Page 48 of Mate Match: Curtis & Jae
Jae
Westayedthenightat the clinic, taking tips from other omegas there on how to get Leo to latch properly. Despite our exhaustion, Curtis was the one to hold Leo and settle him when I needed to close my eyes for an hour or so. He argued that I’d just given birth, so it was the least he could do. The man was my hero. He’d been with me for everything, being attentive and gentle as always. If I hadn’t fallen in love with him before, I would have fallen hard then. During my most vulnerable time, I felt safe and cherished by the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
Just going home was a production. Leo needed to be fed first, then his diaper changed. Of course, he spit up on his outfit, meaning he needed a different one. Then there were the hundreds of pictures we had to take for our family and friends. Even the people Curtis worked with wanted to see the newest member of the crew.
By the time we got into the house, the last thing I wanted to do was deal with people. Luckily, my parents were there to corral everyone into an orderly line for baby cuddles. My dad and Curtis ensured I was sitting down with my feet up, Percy in my lap, and a soothing cup of tea in hand while my mom made something delicious in the kitchen. Lara and Jennie had done our laundry while Ricky had vacuumed. They even had Milo doing chores! There was a little playpen for Ella set up so she could watch everyone.
Our nephew was the first to hold Leo before his grandpa, Ricky, got a turn. The older man’s eyes filled with tears.
“I wish your mama was here to see him.”
“She’s been with us since before he was born. You know she wouldn’t miss out on seeing him.” Curtis looked tired. My man needed a nap.
“Mom?” I whispered, gaining her attention. “Could you get Curtis to have a nap?”
“Of course. You should both be resting right now.”
“He’s barely slept, looking after me and Leo instead of sleeping.”
“He’ll run himself into the ground.” Her frown was out of love for my man. We’d grown closer recently, with Curtis making us see each other in a new light.
Leo became fussy, so Curtis scooped him out of Ricky’s arms and cradled him close to his chest, rocking slightly. He was a natural with our baby.
Mom went to him. They spoke in low voices, but enough of my mom’s words carried for me to hear.
“You are doing a remarkable job caring for my son and grandson, but you need rest.”
I didn’t need to hear Curtis’ words to know he was protesting.
“What would your mother be telling you right now?” Mom guilt. My mom was wicked. I couldn’t help letting out a tinyscoff. Everyone else was too absorbed in their tasks or talking about the baby to intrude on the moment between Curtis and my mom.
This time Curtis’ protest was weak. He knew he needed to relax, or he’d get sick.
“Now, both of you are going to have some sleep. We’ll watch Leo for an hour. Just a short nap. You must learn to sleep when they are sleeping. We will help with the house.”
Curtis relented. “Alright. Just an hour. Jae will probably have to feed him soon.” He gave a tender glance to the baby against his wide chest.
“Good. One hour.” Mom paused. “Curtis?” His eyes met hers. “I was prepared to like you for Jae’s sake. Now, seeing you with my grandchild like that, I’m ready to love you for you. I would be proud to call you my son one day soon.”
“Can I count that as your blessing to ask Jae to marry him?”
He looked over at me, smiling when he saw I was watching. The love in his eyes was almost overwhelming.
“It is a request that you do it as soon as possible. Now give me that sweet baby!”
Curtis gently passed Leo over to my mom, her expression softening beyond anything I’d seen from her in my life. I saw the moment she made room in her heart, not only for Leo, but for Curtis. She patted his arm, then went to join my dad on the couch.
A nap did us both a world of good. I slept curled up in Curtis’ arms, content with my life and secure in my future.
Some of our family stayed for dinner, though Lara, Jennie, Milo and Ella all left after the adults got their baby cuddles in. Our parents were such a great help rather than getting under foot. Most looked reluctant to leave.
The house was so quiet when they returned to their homes. Curtis was burping Leo after I’d fed him again.
I was tired, sore all over, yet I’d never been happier. I had the love of a good man, a sweet baby, and a loving family.
Taking a seat next to Curtis, I laid my head on his shoulder.
“Should we try to put him down to sleep?”
