Chapter Twenty-Four

Alex

West had popped the last bite of his sandwich into his mouth when Benji grunted and scissored his legs in his cradle underneath the window. I chuckled, removing the tray from my mate and placing it on the dresser before going to get our son.

“He knows.” West laughed and climbed out of bed. “He knows when I’ve finished eating and it’s his turn.” He eased into the recliner I’d bought for the living room but brought up here once I saw how comfortable it was for West to chest feed in.

“Do you know?” I asked our son as I lifted him from the cradle. He was still doing the infant scrunch, pulling his knees up to his tummy when I lifted him. “Do you know when your papa is finished eating?”

I changed his diaper while West took off his shirt and prepped for our son to eat. We’d made it through Benji’s first growth spurt a few days ago, and he finally gave West a break on the round-the-clock feedings.

My omega had been a champ through the whole thing. A star even. He never complained. He’d gotten accustomed to letting me know what he wanted and when he wanted it. Of course, I’d learned his cues as well.

He never let Benji cry. We had learned his physical movements and his grunts well enough to preempt his needs.

“Here you go, Papa.” I handed Benji to West, and he latched on instantly.

“Water?” West asked me as I leaned down to kiss his lips.

“On my way. Anything else?”

“Let’s talk about something when you get back.”

“Sure,” I answered and sprinted down the stairs with his cup in hand. I filled it and grabbed a bowl of fruit for him. Feeding our babe made him thirsty and hungry.

Once I got back upstairs, I sat on the bed next to West as he fed Benji. “You wanted to talk about something, omega?”

“I did. And it’s actually more than talk. I did a thing.”

I cocked my head. “What is it?”

“I asked Talon and Rowan to keep Benji for the night. It’s been eight weeks since I gave birth, and I’m all healed up.”

“What about the feeding?” I asked, my eyes darting to our son, who was taking great gulps of his papa’s milk.

“I pumped enough for the night and half of the day tomorrow. We’ll pick him up at noon.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Do you…do you not want to? I know my body has changed, and I’ve got some weight to lose, but…” Tears welled in his eyes.

“Oh, West. Please don’t say anything like that. I want you more today than I ever have. I’m…we’ve never had him away from us.”

West chuckled and reached for my hand. “He’ll be okay for one night, Alex. I need time with you. Just me and you. I’m craving my alpha.”

“Me too, omega. Me too.”