Page 123 of Not Looking
“You think he might really want kids?”
He shrugged. “Probably. Won’t know for sure until you talk about it. But ask yourself this: does it really matter?”
“What do you mean?”
“Think about it. Right now, you’re thinking about starting a family with him. But this time last year, you’d resigned yourself to the single life with Russy as your fur baby. If kids were that important, then you could have always gone the artificial route. Or let somebody knock you up during a heat. But you didn’t do either of those.”
He paused. “I get it. You’re looking forward to that happy life with him. But are kids necessary? Will you be unhappy if they don’t happen? And…”
He made a face and rubbed the back of his neck. “At our age, we’re fighting biology, too. I’m kind of shocked Callum knocked me up so easily, even if it was a fate-induced heat. We’re not young men anymore. My doctor said my pregnancy falls underadvanced gestational age, when there can be more issues. You and Craig could be on the same page, and it still not happen.”
I was silent for a long time as Kerry’s words settled.
“Hey, you ok?” he finally asked.
I forced a smile and nodded. “Yeah… just letting it sink in.”
“Sorry, man. Didn’t mean to burst your happy bubble.”
I shook my head. “No. You’re right. It’s something I want. But I’d already given up on the thought of having kids before I met him.” I blew out a long breath. “It’s not worth losing him over.”
Kerry smiled softly. “Make sure you mean that. You don’t want to resent your alpha. Buuuut,” he winked, “I’m willing to bet he wants to see you round.”
I smiled. “I hope so.” Then I pivoted. “And you? How’s your pregnancy going?”
His eyes drifted to his prominent baby belly, and he smiled. “Good.” He looked back up. “How’s Yazzy doing? She going to make it to her due date?”
I nodded. “It looks that way. Her mama is planning to come out toward the end of the month to help the last couple of weeks, then will be here until after they do their…” I paused to try to get the pronunciation right, “presentación … in March.”
“Oh, yeah. I forgot she’s doing that instead of a shower.”
I shrugged. “It makes sense. A shower for a third is pushing it, and the family will want to meet the baby anyway. Having a party a few weeks after the baby is born lets them all plan to come up.”
He snickered. “Just watch. I won’t be able to make it because I’ll be pushing my own out.”
I laughed. “I don’t know if that’ll be a good enough excuse. And you do know your baby will also have to make the rounds.”
He gave me a shocked look. “What about germs?”
I snorted. “You think that will work against her family? Face it, you’re an honorary cousin in their eyes. You’ve met them enough times. That kiddo of yours is fair game to be doted on.”
“But it’ll be her party,” he tried.
That made me laugh harder. “The only thing better than a party with a reason to celebrate, istworeasons to celebrate. Besides… you think Yazzy didn’t think of the fact that your baby is due around then? She’s throwing you into the deep end.”
Kerry groaned. “I already know I’m going to hate her for this.”
My laughter turned to chuckles. “She’s probably doing you a favor, to be honest.”
“What do you mean?”
“This is her third. She’sgonethrough the germ phase. I also remember how exhausted she was when Michelle was a newborn, and everybody had to go through a five-step cleaning program to hold the baby. She ended up tiring herself out because she was too concerned about germs to give herself a break. Marco though? Go wash your hands so I can shove the kid at you.”
“Oh, I hate you now, too,” he grumbled.
I smiled. “You know I’m right.”
“Yeah?” he snarked back. “Just wait until it’s you: Mister ‘I’m going to ask Craig to bond and breed me for my heat.’ You’re going to pop out a kid just in time for holiday parties, and I’m going to laugh my fucking ass off at the karma as everybody wants to passyourfirst newborn around.”
