Chapter Thirty-Nine

Kian

I stare at the little onesies as Bridger carefully folds them and stacks them on my bed. I have a bottle in my hands, tossing it back and forth as I watch him grab for a blanket. He's gentle as if there's a baby inside and carefully folds the blanket corner-to-corner.

"Should I meet your dad?" I blurt out. He looks at me as if I just said the worst thing ever, and I look back at him equally confused and shocked. "I-I just thought that's what couples do, especially when they're about to be parents together."

I know he said he didn't have a positive parental figure, but he and his dad built his cute cabin, so I figured maybe it wasn't that bad. But just from his expression, I can tell it is that bad.

"I never considered that," he confesses as he drops the blanket on his lap. "I personally don't want to see him and I know he's going to find out what I did and I'll be confronted at some point. I just never considered introducing the two of you. He's a...traditionlist. Not as extreme, but he wasn't too upset when Arron started to send away male omegas."

"You don't have to," I say quickly, "I just thought of it randomly. I'm not introducing you to mine...because...you know. You introduced me to your mom and that's enough."

He smiles sadly at that. "I should have taken you to her grave when I had the chance. Introduce you two formally. So much was happening then so I never even thought about it."

I sit closer to him, moving the baby basket out of the way. I've really been wanting to nest, the urge started just recently and I have been fighting against it for so long. It made me feel wrong because Bridger wasn't with me and I didn't want to prepare anything for our baby without him around. It also felt terrible going against my instincts to nest as I've always had. But now he's here and I don't have to hide anything from him and I can fall into my instincts and do what feels right because he won't judge or attack me.

"I don't care if you don't introduce me to your dad," I say as I rest my chin on his shoulder. "It's not as important as the future we have."

"Do you know the gender?" I shake my head, "have you started a nursery?" another shake.

"Thought of names?" Nope. "Wow...nothing?"

"I felt horrible for hiding it from you so I kinda just refused to do anything regarding it. I wanted to wait until you knew."

Bridger hums in response, an understanding smile on his lips. He places a kiss on my forehead, brushing my hair to the side as he does so. He presses his hands to my belly and asks,

"Can I see it? Your belly, I mean."

I nod quickly. I haven't shown it to anyone besides the iota in Corzo's pack. Jenna may have glimpsed it from time to time. So now, I'm really excited to show someone, but especially Bridger. I know it's not much like the big pregnant bellies many are used to, but I still love my tiny bump. I wish it were bigger, to show it off. I never got to when I was pregnant with Avery or Ivory, I wasn't really that proud of it anyways.

I pull my shirt just above the bump for Bridger to see. It protrudes over the waist band of my pants and is hard and smooth. The shape sort of goes downwards, making it more of an oval than a perfect circle. But it's still perfect to me.

"Does the pup move?" He asks as he gently places his large hands on my tummy and draws small circles with his thumbs in opposite directions.

I shake my head. "Not really. I might feel a shift but it's still for the most part. I was worried about that, but the healers say our pup is healthy and I can hear it's heartbeat when I focus. Can you?"

Leaning in until his ear is against my tummy, Bridger closes his eyes to concentrate. After a few seconds, his smile spreads.

"It's strong," he says, "because our pup has such a strong father."

He squeezes me to his side, before standing up from my bed. I wish we would have stayed in that moment in a little longer. But I also know there are many more to come.

"We've got Lords to meet," he states, "after you do what you need with them, we can truly prepare ourselves for this baby. Fall into nursery-building, nesting, and all that jazz."

"Jazz?"

He does jazz-hands before reaching out to get me up and off the bed. I jump up and take his hands before pulling him towards me to hug him again.

I release him and rush over to my closet to find an outfit to wear. Marquise said he needed to meditate before we go to meet the Lords and has been asleep for roughly fifteen minutes since we've been downstairs. Something about charging his magic to transport three people. I saw him sitting by the beach and it seemed as though he were napping, so I guess that's what meditation is. He said it wouldn't take along so for all I know, he could be downstairs waiting for us.

While I search for a presentable outfit in my closet, Bridger does the same in his bags that he hauled in here from his car. He told me that he didn't take all of his clothes from his cabin so when we go shopping for Baby Things, we also need to shop for Bridger Things too. I can't wait. I've never gone shopping before unless it was to buy something within a pack. I've never gone to a big human store.

