The Omega’s Beary Special Christmas (A Bear Under The Christmas Tree)

14. Hugo

FOURTEEN

HUGO

“Today’s the day.” Ferris was leaning over me while I opened my eyes, wondering if I could go back to sleep.

While my mate was no longer surfing, he was still doing classes on the beach, with Charlie or one of their other instructors taking the clients into the water. We all told him he could start paternity leave, but he said the nursery was complete, we had all the clothes, equipment, and paraphernalia, so what was he supposed to do at home?

“Put your feet up,” was my suggestion.

But as my mind processed him saying, “Today’s the day,” I shot up and grabbed the hospital bag, but dropped it as I pulled on sweatpants and a hoodie.

We were having a home birth, like most shifters, but just in case, my mate had packed a bag that included a spare set of car keys, snacks, and the clothes we’d wear to the hospital.

“How far apart are the contractions?

“Not the baby. The baby shower .”

When Charlie had suggested a shower, my mate was enthusiastic, and the pair had been planning games, decorations, and food for weeks. At human baby showers, the alpha father often didn’t attend, but I wasn’t human, and I planned to be there with my mate, celebrating our baby. And Charlie insisted Hector be there too.

He didn’t have much choice as it was being held in their condo. We had decided not to find out the baby’s sex, and when my mate discovered shifters had their babies at home and many didn’t consult a midwife during the pregnancy, he decided to do exactly that, though we did attend birthing classes.

“This is our baby, and I want to be in control during the pregnancy, the birth, and afterward.”

Maybe that was one reason he was so excited about the shower.

“Ta-da,” Charlie yelled as we walked into their apartment.

“Did you do this?” I turned to my mate.

“I helped plan it, but Charlie and Hector executed those plans.”

Garlands had been strung up around the room with images of bear prints and honey pots—my favorite things after my mate and Little Bear.

Packets of homemade cookies shaped like bears and jars of honey were on a sideboard, each labeled with a guest’s name.

“Oh, it’s the good stuff,” I noted as I sniffed the honey.

“Only the best for you, your mate, and Little Bear’s baby shower.” Hector clapped me on the back. “And the cookies are Ferris’s favorite chocolate chip.”

Teddy bears were dotted in between greenery on the tables. But while we had befriended shifters since I moved here, most of Ferris’s friends were humans—though he had discovered a couple were shifters. What would they think about the bear-themed shower? Not that it mattered, but it might be a little awkward if someone asked.

“I know what you’re thinking.” Ferris put his head close to mine.

“I doubt it.” I didn’t want my mate thinking I didn’t love and appreciate everything bear.

“Because we call the baby our Little Bear, it seemed appropriate to have the baby shower be all about bears.”

We didn’t have to come up with an excuse or fib. I kissed the top of his head. “I love you.” But as I angled my head, I asked, “Is that a photo booth?”

“It is.” Ferris took my hand. “Let’s take the first pic.”

Outside the booth were bear ears, and we put them on our heads. My beast complained he didn’t like fake ears and he had his own. But I explained that he and I couldn’t be in the photo together.

Ferris and I put our arms around each other, and I smooched my mate’s cheek.

“Ready. On three. One, two, three.” The camera flashed, but rather than wait until the photos were ready, we took more. We made funny faces and poked out our tongues.

Not very bear-like. Why can’t I take a photo with Ferris?

You can. Just not here. Guests will be arriving soon .

I won’t forget you promised me a photo .

When the photos came out, they were adorable.

“I’m putting these in the baby book.”

I had been taking pics of my mate and his bump every week, and he pasted them in the baby book, preferring a physical one rather than a digital version.

“You’ll enjoy the games,” Charlie told me as I wandered around the apartment.

People started arriving, and they brought gifts. That part of a baby shower I’d forgotten about. The gift table was groaning by the time everyone sat down.

Charlie took charge and announced the first game was Pin the Tail on the Bear.

“Do bears have tails?” a human guest asked.

I can show them mine. It’s small, but it’s definitely a tail . My beast was indignant, but I told him most humans had never seen a real bear.

Ferris was first, and I blindfolded him.

“Don’t peek,” I told him, and everyone laughed. I hovered nearby, my arm just under his elbow in case he tripped. But he pinned the tail on the bear’s tummy. My beast cringed and said Ferris should have cheated.

No, we don’t do that.

None of the guests were very good at pinning the tail anywhere near where it was supposed to be. Charlie took a turn, and he was perfect .

“You must know a bear,” a human guest said with a laugh.

“I do,” Charlie joked and winked at Hector. “And now it’s time to diaper the teddy bear.”

This was a race, and Hector and I gave each guest a teddy and a small diaper.

“I didn’t know diapers came in this size. Are they just for teddys?”

“Don’t you remember the packets we bought?” Ferris chided me.

Those days when we went shopping for baby stuff were kind of a blur. My mate had a list, and he was on a mission to buy everything on the list. I was the porter who carried the goods to the car.

“I do, but I didn’t recall they were teeny.”

As this was a timed activity, Hector held his phone, ready to start the “diaper race.”

“Ready, set, go,” he yelled.

There was a lot of cursing, fumbling, shrieking, and laughing. Even Ferris who’d been practicing wasn’t that great, and we all clapped the eventual winner.

“Who likes gummy bears?” Charlie held up a jar full of the candy bears. “The lucky winner who guesses the correct number, gets to take these home.”

Yum. I loved gummies, and I hoped Ferris would win, but he said he was sitting this one out as he had been with Charlie when he was putting them in the jar.

“Can I play?” I asked

“Of course.”

“Me too.” Hector loved gummies as much as I did.

Charlie handed everyone paper and a pen, and we wrote a number, making sure no one else could see what we wrote. We went around the room calling out our numbers, and while no one got it right, Hector was the closest. He cheered and brought the jar to me.

“I know how much you like gummies, so this is for you, Hugo.”

Charlie announced it was time to eat. Hector and I shared a few of the gummy bears, and I joined my mate as we filled our plate with yummy treats.

Before the guests departed, Ferris made a little speech. “I just wanted to say how much we, and our Little Bear,” he cradled his belly, “appreciate your friendship and your gifts. I had so much fun. Thank you.”

Ferris leaned on me as the last guest departed. “I’m pooped. Thank you so much, Charlie.” My mate hugged his best friend.

Charlie urged us to go home, saying he and Hector would clear up. Ferris protested, but his protest was interrupted by a huge yawn.

“Go. You can collect the gifts tomorrow or we’ll bring them to you.”

“That was a great afternoon.” Ferris rubbed his tummy. “My belly is kinda tight. What’s up with that?” He grunted as we left Charlie’s place and walked to the elevator. He sagged against me and squeezed my hand, digging his nails in and squealing.

“Owww. That hurt.”

“Ferris, did you just have a contraction?”

“Nope, I did not. My due date isn’t for two weeks.”

“Okay.” We’d both read the books and watched the videos and attended the birthing classes—shifter ones, so we were both aware babies didn’t respect schedules or due dates. They came when they were ready.

“I just need to soak in a warm bath to ease my aching muscles.”

The elevator door opened, but Ferris had his head down, and tiny moans escaped his lips.

“What’s going on?” Hector’s shifter hearing must have picked up us talking.

“Ferris is in labor.”

“I might not be.” He stood up straight but cringed a moment later.

“Owwww! Owwww! Hugo. It’s the baby. I am in labor.”

Gods, we weren’t at home, and what if we had to go to the hospital? Charlie joined Hector and guided Ferris into their apartment.

“Today really is the day!”