Fresh As A Daisy Omega: A MPREG Omegaverse Romance (Omegas In Bloom Book 1)

by Ava Beringer

  “Why didn’t you tell us? As much scandalous stuff as we’ve done?” He said, waving a hand at the whole gang. “As tight as we are? Did you think we’d judge you? We just want to pull together and support you.”

  “Thanks, you guys. I’m gonna need it.”

  “Speaking of support,” Buster started.

  “What about your baby’s daddy?” Ginger finished. Buster side-eyed her, laughing.

  “What about him?” I asked, avoiding eye contact. “The baby’s my responsibility. No need to ruin all of our lives.”

  “Yeah, because Preston had no idea what he was doing when he took your heat. He still thinks storks bring babies,” Clarke said, throwing up his arms. “The baby has half his DNA, so it’s half his responsibility. Are you afraid you’re gonna bankrupt the poor, destitute alpha? Heaven forbid he have to sell one of his Ferraris; instead, there should be zero consequences for his choices.”

  “The sarcasm is strong with this one,” Gabe said, jerking a thumb at Clarke. I dropped my head.

  “He’s right, though. I’ve been living off a modest-”

  “And you do mean modest,” Buster said.

  “Income even before I met Preston. He’s filthy rich. He can afford everything a child needs and still live like a king. It’s just…” Buster held up a finger.

  “If you say you don’t want to look like a golddigger, I’ll throw a tantrum worthy of Naomi Campbell. Again, let’s talk about the ‘selflessness’ of letting alphas off the hook when they need to be taking care of their children. Both parties have equal responsibility in consensual sex acts. The prevention of pregnancy- or not- is a shared responsibility. If he didn’t want a baby, he should have helped take steps to prevent your pregnancy, or just not taken your heat at all.” He rubbed my belly. “Not that we regret you, little one! You’re one of us now.”

  Ginger held up her hands in a shrug.

  “Ever think he wants this baby? That’s a possibility,” she said.

  “Boys?” It was Edna, poking her head in. They must have gotten her to watch the register for my little party. “Do we take Discover?”

  “We sure do, Eddie, there’s a button for you to tap in the top right corner. It’s gray and orange and says Discover on it,” Ginger said.

  “Okay, thanks. Can I grab these last raspberry danishes?”

  “Damn right. You earned ‘em, Ed,” Miguel said.

  “Where were we? Oh yeah,” Buster said. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled, “He put his penis in you and ejaculated knowing that’s how babies are made!”

  “By all means, please give the whole neighborhood sex ed and tell all Colby’s business at the same time. A two-fer,” Clarke said, patting Buster’s shoulder.

  “Here’s the thing, dear.” Gabe stroked at my hair, finger-combing it into place. “We all believe Preston is better than that. He’ll want to provide for his child and be a father to him.”

  “How do you know?” I asked. Gabe shrugged.

  “Because I know. So do you, your insecurities are just arresting your better judgment. You don’t know what his response could be, because you haven’t told him. What if he’s over the moon about being a dad? You never explored the possibility that the two of you could have had something bigger. There was a real connection. What does your heart say? Your instincts?”

  I didn’t tell him about the card. A few weeks after Preston was gone, one of those little dust-slash-trash tornadoes kicked up in a corner by my front door. There was a flash of white and a glint of gold in the tornado, and my curiosity got the best of me. It was a business card. It was a little worse for wear, but easy to read. Preston Reid, Portland Co. On the back it simply said, if you ever want to find me.

  When I saw it the first time, I still didn’t know I was pregnant, and I figured my window of opportunity was long gone. I kept the card, though. I couldn’t let go of my last connection to my alpha. My alpha.

  “I can’t get over him,” I admitted for the first time. “My heart and my instincts are crying out for my alpha. I need him. We need him.” Ginger grabbed my shoulders.

  “Let go of your doubts for once, Colby. Give yourself a chance.”

  “Okay. I’m gonna talk to him. Confess, you know? Put it all out on the table. I think…I think I should do this face-to-face.” That was true, but I was also desperate to see him. “He left me a card so I could find him.”