Marquise explained that we don't need to "fancy ourselves up". But I still want to look decent when in the presence of the Lords so I dress myself in something simple yet nice. I don't want to wear all white because it makes me look pale, so I hope the angels won't expect us to wear all white like them. Unless that's just a Marquise thing.

When I walk out of my bathroom, Bridger is already dressed in a dark blue button-up and black fancy pants that I can't remember the name of. I stare at him, or specifically, at his butt which seems far more prominent than it usually is.

He clears his throat and I flinch, quickly looking him in the eye as he squints at me. He points two fingers at his eyes and says, "My eyes are up here."

"I wasn't looking anywhere else," I lie defensively, "why are you dressed fancy? Marquise said not to."

"This is business casual," he defends as he looks at himself in the mirror.

"I feel like I have to change if you're going looking like that."

He looks down at his outfit and then back at me. Pouting, he says, "I never get to wear stuff like this. We should go the way we are, it shows our personalities. That's probably why the Lords don't want us dressing for a wedding, they want to know us for us."

"Business casual isn't you, though."

He actively ignores me by humming as he fixes his collar. I look down at my outfit, trying to decide whether or not I should change. When Marquise came here, he didn't look fancy at all. Plus, I don't feel like changing and Bridger does look really good in his. If I get nervous, I think I can glance at him – or his butt – and all the nerves will go away. So I don't want him to change either.

"We should go downstairs then," I say, "Marquise is probably waiting."

Marquise is, in fact, waiting when we arrive downstairs. He's changed once again into something more colorful for him: a split white and green button-down with white shorts and sandals – something really casual and beachy. His casual outfit makes me feel a little better about mine. His hair is down this time, the long locs falling over his shoulders. I notice his locs also have some blonde in them much like Corzo's.

"It's business casual," Bridger says as soon as Marquise's squinting eyes land on him.

Marquise's lip quirks. "I wasn't going to comment. The Lords will, maybe."

Bridger shrugs. "So how do we do this?"

He stands in front of us with his hands in his pockets. "Have either of you ever teleported before?"

We both shake our heads.

"Okay, well, it's a trippy sensation for those who haven't. Luckily, unlike witch and warlock magic, my magic doesn't take from you so you will only feel winded at most. Maybe a little upset to your stomach, but nothing you two can't handle. It'll take only seconds. My main concern is how you'll handle being in Sephael. Gravity is weird there, the atmosphere is...weird, other things."

"Other things?" Bridger asks just as I ask,

"What does your magic take from?"

He taps his ring. "My other projects and yes, other things."

I try to remember what gravity is. I remember Peyton discussed it in simple terms when we were kids; he'd hold up an object and then drop it and he explained that the reason why it fell is because of gravity. I understand that gravity is like an invisible weight that keeps us all connected to the ground. I hope I'm right.

"Are you guys just floating around up there?" Bridger asks.

"No, but we walk very lightly there. For you, it will require focus. A second point is, we angels do not get many visitors outside of our own so there will be a lot of staring, confusion, awe and the lot. You know the gist, be an upstanding citizen, we're all the same. Preferably, don't let the young talk you into shifting, they're curious."

They wouldn't have to even they wanted to. I still can't shift no matter how hard I practice.

"Are we going to get to see Sephael or are we going straight to the Lords?" I ask, secretly hoping he'll say we'll get to see Sephael.

"I will take you to certain spots if you wish – definitely not Hesana, there's nothing there to see. The Court of Lords is located in Usin, it is a lovely countryside area. I am sure you will like Usin, there are many pretty sights and we will be walking by a local favorite on our way. Okay, prepare yourselves."

I grab Bridger's arm as Marquise steps closer to us. A few seconds of silence go by before I feel a cold sensation wrap around me. I tighten my grip on Bridger as I feel the solid floor beneath my feet disappear. I squint and close my eyes as a bright light blinds me and suddenly, I feel..lighter. I can feel solid ground beneath my feet again, but my feet don't feel as though they're pressed securely against it.

I wobble a bit as the bright light vanishes, still holding onto Bridger. I don't feel quite weightless, but I do feel like I'm about to float away if I don't hang onto Bridger who also wobbles around and tries to balance himself.

"Find your center," Marquise coaches from somewhere. I can't see anything yet but white, but my eyes slowly adjust and colors and shapes begin to pop out. I've learned that I don't know how to find my center since I've been told this ever since I started trying to shift. But somehow, I balance myself on the ground without needing full pressure. I realize that no matter how hard I try to drive my heels or toes into the ground, I won't feel normal the way I do at home.

