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Chapter 11

Chapter

Eleven

R eed stared at the pregnancy test sitting on the sink.

There were two blue lines.

Two blue lines.

Oh goddess.

Reed didn't know what to do. He was on birth control—he was—but now, what if Tyler thought he was terrible? A liar? Trying to trap him?

He closed his eyes and tried not to cry.

Tyler's baby.

He was pregnant with Tyler's baby.

Reed wanted to be happy. He wanted to be ecstatic. Because Tyler's baby was a dream come true…but what if Tyler wasn't so thrilled?

What if Tyler was angry?

What if…

He leaned over and lost his lunch, sobbing as his belly clenched.

The last thing he needed was to be sick at work, too, so he just had a banner day ahead of him. God, what was he gonna do?

He couldn't even call in sick again. No one would believe him. Ever.

He brushed his teeth and got dressed, knowing that he looked rough.

He would just sneeze a lot and call it allergies. Everyone knew bears had sensitive noses, and Valleywood could be a hotbed of not-so-savory smells. Especially where his apartment was. James had some big interview with a new client today, so Reed had to be on point.

He'd be busy enough that he wouldn't be able to see Tyler, either, so that he wouldn't have to try to explain what was wrong.

His bear would know.

Hell, Tyler would be texting right about…

You ok?

There it was. He hated that he felt like he had to what? Not lie, really, but not be all about the truth right away.

Okay. Having a tough morning. Dreading work. Miss you. There. That was honest.

Holler at me at lunch?

If the boss's meeting is over. That was fair, right? He wasn't avoiding Tyler. He just needed time to think of what to say, how to say it. Reed just needed to breathe. Love you

Because he did. He adored Tyler, and he wanted to know what to do. He wanted that with all his heart.

Love you too, baby. If I need to come get you, let me know.

Tyler had tried to get Reed to move in with him, but a long-stay hotel wasn't much better than his place. Well, it was cleaner. Way nicer. But not as close to work. So he went back to his apartment to change and do some work things, if not to sleep.

I promise. Have a good day! Please think good things about me.

I'll try. Love you.

He fired off hearts, then headed to work after putting on his coat. His stomach churned, but Reed vowed not to lose his… Hmm. His tonsils. Yeah, he probably hadn't lost those yet.

Yet being the important term.

God help him, he had to figure this out. He had to.

He was simply too scared to do it yet.

Something was off.

Tyler didn't have time today to figure out what it was, but his little bear was avoiding him. Very few texts. Noncommittal answers about supper.

Something was wrong.

It was a wild itch, a vague nervous worry that made his teeth ache. He needed to see his bear. He had to.

"You okay, boss?" Lorrie, who was a new hire, but already in the running for assistant manager, refilled his coffee.

"Worried about someone."

"Anything I can do to help?" God, what a good guy.

"Can you and Andrea just keep an eye on things? I'm just going to make an afternoon pick-me-up delivery." Tyler grabbed a selection of pastry and bagels, a honey-lemon tea, and a little to-go pot of French roast, had Lorrie ring it up, then headed out.

His little bear needed help and support. He wasn't sure why, and he wasn't sure he cared. He just needed to help.

When he got to Reed's office, he had to take a deep breath and slow himself down. No rushing in and grabbing Reed. This was just a delivery.

"Good afternoon. May I help you, sir?" The chirpy bird at the receptionist's desk made him chuckle.

"I have a delivery. Reed ordered goodies for the office."

"Oh!" She fluttered. "How sweet of him. I'll just take those to the breakroom. Is that for Reed?" She nodded to the tea and a pastry box, which were balanced on top of the other stuff.

"Yeah. Could I?—"

"His cubby is over here."

He followed her, and as soon as he got ten feet from the cubicle his nose started working.

The scent of fecundity was like a drug, and it was amplified by a thousand because it was his mate. His little bear.

They needed to talk.

"Reed! You're such a sweetie to think of us all." The sweet bird burst into Reed's space, and he wanted to growl.

Reed blinked up, his eyes red, his cheeks pale. "I—Tyler. Hey. Sweet?"

