Chapter 38: Once Upon A December

It's Thanksgiving.

Stephano brought my son and me to have dinner with his family per his mother's invitation. So far, Charlie and I have met my mate's parents, brother, his mate, and son who is an adorable toddler.

Rita - Stephano's sister in law - has been absolutely amazing to get to know and once we got to talking, we found out we had so much in common - apart from being mated to Cortez men. It has been wonderful to find a sympathetic ear and I already know we are going to be great friends from now on.

Olivia and Simon, Stephano's parents, have also been wonderful to get to know. Instantly, they showed my son and me kindness and nobody here judged me for having an unmated son, not for a single second and it feels so good to be among them.

As the night went on, Olivia started sharing embarrassing stories about my mate - they thought he was a girl during eight months of the pregnancy - and he kept blushing and being uncomfortable until his father told him how proud of him he was.

Simon and Olivia gushed about their son for a while until Harlan - their other son - started to pout in jealousy. I wholeheartedly agree with them, my mate is an amazing man and there is not enough praise for how much of a jackpot I hit in the mating pool by being paired with him.

Charlie has kept himself entertained with the stories of Stephano's childhood and the enchanting little Dorian. The most adorable five year old you'll ever meet - just don't tell the Alpha couple that because they also have a boy of that age.

As we finished Thanksgiving dinner, I was stuffed with an excellent home cooked meal. Between that and the bottle of expensive wine, I am done for the night. Funny enough, I won't be able to drink alcohol very soon so tonight was a last hurrah, of sorts.

It's too early to tell right now, but I am definitely pregnant after the heat induced bond completing sex I had with my mate. That is a done deal, but unlike the last time, I am okay with that. I know how much Stephano would like a child of his own - at this point, everybody he knows is either a parent or becoming one.

I did not plan on bearing a child right now with danger lurking at every corner because of Richard's threat, but like I said before I can not keep my life on hold while I wait for him to strike again. I can only pray my mate will be ready for him when he does.

As a parent, it is a nightmare to think that your child can be taken away from you at any moment, but I have to enjoy my time with him now. Charlie is right here by my side and that is where he belongs, hopefully, until he finishes high school.

After I exchanged phone numbers with the Cortez family - there is even a family group chat that I am now a part of - we said our goodbyes to the wonderful people who made me feel so welcome. I am not going to lie, I expected to be judged for having an unmated child - it's a huge taboo in werewolf society - but none of them ever did.

At this moment, I could not be happier with my life and how it turned out. But that only made me miss my parents more. We used to have so much fun cooking for Thanksgiving, my mom and I, that it is hard not to miss them tonight.

After we arrived home, all I was in the mood for was to rest my full belly so that is what I did. Charlie went straight to his bedroom, but I made sure he brushed his teeth and changed into pajamas first. Tomorrow, he is going to Iris and Leonard's house to spend the day with Clarissa.

Stephano is not going to work since it's Black Friday, which in turn gets us the entire house all to ourselves. I wonder what I am going to do with my mate then...

The obvious answer is shopping, of course. Let's enjoy some promotions.

By Friday afternoon, we were already back at home with our shopping bags. Truthfully, Stephano did not want to leave the house today, but I insisted we needed to buy some stuff for the two of us. We did not take much time though, I wanted to return home before lunch. I see no point in eating out if we have Lupe's wonderful cooking waiting for us in the fridge.

Later that afternoon, we were back in our master bedroom just like my mate wanted in the first place. He was looking forward to some alone time with me, I could tell. The mate bond is a fantastic tool for being in sync with your partner.

"How long do we have before we have to pick Charlie up from Iris' house?" He asked me, curiously. Both of us were lying on the bed in minor clothes, resting after lunch. I took a look at the alarm clock on the nightstand before I answered him.

"About two hours, why?" I wondered if he had a specific reason for the question.

Stephano gave me a naughty grin and right away I knew what he meant. First, I took him to the bathroom for a quick shower but even before we finished it, I was already feeling his hungry eyes. I barely had time to dry myself off before my mate attacked me with kisses that had me swooning.

We used every bit of our spare time to make passionate love until it was time to get into the car and go pick up Charlie. I love every second I get to spend with my mate, but it seems as though every time we make love, it gets better.

Not only does he get better, but I enjoy it more. I am not sure if this is a side effect of my being pregnant - too early to tell - or if I am just genuinely having the best sex of my life. I am choosing to believe the latter.

Over the weekend, we spent some good quality time as a family when my son wasn't attached to his PlayStation. Now that we are no longer at risk of leaving Regency Falls, he is slowly getting better from the traumatic event of his attempted kidnapping.

