14. Chapter 14

The nursery was really turning out gorgeous. We wanted a space that was as comforting as our forest and as safe feeling as our arms. It wasn't done yet, but when it was, I was confident we'd achieve our goals. My mate was beyond gifted when it came to woodworking, and his pieces turned the room into one giant hug.

We had purchased a rug from Northbay that had been handwoven by one of their artisans. It was not only wonderful to support a local shifter, but it was the perfect complement to the home my mate built for us. I sat cross-legged on it now, looking around at the shelves and little toys and knickknacks we had already procured for our little one. Sitting here somehow made everything more real. I was growing a baby, and they would soon be here to enjoy this space.

The empty space where the crib would go was ready for when Apollo finished it. He was close. He seemed to work on it day and night. His dedication to his craft was admirable. Every curve of the wood was carved with love.

There was so much to do, and Apollo was going at it full blast. I, on the other hand, couldn't seem to stay awake for more than five minutes. I understood that growing another being took a lot out of my body and it was par for the course. I still felt bad about not "doing my share." Apollo reassured me that "my share" included keeping our baby safe and well-nourished and that was beyond anything he could do. He was right, but also, daddy guilt was real.

My stomach was queasy beyond belief and holding down any sort of food was a challenge. I lived for the tea that I drank. Some days it was the only thing I got in me. It sucked, but Franklin assured me that it was normal and gave me the signs to look for that would indicate I needed to visit him, and we would. Or he would come here. Whatever my mate felt was safest because he was currently in protective mode. Not going to lie, it was sexy as fuck.

"Let's take a walk and get some fresh air," Apollo said from the doorway.

I grinned and held my hands out like a child needing to be picked up. I didn't really want to go anywhere, but sleeping or waiting to puke hadn't been doing me any good. Might as well get a change of scenery.

He chuckled, but he bent over and wrapped his arms around me, picking me up into his arms. I was perfectly capable of walking; it was good for me, in fact, but I did so love being in Apollo's arms. I drew the line at him carrying me down the stairs, though. As soon as we were out of the room, I got to my own feet. An omega had to draw a line somewhere.

"It's a nice day," I said.

Not that we had many bad ones inside our forest. Even the rainy days were beautiful. I never thought I would be a fan of storms, but here they were different. Sure, there was wind and lightning and all the normal stuff that went along with them, but it was almost as if the sky was communicating with the earth. I could watch it for hours and sometimes I did.

"It is. How are you feeling today?"

The worry in his eyes had me wishing for a much better answer than I had. But I refused to lie to my mate, even if the answer was going to make him worry.

"About the same as yesterday," I said, which basically was the same as the day before and the day before that. For two weeks now this nausea had been plaguing me. At least I didn't have to tell him I was worse. The look on his face the days I did… I didn't want to be the source of that look ever again.

"I'm looking forward to the day you tell me you are feeling better than the one before." He kissed my cheek.

How I longed for that, too. And it would come. Probably soon. But until then, this was my norm, and I needed to suck it up.

Once we were off the porch, Apollo tugged me toward the back of the house. Had I not been so queasy, I'd have considered it leading me. But with my stomach, any motion felt far stronger than it was.

"Oh, are we taking the walk to the river?" We had various trails around the place that we regularly enjoyed walks on. Already I had many of them memorized. I knew my way around the forest quite well now, but I still found myself surprised daily. I had a feeling that would always be the case.

"Nope, not going quite that far. I have a surprise for you."

A surprise? That made me a bit lighter. Perhaps it would be a good distraction for me.

He led me over to where he had set up a makeshift kiln for me. Most people needed a cast-iron stove or propane source of heat in order to have a kiln like this. I just needed my mate. He put his hands to the brick, and it simply warmed to the exact temperature that I needed and stayed that warm for the exact amount of time. He tried to explain to me how he managed to do so, but it only made it more confusing. I'd started calling it "Apollo power."

The only thing missing was a pottery wheel. I hadn't asked him for one. He'd done so much for me forever, and really, I could do a lot without it. But after the baby was born and I sold some pieces, I'd buy one. Assuming that going out into the human world was the norm then.

"What did you need to show me?" I asked.

Apollo gestured to where a dark cloth was draped over something. He grabbed the cloth and pulled it away, revealing a chair and pottery wheel, complete with a ball of clay ready to mold. How did he know?

"I looked up how to set it up. I hope it is exactly what you need for your craft. If not, I can find a different one."

"How did you… I thought it was too risky for me to get pottery things," I said.

"You mentioned using one once, and I thought you'd enjoy it. And when I found out Asilo had an extra one from when they did their artisan series, I saw it as a sign. We're simply borrowing it. We'll have to return it once we can get you your own."

"You called the Asilo pride for me? You talked to people?" Who was this sexy alpha and what had he done to my mate?

Apollo cupped my face, tucking my hair behind my ear. "I did. I didn't even ask Maddox or Marcus to do it."

"Oh, mate. That is amazing." I hugged him tight. "You do so much for me, and I…"

"You fill my days with joy, gave me two legs, and are growing my child. I'd say you do so much for me as well."

"Thank you." I have him one final squeeze and a kiss before sitting down at the chair and noticed he had an electrical cord. It was going to make it so much easier for me to use, especially as my pregnancy progressed. "You don't mind me using the electricity?"

"Not at all, love. Do whatever you need."

I readied the clay, dipping my hands in water. "Do you want to try?" I asked after I had been molding the clay for a little while. Apollo stood by watching. I had grown used to the way in which he observed me.

Often when I sat down to work, I had a vision for what was to come. Today, I didn't have a shape in mind. I was simply playing, loving the feel of the clay beneath my fingers.

"I wouldn't know how," he said.

"That's not important. Come on." I scooched forward. "Sit behind me."

He did, and I grabbed his hands and placed them around me so that his hands covered mine on the clay. Then we set to work. Having him close to me, his skin touching mine, immediately calmed any nausea I had felt.

I twisted my head just so to get a better view of the clay. Perhaps I'd make a vase for our home or maybe a few things for the baby's room. Then again, putting a clay piece—material easily breakable—into a baby's room was probably a terrible idea.

Then Apollo's lips were on my neck, and whatever designs I had in mind went to the wayside. His hands were still covering mine. But we let the clay spin out of control, suddenly having far more important things to worry about.