"Hey. I know you wanted to do something nice." He winked obviously.

"Yes. Of course. You guys enjoy." Reed stood, his little bear trembling. "You want—I have a break left."

"Yeah. Come on." He led Reed outside, glad he'd brought his truck rather than trying to carry everything several blocks. "Come sit with me."

"I'm sorry." The words were soft, gentle, Reed staring at the ground as they headed for his truck.

He popped Reed into the truck and then hopped into his side. His little bear was having their cub. His mate was pregnant. He wanted to roar.

"What, exactly, are you sorry for?" He reached for Reed's hand, taking it in his.

Reed glanced at him, eyes wet. "Like you don't know."

He did have the good graces to nod, to admit.

Reed sighed softly. "I didn't mean to—I swear to you, I promise , I was on birth control."

"I told you I believe you, love, and I do." He squeezed. "I'm not angry." He was ecstatic.

"No? You promise? I couldn't be… I couldn't see you. You'd know ."

"Well, now I know and I'm right here. Are you—Are you upset?" He didn't want Reed to be unhappy.

"I'm scared, a little, but it's our baby." Reed wrapped his arms around his midsection.

"Yes. Ours." He hummed, feeling all this emotion boil up.

"I don't know what to do," Reed whispered. "I've known for five days."

"Well, I think first we need to go to a doctor. Who does your prescription?"

"I went to the clinic. I don't have insurance through the company, so…"

"Ah. Well, we can go there together, then." He wasn't above that. Once they got to Colorado, he would find out who his dad suggested.

"Then what? I can't—I'm going to get fat, Tyler. Like obviously fat."

"Not fat, but round in the belly, yes." He didn't let his delight in that show, since Reed was worried. "We'll have to talk through that but probably not here, when you're so stressed."

"Yeah. I have to run back to work. Do you want…are you busy tonight?" There were tears on his little bear's eyelashes.

"I am not busy. I want to pick you up, okay?"

"Please. I need—my bear. A lot." Reed sniffled.

"Then I'll come, and we'll get something decadent that makes you feel good. I thought the tea would help." He could really tell that Reed wasn't feeling well. It throbbed along their bond.

"I'm sure it will. Nothing's staying down."

"We just need to find the right thing." That and he thought Reed had stressed himself out so much he was making it all worse.

"You think?" Reed's phone started to ping, and he winced. "I have to go back to work."

"Okay, honey. Drink your tea. I brought an almond croissant too. Should be easy on the tummy. Nibble saltines. All the ladies and omegas back home swear by them." He leaned over to kiss Reed gently. "I love you."

"I love you. I—I'm so glad you came over." Reed smiled for him. "I'm so glad."

"Good. No more hiding from me, love. I adore you."

"I just—I was so frightened." Reed's phone buzzed again. "I have to go. I love you."

"I love you too. Don't let them stress you out."

"I won't. I'll see you soon." Reed kissed his cheek and slipped out of the truck, heading back into that gray building.

He hated that. Those people weren't…kind. He didn't think they were vicious or anything, but they were in a cutthroat business, and Reed was a soft heart.

Reed was gentle and dear, meant to nurture and support.

He would do so well at home, working with him. God knew, Justin really would put Reed to work. They needed his organizational skills.

Reed could work from home, and they'd travel together with their baby for training. His folks would be over the moon. He hoped Reed's would be too.

Anyone who had raised his little bear had to be good people.

Okay. He needed to get back to work and square things away for the rest of the day. He wanted to plan something special for his Reed for tonight.

He dialed the phone, calling his brother as he drove. "Hey, you. We're pregnant. I'm going to talk to him about coming home."

"Good man! When?"

"As soon as I can. I meet your man Monday on Zoom. Is he ready to relocate?"

"He is," Justin said. "His assistant is able to move up."

"Good. I don't want him to feel trapped, but I want to come home. I want everyone to meet him. You're going to love him. He's organized, smart, clever, kind…"

"He's all the things. Seriously, bro, congratulations. I'm so tickled for you."

He was too. Now he had to convince his little bear to come home.

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