15. Sebastian

It was obvious that I was older than Drew—not that it bothered me. Even to humans, it was clear that I was the older one in our relationship. I’d waited a long time to be gifted my One, and now that I had, I wanted to show him the world. I wanted to spoil him in any and every way possible. I had been doing a good job at that for close to two weeks. But then Drew became ill. I would have been extremely worried if not for the fact that he was a shifter and shifters didn’t generally get ill.

I had recognized the aura of our little baby a few days before, so it wasn’t completely unexpected. When we were enjoying a late lunch this afternoon, Drew suddenly looked up at me with a terrified look on his face. He excused himself, then left for the nearest bathroom. I managed to get to him before he started getting sick, but I knew then it was time to return home. When he’d finally stopped throwing up, I’d asked him what had triggered his sickness. He’d said the scent of something from another nearby table didn’t sit right with his stomach, and he couldn’t keep it from happening. This was the beginning of his pregnancy sickness and the end of our vacation.

I couldn’t be upset. Not only were we going to be parents, but we’d already had what I would consider a good vacation. We had made it to several different beaches in three different countries, but alas, Montana was home, and that was where I whisked us off to. When we arrived, I immediately put Drew to bed and went to call the doctor. The time difference was in our favor this time. Whereas it had been midafternoon in Italy, it was now midmorning in Montana.

I’d been around enough other enforcers who had children with their mates recently, but neither Drew nor I knew what to expect with his pregnancy. Everyone was different, just as no two pregnancies would be the same for Drew.

Once I’d finally located the number for the omega clinic behind the council, I touched it to connect the call. I didn’t need the doctor to confirm that Drew was pregnant—I obviously already knew that for certain. But I didn’t know what to do to help my One with keeping anything down. I needed the doctor for that. I knew there was something that could be done, but I had no idea how to get my hands on whatever it was that everyone in the council was using.

“Dr. King’s office. This is Cecil speaking. How can I help you?” a cheerful voice said when the call finally connected after the third ring.

“Hi, Cecil. My name is Sebastian, but we’re not patients there yet. I recently found my fated mate, and he’s experiencing sickness.” Mate, One, same thing to us, but I didn’t know if Cecil would realize a warlock’s fated mate was called their One.

“Well, first, congratulations on finding your mate. Do you believe he’s pregnant, and that’s why you’re calling?”

I rolled my eyes. Why else would I be calling the omega clinic? Hadn’t I said I’d just met him? Wasn’t it obvious that he was pregnant? I didn’t know exactly who Cecil was or how he was associated with Dr. King’s office, but if he was going to ask a million questions, I was going to simply go to someone else for help.

“Yes, he’s pregnant. Now, he can’t keep anything down. He scented something while we were away, and now everything is making his stomach upset.”

“All right. If you would like to bring him into the clinic, Dr. King has an appointment available tomorrow morning at eleven. If you feel he needs to be seen before then, there are clinics down in Honey Creek as well as Timber Valley.”

Could there possibly be that many pregnant omegas at the moment? “This is the omega clinic, is it not?” I asked. “The one directly behind the council building?”

“It is. But Dr. King is incredibly busy at the moment, and this is the first available appointment he has. I do apologize.”

I sighed. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if Drew had to wait another day. I realized that. “I understand being busy. I’ll work on getting him in elsewhere. He’s struggling to keep down water even, which is most concerning. Thanks for your time.” I ended the call before Cecil could say anything else.

I was staring out at the back deck and happened to get a glimpse of the corner of the house next door, which happened to be Benjamin and Eli’s. They had twins. I couldn’t remember if Eli had been sick while pregnant or not. It was worth a shot though.

I found Benjamin’s contact and opened the text app.

Me: I need help. Did Eli have morning sickness? There’s something that can be done, right? Please say yes. The doctor can’t see Drew until tomorrow morning.

It only took a minute for Benjamin to reply.

Ben: He did. Give me maybe five minutes. I have to finish this meeting and then I’ll bring you what you need.

I sighed in relief.

Me: Thank you. Sorry to interrupt your meeting. The house is open. I’m going to check on Drew again, so just come in.

With that, I popped upstairs, expecting to find my mate in bed where I’d placed him, only he wasn’t there. I hurried to the bathroom when I heard him getting sick once again.

“I’m here,” I told him as I knelt behind him. At the moment, I was wishing I’d not explained to him how to keep certain things from me through our bond. “Why did you keep this from me? I would have been here to help you.”

Drew’s response was to gag again. At this point, there was nothing in his stomach, and he was simply dry heaving. I knew it was incredibly painful for him, and I felt helpless since I couldn’t do anything to help him at the moment.

Never leaving his side, I used magic to procure a wet washcloth to wipe his face. Drew fell to the side, and I barely caught him before he hit the floor.

“Don’t recommend. Don’t like at all.”

I smiled down at him. “It’ll pass,” I said. I didn’t know when it would, but it had to because there were babies born all the time. And if this was what pregnancy was like, then why would any omega willingly go through it?