  “Well, why in the hell didn’t you say so?” Buster said. He clapped his hands sharply. “Let’s make it happen, cap’n.”

  My lease was almost up, and Gabe had offered me a room in his house so I could save some money and have some support for the baby; we decided to move my things over there for now. Buster called his cousin’s moving company and they did the move for free, his cousin saying it was no work at all because my move was small and simple. Miguel paid for a beautiful Airbnb apartment for four nights and even the plane ticket; “One way. I have a feeling it’s all you’ll need.”

  Ginger helped me pack and plied me with snacks and supplies for the plane ride. A week later, after a whirlwind of preparation and activity, I was ready to go. Miguel assured me they’d be covered in the event I didn’t come back. He assured me I would always have a job if I did. I felt okay with taking this risk because I had the biggest, strongest safety net a man could ask for.

  Still, I didn’t want to come back. I wanted to fall into Preston’s arms, with him begging me to stay so we could have a family. I wanted the fantasy. My every instinct said Preston was the one before I shut him down and shut him out. Was I right?

  Clarke drove me to the airport in his sensible ten-year-old sedan. The sun had barely risen and I was rubbing my tired eyes. As we pulled up to departures, I realized this could be the last time I saw him in person for a long time.

  “Here we are,” Clarke said, sniffling. He clenched his jaw, which made his slim face look harsh. “I don’t want you to leave,” he said, as dramatic as a Shakespearean actor. “But I want you to be happy. Fly, my little bird. Grow, my morning glory.”

  Outside the car, he slapped my hands away when I tried to grab my bags.

  “Yeah, because you lifting fingers is acceptable around here. Not on my watch.” He piled my meager things into a luggage cart.

  “Isn’t this a little excessive?” I said with a laugh.

  “No.” He lifted his nose pushed the cart into the doors. I checked in online, so I went straight to security. Clarke full-on cried at the line entrance, breaking down and grabbing me, holding on for dear life. I cried, too.

  He bent down and pressed his cheek against my belly, wrapping his arms around my waist.

  “Young fetus, I hardly knew thee. Uncle Clarke misses you already! You stay safe and healthy in there. Get big and strong, and I’ll see you as soon as I can. Hopefully soon, but hopefully not too soon, but hopefully soon…” Passersby stared at my crazy friend, but he paid them no mind. I laughed through my teary eyes. Finally, Clarke stood and wrapped me in one last big hug.

  “Wish me luck, Clarke.” Clarke ran his hands down my cheeks, cupping my face in his palms.

  “Oh, you don’t need that, you’re too lovable. If you come back, it’s okay. We’ll all be here, and we’ll help you with the baby and still be a big family. If you stay, it’s okay. You’ll have a new family, and you’ll just have to Skype us at least three times a week to show us how the baby’s growing. Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  “Go get your alpha.” Clarke slapped me on the butt as I walked away. I laughed so loud people stared at me. Then, I wiped my tears as I walked out of his sight.

  I slept the whole four-hour plane ride. My pregnancy fatigue came in handy for once; I didn’t spend the whole time biting my nails and losing my nerve.

  I took an Uber to my Airbnb and got checked in. It was a downtown condo with a nice view. I couldn’t get over the skyline; Primrose Keep wasn’t nearly this big.

  By the time I got settled, it was mid-afternoo
n and I was starving and had to pee. I was eager to get to Preston’s building before I lost my nerve, so I ate a few of the snacks Ginger packed for me and left to catch the L-train to Portland, Co.

  It wasn’t far. Only a fifteen-minute ride and I stood outside the blue glass facade. The skyscraper was so tall that even when I craned my neck all the way up I couldn’t see the top. My alpha was in there. I could feel it. I took a deep breath, steeled my nerves, and marched inside.

  An electronic badge gate with a security desk at the end blocked the entrance. I was already in trouble. I didn’t have a badge, so I went to the security guard. She had a paunchy, sour face and her watery blue eyes were closed off. She’d probably call the police at the drop of a hat, but I was desperate.

  “Hello, can you help me? I’m here to see Preston Reid.”

