Vale’s eyes went wide. Memories of heats he’d shared with Urho in that quaint house filled his mind. He shook his head. “No, no.”
Understanding instantly, Urho nodded his agreement. “What about the house at Seshwan-By-The-Sea? The one Jason’s parents keep?”
“They’re heading there for their anniversary in a few weeks, and to be dramatic, I’d rather die than be caged in a house with the two of them right now. They’re as bad as Jason, only I don’t adore them.” Vale groaned, explaining more about Miner and Yule’s constant presence.
When he finally drew to a close, Urho laughed uncomfortably. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I know!” Vale threw his hands up again. “I’ve been looking forward to them leaving town just to get a break.”
“Virona is three hours north of here by train.”
Vale raised a brow and stroked his stomach. “And?”
“And Xan is always saying that the house is empty, and Caleb is lonely.”
Vale pondered. “I don’t know if Jason will agree. He barely lets me leave the house to walk to the market or—”
“With this flu going around, I want you to stop that immediately.”
Vale waved off his worry, irritation welling again. “I haven’t been in over a week. I’m going stir crazy here. The garden is dying, and the flowers are going, and I haven’t written a decent poem since I got knocked up. Do babies suck out all your inspiration? Is there scientific evidence of that? Because I could contribute to the studies.”
Jason walked back in, looking shaken. “I burned the mail in the fireplace in the reception room and washed my hands in hot water. Do you think that’s good enough? Should I shower?” He started to turn and leave again. “I can shower!”
“You’re fine.” Urho gestured to the leather wing chair. “Sit down. We need to discuss this flu epidemic and the risk to this pregnancy and Vale.”
Jason sat immediately, eyes like saucers, intent on whatever Urho suggested. There was a time when Jason resented Urho far too much to have ever looked at him like that. Vale thought they’d all three come a very long way.
“I forgot to remake Vale’s tea,” Jason said quietly. “Can this wait until I get that for him?”
“Never mind, darling,” Vale said, his heart fluttering at the sweetness of his alpha’s heart. “I’m past wanting it now.”
“He’s very finicky lately. Is that normal?” Jason asked, looking to Urho for answers.
“Quite normal. Now, please listen. I was just telling Vale about the flu this season. It’s ramping up, becoming an epidemic very quickly. Normally, I’d want to be here, in the thick of it, helping those who contract it. But I’m committed to Vale’s health and dealing with whatever potentials come from this pregnancy. I won’t put him in another doctor’s hands. Which brings me to my suggestion—I think we should all three leave town.”
“And go where?” Jason asked.
“Somewhere the flu hasn’t reached yet. The sea, perhaps,” Urho said. Vale almost laughed at the eagerness in his tone.
“My parents are already going to the cottage,” Jason said, repeating Vale’s comment from earlier. “Vale can barely stand their nightly visits. I don’t think he’d want to be stuck with them in—”
“We can go to Xan’s house in Virona,” Vale interrupted. “He’s invited us, hasn’t he?”
“Well, yes, for the Autumn Nights feasts, but we declined, of course.”
“Don’t you think the offer probably still stands? Even though the feasts are passed?” Vale pushed, already thinking of how nice it would be to give birth by the sea, and how lovely it would be to have an omega friend at hand, too. Someone who wasn’t his pater-in-law.
“I’m sure it does,” Jason agreed. “He’s always complaining that the house is so big and yet his cousin seems to be everywhere at once.”
Vale interrogated Jason about the cousin, curious why Jason hadn’t mentioned him much. Jason had been part of Xan’s life since they were boys.
“He’s a little older than us, but I never liked him.” Jason shrugged. “Aside from that, I’ve had my mind on other things.” His brows drew down. “Seeing Janus would be a negative toward going, but if push came to shove, we could always rent our own little place in Virona if we need to get out of Xan’s hair.”
“I want to be with Caleb,” Vale said, clutching Jason’s hand. “When the time comes, it would be good to have him there.”
“I didn’t know you felt so strongly for Caleb.” Jason kissed Vale’s knuckles.
“Omega brooding instinct,” Urho offered in his gentle, doctor-knows-all tone. “They take solace in the presence of other omegas during their time. It’s instinctual.”