Taking a deep breath, I release Bridger's arm and try to walk. I take slow steps, wobbling from side to side and feeling as though my body is about to melt apart and turn into mist with the clouds. I know it doesn't matter if I fall since I won't crash into the ground, I'm not even sure if the gravity here will allow me to fall.

After some time, I finally feel a little confident in myself. When I get the hang of things, I allow myself to finally take a look around, my eyes fully adjusted.

We're standing on what looks like a very long bridge. On one side, there are a bunch of small buildings and tables with people sitting at them. There's a woman standing in the open window of a building with a sign that says "BAKED GOODS". She scolds a child for dropping what looks like pie on her doorstep. It's not harsh scolding, she tells him to pay closer attention to what he's doing while he looks down at his feet with his bottom lip poked out. Others walk about confidently, looking as though they're floating. They talk and laugh, couples hold hands, children run around.

On the other side is a view I could never imagine. The railing of the bridge stop just above my waist and allow the view of nothing but clouds. The clouds, a bright white, are outlined by the light from the sun that I can't see, yet somehow everything is still so bright. Blue sky appears in an open section between the bottom set of clouds and top set, allowing beautiful white sunrays to shine through in different directions. I try not to lean too far off the bridge, afraid I met float off, but I can't even see ground below – if there is any – because if the thick clouds. They seem soft and fluffy, like a pillow.

Marquise was right, this is something I have never seen before. It's so beautiful.

"Wow," Bridger whispers as he joins me at the edge.

"Welcome to Sephael," Marquise says, "Usin, specifically. We're at the marketplace, the beginning of it actually."

"Are we allowed to take pictures?" I ask, feeling for my phone to make sure I didn't forget it.

"Go for it."

"Bridger, take my picture! Take my picture!" I say, excitedly slapping his arm while I shove my phone into his hand. He takes it from me before I drop it and slowly walks away from me.

"How should I pose?" I ask as Bridger holds my phone up.

"Do the-" he puts his arms around his stomach where a pregnant belly would be. It reminds me of the picture he showed me of his mother, he's smiling just like her and even does the little shoulder thing she did. I don't know if he purposefully copies the picture, but it warms me either way.

My belly definitely isn't as big as his mother's in the picture, but I try my best. I stretch my shirt a little tighter around my bump to make it stick out before stretching my arms down by my side and curling my wrists underneath my belly. I don't pose exactly like his mother; where she had her head slightly down and shoulders raised, I hold my head up and smile brightly at the phone.

When he's done, I rush over to him and take my phone out of his hands. I stare at the picture. It's my first picture taken besides the ones sent to Bridger that I took myself and it's my first ever pregnancy picture! I look so happy in the picture and the light makes my skin look as though it's glowing.

I look...I look beautiful.

Bridger wants his picture too. He just leans against the edge with his ankles crossed. He looks so handsome in his suit with his hair parted and gelled to the side. When he looks at the camera, a big smile making his eyes squint, I feel my face heat just from looking at him. He's literally the most gorgeous man I have ever seen in my life. And he's all mine. He's all mine!

I take a few more before Marquise starts guiding us down the road.

The angels don't pay us much attention. Some of the children stop and stare, I hear a toddler whisper to an older boy "a werewolf!" and point with wide eyes. Just like Marquise said, one of the young ones asks us to shift. Bridger wants to but Marquise shoots him a look that makes him – sadly – reject her plea. Besides the curious children, we're left alone with Marquise as our guide. It's all very peaceful.

Eventually, we lose the market area and begin walking a wooden path. On our right is a beautiful pond with the gorgeous clouds reflecting on the still water. There's cute mommy duck with her babies following behind her. There are trees that surround us and on our right, the woods are close and thriving with the sound of birds and insects. Despite living most of my life in the forest, something about seeing it so...peaceful and not full of evil makes me feel warm and ...I don't know the word for a place that isn't your home that makes you feel at home, but that's how it makes me feel. I would never give the beach up for the forest again, but it makes me happy knowing that I can replace the image in my head with something as lovely as this.

I walk further behind Marquise and Bridger who have fallen into a quiet conversation. I enjoy the warm breeze that blows my hair around. The peace makes me feel almost out of my mind, but in a good way. I know nothing here can hurt me or my – our – pup so I allow myself to totally embrace the beauty and...tranquility. I haven't felt as at peace as this my entire life. It makes me almost envy the angels who live here.

