As it turned out, Cooper was indeed okay. I got the happy news in the morning. And then Robin and I celebrated by spending a few more minutes in bed with each other. He really was insatiable. Not that I minded too much. I knew he liked feeling close to me, and I enjoyed it too.

Robin had to leave for work after that, but we met again in the afternoon to scrub my house down. I was not risking Cooper's health again, and Robin seemed eager to help. He loved Cooper too.

Mopping the floors, I caught myself thinking that we would make a cute little family. Robin, Cooper, the baby, and I.

Speaking of the baby, Robin and I went in for another appointment maybe three weeks after we got back together. Cooper was mostly back to his usual overexcited self by that time, but for the first two or three days after I got him back from the vet, he whined every time I so much as tried to leave his side. Nothing could console him. It broke my heart. So I simply carried him everywhere with me. Robin joked that I was practicing for the baby. I told him Cooper was my baby, which made him swoon for some reason. It stopped the teasing in any case.

The day of the doctor's appointment, though, was the first day I had to leave my dog at home for an extended period of time. At least, I’d been able to talk Robin into getting a doctor in Oceanport, since everybody knew about his pregnancy now anyway.

Sitting in the waiting room, Robin snickered as I texted on my phone.

"Checking up on your baby?"

"Yeah, I am." I'd asked Lorene to watch him.

Robin gave me a kiss.

"What was that for?"

"Oh nothing. You were just too cute for me not to kiss you. Cooper okay?"

"Yeah, he seems to be." I put the phone away.

Robin was still smiling. "You know, if you worry about our baby half as much as you worry about Cooper, we'll be just fine."

Sighing, I ran a hand back through my hair. "Yeah, maybe you’re right about that." I glanced at Robin’s belly. "We’re gonna find out soon, anyway, won’t we?" He was five months along now, and showing visibly. He was absolutely beautiful. I hadn't completely overcome my anxiety yet, but next month, I had my first appointment with a therapist Lorene had recommended to me. Scheduling it had made me feel kind of silly, but Robin said he was proud of me and that was all that mattered, right? I didn't care what anyone else thought.

Robin took my hand and squeezed as if he could sense my thoughts. Maybe he could. His intuition could be uncanny at times, but I was glad for it.

After another minute or two, we were called into the examination room. This doctor, Dr. Malloy, was a man I already knew—I'd brought omegas from the shelter here before. He didn't have a great sense of humor, but otherwise, he was a stand-up guy. I could trust him with Robin and the baby.

Still, I stayed close by Robin's side. This time, when I saw my kid on the ultrasound monitor, he actually looked a little more like a human being. Robin stared at the screen in awe, and so did I. I couldn't help myself.

"It’s amazing every time I see it," Robin muttered under his breath.

"It's totally is," I agreed, even though I wasn't sure whether he was even listening to me, as transfixed as he was on the screen. I couldn't blame him. I wanted to keep watching it forever too. This was our child growing in Robin's belly.

"Would you like to find out the sex?" The doctor asked in a kind voice.

I glanced at Robin, who was nodding. "Yes, please. Unless, do you want to wait, Ben?"

I shook my head. "No, maybe finding out the sex is gonna help me get used to the idea that there'll be an actual baby in our lives soon." So much was going to change. Robin and I had to move together, for one. We'd decided that we were going to make my place work for us for the short term, until we could find a suitable—and affordable—house we both liked. It wasn't going to be easy, but I knew we were going to make it. Together.

"Alright then." The doctor smiled, glanced at the monitor again and then back at us. "Congratulations," he said. "It's a girl."

"A girl!" Robin exclaimed, his head snapping to me. "Did you hear that?"

"Sure did." A grin formed on my lips at the expression on Robin's face. He was so happy. Surely that was worth any trouble we could encounter down the road? Besides, I was happy too, when I let myself breathe and stop panicking for a moment. We were going to have a little girl. Even though a tiny part of me was still worried about whether or not I was going to be a decent parent, deep down I already knew I was going to do everything in my power to protect our girl.

I couldn't imagine anything else.

When we were done at the doctor's office—Robin and the baby passed the check-up with flying colors—we decided to get Cooper and spend the rest of the day at the park. The days were finally warming up and it would have been a waste to stay cooped up indoors—even if I could think of some indoors activities to enjoy with Robin.

Cooper was glad to get out too. The moment I appeared on Lorene's doorstep, he dashed toward me on his short little corgi legs, barking like a dog two times his size. "Did you think I was gonna leave you here, buddy?" I asked, getting down on my knees to hug the excited dog. "Wanna go to the park?"

Cooper barked again as if he understood the question.

"Sounds like he's on board," Robin commented.

"He's been a good boy," Lorene said. "Waiting so patiently for his daddy to come back. He deserves his reward."

"He totally does." I ruffled the fur on Cooper's head before getting up again. "Thanks for watching him."

"No problem." She smiled, looking between me and Robin. "How did the doctor's visit go?"

"It went great." Robin beamed. "We're having a girl."

