Chapter Twenty-Two
The first few weeks after they’d mated were some of the very best of Jensen’s life. Not just the sex, which was great. But also, the companionship, and the feeling of togetherness between him and Liam.
But something was up with Liam, and Jensen was hard pressed to work out what it was. When he asked if he was okay, the omega would smile and reassure him. Liam’s routine hadn’t changed, he was working as normal, and no one else seemed to have concerns. Yet there was something, an uneasiness in the omega, that had Jensen worried. He had dodged Jensen’s touch more than once. It took a full week before an offhand comment by Ollie put Jensen on the right track.
“Did you two enjoy your lunch?”
Jensen looked up from his medical stock list to find Ollie smiling at him from the door.
“Lunch?”
“Yeah, you and Liam.”
“Liam ate lunch at the office, with you.”
“No, he didn’t. He said he was eating lunch with you this week.”
That made no sense to Jensen. He and Liam hadn’t eaten lunch together since the weekend.
“Or maybe I’ve got my wires crossed,” Ollie suggested, on seeing the frown on Jensen’s face.
“Has anything else changed with Liam this week?” Jensen asked.
“No. Well, he didn’t eat Eve’s cookies. She made some yesterday, and he loves them normally, but I don’t think he had a single one. And, come to think of it, he’s been busy any time I’ve suggested we take a coffee break.”
Ollie was now looking as worried as Jensen felt.
“I’ll talk to Liam, see what’s up,” he promised the omega.
That chance came quickly as Liam returned from work. Jensen usually suggested a walk but not today. If Liam was sick, overexertion was a bad idea, as was going too far from the clinic.
Liam was lying on the couch when Jensen stepped into the living room. The alpha took a seat beside him and Liam opened his eyes, turning onto his back and giving him a smile. “Hey, you.”
“Hey. How was your day?”
“Good. Made some matches.”
“Great.” Jensen stroked a thumb across Liam’s palm, subtly checking Liam’s scent and heart rate. Both seemed normal. “If something was bothering you, you’d tell me, right?”
Liam sat upright then, drawing his knees to his chest and looking anxious. “Like what?”
“Like if you weren’t feeling well.”
“I’m feeling good,” Liam said, smiling with relief. His stomach growled, and his face reddened.
“Hungry?” Jensen asked with a knowing smile.
“No.” Liam shook his head, not meeting Jensen’s eyes.
“Oh? What did you have for lunch?”
“A sandwich?” It was more question than answer.
“Liam?”
“I wasn’t hungry.”
Jensen reached for his omega and tried to pull him into his lap.
“No, don’t.” Liam pushed back, squirming out of his hands while grabbing his T-shirt and tugging it down over his bended knees.
“Liam, just talk to me, please. Whatever it is, we’ll work it out, together.”
Liam just shook his head, curling tighter.
“Please, Liam.”
“I’m eating too much,” the omega muttered finally, his face hidden in his knees.
Jensen knew that wasn’t right. Liam had a healthy appetite. If anything, he ate too little. Was this a Nevan thing?
“Why do you think you’re eating too much, sweetheart?”
He knew how much Liam liked being called that. The endearment seemed to relax him a little.
“My pants are getting tight.”
“Tight?”
“My stomach’s gotten bigger. I’m eating too much and getting fat. You won’t want me then.”
That explained Liam’s T-shirt and why the omega had been dodging his touch for the past few days.
“I love you because you’re you. I’ll love you no matter what.”
He reached for Liam, drawing the omega to lie lengthways on the couch. He straddled his thighs, fingers reaching for the hem of Liam’s T-shirt. The omega tried to push his hands away.
“No, I don’t want you to see.”
“Trust me, Liam. Please?”
He waited until the omega nodded before tugging his shirt up to his chest.
“I love every inch of you,” he said. “And I’m going to love watching every inch you grow.”
He bent down and pressed a kiss to Liam’s stomach, feeling the omega’s heavy sigh. Shifting to lie down alongside him, he kept one hand splayed across Liam’s stomach.
Liam turned his head, cuddling against him.
“You’re not mad I’m eating too much?”
“You’re not eating too much, sweetheart. In fact, you’re not eating enough. Especially if you’ve been skipping lunch. And Eve’s cookies.”
“But… I don’t get it.”
“Your body is going to need the extra calories for all the hard work it has to do.”
“I don’t understand. Am I getting another job?” Liam’s utter bewilderment at the situation had Jensen concerned about how he was going to react when Jensen got to the crux of the issue.
“No, not exactly. Something is happening inside you, something has changed, and it’s going to mean a lot of changes for you. For both of us. But I’ll be here every step of the way.”
Liam looked down at himself, to where Jensen’s hand was still resting on his stomach. “What’s happening in there?”
“You’re growing a baby. Maybe… probably, a few babies.”
Wide-eyed, Liam stared at his stomach.
“How can you tell?” he asked, his voice a hushed whisper.
“Well, my beautiful omega. We mated a few weeks ago, while you were in heat. And now your stomach is getting bigger and you’re eating has gone all awry. Those are some pretty clear signs. Plus, if you listen closely, you can just about hear their tiny heartbeats.”
Liam closed his eyes and Jensen stayed quiet, knowing he was listening. A smile grew on Liam’s face and he opened his eyes, bubbling over with excitement. “We’re having a litter?”
“We’re having a litter.”
Liam was suddenly clinging to him, laughing and crying. “This is the best news.”
“Yeah,” Jensen said. “It is amazing and fantastic. And I am so proud of you.”
Liam grinned. “I’m proud of you, too.” When Jensen quirked an eyebrow, the omega continued. “It takes two to make a baby, right? And only an alpha and omega can make a litter.”
“That’s exactly right. We should both be very proud.” He kissed Liam on the nose, hearing the omega’s stomach growl again.
“No more skipping meals, okay?”
Liam nodded with a happy sigh. “Not eating is hard. All I could think about was food.”
“Hold on here while I get you something to placate that lion in your tummy.”
He hurried to the kitchen, grabbing some leftovers from the fridge and a fork. When he returned, Liam was sitting up, eagerly awaiting his return.
“The rest of last night’s supper,” Jensen said, handing it over. “That should keep you going until dinner.”
Jensen sat next to Liam while he ate.
“Liam?”
“Yeah?” the omega said between bites.
“You know you can talk to me about anything. Anything at all.”
“I know.”
“So, next time something is worrying you, talk to me first, okay? Not eating could have harmed you because your body is hard at work, growing our babies.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No,” Jensen shook his head. “Sweetheart, you don’t need to apologize. It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know. But you can talk to me, just like you did about Nevan.”
That got a reaction, Liam jolting against him.
“Shh, easy.” Jensen stroked a hand up and down Liam’s arm, feeling the omega calm quickly.
“Nevan used to joke about how I looked. If he saw me eat, sometimes he’d take away my food and tell me I was getting too big.”
Jensen knew from everything else Liam had said that food was hard to come by. As an omega and a slave, he was the lowest person on the totem pole. He got fed last, if at all.
“That sounds like Nevan. Cruel bastard.”
“I’m yours now and I’m never going back.”
“Exactly right. I’m yours and you’re mine and the den is our home.”
“And our babies’ home.”
Jensen let his hand rest over Liam’s stomach once more. “Our family’s home.”