Second Chances

Chapter Seven: Good New

We finally came to my house, and we found it was empty. I was relieved that I would have time to gather my thoughts and decide how to tell them. Cherry wanted to help me, so we went to the greenhouse and found the herbs we needed. Cherry helped me mix them before we headed for the bathroom. I would pee on the herbs, and they would turn blue, meaning that I was pregnant. It was hard to pee in front of Cherry, but as soon as she ran the water in the sink, it worked, and a few minutes later, the herbs were a deep blue. Cherry left, and I was sitting in the kitchen waiting for my mate and mother to return. I didn't know what I was going to say. I guess I will do it at the moment. For hours, I waited for them to come back. I tried eating something, but it didn't work. At the moment, I was too sick to keep things down. When I heard the door open, I was throwing up in the sink. My heart dropped; I didn't want them to see me like this. I tried to tell them differently than this. But, they returned at the wrong time and found me like this.

I couldn't stop. The vomit flowed from my mouth, and my body was locked over the sink. My heart was racing, and tears filled my eyes. I couldn't breathe. I'm not ready for this. I'm not prepared to tell them. Not like this. I don't know them, and I need to them. I can't hide this news from them. I can't explain this any other way. There is no way not to tell them. Mother will see the herbs sitting on the table, and she will know. She will freak out.

"Ember, are you okay?" I heard him ask as he rushed to my side, followed by my mother, who was just as worried. Mate, grab my hair just like Cherry did. He rubbed my back, and it was so soothing. I missed his touch. We had only been apart for a few hours, and my body ached for him. My heart calmed. Tingles ran across my skin.

I couldn't speak. I was frozen, and I didn't know how he would react. Would he be happy? We had a little time together. Our bond was deep. That was true. But how could we be ready for this?

A child so soon into our relationship. How can we do this? I stood, unable to speak the words. I should tell my mate felt uneasy. He knew there was something wrong. I could feel his worry through the mate bond. His heart was aching for me.

"I'm pregnant," I said, as the vomiting stopped. Fear rushed over me as soon as the word left my mouth. I looked down at the sink, unable to look at my mate or my mother.

"What did you say, Ember?" Damien asked, his voice breaking. He looked shocked as I turned towards him. I couldn't tell how he was feeling about it. I didn't know if he was angry or not. We had never talked about children. I didn't know if he wanted this. I didn't know if I even liked this. I can't lose him. He can't leave me with his child. My heart couldn't handle that. I can't live without my mate. I wouldn't live without him.

Tears fell from my face as I looked at his expression. No words came from his mouth. I couldn't breathe; I couldn't think. His hands had left me.

"Please don't be mad; I'm carrying your child," I said, looking deep into his eyes. I could see a smile form on his face. My heart jumped. He smiled. I waited for a moment more, and his lips met mine, and he yanked me close to him; tingles ran across my skin. I buried my body against his, leaving no space between us. I needed him. I needed his touch. My heart raced as his lips danced against mine. His kisses were so addicted. I lost myself to him like I always did. I was forgetting all my worries and enjoying the moment. I love this man, and I love my mate. Breathless, Damien pulled away. His smile became brighter.

"I'm so happy," Damien said when his lips left mine. His smile stretched more. I had never seen him so happy. I could feel his happiness through the mate bond. It was profound and overwhelming. My worry was lost, overcome by the feeling of our bond. Damien's hands fell to my flat stomach and he caressed my belly.

"My child, you're carrying my child," Damien said, his voice cracking as he spoke. I could see some tears in his eyes. He was overwhelmed. His body didn't know how to react. He stared into my eyes, and I looked into his. I understood that he wanted this. He wanted our child. He was happy to be a father.

"You are going to be father, my love. Our child, our child." I said softly. I reached for his hands, inhaling a deeply as I joined him in caressing my flat womb. We smiled at each other. I will never forget this moment—the moment I realized that we are starting a family. We were bonded through our child now. A child who will be a part of us. Half my mate and half me. A life we created out of our love for each other.

"I'm going to be a grandmother," my mother said, pulling me into a hug. I had forgotten about her at the moment. Shocked ran over me. She wasn't angry. I thought for sure she would be pissed. She hated my mate. But she was pleased. She was glad that she was going to be a grandmother. I couldn't believe it.

I don't understand, and they hate each other. But, they are happy that I'm going to have a child. I will be bringing a child into this world, into this family, and they are pleased about it. I thought my mother would never want this. She would never want me to be a mother. She said as much when I found my mate. It was happening now, and she was happy. She wants this grandchild. I can't believe that's true. This isn't happening. This doesn't feel real.

"Yes, you are. You are going to be a grandmother, and we are going to be parents," I said, kissing my mate once more. I was so thrilled they were happy. It was such a relief to know they supported me in this. I was so doubtful that this would work out and knew things would be okay.

"The whole valley will be overjoyed—another protector for the community. A blessing, a gift from the Goddesses," my mother said, joining in touching my flat stomach.

"A blessing indeed," my mate said, kissing my forehead. I felt something at that moment. It was a deep joy radiating from my heart. I didn't know it was coming inside me or not. But it seemed like it was coming from my mate. As the bond grew, I had heard we would be able to sense each other's feelings. I was sure that I must be feeling his sense of joy. He was so overwhelmed by it. I could feel my body relaxing, knowing that my mate was overcome with such delight.

I watched as my mate fell to his knees, placing his ear on my stomach. He was listening to the heartbeat of our little pup. I knew the child was must have been so small at this moment. But indeed, its little heart must have been beating inside me. My mate remained on his knees for a while, listening to the life growing inside of me. He was smiling ear to ear.

"Our son," He said in a low whisper. I almost didn't hear it. I watch my mother's expression change. She was shocked, as was I. It was so earlier, and my mate already knew the child would be a little boy.

"How do you know?" my mother asked, her tone low and voice cracking.

"My wolf does. He can tell you are going, our son," Damien said, his smile unchanging.

"A little boy?" I questioned, looking down at my mate. He nodded, his head brushing against my stomach. Something told me this child had great importance to him, and he wanted to be sure that all was well. He didn't want to move. He wanted to remain there, listening to the little child inside me. I didn't move, and I didn't speak. I knew that he needed this moment.

I don't know how long it lasted, but soon it was time for dinner. I was no longer sick to my stomach and managed to devour some before Damien and I headed off to rest. It had been an eventful day, and I was exhausted in a way that I hadn't been before. I need some rest, but as it seems, my mate had different plans.