Chapter Twenty-One

Shane

"Ready?" I asked, holding the keys to my truck. Zhang had gotten over his morning sickness, and now that he was almost six months along, it was time to go see our babe on ultrasound. He was particularly energetic in the mornings.

"I'm ready, but look." He pointed to his belly, and panic shot through me thinking he was saying something was wrong with the baby.

"What is it? Is something wrong?" My heart sped up, not knowing what was going on.

My omega strolled over and kissed me. "Nothing is wrong with the baby, Shane. But this shirt…that's a whole other issue."

I stepped back and assessed the situation. I honestly didn't see anything wrong and I told him so.

"I've gotten so big that my belly sticks out of the bottom of the shirt, alpha."

"And that's a problem?" I asked. "I think it's kind of adorable."

He sighed. "Of course you do. I might have to start wearing some of your big, broad T-shirts," he said, tugging at the front of his button-down.

"You are welcome to anything of mine you want. Now, let's go. I promised you breakfast on the way."

We were making up for lost time now that he could eat. After stopping and getting him some semi-healthy breakfast and, to his chagrin, an orange juice instead of a coffee, we made our way to the healer everyone raved about.

His name was Jared and it took us two weeks to get in. That was how booked up he was.

But once we walked in and filled out all the paperwork, I knew why. His staff was incredibly welcoming and the atmosphere was soothing. The walls were painted in muted colors, and soft, calming music filtered through the speakers in the waiting area and even in the more private rooms. It wasn't stale or sterile like a human hospital. Quite the opposite.

"Good morning." A man entered after knocking. "My name is Jared. I'm the healer here. I hope you haven't been waiting long."

"We haven't. Thank you." Zhang's panda was cool and calm, according to my lion. He deserved a healer who would put him at ease.

"Okay. You're about twenty-five weeks along, so you're getting a new surge of energy?" Zhang and I both nodded. "Before we get to the ultrasound today, do the both of you have any concerns, questions? I've heard it all, so please don't hesitate to discuss anything with me. I'd rather discuss it now than to have something happen."

"I'm…" Zhang blushed. "Extra needy…in the bedroom?" He slid his gaze to meet mine, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

"I can confirm," I said, making them both laugh.

"Perfectly normal," Jared answered. "There's a lot of hormonal fluctuation plus this new energy wave. A lot of things going on. You'll probably stay that way up until the birth, so get ready, alpha. Anything else? You are taking your prenatals? Eating well? Your weight is excellent."

I made sure Zhang took his vitamins daily and tried to make sure he ate as healthy as possible, but we made exceptions for his new favorite, peanut butter cup ice cream. I had one of those protein ice cream makers, though, so while it was still a bit sugar laden, I tried to make up for it with protein.

"Good. Let's take a look at this baby. Did you want to know the sex?"

"No," my omega answered. "The big guy does, but I don't. Please."

Jared looked confused. "Do you want me to tell him what it is?"

"Can you tell me without telling him?" I asked the healer. "Zhang? Would it be okay if I knew and you didn't?"

Zhang pursed his lips. "I don't mind if he knows, if you happen to find out."

We listened to the heartbeat, and then I held my omega's hand while we got the first look at our little one. Jared commented on his stature and that he would be a big baby.

No surprise.

I watched as Jared scribbled something on a piece of paper and then handed it to me. It was the sex of the baby, and I barely contained a smile. It would be my little secret.

Once we were home, I reheated some leftovers, and we ate while watching a movie.

"I've got to get to my workout," I said, groaning. My schedule had been tight before, and now it was even tighter. But making time for Zhang and our babe was my top priority.

"Already?" He checked the time.

"Well, I'm going in a bit early to take care of some paperwork."

Zhang waggled his eyebrows. "You don't have five or ten minutes to spare, big, strong alpha?"

"I do for you."

I didn't bother bringing him to the bedroom. He moved to straddle my hips but, with his growing belly, it was too far to reach his lips.

"Lie back on the couch, sweetheart. Let me take care of you."

He moved to lie down on his back, and I wiggled his pants and boxers off. His cock bounced, free of the constraints while I licked my lips, already tasting him there.

"Fuck me with your mouth, alpha. Please."

I enveloped his length and sucked while tugging at his sac, just like he liked it.

"Please, alpha. I need more."

I knew what he wanted. Greedy little omega. I rubbed a circle around his back entrance, feeling the slickness there. He moaned, bucking his hips until I put two fingers inside him.

He jerked, moving up and down, riding my fingers until he cried out my name and I felt him spurt in the back of my throat.

I got up and used the restroom after kissing him, loving the way he glowed in the aftermath of an orgasm. I helped him get dressed again and to the bed where he would surely take a long nap. A well-deserved one too. Growing a baby was a tough business.

"I'll be back," I called out, grabbing my bag. I hated to leave, but I knew it would be that much sweeter when I came home.