Avenger(36)

“That hurts, Sophie. It really hurts.”

She rolled her eyes and licked ice cream off her lips. “Thanks for this,” she said after a moment. “I…I needed this.”

“I did too.”

When our bowls were empty I took them to the kitchen to wash them. By the time I made it back to the room Sophie was asleep, both the dogs curled up beside her, and there was whipped cream dried above her top lip, creating an adorable mustache.

I turned the light off and climbed in beside her. The dogs got disgruntled and jumped off the bed. Sophie let off a soft cry at the disruption and then rolled over, curling her body into mine. I inhaled her sweet scent of cookies and gathered her into my arms. She rubbed her face against my chest and made a cute little sleepy sound. Her round stomach pressed up against me and I marveled at it. It seemed like overnight her stomach had went from flat to a bump. She was the most beautiful pregnant woman I’d ever seen—not that I was biased or anything.

“I wuv you,” she murmured in her sleep.

I chuckled.

She’d been doing that a lot lately—talking in her sleep. She said some pretty funny things too. One time she said, “Don’t take my salad!” Um, okay, I won’t take your salad you weirdo. I really wondered what she’d been dreaming to say that in her sleep. I wuv you, was self-explanatory.

I smoothed my hand over her cheekbone, marveling at the softness of her cheek. Her lips pouted in her sleep and her nose scrunched. She curled her head under my neck and her ear rested against where my heart beat steadily in my chest.

I kissed the top of her head and then her forehead. I loved her with every fiber of my being and I’d never stop…not just because we were mates, but because she was Sophie.





Twelve.

Sophie

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the most monumental news of my life. I knew I didn’t care whether the baby was a boy or girl, but once I knew it would make it even more real.

I would be able to picture him or her even more clearly in my mind.

“You’ve lost weight,” the doctor said when I stepped off the scale. “Hop up here and let’s check on your baby.” Worry incased his words, which in turn made me worry like a crazy person. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to my baby.

Fear shimmered in Caeden’s eyes when I met his gaze. There was so much we couldn’t tell my doctor, and unfortunately, none of the shifters in our pack had studied to be a doctor.

I closed my eyes and draped my arm over my face. I waited with bated breath to hear the sound of our baby’s heartbeat. But…but what if it never came?

It would devastate me. That was for sure.

Then, I heard it. Strong and steady the baby’s heartbeat echoed through the room. All three of us let out a sigh of relief and I lowered my arm, opening my eyes.

“Is the baby okay?” I questioned breathlessly.

“Give me one minute,” he flicked a couple things and moved the wand around. “The baby is the right size, heartbeat is excellent, and it’s moving around like I want to see. Are you feeling any movement?”

“Not really.” I frowned. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Not at all. You might not feel any movement for another week or so. Or you might be feeling it now and attributing it to something else. I do want you to amp up on your vitamin intake. The weight loss isn’t affecting the baby—yet—but it is affecting you. We want you to be as healthy as possible for you and the baby. Understand?”

I nodded.

“Now,” he looked between Caeden and me, “are you ready to find out the sex?”

“Yes,” I nodded enthusiastically, as my heart raced in my chest like it was going to fall out and flop on the floor.

Caeden reached for my hand and we both held our breath as we waited for the doctor to tell us if we were about to welcome a daughter or son.

He moved the wand lower over my stomach and said, “Congrats, it’s a boy. You’re going to have a son.”

I promptly burst into tears—and not the cute dainty tears most girls had, I’m talking full on ugly crying. I was going to have a son—a little boy to hold in my arms and to love forever.

“Beau,” I whispered his name as love flowed through my veins. I’d loved the baby before now, but knowing that it was a boy and saying his name, made it real.

I wiped my tears away and began to laugh, embarrassed by my reaction. But then I looked at Caeden and saw a tear snaking its way down his cheek and it didn’t make me feel crazy.

“Baby Beau,” he whispered. “I’m going to have a son…” He wiped the single tear away and shook his head. “Wow.”