the doorstep and back towards the direction she came from.