Alright, I was feeling extremely motivated this week, so here's another chapter~
Remember, if you like what you see the best thing for you to do is leave a comment and let me know~!
Xxxx -USxUK- xxxX
How to Take Care of Your Pregnant Omega: Chapter 1 - Food Cravings: Part 2
Mood Swings
Now that we've gone over the basics of the changes that you should expect to see in your Omega partner's diet during their pregnancy, we'll now talk about some other external factors that can also play into how your Omega's emotions affect their dietary behavior.
Faced with these delicate stages of pregnancy, it's understandable to realize that your Omega mate will go through many, many different changes in mood and emotion- often completely randomly and without any warning. If you start to take note of the different emotions that your mate displays, and then try and note some of their key dietary behaviors depending on that emotion, you'll often find a pattern that will clue you in on the types and amount of food that your Omega will want to consume.
Take, for example, a situation where your mate suddenly becomes distressed by something (a sad movie, recalling a childhood memory). A sudden mood swing like this will often trigger immediate food cravings- and in many researched cases- warm, nostalgic foods have been proven to be the most effective in curbing the Omega's cravings as well as boosting their mood. If you know some of the things that they liked to eat during their childhood, try one of those foods first. If not, your best bet will be either a food that they've had a more recent affinity for, or just some good, hot comfort food.
In another example, say, where you may have incidentally done something that flipped the anger switch in your mate, (try not to feel too bad about it, chances are it probably wasn't completely your fault) you may want to try giving your Omega something sweet and sugar filled. Studies have found that Omegas tend to crave sweet and sugary things when their mood starts to turn sour- so next time try feeding them some fruit, ice cream, or one of their favorite pastries.
Each Omega is different when it comes to the frequency, duration and types of mood swings that they face. These tips will help you to get an idea of how to approach dealing with your mate's capricious behavior, but only time and experience will be able to help you with the rest.
No matter what- when you're trying to help your Omega, just remember this;
An Omega puts their complete trust and self in the care of their Alpha mate- so it's your job as their protecting partner to give them the love and patience that they need and deserve. Your Omega can't help the changes that they're going through- but you can help make it easier on them by giving them nothing less than your full attention and care.
Xxxx -USxUK- xxxX
"Are you feeling a little bit better, baby?" Alfred questioned softly as he glanced down at his pregnant mate.
Arthur was propped up on his side in their giant king-sized bed, resting his head against Alfred's chest and snuggling the Alpha closely to his body. They were still watching The Lion King on their television, as watching childish movies seemed to cheer up the Omega's mood immensely.
Arthur turned his attention away from the TV screen at the sound of his mate's voice, staring up at the American's blue eyes.
"Yes, I'm feeling loads better after getting something to eat and lying here for a bit." The Brit responded with a gentle smile.
Alfred returned the expression gratefully and dipped his head down to drop a kiss onto the blonde's forehead. "I'm glad..."
The Brit hummed appreciatively at the affection before furrowing his brow guiltily. "I'm sorry about earlier too...I really didn't mean to blow up at you when you woke up- I was just feeling anxious and...I let my emotions get the better of me when you didn't wake up right away..."
Alfred shook his head quickly, pulling his mate close to his chest. "No, I'm the one that should apologize, Iggy...I know the pregnancy is taking a huge tole on you- both physically and mentally...I know that I need to try and be more sensitive to your needs- so don't feel like you ever have to apologize..."
Arthur smiled and nodded into the American's chest as the Alpha began to stroke his back soothingly.
"You're not feeling tired, though? I'm fine if you want to stay up, but I don't want you to overexert yourself..." Alfred murmured concernedly.
The Omega shook his head and snuggled it sweetly against his mate's sweatshirt-covered chest.
"No...I had a nap for most of the afternoon, so I was hardly even tired when we turned into bed...I think that may have been why I woke up so early now with bad cravings...Usually if I eat enough during the day I can make it through the night until around 6 AM..."
Alfred hummed and nodded his head in agreement. "It's my fault, I should've been keeping better track with what you were eating throughout the day. Your blood sugar is probably low, so I'm sure it played a factor in inducing your cravings..."
"Haha, what's with you acting so responsible and intelligent all of a sudden?" Arthur murmured endearingly, reaching for his mate's hand and threading their fingers together.
