The midwife wrapped the sweet baby in a blanket and set her on her mother’s belly. It wouldn’t be until much later that Melinda would tell Sharon and Laurie what she’d seen in the room during the birth.
A spirit had hovered close the entire time, its presence known only to Melinda. It wasn’t particularly different from any other sighting except perhaps smaller. Melinda would explain that she knew in her heart it was Mimi. It gave her strength and comfort while she labored.
∙•∙
Cooper lifted his gaze as Sharon emerged from the master bedroom. He and Jackson sat on the couch in the living room, waiting.
Sharon’s face was flushed with excitement. “She’s beautiful.”
“Of course she is. Did you expect an alien?”
“Ha ha. Do you want to see her?” She pointed over her shoulder.
Cooper shook his head. “I’m sure I’ll see her in a bit. Go. Enjoy yourself. We’ll be right here.”
Her face split apart again, and she gave both him and Jackson a gorgeous smile before turning to leave the room and return to her sister-in-law’s side.
“Did you see what I just saw?” Jackson asked when they were alone again.
“Yep.”
“You think it’s time?”
“It would appear that way.” Cooper stared at Jackson, trying to read his expression. Even after nine months of living with the human man, he still had trouble knowing for sure what the guy was thinking. Currently, his fingers were wrapped around his knees, stiffly. “You have something to say, Jackson?”
His mate swallowed and nodded. “How does it work?”
Cooper chuckled low and deep. “Well, you see, when a man puts his—”
Jackson rolled his eyes. “Not that wise guy. I mean, which one of us fathers the baby? Or do we know? Or do we care?”
Cooper leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Every mated threesome does it their own way. In many cases I’m sure they have no idea which one fathered the child. Sometimes it’s obvious later after the birth, but not always.”
“So we wait until she’s ovulating, and then we go at it like any other normal day and hope one of us makes a catch?” He smirked when he finished speaking.
“Nope. Not this time.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m leaving this afternoon to go check on that seismic equipment north of here. I’ll be gone three days.”
“So?”
Cooper shot him a grin and wiggled his eyebrows. “This first kid is all yours.”
Jackson’s eyes popped out. “What? Now? Like today? She’s fertile now?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
A smile spread across Jackson’s face, and he wiped his palms on his jeans. “That’s a lot of pressure for a human.”
Clearly the man was up to the task. And he was elated.
Yeah. Cooper had made the right play. Giving this move to Jackson was the right decision.
“Should I tell her?”
“No. She wanted a surprise. When I get back, we’ll know. I’ll either scent it or not. I mean, don’t get me wrong, wolves don’t necessarily get pregnant every time they try any more than humans, but the odds are in your favor since I’m telling you now is the time.” Cooper knew though. Like a sixth sense, he knew. Nine months from now his family was going to increase by one.
And he’d never been happier.
Sharon rounded the corner again, motioning them both to come with her. “You have to see her.” She narrowed her gaze at Cooper. “She’s your niece. Stop sitting there looking like you have some sort of secret and come meet her.” Her hair flew around behind her as she twirled around.
Cooper took a moment to watch her walk away. Or skip. She was that excited. Yeah. It was time.
When he pushed himself to standing and glanced at Jackson, he winked. They had a secret all right. The perfect secret.
And they were two of the luckiest men alive.