“Hello?”

Drew’s eyes grew round at the sound of Benjamin’s voice.

“In here!” I called out. Benjamin came inside the bathroom just then, quickly assessed the situation, and gave Drew an understanding look.

“Eli was sick. You like tea, right?” Benjamin asked, holding up a metal tin.

“Meh,” Drew said.

Benjamin chuckled. “Well, it’s about to become your favorite thing.” He looked directly at me then. “Get him into bed, but sitting up, will you?”

I nodded before easily lifting Drew into my arms. He moaned when I started walking, and I kissed the side of his head before it fell into my shoulder. I set Drew on the bed, the pillows having been arranged against the head of the bed with a magical touch.

“Here. Do you want sugar in it? It has a natural sweetness to it already though.” Benjamin held out a large mug to Drew.

“No, then,” he said as he took the mug from my cousin. “Well, maybe? What’s natural sweetness mean?”

Benjamin shrugged. “It’s not bad. Eli liked it. But that might have been because it made him feel better.”

Drew nodded before taking a sip. He rolled it around on his tongue and then swallowed. He took another drink, this one much larger, and then sighed as he closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the headboard. “It’s not bad at all,” he said quietly before sitting up and looking up at us. “And this will help?”

I sat beside Drew’s knees and placed my hand on his thigh, rubbing it gently. Benjamin set the tin on the bedside table. “Yes. This one is from the fae realm and somehow is naturally sweet. Might be honey? I’m not sure to be exact. All I know is that Eli drank this stuff religiously when he was carrying the twins.”

“Thank you, Benjamin. I really appreciate your help.”

Benjamin smiled over at me. “You’re welcome, and congratulations. Are you ready to be daddies?”

“Yes,” Drew said. “Can we just skip this part, though, and jump to the having-the-baby part?”

Benjamin and I both chuckled.

“Afraid not,” Benjamin said before looking directly at me. “I was in a meeting with Master Edison when you texted. He sends his congratulations and wanted me to let you know that he would have Dr. King stop by this afternoon or evening. He’s in the infirmary today, but really, once Drew gets that tea into his system, his pregnancy sickness should all but disappear. He’ll need to drink it at least three times a day though.” Benjamin looked back to Drew, who was taking another drink of the tea. “That one isn’t the one that we have all dubbed the sleepy-time tea. If your sickness is really bad, and your body needs extra rest, there’s one that will cause you to sleep a lot.”

Drew gave me a concerned look. “We don’t know if yours is that bad yet or not. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Drew didn’t seem convinced. “I’ve not been able to keep down even water.”

“It just hit. We’ll wait and see how the day goes.”

“The sleepy-time tea will be needed if that one doesn’t allow you to keep down food,” Benjamin said.

I sighed. “I’m due back at work next week.” I glanced up at my cousin. “Do you think we’ll be able to get this under control before then?” I didn’t want to leave Drew if he was ill.

“Definitely,” Benjamin said. “You do have a bond with him, yes?”

I nodded.

“Sebastian even taught me how to not project every thought and feeling.”

“Something I wish you wouldn’t do now that you’re getting sick. I need to know, cutie, so I can take care of you.”

Instead of answering, Drew took another drink of his tea.

“Anyway,” Benjamin said. “Congratulations to you both. I hope you feel better soon, Drew,” Benjamin told him. “If either of you needs anything, Eli is always home, and most days, Dad is over at some point to spend time with the twins. He’s dividing his time between here and spending time down the mountain with Asher.”

“I still need to meet him and their little one,” I said.

“Yeah, well, Calum is keeping both pretty close to home. He decided to wait until this fall to start working, so he’s still home with them, but I guess he’ll have to go back to work the middle of next month, and I’m not sure Calum is ready for that.”

I grinned. I enjoyed spending time with all of my cousins growing up, but I’d always been closest to Frederick, Benjamin, and Calum.

“When Drew is feeling up for it, let me know, and we’ll have a small family reunion of sorts, and he can meet everyone and you can meet Asher and Isla.” Benjamin nodded to me. “I should get back to work. Meeting after meeting this week.”

“Should I be worried?”

Benjamin shook his head. “Not really. Just sending smaller teams out to several different prides, packs, and covens to let them and those in command know that the council is in full mode and will be taking any and every complaint seriously.” Benjamin sighed. “Five new enforcers were brought on while you’ve been away.”

I was a bit surprised by that and wanted to ask Benjamin about it but didn’t. I wasn’t supposed to be working. I still had almost a week left with Drew, and it was supposed to be just the two of us and no work.

“I’m sure I’ll meet them next week,” I told my cousin.

Benjamin chuckled. “Good answer. See you soon.” With that, Benjamin simply disappeared.

I turned back to Drew, who held out his mug to show me he’d drunk it all. “How are you feeling? Still want to turn your stomach inside out?”

Drew smiled. “No. But I could probably use a nap. And not because your cousin gave me tea that will make me sleepy. I just feel tired.”