The school has provided a counselor for Charlie to talk to, but I also looked for a good therapist recommendation. This isn't easy for an eleven year old to deal with. How could anybody understand a father who never bothered to take part in his son's life and now is desperately trying to take him away from the only family he has ever known?

Seriously, what is up with that?

If this was an abusive household anyone would understand, but my son is loved and cared for like any other child of werewolf parents. The only difference is that most children have two parents instead of one - but I made sure he knew he was loved by his family.

Now with Stephano in my life, there is no shortage of love and care in my son's life. On the contrary, I have to stop my mate from spoiling my son too much. Can you believe he has started asking Stephano for money behind my back?

I know, right? Children... What does he need money for? I pack his lunch every single day...

The following week my son was back at school and I had the day all to myself. Never in a million years, I would have pictured myself becoming a bougie househusband with no job and a limitless credit card. It is still mind boggling to me that this is my reality after a decade long of hardship.

I guess one could say that I deserve to be happy and fulfilled. I shouldn't be feeling like I am a fraud for relying on my mate to get by. I mean, come on... why should I slave myself for ten hours a shift to make nearly half as much money as my mate makes?

It doesn't make any sense to me, strictly speaking. At least not in practical terms, I rather much more to spend this time taking care of my family. Being there for my son. I do prefer to take him to school myself, but I know by now another event like those three gunmen is highly unlikely. Stephano told me they are not going to the school again.

It's December.

The streets of Regency Falls are beginning to feel like Winter has come to Texas. The cold weather is making everybody wear warm clothes as the final days of the year go by. I grew up in Oklahoma, so I don't mind a little chill.

It doesn't snow here, as I have learned, but it's possible. Maybe in January.

Charlie has been doing well in school and by now he has new friends besides Clarissa. I have been so fortunate to find this pack - and my mate, of course - having been so well received by these people here. It's a very tight-knit community of werewolves.

Rita and I have been texting a lot lately, we really bonded during Thanksgiving dinner and now she is someone I consider a friend. She has been kind enough to give me some directions when I didn't want to bother my mate with something trivial.

I wanted to get my bearings here and fend for myself. This is my new home and in this pack is where I belong, by my mate's side. Stephano has done an excellent job of keeping me company on his time off, but giving me some space to figure out what my life is going to be in my new home.

We are going stronger than ever now that we are properly bonded. There is just one side effect of that event...

Morning sickness has been kicking my ass.

I expected it to be just like when I got pregnant with Charlie, but it's much worse. I have gone to the doctor, but it's still too soon to tell. Nevertheless, she gave me a prescription to make me feel a bit better during this time.

Early in the pregnancy can be difficult to stomach, but even Lupe has been extra attentive to me lately. She made me a delicious broth that is said to have helped a lot of pregnant women in her family to keep something in their stomachs.

It seems like all the scents made me nauseous. It's a drag, really. The only scent that soothed me was my mate's - no surprise there. Stephano's scent works miracles as far as I am concerned. It's a werewolf thing.

Luna Linda has paid me a few visits, offering her help in any way she can. She is more than ready to step in and help with anything I need, pregnancy related or not. I thanked her for the assistance and would take her up on her offer when the occasion calls for it.

Olivia also reached out, telling me she was there for me if I ever needed it.

I am amazed to be surrounded by people who are willing to be there for me. Being far away from my family can feel daunting at times. I haven't even told my parents yet that I am pregnant. I am waiting for the best time to talk to them, but I would prefer to do it in person.

Maybe now that Richard already knows where I am they can visit me once more.

What a great idea, I should call them to come see me. I need my mom and dad by my side. I love the people around me and my new pack, but I miss them dearly. My parents have always been my rock, my world. Especially after getting pregnant during high school. That certainly threw a curve ball to all of us...

It's Thursday afternoon. The second week of December.

I was driving my car after having just picked up my son from school. It hasn't been five minutes since I was on the road. Suddenly, I was railroaded by a black SUV that cut me off in the middle of the street. I shouted at it to complain about the illegal maneuver, telling them to get out of the way.

Unfortunately, at this time there were just a few cars behind me but they also honked at the mysterious driver hidden behind tinted windows. What were they doing parked in front of my car in the middle of the road like that? Before I knew it...

A|N: What?

Did I leave you hanging?

Sorry about that.

What happens next is heartbreaking. Prepare the handkerchief.

Your worst fear is coming to haunt ya.

OFF: I love cartoon movies and this one is quite nice. Good old days... <3

Next is "My My My".

Love,

Léo.