  “Which company?” She asked in a clipped tone.

  “Portland Co,” I replied. That one was easy. She knew who Preston was; that was a test.

  “He know you’re coming?”

  “Well, no, I was planning to surprise him.”

  “No appointment, then?” She glared at me.

  “Um, no-”

  She looked me up and down. I was still wearing casual, comfy, stretchy clothes from the plane, sleep-rumpled and all in various shades of gray. Seeing the expensive suits flashing past, hearing the click of heels and dress shoes on the floor, smelling the designer fragrances and aftershave, I knew this was not my world. I might as well wear a sign that said “does not belong”.

  The security guard didn’t ask any more questions. People like me, who weren’t the rich, high-powered, fast-movers, were to be kept out.

  “Listen, I just need to speak to him. Please. He knows me, we just haven’t seen each other in a long time.” The guard’s eyes dropped to my belly. There was pity in her eyes now, and that was worse than the disdain. Did she think I was lying about my connection to Preston, or that I was telling the truth, but Preston abandoned us? I didn’t know which was worse. The heat of embarrassment colored my cheeks. The woman shifted in her chair and dug in her pocket, pulling out two crumpled fives.

  “Listen, why don’t you go have lunch on me? Get off your feet. Mr. Reid won’t be able to see you today.” I panicked. My hormones and instincts went into overdrive. I just wanted to get to my alpha. I needed him. We needed him.

  “Can you please just call and tell him Colby Dalton is here? Please. I came all the way from California…” As I spoke, an alpha woman with dark skin and cornrows pulled into a neat bun at the nape of her neck was walking past. She stopped in her tracks, her briefcase swinging.

  “What did you say your name was?” She stepped closer to me, and I fought the urge to take a step back. Being around someone so clearly powerful was unnerving.

  “Colby Dalton,” I repeated, rubbing my belly out of nervous instinct. “I need to see Preston Reid.”

  “Holy shit,” she whispered. She waved me in. “Holy shit. Get back here. Irene,” she said to the security guard, “He’s with me.” The alpha, whose name I didn’t know, led me toward the elevator bank at a fast clip.

  “There she is, the slugger herself,” said an omega man waiting for an elevator. He was clearly just as powerful as she was. “Who’s your pal, Patso?”

  “You’re not gonna believe it, Skip. This is Colby Dalton from Primrose Keep.” Skip narrowed his eyes, mouthing the words, then his eyes flew open.

  “Holy shit.”

  “That’s what I said!”

  “We gotta get him to Reid, like, yesterday!”

  “That’s what I’m doing! Wanna come with me and see the look on his face?”

  “You kidding? I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” I looked between the two of them. Hope welled up in me.

  “You know who I am?” I asked. Preston told people about me?

  “Colby, my friend, it took a while to pry it out of him but you’re all that alpha’s talked about since he got back from Primrose Keep,” Skip said, a mischievous look on his face.

  “Wait, is that a good or a bad thing?” The elevator came and Skip escorted me on with a hand on my back. “Patso” tried not to touch me, knowing my alpha wouldn’t like that. My alpha. They were taking me to him.

  “Skip, take a hit of this air.” Skip took a deep breath through his nose.

  “Noooooo!” He said, a huge smile on his face.

  “Yes!” Pat replied giddily. I covered my belly on instinct.

  The elevator dinged open and the two of them guided me off.

  “Everybody make way! Precious cargo here,” Skip yelled, and interns skittered out of the way like frightened mice. Heads popped up from desks and cubicles all over the floor. I wished I had something to cover my face. A spotlight followed me and I couldn’t stand the heat, especially not when I didn’t know what Preston would do when he saw me.

  “Where are we going?” I asked in a desperate whisper. We were coming up on a massive conference room with all-glass walls so I could see how many executives sat at the big oval-shaped table, leaning forward in their chairs as they watched the presenter.

  Preston.

  “Taking you to your alpha,” Skip said with a wink. Preston was standing, gesturing to a projector screen in big, sweeping motions. He looked even more powerful, strong, and handsome than I remembered with his perfect posture, tailored suit, and big hands pointing at the screen.

