The First Omega || NaNoWriMo 2019

Chapter 28

 "What am I going to do?" My voice wavered as I asked the question to the universe. The words were muffled against Rhett's shirt.

"What do you want to do?" Rhett's chest vibrated as he spoke, the sensation and sound soothing. He kept his grip on me gentle, just enough to be reassuring without making me feel imprisoned. "Lucas told me what he'd suggested... about us, but it's your choice Ryan."

"I... I know... would... would you even... how would that work even..." What Lucas had suggested would be fine, if Rhett and I had decided to pursue a relationship, but I still wanted to prove I could be independent.

"Well... we can take this at any speed you want, but the goal is to appear like we are both going to be there for the child, right?" Rhett's arm moved to my shoulder, rubbing away some of the lingering tension. "Ideally that means that the judge would be looking for a couple in a committed relationship."

"Yeah, but we aren't... I mean a couple or in a relationship... We agreed to co-parent but that's not the same." I pointed out getting a bit irritated with Rhett and the fact that he wasn't nearly as concerned about this as I was. I stiffened and pushed out of his arms even though I craved the comfort of his touch

"True," Rhett frowned slightly glancing down at me. "And most likely we never will be, but the judge doesn't know that. Nor does your ex's lawyer or your ex. We could fake it, for the sake of the baby."

"Hah, yeah cause that would totally work." Snorting I shuffled over on the couch, struggling to get comfortable. "Except that our friends and family know we aren't in a relationship and it's not that hard to figure out if someone is pretending. And once we are figured out then what?"

My eyebrow went up as I waited for him to answer. Rhett for his part seemed to know to keep his mouth shut this time.

"Exactly. We would lose. Not just the baby, but any chance to ever actually try for a relationship with each other." My cheeks heated up as those words slid out. "Not... not that I want to..."

"Right... of course but... it is still the best way to make things work. Plus they will want to know that you have space for the child, which you don't here. At least if they thought we'd live together we would be able to turn my office to a nursery and you could still have access to a spare bedroom." Rhett pointed out, turning to face me more fully as he argued.

"Except that I'd have to share a living space with you." I growled softly irritation bubbling through me that he'd even have the audacity to suggest that. "Plus when the baby is a newborn it would sleep in the same room as me regardless."

"What is so bad with living with me? I'm the one that should be mad at you. You lied about our child after all." There it was again, 'our child.' Those words sent warmth spreading through my chest, destroying the anger that had been growing there. "So what if it's not a real relationship right now... shouldn't we at least give it a try for our kids sake?"

Huffing softly, I started to deflate where I was seated, his words ringing true even if I didn't want to admit it. I really hadn't even given him a fair chance from day one.

"Yeah... I suppose so..." Rhett sucked in a breath as I spoke making me look up at him. "Don't get too excited though. I'm still not sure it's the best idea ever, but if it helps protect my... our baby then it's something I need to at least try. I still want to be independent though and I'll find a way to pay my portion of the rent."

"Fair enough." Rhett nodded, "It will look better that way to the judge as well if we are sharing responsibility for the bills."

"Right so umm... do... How do we explain this whole living together thing to our friends? I love Dreece like a sibling, but I know they will argue if I try to explain it's all for the sake of a possible court case that may or may not ever happen.." Plus I didn't want them getting their hopes up that Rhett and I may actually end up falling for each other.

"Well... either we lie and tell them we are together or... I guess just explain it away as me wanting to help and you wanting the extra space? After all, Dreece does know I'm the father and that my apartment is better suited to raise a child in than this one."

"I... I guess... Give me a few days though... I'm going to need time to convince them that this is what I want." I replied. My ankles were throbbing like crazy causing me to try and lift them so I could rub at the swelling.

"No problem." Rhett watched me for a moment before bending down to grab my food. Gently he lifted it to his lap, helping me turn toward him as he did. A soft moan slid from my lips as he started to work the aches and pains away.

"F-fuck... that... that feels amazing..." My eyes slid closed in pleasure, the pain gradually fading as he worked miracles with the arch of my foot before moving to help rub the swelling out of my ankles.

"Just think, once you move in you could easily convince me to rub your feet whenever you needed." Rhett replied. He sounded so serious that I had to crack open an eye to see his grin.

"Careful, you tempt me like that and you'll be stuck here helping me pack and move everything down the hall tonight." My earlier frustration with Rhett vanished as we chatted through the evening.

Periodically Rhett got up to grab me snacks and drinks, his insistence on pampering me not nearly as annoying as when Dreece and Michael did the same. He'd just brought me the rest of my sandwich from lunch when a thought hit me.

"Did... do you want to help me pick a name? I mean... I've been trying to find the right one and haven't had a lot of luck lately." Having Rhett around seemed to keep my cheeks in a constantly heated state.

"I would love to." Rhett grinned handing me the plate before settling down with his own. He gently tugged me back against him with a smile. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well...." I fiddled with the sandwich, my hunger faded as he distracted me with the question. "I wanted to find a name that starts with D, to kind of honor Dreece. They've been a huge part of my life since I was young after all. Other than that I've really got nothing."

"Hmm... I mean that makes sense." Rhett seemed to stare off into space for a moment before glancing back at me. "I told you about my niece right?"

"Yeah... she was your sister daughter right?" I watched him warily. The last thing I wanted was Rhett getting upset if this was a sensitive subject. I knew he'd lost them both not long after his niece was born.

"Y-yeah... Umm well her name was Dani and..." Rhett paused clearing his throat. He turned away for a moment, pulling himself back together. "Anyway... I'm thinking maybe... if you don't mind... I always wanted to name my first born after her..."

"I... I love that idea." Smiling I grabbed his hand moving it to my stomach. "We could change the spelling depending on whether it's a boy or girl."

"Y-yeah and this way we both get to honor someone we care a lot about." Rhett smiled, pressing against my stomach as he did, our little Danny pressing back. He leaned down to talk to my stomach. "What do you think little one? You think you can live up to the name? You want to be our Danny?"

The baby kicked against his hand in response, making me laugh, a few tears rolling down my cheek. Rhett looked, his smile faltering as he noticed them.

"Hey, is everything okay? We don't have to use that name if you've changed your mind." Rhett sat up, gently wiping the tears away as he spoke. "I'm fine with any name you want."

"N-No Danny is perfect it's just..." A small laugh slipped past my lips before I could continue. "I'm just so fucking relieved to have a name for Danny. Now Dreece can't keep calling our baby Merfington."

"Merfington? How dare they!" Rhett growled in indignation, causing me to laugh even more. My laughter must have excited Danny because they began to kick even more against Rhett's hand.

"S-stop! Oh gods stop making me laugh!"