I close my eyes as walk, listening to Marquise and Bridger's footsteps and hushed words to make sure I don't run into them. I listen to the chirps of nature around me before focusing within myself and listening to our pup's fast heartbeat.

'It's so beautiful here, pup' I think, wondering if it can hear me. I don't know how mindlinks work and if we'll have one when it's born. I didn't have one with my daughters and if I did, it was severed somehow. I want to have one with our pup, Bridger, my whole pack.

'I wish you could see.'

I rub my belly over my shirt as I talk to our pup. 'Your dad is here and we're going to get things figured out for your home and pack. I'm excited, are you? When you come, you're going to have a beautiful home with angel magic and you're going to get to hear how it all happened. You-'

I feel a familiar flutter sensation and stop in my tracks. I press my hands against my belly and look down. 'Did you move? Did kick me?'

"Bridger!" I exclaim, "the baby likes it here. It moved!"

Bridger quickly turns to face me with a big smile. "Still kicking?"

I shake my head and Bridger pouts. Marquise laughs. "They'll kick again. Come on, we're close."

I squint and try to see what he could possibly be talking about. Then I see a house. It looks like it has two floors and is hidden behind a bunch of trees that hang over the path. If I squint hard enough, I can see someone sitting on the porch of the house moving back and forth in a rocking chair.

"That's it?" Bridger asks, "no big mansion or Olympian-styled building? Just an old farmhouse?"

"They're not as flashy as the other courts," Marquise explains, "the Lords are very relaxed."

"This feels very informal to be talking to creatures who go by Lords and handling the future of my species," I laugh. "They know we're coming, right?"

"That's why I told you to dress casually. See, Bridger? How awkward it's going to be sitting in their old, cotton-swab home dressed for a banquet?" Bridger scoffs, but Marquise waves his hand dismissively, "And yes, they're aware. Lady Ariha is sitting on the porch to greet us. Now, let's stop stalling and get this over with."

We make our way to their home. It takes way longer than I expected, but after forever, we're finally standing in front of the porch with an old woman rocking back and forth. She's knitting with some wires in her ears connected to a circular disc, not even noticing us. Finally, she glances up and her eyes go wide as she gasps and stops rocking.

"Heavens!" She exclaims as she places her wrinkly hand over her chest. "Sir Marquise, what a pleasant surprise. We weren't expecting you all until later. Surely, you showed our visitors the beauty of Sephael before coming here?"

Marquise tenses. "I showed them the marketplace of Usin and they took plenty of pictures."

The woman sighs and looks at us. "Hopefully, this won't take too long so you can finish your tour. What a shame and a waste it would be if you don't get to look around."

She stands slowly, groaning as she places her knitting stuff down. She gestures for us to come inside and I quickly follow behind Bridger, taking his hand in mine in case we get lost. Just like the outside of the home, the inside is also quite simple. The first room we step into is a living room with furniture that doesn't match and looks as though it comes from different times. There are woven baskets with different things inside, sculptures of men, women, and animals I don't recognize. There are pictures and pictures and pictures of people and families – some are very old portraits, others are grainy, black and white pictures.

The woman, Lady Ariha, gestures for us to continue following her. "I'll bring you into the dining room, Lord Mikel made a big lunch for you all."

The house has a strange smell to it. It's not bad, but it's definitely not flowers and fruits either. It smells like old people and I know this because in packs, the older people have different scents than the others. It's richer and can make your eyes water sometimes if you pay too much attention to it. The scent in this house is...old.

We enter the dining room which matches the chaos in the living room and everywhere else in the house. The table is long and a dark, polished wood with a knitted table cloth that doesn't cover the entire thing, only the center. In the center sits a porcelain bowl with leaves around it and grapes on the vine inside. There's also a statue of a really pretty cat with sharp eyes and jewels all over it sitting on a smaller table in the corner.

"I like that cat," I say and the woman turns to look at it.

"Lord Amr would like you," the woman says, "he's from the time when cats were worshipped like gods. He has a million of those statues, he might give you one."

She pats the cat statue and I swear it blinks for just a second. I could have imagined it. She doesn't seem to notice my look of shock as she offers a gummy smile and gestures to the table.

"Have a seat, we'll convene shortly. I think one of the oldies is napping. I'll get them ready and then we can begin."

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Word Count: 3767

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