28. Rhys

Over the next couple of weeks, Jaxson treated me like I was as fragile as glass. He wouldn’t let me lift a finger. If I so much as stood on tiptoes to reach the plates on the top shelf, he’d be there in an instant, chastising me for not asking for help.

“Rhys, you need to take it easy,” he’d said, his voice a mix of concern and exasperation.

I bit my tongue every time, resisting the urge to point out that I could easily jump high enough to hit the ceiling. It was sweet, really, how protective he was being. And while it was a bit frustrating, I let Jaxson take care of me, understanding that it made him feel better about his initial reaction to me being a shifter.

For Jaxson, this was his way of making amends, of showing that he was committed to our family despite his earlier fears. For me, that moment of panic and confusion was already a distant memory. I focused on taking care of Emilia, taking care of myself, and trying not to smile too much when Jaxson got overly protective.

There were times, though, when his protectiveness melted my heart. Like when he’d walk up behind me and place a hand on my stomach, his touch tender and loving. In those moments, I couldn’t help but melt. And sometimes, the feelings were so overwhelming that I’d pounce on him, kissing him fervently and reminding him just how much I loved him.

As the days passed, we found our balance. Jaxson gradually loosened his grip, allowing me to help around the house more, though he was always quick to step in if he thought I was overdoing it. I learned to accept his help more graciously, understanding that it was his way of showing his love and concern.

One morning, I decided to try to sneak a bit of my old routine back in. I woke up early, hoping to make breakfast for us before Jaxson and Emilia were up. I moved quietly, slipping into the kitchen and pulling out the ingredients for pancakes.

Just as I was about to pour the batter into the pan, Jaxson appeared behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Caught you,” he whispered, his breath warm against my ear.

I sighed, leaning back into him. “I just wanted to make breakfast for a change.”

He turned me around to face him, his eyes filled with that familiar mix of love and worry. “I appreciate it, Rhys. I really do. But you need to rest. For the baby’s sake.”

I rolled my eyes playfully but nodded. “Fine, but you know I’m not as fragile as you think, right?”

Jaxson kissed my forehead, a smile tugging at his lips. “I know, but I can’t help it. I want to take care of you.”

I reached up, cupping his face in my hands. “I love that you want to take care of me, but I’m still me. I still want to do things for us.”

He sighed, nodding. “I get it. We’ll figure it out, okay?”

“Okay,” I agreed, leaning in to kiss him softly.

He returned the kiss, his lips warm and familiar against mine. As we stood there in the quiet kitchen, wrapped up in each other’s arms, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of peace settle over me. Jaxson’s love was a constant, grounding force in my life I never, ever took for granted.

After a moment, he reluctantly pulled away, his hands lingering on my waist. “Let me help you finish making breakfast,” he offered, a small smile playing on his lips.

I chuckled softly, grateful for his compromise. Working together, we effortlessly cooked breakfast, the scent of pancakes and fresh coffee filling the air.

By the time everything was ready, Emilia was awake. I went upstairs to get her while he set the table for us.

As we sat down to eat as a family, I couldn’t shake the feeling of contentment that settled deep within me. It was hard to believe this was my life now.

As my pregnancy progressed, our bond grew deeper. Jaxson would often talk to our unborn child, his voice filled with love and wonder. Seeing him like that made my heart swell with affection. And as much as I appreciated his protectiveness, I was even more grateful for these glimpses of vulnerability that he only showed me.

One evening, as we sat on the porch watching the sunset over my family”s estate, I turned to him, my heart full. “You know, I’ve never felt so cared for in my life,” I said.

Jaxson smiled, his hand resting on my growing belly. “And I’ve never felt so grateful to have you and our family.”

We sat there in comfortable silence, the horizon painted with hues of orange and pink. I realized that after everything, we’d come out stronger and it had also brought us closer. And made our bond even stronger.

What more could an omega ask for?