I stood, and after taking the mug from Drew’s hands and sending it to the kitchen, I slid my arms under his legs and behind his back and effortlessly lifted him. When I moved him down the bed and laid him in his spot, I slid my arms out from under him.

“Not that I’m really complaining, because I’m not, but I could have lay down myself.”

I smiled down at Drew. I’d fallen completely in love with him over the past three weeks, but I’d yet to say those words to him. It was things like that that had endeared him to me. “I’m aware of that. But you know how much I like to take care of you.”

Drew sighed. “Yeah, I know.” He was quiet for a moment, and I’d thought he’d fallen asleep until his eyes popped back open. “Sorry I caused our vacation to be cut short.”

I shook my head. “I’m not. I’m thrilled that we’re going to have a baby,” I told him. “We both knew this could be a possibility. I don’t like that you’re sick, and hopefully, the tea helps as much as Benjamin says it does.”

“I’d say so. Already, my stomach feels calmer. Do you think I could have something to eat? Maybe some crackers or something somewhat bland? I don’t think I’m willing to give anything really heavy a try just yet.”

I ran my fingers through Drew’s hair and was going to agree to something small for now when I felt him fall asleep through our bond. I used magic to place some crackers, water, and a sealed bowl of applesauce on the bedside table. I covered him with a light blanket before leaving the bedroom. I knew if I stayed in the room with him, I’d end up disturbing him somehow, and right now, he needed some sleep. We hadn’t exactly been getting a whole lot of sleep over the last few weeks. It had been amazing, and Drew had really opened up with me, which made things even more enjoyable. But he’d been throwing up for a few hours, and it didn’t seem like it was going to stop. Not until he drank that tea from Benjamin.

I went downstairs to look and see what we had in the house. Most likely nothing since we’d been gone for so long. I had realized that when I met Drew, I would have to start doing things a bit differently because Drew didn’t have magical powers like I did. Sure, he could turn into a gorgeous cheetah, but he couldn’t simply make something appear in front of him because he wanted it. I would have to make sure the pantry and refrigerator always had food in them. I would also need to ensure there were backups of things like soaps, shampoos, and other toiletries. Cleaning supplies as well. Not that I expected Drew to do those things. I was still going to take care of all of that, just like I had been doing since forever. But if I happened to be out on an assignment and Drew ran out of toilet paper, I would never forgive myself.

In the kitchen, I got to making a list of things to ensure I stocked up on. When the bathrooms and laundry room were both sorted, I moved on to the kitchen. The pantry was bare except a few bags of chips, a box of chocolate cupcakes that were individually wrapped, a loaf of bread that was definitely past its prime, and a bag of chocolate nuggets.

I tried to remember when Drew had brought any of those into the house because I knew for a fact that I’d not purchased any of them. We’d been together just about every moment since the day we’d met.

I tossed the bread, checked the ingredients on the cupcakes, and shook my head. I tossed those as well. If Drew wanted cupcakes, we would make him real ones, not whatever those were. I got it—he was a shifter, and they wouldn’t hurt him like they would humans, but still. The chocolate stayed but went into a container with a lid. Chips as well. I didn’t really understand his fascination with junk food, but I understood he was raised with humans and would most likely always eat it. I had simply never developed a taste for it.

I filled the pantry with foodstuffs. Most of it were things that couldn’t be purchased here but I’d grown up eating. I did the same with the refrigerator and freezer. Drew would, of course, have his snacks, but I also hoped he would also eat some healthy snacks as well. Especially now that he was carrying our baby.

I smiled thinking about the new life we were going to welcome into the world. Sadly, I knew next to nothing about feline pregnancies. I could, of course, ask Papa, but that would give away the fact that I had met my One before we were ready to let everyone know.

I searched my brain, trying to think about which enforcers were mated to feline shifters. Were any? Marc. His mate was Scott, who was a lion shifter from the local pride. I wasn’t close to Marc though. Parker and his mate were both feline shifters, but I didn’t feel comfortable enough disturbing them with such questions. Finally, I gave in and just decided to ask Benjamin again.

Me: One more question and then I’ll leave you to your meetings. How long is a feline’s gestation period?

It took a few minutes for Benjamin to answer, but when he did, my mind went into overdrive.

Benjamin: 3 months. Ask all the questions you want. I had to ask Master Edison that one because Eli is a fox and their gestation is only 10 weeks. Wrap your head around that. You have a couple more weeks to get ready.

Three months? That meant Drew would be due sometime at the beginning of October, right? We’d claimed each other at the beginning of July, so July to August, August to September, and then September to October. Was I doing that right?

“You’re thinking entirely too hard about things that are actually quite simple,” a very familiar voice said behind me suddenly. I turned, looking at the created warlock in relief.

“Master Edison, I’m so happy to see you,” I said in relief. I truly was relieved to see him. I had so many questions about Drew’s pregnancy, and I wasn’t sure I could wait until we saw a doctor to get answers. The need to know how to best take care of my One was overwhelming, but I knew Master Edison would be able to help answer any questions and calm my anxiety about it.