"Oh, that's wonderful news!" Lorene's smile grew even wider. "I can't wait to see you two as parents. You make such a cute couple. I'm glad Ben's found someone. We love him at the shelter, but we can't keep him all to ourselves."

"I'll share with the shelter," Robin said graciously. "But only if you promise to return him unharmed in the evenings."

I snorted. "Why do you think I'd be harmed?"

"Oh, don't you remember that time you volunteered to build gingerbread houses with the children and got icing all over you?"

"Oh, I remember that!" Lorene piped up. "He looked hilarious."

"And like someone who really likes children, right?" Robin's expression turned smug. "I don't know why he so conveniently forgets all the things that tell me he's going to be a great dad."

I sighed. "I'm working on it, okay?"

"I know." Robin gave me a quick kiss, as if to apologize for teasing me. "You'll do fine."

"I'm sure he will," Lorene said, handing me Cooper's leash and the packet of dog treats I'd left with her.

"Thank you." I picked my dog up, who immediately tried to get at the treats. "We should probably get going now, though."

"Yes, of course, get to the park before the sun sets. We'll talk more at work tomorrow."

"Sure. See you then."

While I was talking, Robin took the dog treats from me so Cooper couldn't get his paws on them. I grinned at him. More and more I knew we were going to make a great team.

When we got to the park, Cooper was so impatient to run into the grass, he nearly tore the leash out of my hands before I could get it off him.

"Let him run," Robin said. "You got anything we can throw for him?"

"Uh, I got nothing with me right now, but..." With my eyes, I searched the ground until I found a stick. I picked it up. "This should work."

"Yeah." Robin took it from me. "That should do."

But before he could throw it, Cooper's attention was diverted by something else. Another dog. A vaguely familiar dog.

"Isn't that..." Robin started, looking at the Golden Retriever who came running up to our dog.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's Max." I had to laugh. Watching the two pets get reacquainted was too cute. Especially the way Cooper ran in circles around Max before trying to sniff his butt, yipping excitedly.

"Think he's telling him all about the adventures he's had since you found him?" Robin mused.

"Probably. I hope he's not telling Max about that time I almost took him to the vet too late."

Robin took my arm and leaned into me, a warm, sweet-smelling weight, by my side. "You're not still blaming yourself for that?"

I shook my head. "I try not to."

"Just look how happy he is now," Robin pointed out. "That's what matters. You know when our child is born, we're going to make mistakes too, from time to time. We're going to screw up in some ways, it's only natural. We can't beat ourselves up for the rest of our lives every time it happens."

I sighed. "I guess that's what it means to be a parent? Trying never to make mistakes even when you know you're inevitably going to screw up?"

Robin laughed. "I think that's exactly what it means. But it's not only that. It's not only fear and worry, there's also love and pride and all of that."

"How do you know?" I asked.

Robin gave me a soft smile. "I know because I'm already feeling it. Don't you?"

I blinked. He was right. The kid wasn't even born yet, but all my protective instincts were already revving up and ready to go.

"You worry so much because your love is so great," Robin went on. "Honestly? I think all parents struggle with that. Or well. Most of them do." The cringe that accompanied that sentence told me he was recalling his own parents—and mine. But we weren't going to be like them. I pressed Robin closer to myself, my eyes still on the two dogs who were playing in front of us without a care in the world.

"Max!" I heard a young teen's voice shout. It was the red-haired kid who owned the dog. What was his name again? Conrad? Corbin?

"Hey, Conner!" Robin waved. Of course he remembered. I had no idea how he did it, but he remembered all his students' names. He cared about them, even after school hours, even after they weren't in his class anymore.

"Hey, Mr. Taylor." Conner stopped when he reached us, and then his eyebrows went up. "Oh, you're really..." he shut up again, probably realizing that he shouldn't speak on.

Robin only laughed. "Yeah, I really am pregnant."

"But you always... I mean, I kind of thought you were really into omega rights. I didn't think you'd..."

"What, you didn’t think I’d want to get pregnant?"

Conner bit his lower lips, his eyes darting back and forth between me and Robin. "Are you going to stop teaching?" he asked. I wasn’t sure why he cared so much, considering Robin wasn’t his teacher anymore. He must have made a difference in the boy's life somehow. That was good. I knew one reason Robin had gone into teaching was so he could help younger omegas.

"I'm not going to stop teaching," Robin reassured him. "I'm only going to take a break. Starting a family as an omega doesn't mean you have to give up your job, you know?"

"I know," Conner said, even though I could tell he wasn't wholly convinced. I couldn't blame him. I'd seen too many omegas forced to give up their careers and social lives by their mates. But nothing like that was ever going to happen to Robin as long as I had any say in it. "I just worry because all the other teachers at that school are so..."

"So what? Traditional?" Robin chuckled.

"Yeah."

"Don't worry. Times are changing, even if it's slow. There'll be more progressive teachers in the future. If you’re really worried, how about you become a teacher?" Robin suggested. "Have you thought about that?"

Conner chewed his lower lips, studying my friend thoughtfully. "I don’t think I’d make a good teacher."

