Page 70 of Pucking With My Head
Her eyes widened at my threat, but the way she bit her lip and her scent intensified, sweetening slightly, made me think she wasn’t that horrified at the idea.
I mentally filed that information away for later.
“I think we all need to sit down, have a drink, and talk,” Jensen said.
“Yes, these conversations are better suited to a couch, not a hallway,” I agreed.
We had a lot to discuss, and a lot of decisions to make.
There were so many things to start planning. I already knew that Bethany would want to keep her baby, and that was entirely her choice. If I was brutally honest, despite the fact that this baby would be a complication, I wanted the child more than anything. Joey had brought unimaginable joy to our lives. Another baby could only be a blessing. The lack of sleep would be brutal—Bella had refused to do any of the night feeds, but spending so many late nights having baby snuggles and bottle feeds had been both exhausting and a joy.
“I am broke as a joke. How am I going to pay for a baby?” Bethany asked, sitting on the couch, her hair a mess from how many times she had run her hands through it. “I can hardly afford to look after myself and pay for classes!”
“You don’t have to pay for anything. That’s what we’re here for,” Cullen said. He and Jensen were opposite her on the other couch, while I was next to her. The scent of her distress was obvious, burned apples. It made my chest itch uncomfortably, but none of us would say a word.
I glared at my pack mate, who looked confused at my ire. “That’s not only what we’re here for, Bethany. We’re here for anything you need. This baby is a sibling to Joey.”
The family finances were managed primarily by me, so when Joey was born, I had created several trusts in her name to make sure she never had to worry about money. She had a collegeand a mating fund ready to go—though I never intended to tell potential suitors about the mating fund untilaftershe was bonded and settled. Some alphas would take advantage of Joey, and I refused to let that happen.
It was no secret that Bethany wasn’t in the best situation financially, from what little I had gleaned from our conversations. But she had done admirably, funding her way through her education with next to no help from her family.
“Judging by when my heat was, I must be due sometime in May. I can’t have a baby in May. I have finals.”
“You can take them early, or defer them until after the baby’s born,” Jensen said. “High levels of stress are not a good idea while pregnant.”
I cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t think high levels of stress are ever a good idea, Jensen.”
My pack mate grinned and shrugged at me. “I don’t know. Sometimes stress can be a very powerful motivator. I’m pretty sure I got through my last year of medical school on stress, caffeine, and sheer spite.”
Bethany ran a hand through her hair. “I can’t afford to defer! I’ve worked so hard to get to where I am.”
“We’ll pay for anything you need,” I assured her.
She shook her head. “I can’t let you do that.”
Considering we were the ones who got her into this predicament, we very much could. It had been Jensen’s fault for not warning her that the medication he gave her for her migraines would cause her suppressants, and perhaps even her birth control, to fail.
“I think we all need to take a breather,” Jensen said. “Bethany, you’re looking a little green.”
He wasn’t wrong. Her face had taken on an unusual pallor.
Cullen vanished for a moment before reappearing with a cup of tea, gently placing it in the omega’s hands. “There’s going tobe a lot to discuss, but for now, I think we should all take a breather and let the news sink in.”
“You guys can’t be happy about this,” Bethany said softly.
I cocked my head to the side. “The timing isn’t ideal, but this is a child, and we’ll love them.”
Internally, I was battling my own war. Deep down, I liked that this baby tied Bethany to us; she had been a joy to have around, even when moody. There was still that nagging worry, though, that she would leave, just like Bella had.
Bethany took a deep breath. “I still can’t believe I’m pregnant.”
“Maybe it’s a good idea if you stay at the house a little more. That way, we can help look after you while your pregnancy progresses,” I suggested.
Bethany blanched. “I can’t just give up my dorm room. I’ve been living there for years. It’s my home…Then again, they’re only for single occupancy. They won’t allow me to keep that room once I have a baby. The bigger dorms are more expensive… Once I start blowing up like a balloon, I’m not going to be able to ice skate or teach. Oh god, this is a mess.” Her breathing started to come in ragged pants, and I could see the panic creeping into her expression.
Shit, she was going to have a panic attack if she didn’t calm down.
Scooping her up into my lap, I gently rubbed her back, rocking her back and forth. “Breathe, Bethany. It’s okay. You’re going to be okay.”