  Skip leaned over and spoke into my ear.

  “You’re the dream omega he fell for in three days. He hasn’t been the same since he came back.”

  “I am? He hasn’t?” Pat opened the door and Skip marched me in.

  “See for yourself,” Skip said softly.

  The meeting ground to a halt. Everybody stared at us, curious who would interrupt them.

  All I saw was Preston’s face. To see him again was a revelation. I was in love with this alpha, and I was a fool to ever let him out of my sight. I couldn’t live without him. As I watched his face morph from annoyance, to confusion, to realization, I prepared to tell him just that.

  “Colby?” He said in disbelief. I took a deep breath. Here we go.

  10

  Preston

  “Colby?” I blinked to make sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me. He was a vision in an oversized, slouchy wool sweater, gray workouts pants, and Keds.

  “It’s me. I’m here.” He twisted his fingers together and stared at the ground. I couldn’t move. My feet were cemented to the floor. “I wasn’t expecting to have an audience for this. Especially not a bunch of fancy rich guys.” He laughed nervously, then a look of determination crossed his face. He was still so damn cute. “Know what? I’m glad they’re here. I want to tell the whole world.

  “The six days we spent together were the best of my life. It was like you stepped out of my wildest dreams. The night before we met, I told my friends that no one ever bought me flowers. The next day you bought me a whole store full. I should have taken it for the sign it was. Sharing my heat with you was…” he trailed off, looking around the room. “Phenomenal,” he finished. There were lots of grins and a few chuckles around the room. Colby went bright red and covered his face, but at least he was smiling. I still couldn’t move, but the gears turned inside my head. Colby came looking for me, in Chicago, to confess his feelings for me. He went on.

  “It seemed too good to be true. Three days to fall in love? You, wanting me? Because of my experiences, I put you in the same category as all the bad seeds.”

  “But Colby, I’m not-” I started.

  “I know, Preston. I know. It was such a risk, can’t you see? What were the chances of us lasting forever? I knew I’d never come back from it if things went wrong. I should have known better. I should have followed my heart.” My own heart was in my throat.

  “Are you following it now?” Colby lifted his arms out a little and let them slap to his sides. He smiled wryly.

  “Followed it all the way to Chicago. I can’t get over you. Preston, if
there’s nobody else, if you’ll have me-” I crossed the room and cut him off with a kiss.

  Colby’s lips were soft and warm and parted for me easily. Kissing him again was as natural as breathing. I cradled his precious face in my hands and kissed him long and deep. Behind us, the “aww’s” turned into wolf-whistles.

  Even when I pulled back, both of us panting and short of breath, our lips were close enough to still touch.

  “I wanted to claim you then and there,” I rasped. “Being with you came so naturally to me, even before your heat. For every part of you I saw, I fell harder. Do you know what kind of hell it was for me to leave you? For you to reject me when I wanted so badly for us to find a way? I believed in us, but I couldn’t be the only one. I couldn’t do it on my own.”

  “I wish I would have told you.”

  “I wish I would have told you, sooner. On my way out of the door was hardly the time, but I was afraid.”

  “You afraid of me. That takes the cake.” I pulled back and looked at him.

  “I have a confession to make. I canceled my plane ticket to stay with you.”

  “You did?” His eyes were wide with shock.

  “You did?” Jane echoed in the background, amused.

  “If you only knew how I canceled the flight right before I got to you that last day. I knew I wouldn’t be able to leave, especially if I was right about your heat.”

  “That you were,” he said, his cheeks pinking up again. “I’m sorry I treated you the way you did when you left. I thought you took advantage of me and I was hurting, and I wanted to hurt you.”

  “You did,” I said, nodding, “but I understand where you’re coming from. Promise we’ll communicate from now on, because I don’t ever want us to be separated again. I’m glad you came for me. If you haven’t noticed, Colby Dalton, I’m in love with you.” The “aww’s” came back, and I’d never seen a room full of suits so soft.

  I kissed Colby again, sweeter this time, then pulled him in and just held him. I tucked my face into his neck and breathed his scent in deep. There was something there. Something more.