"Don’t worry," I spoke up. "There’s other ways to make a difference in the world."

Robin laughed. "You’re not trying to recruit Conner, are you?"

"What can I say? We’re always understaffed." I held my hands up. "I’ll take new colleagues where I can get them."

Conner eyed me curiously "Where do you work?"

"An omega shelter," I told him. "The work can be difficult, but we do good things."

The boy nodded, a pensive expression taking over his young face. While he was contemplating my words, Max and Cooper walked up to Robin, tails wagging.

"What do you guys want? Oh, this?" He held the stick up and Cooper barked. "Want me to throw this for you?" Cooper barked again, and then Max joined in too. "Okay, okay. Go get it!" Robin threw the stick and both of the dogs dashed after it.

"I was actually gonna put him on his leash again," Conner said, watching. "He knew. That's why he ran here."

"Don't let him run away from you again," I commented.

"I try!" The boy insisted. I had to laugh. He looked so sincere and frustrated at the same time. He glanced at Robin again. "I don't think I'll ever have a kid. Looking after Max is enough work."

Robin gave him a good-natured smile. I could see why his students liked him. "You've got plenty of time to think about that, but whatever decision you come to is totally fine."

"I know!"

The dogs carried the stick back—or rather, Max carried the stick back while Cooper trotted after him. Since Robin was busy talking, I took the stick from the Golden Retriever and threw again. It was then that I saw Robin's ex come down the walkway. It was the bastard who'd dumped him at Christmas. Our gazes met, and then he saw Robin. Immediately, he turned and walked toward us. I felt my face contort into a grimace.

The day had been going so well too...

To get Robin's attention, I nudged his shoulder. "Over there."

Robin's gaze followed the direction of mine. My hand still on his shoulder, I felt him grow tense. Obviously, he wasn't happy to see the bastard either. "Conner, don't you think it's time for you and Max to run home? The sun's already starting to set."

Conner shot his former teacher a suspicious look. The lines on his forehead creased like he was about to argue, but then he saw the alpha approaching and called his dog toward him. Good kid. Max obviously wanted to play more, tail wagging and eyes fixed on Cooper, but he didn't argue when Conner put the leash back on him. "Time for dinner," he told the dog. "I'll give you some treats when we're home." By the way his ears perked, Max seemed to recognize both the words 'treats' and 'home' and suddenly he was only too eager to leave the park. "Have a good evening," Conner bid goodbye to Robin and me, and then he and his dog were on their way.

Which let my partner and me focus on the alpha approaching us.

"What do you want?" Robin demanded as soon as the man came to stand in front of us.

Calvin sneered at him. "I was just passing by, but when I saw you I figured I could check whether the rumors are true." His gaze went straight to Robin's belly in a way that made my skin crawl. I could only imagine how Robin must feel. Without even thinking about it, I stepped in front of my mate, if only to shield him from the creep's eyes.

"Leave him alone," I nearly growled.

Calvin scoffed. "Think you can intimidate me? Please. I'm twice the alpha you are, and I have a right to know whether or not he's pregnant. Well, he obviously is." He leaned to the side to peer around me at Robin. "How far along are you?"

"None of your business," Robin spat. "Why don't you go back to fucking that blonde you met on Christmas?"

"Could it be mine?" Calvin asked, ignoring Robin's remark completely.

"What?" Robin and I said in unison. Then we exchanged glances. Could it be Calvin's? We hadn't even considered the possibility. At least, I hadn't. Robin had taken the pregnancy test in January, and he'd been with both me and Calvin in December. More with Calvin than me. But the condom broke when we had sex, so...

The baby was mine, wasn't it?

Take a deep breath, Ben. Don't panic.

"The baby is Ben's," Robin voiced my thoughts. "You and I never had unprotected sex."

"That doesn't mean there's no chance it's not mine." Calvin stared at Robin's belly again. "I mean, I hope it's not mine, but if there's a chance, I need to know."

Robin shook his head. "I don't care if this kid has 90% of your genes, okay? It's not yours."

Calvin squared his shoulders. "I demand proof of that. People are talking, you know?"

So that was what this was about. Of course. His precious reputation. People knew that he and Robin had been going out. Now Robin was pregnant, and for all anyone knew, I'd only reentered the picture recently.

"Fuck people," Robin said. Was this why he'd sent Conner away? So he could curse? I nearly grinned, in spite of it all. Robin was finally taking a stand. About damn time too.

"I'll take a paternity test when the baby is born," I said. "We'll mail you the result. Now leave us alone."

"You don't have to do that," Robin protested.

"It's no big deal."

"If he's not taking it, I will," Calvin piped up. I only glared at him, because that was exactly what I was expecting.

"No, I'll do it."

"Fine. I'll keep in touch," Calvin promised before leaving.

"Don't bother!" Robin yelled after him. Then he turned to me. "God, that stupid piece of shit, I could just—"

"Forget about him." I hugged Robin to myself and kissed his forehead. "He'll be out of our lives soon."

"I hope you're right about that."

Yeah, I thought, me too.