"Hey, I'll have you know that I always try to be responsible and intelligent!" The Alpha pouted back indignantly.
"Sure, sure..."
Their playful banter soon lapsed into a comfortable silence- and they remained in each others arms, cuddling each other closely as they continued to watch their movie.
After a few moments of watching, Alfred shifted his gaze from the television screen and craned his neck up to look at the clock on their bedroom wall.
4:10 AM
Let's see...I called Francis at just after 3 o'clock, and he said he would get those scones delivered in an hour...It's been about that time- I wonder if I should call and check in or not..
As the American debated with himself in his head, he suddenly felt buzzing coming from somewhere in his pocket.
"Hmm? What's that..?" Arthur mumbled in confusion, glancing around for the source of the noise.
"Oh, I think it's my cellphone..." Alfred replied with a slight frown, untangling his fingers from his mate's and fishing through his pocket until he had pulled out the offending item.
The Alpha brought the screen up to his face and squinted at the bright light that it emanated in the darkness.
1 Missed Call: Caller ID - Francis Bonefoy
"Ah...missed it..." He muttered to himself.
"Hm? Who was it Al?" The Omega asked with a curious glance up at his mate.
"Oh...I think it was Kiku...You know how he is when he calls...he must not've been paying attention to the time difference, haha."
Arthur nodded his head in understanding at the explanation and settled his head back on top of Alfred's chest, eyes glazed over as he watched the TV screen.
Phew, that was a close one...It's not like it's that big a deal if Iggy finds out that Francis called me...but based on the slightly strained relationship the two have...I'd rather he not know and stay in a good mood with me~
His treasonous phone however, chose that moment to start vibrating again, and Alfred glared down at it with an expression that suggested he was thinking of introducing it to a lighter.
Dammit Francis, Arthur is finally in a good mood and being all clingy and cute- and you're gonna make me get out of bed and go talk with you?! Ughhhh...
"I'm sorry baby, I'm gonna go talk to him and see what's going on." The American finally relented with a small sigh, patting Arthur's back gently to signal that he was going to get up.
Arthur, however, had different plans.
"Aw, don't go now~ You can talk to him later- stay with me and let's finish the movie~" The Brit pouted cutely, wrapping his arm across his mate's stomach and hugging to keep him from moving.
Alfred's heart melted instantly, and his resolve was firm. No one in heaven or hell was gonna be able to convince him to move from the bed at that moment.
"Ugh, I love you Iggy..." He murmured sweetly, returning his mate's hug and placing an affectionate kiss on top of the blonde's mop of hair.
"Hehe, me too.." The Omega whispered in reply.
With the two of them lay in bed hugging, Alfred was able to click on his cellphone and start typing a text out to Francis.
New Text Message: Recipient(s);
['Francis Bonefoy']
Alfred: Hey Francis IM sorry I missed ur calls. Iggy has me in death grip in bed and hes gonna HAve a fit if I leave 2 talk 2 U
Even he winced slightly at the grammar and punctuation (or lack there of) as he re-read the message before sending it. He wasn't the type of person to tap out messages in full length sentences with perfect punctuation and proper grammar like Arthur did, but even he had to admit that the message was a bit sloppy.
Oh well, I can't exactly help it right now. I'm only typing with one hand and Arthur's laying on my arm so it's basically numb...Whatever, this will have to do..
[SEND]
Alfred relaxed his arm holding the cellphone and focused back on the movie while he waited for a response. He made sure to turn the vibration off so his mate would be none the wiser- he just had to wait until he saw the screen light up to confirm that a text had come.
The American waited no longer than 30 seconds before the screen of his phone lit up- and he hurriedly unlocked it to check the message.
4 New Messages
Alfred: Hey Francis IM sorry I missed ur calls. Iggy has me in death grip in bed and hes gonna HAve a fit if I leave 2 talk 2 U
•Francis: ...
•Francis: Alfred, mon amie...your grammar is très mauvais...
•Francis: I shall forgive you this once...but I'm not sure I want to know what a 'death grip' is...knowing that tea-loving clod, I'm sure it's painful... My condolences
•Francis: Anyways, I was trying to call and tell you that the scones are done. I have them here with me and they actually smell très magnifique~ Do you want me to drop them by your house?
