Page 31 of A Swan for Christmas

Kellan grinned. The reality was finally sinking in. “Thanks.” His gaze darted to the scratch he’d left on Dr. Arthur’s skin. “And I didn’t mean to hurt you, I’m sorry.”

Dr. Arthur touched his fingers to his cheek. “Oh, that. I’d forgotten about it already.” He made his way to the door then turned around as he was crossing the threshold. “Goodbye to you both. Call if you have any other questions, but I’m sure you’ll do fine.”

After he’d left, Vic returned to his side, but this time when he sat on the couch, he gathered Kellan onto his lap. “I’m not leaving this cabin again until you’ve laid your egg.”

Kellan snuggled up to Vic. “Our egg, remember?”

“Mmm. Our baby.” Vic buried his nose in Kellan’s hair. “This is all so surreal, but I couldn’t be more thrilled.”

They held each other in silence, the only sound being the rustle of the branches in the light wind and the crackle of the well-seasoned wood in the fireplace. Part of what Vic had said sunk in.

“Hey, Vic?”

“Yeah?”

“You can’t stay here round the clock with it being so busy at the inn and everything. It’s Christmas week. I’ve heard you say plenty of times that it gets crazy between now and New Year’s Day.”

Vic tightened his hold. “I don’t care.”

Kellan rolled his eyes. “But it’s not fair to everyone else. It’s bad enough that I’m not there helping as it is.” He glanced up at Vic. “And what about food?” They took most of their meals at the restaurant since it was so convenient.

Vic stuck out his lower lip. “I’ll make Dora deliver them to the cabin.”

Kellan sighed. “Vic, you’re not being reasonable.”

He huffed. “Reasonable? Who cares about reasonable? My mate is about to lay an egg at any minute!”

Kellan let out a laugh, then grabbed his abdomen. It didn’t hurt, but it sure as hell felt weird. Too much pressure.

Vic gasped, grabbing Kellan’s upper arms then holding him back, his gaze roaming Kellan’s body. “Is it time? Should you go lie down in the nest?”

This is going to be fun.

“Vic, I’m fine, really. It’s only that heavy feeling, the one I’ve had the past couple weeks. I mean, it’s been getting gradually more intense, but other than that, everything else is the same.”

Vic pressed his lips together. “That does it. I’m not leaving this cabin until that egg is laid.”

Kellan flopped against his stubborn wolf. He stared into the fireplace, restless. He wanted Vic with him all the time, that wasn’t the issue. But now it seemed as if all he’d be doing was watching and waiting for him to pop.

“Hey, I have an idea.” Kellan angled his body to face Vic again. “What if you leave your cell phone with me? You’re going to be right there, within walking distance. I’ll call the front desk if anything happens.”

Vic frowned. “Walking distance? You’d better not do any walking, that egg could fall right out of you!”

Kellan smacked his forehead. “First off, that’s ridiculous. It doesn’t work like that. But that wasn’t what I meant. I was talking about it being walking distance for you.” He stroked Vic’s cheek, petting the soft beard hair. “I won’t be able to relax, and neither will you, if you’re here, knowing that they’re running around at the inn dealing with all the holiday madness.”

Vic’s expression radiated pain, the mental struggle over what he should do showing on his features as his brow creased and the muscles ticked in his clenched jaw. He let out a long sigh.

“All right. I’ll agree to that. But promise me you’ll rest? And keep my phone with you wherever you go, even if it’s in the bathroom. Oh, and I’ll be back every hour to check on you. Deal?”

Kellan gave Vic a soft kiss, his poor, stressed-out mate trying so hard. “It’s a deal.”