Page 43 of Mate Match: Curtis & Jae
We were lucky. The pregnancy worked out okay for us. Jae was the best partner in this that I could have asked for. We had jobs, money, security. Jae and the team fought with AlphaPharm to increase the payout to not only cover the medical costs of the pregnancy and birth, but for the first three years of costs associated with having a child. Babies were incredibly expensive!
We had Jae’s rich grandparents begging to buy us stuff all the time, partly in guilt for how they’d acted when his sister announced her pregnancy. All the support we had made us incredibly fortunate. There were many omegas out there who didn’t have that support.
AlphaPharm was paying through the nose for their greed. All they had to do was recall the products already distributed when they found out they wouldn’t work correctly. Yet they hadn’t, because that would have been costly. Apparently, there was only a fifty percent chance of the DuoStop batch we had used being effective. One batch discovered later was only seventy-five percent effective.
The only reason the company didn’t go under was the lack of proof so many omegas had to show they had used the affected batches, meaning they didn’t get the compensation. It was so unfair!
Jae hadn’t worn the jacket since the end of his heat. He had forgotten the package was there, so our payout was processed quickly.
I knew Jae felt a lot of guilt about getting the money, but I argued it was better in our pockets than AlphaPharm’s. He relented, knowing I was right.
Besides, it came in handy when we wanted to take a break from the stresses of life and when getting ready for our impending little one.
A few weeks after our niece, Ella, was born, we went to a spa which specialized in pregnancy massages. They showed me how to rub Jae’s feet properly. Again, Jae felt guilty, like we should be helping Jennie and Lara out with Milo or the baby, getting some much needed baby experience. I reasoned after his months of campaigning, he needed the rest more than our family wanted our help.
Besides, we made Milo’s day when we dropped off Percy for him to look after for the weekend. I worried for Jae’s sake that we wouldn’t get the cat back! Percy was bonded to his owner, though, and purred up a storm when we returned.
Percy seemed fascinated by Jae’s bump. He spent all his time with Jae, often sleeping right next to him at night.
“I’m so nervous.” Jae cut into my daydreaming with his words. I took his sweaty hand and squeezed it.
“We’re nearly there. Baby has been moving today, right?”
“Yeah, not as much as before, and I had an upset tummy earlier.”
As much as I worried, I was pretty sure it was normal for the stage of the pregnancy. “The baby doesn’t have as much room to move now. The tummy thing, though, I’m sure Erika will know what’s up with that.”
Jae gave me a grateful smile. We were sitting in the waiting room of the birthing center for our final checkup before the birth.
“I’m sorry, but your last appointment’s balance needs to be cleared before you can have your anatomy scan today.” The receptionist tried to be quiet, but their words carried through the room.
“But my insurance was supposed to pay for that.” I could feel the omega’s frustration rising. She was arguing with the desk clerk, trying her best to stay calm despite the upsetting circumstances.
“It says here the insurance ran out before the claim went in, so they’ve declined it.” The receptionist grimaced. “I’m sorry.” They really sounded it. Must have been horrible to be in such a situation. “Are you able to pay the balance?”
The woman backed away, muttering to herself. She looked through her phone and shook her head sadly.
“My new insurance should cover the scan. Are you sure I can’t get it done?”
Unfortunately, the clerk shook their head. “It’s against our policy. Outstanding balances have to be paid in full or put on a payment plan with a thirty percent deposit.”
“Shit.”
Jae squeezed my hand, bringing my attention back to him. He’d been listening in, too. “Can we help her? Pay her balance? We’ve got all this money and I can’t help but think this could have been me. Without you, I could have lost my job because I couldn’t get through the morning sickness.” His eyes met mine. His pleading was clear. “I want to help her.”
“That’s all you needed to say. Of course we can, sweetheart.” Anything I could give him, I would. I brushed my thumb over the swell of his cheek. “You are the kindest person I know. It hurts me to see how upset you’re getting.” I stood. “Let’s go speak to her.”
I helped Jae to his feet and over to the desk. His bump was so big and low now, it was uncomfortable for him to walk far.
“Excuse me, I couldn’t help but overhear,” he began in a soft voice.
The pregnant lady reddened. She hung her head. “Fuck my life! Could this day get any worse? I’m so embarrassed!” she muttered.
I glanced at the clerk, who also looked uncomfortable. “This was a private conversation.” She spoke to the lady. “I’m sorry they overheard.”
“We want to help,” Jae interrupted. “We’ll pay the balance, and pay for today’s scan.”
“And for the birth,” I added. Why not help her out? We had decent insurance and plenty to pay for it.