Alfred read the messages quickly and bit his lip in thought, glancing down at his mate. Thankfully Arthur was still fixated to the TV, his eyes glassy as he stared at the screen- so the Alpha went un-noticed as he tapped a reply back to his blonde friend.
Alfred: Idk if U should come over. Don't want Artie upset. Maybe We can meet sm whre? Not sure if I shoud leaf him that long tho.
[SEND]
This time the reply was almost instantaneous.
Francis: Oui, this is true... Is there a convenience store or gas station nearby?
Francis:Hmmm...Or I could just bring them to you outside your house...Why don't I text you when I pull up, non? Just tell Arthur that you're going to the kitchen quick, then come outside and get them from me.
Alfred:tht might work. ETA?
Francis:I'm already in town so I should be there in less than 3 minutes
Alfred: kk. C U soon then
Francis:Oui
Alfred set his phone down and leaned back against his pillow with a slight sigh of relief.
Alright~! Francis will be here soon and then Artie will love me even more because of the scones that I'll give him!
Beside him Arthur shifted slightly, rubbing his belly with the hand that wasn't looped around Alfred's waist.
"Ya alright Artie?"
"Mm? Ah, Yeah I'm fine...I think I'm gonna go to the bathroom..." Arthur replied with a slight strain in his voice as he struggled to sit up in bed. Alfred offered a hand of support on the Omega's back to guide him up and out of the bed before Arthur lightly brushed his mate's hands off.
"I'm fine, I can get there myself."
"You sure? I don't mind..."
"No no, I'm alright..." Arthur replied stubbornly, bracing one hand against his back and the other on the wall as he waddled into their master bathroom.
Alfred watched in slight concern, but did as his mate bid and let the Omega go by himself.
Just as the Alpha was growing weary of leaving his Omega by himself for so long, he saw the screen of his cell phone once again light up.
Francis:I'm out front.
Alfred: Alright just give me a min
The Alpha sent his reply back and hopped out of bed, craning his neck toward the bathroom.
"Iggy? You still doing alright?"
"...Just superb, darling..." Came the slightly dry reply, and Alfred couldn't help but snigger.
"Alright baby, I'm gonna go to the kitchen so holler if you need me, 'kay?"
"...Got it."
With that Alfred quickly bounded out of the room and straight for their front door- where, sure enough upon opening, revealed a handsome looking blonde male leaning against the hood of a shiny black Porsche, box in hand.
"Geez Francis, can't you drive something less...conspicuous...?" The American groaned as he padded barefoot out the door and onto the front porch where the man strolled to meet him.
"Here I am going out of my way at the crack of dawn to pull favors for you, and the first thing you do is complain about my vehicle?" Francis responded with an unimpressed quirk of his brow.
Alfred cringed and shook his head quickly, backtracking to damage control. "I'm sorry, that's not what I meant." He bowed his head low. "Thank you so much for bringing these Francis, you're a lifesaver."
Apparently the change in attitude appeased to the blonde, who tossed his long blonde hair with an elegant smile. "Ah, well that's what big brother is here for, non?" He extended the box forward for Alfred to take.
"Ah, seriously thanks Francis." Alfred responded seriously, holding the box as if it were made of gold. "But how come you're here in the States? I thought you were back home in Paris?"
Francis smirked mischievously and dropped a flirty wink. "I'll save that story for our get together tomorrow, Oui?"
"Get...together...?"
"My payment for helping your sorry butt. Just text me the time and I'll be here. Now I better get going...Au revoir, mon amie~! I look forward to our tea tomorrow~"
"Ah...yeah..." Alfred waved in a slightly stunned matter as Francis blew a kiss and got in his car, pulling out of the driveway and speeding away.
Whatever, never mind him~! I gotta get them scones in and ready for Artie~
The Alpha nearly skipped up the front steps and back into the house, closing the door securely behind him. He went straight to the kitchen and quickly removed all of the scones from the pink pastry box that they were placed in- making sure to fold the box and hide it behind the garbage can so his mate wouldn't find it.
"Now let's see...some jam and clotted cream..." Alfred hummed happily as he prepared a plate of several scones, placing some small dishes filled with the pre-mentioned toppings alongside a small knife to spread them with.
