His hands shook only slightly as he headed back to the bathroom, Cord right behind him - a steady, supportive presence that Billy knew would be there no matter what the next few minutes revealed.
/~/~/~/~/
Cord’s hands trembled as he helped Billy back to their bed, the pregnancy test still clutched in his mate’s hand like a precious treasure. Three little plus signs. Three separate tests, all positive. His omega was carrying their pup.
“You okay, big guy?” Billy asked softly, adjusting his glasses as he settled against the pillows. Even pale from morning sickness, he looked beautiful to Cord. “You’ve got that thousand-yard stare thing going on.”
“I’m...” Cord swallowed hard, sinking down beside Billy on the bed. “Fuck, baby, I’m more than okay. I’m just…” He scrubbed a hand over his face, feeling the grin that wouldn’t quit stretching his cheeks. “We’re having a pup.”
“Yeah, we are.” Billy’s smile turned shy, one hand drifting to his still-flat stomach. “You’re not freaking out?”
“Oh, I’m definitely freaking out,” Cord admitted with a laugh that came out slightly hysterical. “But in the best way. My gods, Billy, do you know what this means?”
Billy tilted his head as he reached for Cord’s hand. “That I’m gonna get fat and cranky and you’ll have to deal with my weird cravings?”
“No… well, yes, and I’ll love every minute of it.” Cord laced their fingers together, marveling at how perfectly Billy’s smaller hand fit in his. “But I mean... this is what we fought for, me and my team. All those missions, all that dangerous shit. It was so omegas like you could have this. Could have families and homes and futures that weren’t dictated by anyone else.”
His throat tightened with emotions he rarely let himself feel. “And now I get to have those things with you.”
“Sap,” Billy accused, but his eyes were suspiciously bright behind his glasses. “You know Cece and Tristan are gonna lose their minds, right? They’ll probably have the nursery planned before I’m even showing.”
“Bullet’s gonna give me so much shit,” Cord groaned, though he was still grinning like an idiot. “He’ll probably start a betting pool on whether it’s an alpha or omega.”
“What do you want?” Billy asked quietly.
Cord pulled his mate closer, breathing in that sweet scent that had led him across a crowded room to his future. “Healthy. Happy. Someone with your eyes and brain and my size... You know, just because.”
“Hey.” Billy smacked his arm playfully. “There’s nothing wrong with being fun-sized.”
“Absolutely nothing,” Cord agreed, nuzzling into Billy’s neck. His wolf was practically vibrating with protective satisfaction. Their mate was with pup. Their den was secure. Life was fucking perfect. “You sure you’re feeling okay? Should I call the doctor? Do you need anything? Water? Food? Those crackers that are supposed to help with morning sickness?”
“Cord, please breathe and calm down, or it’s going to be a long pregnancy.” Billy’s voice held fond exasperation. “Carrying a pup, or pups, does not equate to dying. It’s a perfectly natural and normal thing to go through. Although, if you wanted to do something right now…” He licked his lips. “Maybe some of that hot chocolate from the kitchen? The good stuff you got me?”
Cord was on his feet instantly. “On it. Don’t move. Actually, maybe you should lie down more? Are you comfortable? Do you need more pillows?”
“Cord!”
“Right. Shutting up. Getting chocolate.” He paused at the doorway, unable to resist looking back at his mate. Billy had both hands on his stomach now, a soft smile on his face as he stared down in wonder.
This was what victory looked like, Cord realized. Not successful missions or commendations. Just Billy, safe and loved and carrying their future.
“Hey,” he called softly, making Billy look up. “I love you.”
“Love you too, alpha. Now go get me that chocolate before I have to waddle down there myself.”
Cord practically flew down the stairs, his wolf howling with joy. They were having a pup. He was going to be a dad. Billy was giving him everything he’d never dared dream of having.
As he heated the milk and stirred in the chocolate powder, he found himself planning. They’d need to convert the spare room to a nursery. Install better security. Maybe get one of those baby monitor systems, Billy could probably hack it to make it even better.
His phone buzzed. A text from Bullet:Razor said he saw you at the pharmacy. What’s up?
Cord grinned, typing back:Tell you tomorrow. Bring cigars.
The responding string of question marks made him laugh. Let Bullet wonder. Today was going to be a slow day just for him and Billy, and their tiny miracle.
He carefully carried the mug back upstairs, finding Billy exactly where he’d left him, now typing on his laptop.
“Already researching baby stuff?” Cord guessed, handing over the chocolate.
