We had a new human resources manager and entire department almost instantly. It was one of the things Grant insisted on first.
That was personal but more than that, I was relieved to know the other omegas and alphas who worked for Grant—for us—were protected and their voices would be heard.
Grant brought in a whole team to go through the new procedures with the staff and make sure everyone was on the same page about open-door policies for human resources, howto handle complaints. A happy and safe staff would make better employees.
Plus, it was a good thing to do.
“There you are.” Grant wrapped his arms around my waist and tugged me against his chest. We opened in three months and since setting the date, our job was more hectic than ever.
Lately, I’d been so tired to the point where I didn’t want to eat.
“Did I miss a meeting?” I pulled out my phone and checked our shared schedule.
He kissed the side of my neck. “You missed lunch with me but no meetings.”
My shoulders sagged. I had missed lunch with him. But my stomach was never good lately and I wouldn’t have eaten anyway.
His lips paused on my neck and he pulled his lips away and pressed his nose to my neck instead. “Your scent has changed,” he murmured and then whirled me around. He repeated the action to the other side of my neck and then those captivating eyes stared at me. “I can’t believe I didn’t see this before.”
“What? You’re just realizing how amazing I smell? Or do I stink today?”
He gripped my shoulders. “We have to get to the resort store and then to the villa.”
“What is going on?” I asked, now being tugged toward the resort store, one of the places that mostly remained the same. The only thing that evolved was the offerings. More clothing that appealed to a larger audience. And some special things.
It wasn’t until Grant picked up a pregnancy test that reality struck me right in the chest.
“What are you…” We sprint-walked toward the villa and he didn’t speak to me the entire way there. The test was in his inside jacket pocket.
Did he think…
“Talk to me, alpha,” I said, a little out of breath as he shut the door behind us. “Please, Grant.”
He pulled out the test and put it on the side table, then he took off the jacket and stood right in front of me, chest to chest. “Your smell has changed, omega. Not once have we used protection. You’ve been more tired than usual. You haven’t been eating enough and especially no breakfast. And you love breakfast.”
It was time to admit something. “I threw up this morning, after you left for your meeting.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Do you need some time, or should we take the test and find out?”
I eyed the test. “We’re right in the middle of this resort stuff. We live in a villa at said resort. I’m running ninety to nothing. It’s not the time for a baby.”
He nodded and put his palm on my cheek. I leaned into it as I did every time he touched me. “I know that but we have to find out if you are. Aren’t you a tiny bit happy about the prospect?”
Having a baby with my fated mate and the love of my life? I felt my lips rise in a smile. “Yes.”
“Then there’s only one way to find out.”
I did the thing. Peed on the stick. Waited the two minutes.
Asked Grant to go into the bathroom and read the test.
He came out with a huge grin on his face. Our phones beeped and buzzed in the background and even my watch began to fuss about unread messages and urges to move my body more. Like I needed that reminder.
But all of that went quiet as he said the words. “We’re having a baby, Ches.”
My knees gave way. Grant caught me. “We’re having a baby,” I repeated.
“Yes. Talk to me, Ches.”