Ah.. he's gonna be so happy~
Alfred strode into the master bathroom happily, carrying the tray that he had prepared with the utmost delicacy.
"Iggy? You still in the bathroom?"
"Eh? Oh, I'm right here." Arthur replied as he just strode out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom, wiping his mouth with the back of his sleeve.
"Look what I got~" The Alpha sing-singed happily, unable to control his happiness as he presented the tray to his mate.
Arthur's eyes went wide at the attempted-fancy presentation of scones, and he couldn't hold the tears that came to them as he was hit with an immediate rush of nostalgia.
"A-Ah, Al...I can't believe you...they look amazing..." The Omega gushed through damp eyes.
The amount of pride and happiness that Alfred felt overshadowed the slight guilt he felt at partially deceiving his mate, and he quickly gestured for Arthur to sit back down on the bed.
"Try one?"
"Hehe, of course Al..."
Arthur perched himself on the edge of the bed and watched his mate prepare a scone for him.
"Here you go~" Alfred beamed, handing over a scone topped with some jam and cream to his mate.
The Omega brought the scone to his mouth, taking a bite. It tasted amazing, but he nearly groaned as he felt the tell tale sign of nausea start creeping into his stomach. He swallowed and the small feeling turned into an immense wave of nausea as it suddenly fill his stomach and throat.
Oh no...c'mon don't be sick, don't be sick...
Arthur chanted in his head, willing his body to overcome the feeling of wanting to throw up as he took another bite of the scone.
That's it...If I throw up now I'm gonna make Al feel horrible...
Arthur swallowed the second bite, but his body wouldn't be so cooperative. Still he willed himself to keep from throwing up and instead clamped a hand firmly over his mouth, breathing deeply through his nose as he felt his mouth water with the feeling of bile rising in his throat.
"Hey, Iggy...You okay?" Alfred asked in concern, placing the tray on the bed and bending down to peer at the Omega's pale face.
DammitArthur jumped up from the bed and ran to the bathroom, falling on his knees in front of the toilet and wretching fiercely.
"Ah, Artie..." Alfred immediately leapt off of the bed and dashed into the bathroom, watching painfully as his mate threw up the remains of the food he had consumed over the course of the last hour. He walked over to the sink and quickly filled a glass with water, bringing it over to his mate.
"Here you go, baby." The Alpha soothed, helping his mate drink some of the water and rubbing his back soothingly.
Arthur spit some of the water back out into the toilet, coughing as his throat stung and tears welled up in his eyes.
"It's alright~" Alfred rubbed the Omega's back as he coughed a few more times.
"Wah...I-I'm s-sorry..Al..." Arthur sobbed as waterfalls of tears poured out of his eyes and cascaded down his cheeks.
"What are you apologizing for? I'm sorry that you got sick."
"B-but...y-you made me s-scones...and I wanted to...eat t-them e-earlier...b-but now my stupid m-morning sickness...wah.." The Brit continued to sob, holding his hands up to his eyes in distress.
Alfred gently smoothed Arthur's damp bangs away from his sticky forehead and placed a soft kiss there, pulling back and gently pulling the Omegas hands away from his face.
"Don't worry about a thing Iggy...The scones will still be there in the morning if you decide that you feel up to eating them again...Everything'll be just fine..."
The Alpha leaned forwards and brushed his fingers to sweep away a few lingering tears on the Omega's cheeks. "Do you wanna go back to bed?"
Arthur hiccuped with a nod and let himself be scooped up into his mate's strong arms. Alfred carried him bridal style into the bedroom, then placed him softly onto the bed and adjusted the pillows and blankets to support and swaddle the Omega's pregnant form before crawling in to his side of the bed.
Alfred immediately pulled the Omega into his warm embrace, stroking the Brit's blonde hair softly with one hand, and rubbing his slim back with the other.
"Do you think you can sleep now?" The American whispered gently.
Arthur glanced up at his mate with big, teary eyes- nodding his head affirmatively despite the tears slowly escaping his eyes and trickling down his face.
"Everything is gonna be ok, baby." Alfred soothed, and Arthur soon found himself lulled to sleep by the comforting, sweet as honey words whispered to him.
Just like that, he was fast asleep in the world of dreamland.
To Be Continued...