Chapter 47: Something Good

Carlisle

Is this real life or am I dreaming?

Could Richard really have given up on kidnapping my son and raising him away from me?

I am using the term raise loosely here, of course. But the doubt remains. Do I actually get to sail off into the sunset with my hot mate and wonderful son? Am I delusional to believe his redemption story?

Last Saturday, when I went to the mall with my son, Clarissa, and Stephano, my mate asked me if it was okay if he bought Charlie a new cell phone. The one he had was a burner, and he could not give the number to anyone except for Clarissa.

At this point, there is no threat to my son using social media or the internet. Richard already knows where he is. So, I said it was okay. At this point, my boy should be ready for war. Figuratively speaking, of course.

Please, Goddess... No more kidnappings of my son. I beg of you. *whimpers*

I had already bought myself a new cell phone, so I figured my son should have the same opportunity the kids his age get. Of course, in my generation, I did not get a decent cell phone until much later in life. But money is no longer an object in my household.

I have to tell you something. At the beginning of the relationship, I refuted the idea of Stephano spending his money on Charlie or me. Especially me, I am more agreeable when it comes to my son. But it wasn't until we completed the bond during my heat that something switched inside my head.

It was like: you know what? Why should I work a ten hour shift, being away from my son, just to prove a point? To what aim? To tell myself that I don't need Stephano's money? To prove to everybody in this pack that I can provide for my own son?

Why exactly would I have anything to prove to anybody here?

I have been raising my son alone with no child support for eleven years - Richard's parents helped out with the groceries or other necessities for Charlie, but rarely did they give me any money. The only people I could truly count on were my parents. They not only helped me a lot, but pretty much raised Charlie when I was at work after the first year out of high school.

I wanted to be there for my child during his first year, so I took no job, and my father supported my choice. But other than them, I have nothing to prove to anybody. I reiterate that Richard's parents always came through for their grandchild, but it was mostly with things for him, not money.

Why was I so resistant in giving in to my mate?

It is not like he was weird about money or made me feel less about it because I didn't have any. He didn't even flinch to give me his credit card on the day after we completed the bond. That was so adorable... *swoons*

I don't particularly know why I was so hellbent on proving a point. No one here was expecting me to. All I know is after we completed the bond and I was inevitably pregnant, I had zero F's to give. It's time I started milking this mate bond for all its worth.

I had already quit my job, so I let that stand. Moved into Stephano's house - which was already big enough for a family and was basically ready for me and Charlie to move into - and started my shopping spree.

Now I traded in my car because it was giving me PTSD after the kidnap of my son.

Did I spend the equivalent of my (former) annual salary on a new car?

Maybe.

Do I regret that?

Not at all.

Especially now that I am pregnant, I can have everything I want in my life. I am not moving to a foreign country or even a big city, I do not need a butler or a nanny - for now, at least - but what I need, I get. That is it. No regrets.

After Charlie's kidnap and rescue, Stephano has been putting in some long hours at his work to get the force ready for war. It was a long week, let me tell you. With the exception of the weekend when he does not work, I have barely seen my mate except when it's time to sleep.

But now that Richard called to apologize to Phillip and offer terms of peace, Stephano could finally relax and let his warriors do their job without the need for him breathing down their necks. He told me he was going to work from home starting next Monday, the week of Christmas.

Now that Charlie started his Winter Break from school, the entire family will be here at home. I am hoping this is a good thing and we can enjoy some much needed family time. Despite the joyful weekends we had so far, the three of us never got to spend some real quality time together. My son is always in his room, gaming. Stephano is always working.

Finally, I could have the harmonious family that I always wanted in my life. Charlie already adores Stephano, who in turn would take a bullet for him - literally - now let us see how the three of us are going to be like getting along twenty four seven.

It's Sunday morning, three days before Christmas.

Stephano and Charlie are gladiating over the last piece of bacon while I eat some scrambled eggs. Early in the morning, I spent a few minutes in the restroom because of morning sickness. I have a hard time keeping things in my stomach lately.

"Charlie, just so you know, I am not letting you spend the entire break playing video games inside your room. I am going to be on your case about reading for school, and outdoor activities." I warned my son, who I am not about to let be inside a room for two weeks.

"Reading? Daddy, school is over!" He protested, grimacing.

"For now. Next year it'll return with a bang." I insisted, sounding determined.

"And what about my Christmas present?" He demanded me, as if...

"What does that have to do with schoolwork?" I frowned at him in annoyance.

"I want the new God of War." His voice was demanding.

"And I want my son not to fail sixth grade. I will quiz you. I have nothing but time." I threatened him.

"Daddy Stephano, can you buy me the new edition of God of War?" He turned to my mate, blatantly ignoring me. Kids, am I right?

"I can if you do as your father told you. Kids who don't read don't get video games." He instructed him, awkwardly. Meanwhile, I was glaring at my son for turning to him.

"Actually, children who don't read don't get to play with the video games they already have, let alone get new ones. You watch yourself, Charles Aragon. I won't take you Christmas shopping if I don't see you reading." I threatened him, irritated.

"That's blackmail. I should report you to Child Protective Services." He growled at me and I laughed out loud.

"Speaking of outdoor activities, I am going to the park after breakfast. Do you want to come with me?" Stephano invited my son, excited at the prospect.

"Sure. We could go to the arcade later too." Charlie suggested with his eyes twinkling in excitement.

"Anything for you, kid. You deserve it." He surrendered to the tween.

"Thank you, Daddy Stephano. You're my hero." He hugged him, contently.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance, but I was not about to keep the two of them from hanging out together on a Sunday. By all means, I could use a nap. I went to bed late last night doing bad things to my mate. Or rather he did bad things to me.

I really need to fulfill my prophecy and Top the Beta soon enough. *winks at the audience*

On Monday, Stephano woke up with an alert on his phone. I asked him if everything was okay, to which he replied it was. He just needed to do some paperwork back at the office.

"I am going to step out to the training center for a minute to file paperwork that has to be filed today before the Christmas break. I am coming right back." He said after breakfast.

"Take your time, mate. We will be here. If you need me, I will be with my son watching him read a book." I declared, catching Charlie from my peripheral view on the table. He was finishing his breakfast as was I.

"Fine, Daddy. But I want my video game." He pouted like a spoiled brat who just spent yesterday afternoon playing video games in the arcade with Stephano.

"We'll see if you have been naughty or nice." I smiled at him wickedly.

I was having a quiet morning with my son in the living room when I heard the bell ring.

"Are you expecting someone? Did you invite one of your classmates?" I asked Charlie, curiously.

"Of course not, daddy. Not without asking you first." He replied without missing a beat. I raised my child right. *brag*

I looked through the peephole and saw Clarissa standing on the front porch, alone.

"Good morning, Clarissa. Is everything okay? How did you get here?" I was intrigued to see her alone and unannounced like this.

"Good morning, Mr. Aragon. Sorry for stopping by like this. Charlie told me he was reading with you, so I thought I could come by to help him with our school assignment. My father dropped me off. He is right over there." She pointed at her father's car, not far from where she stood.

"Would he like to come in?" I asked her, trying to be polite about it.

"No, it's okay. He just came to drop me off. He is going to the grocery store next." She explained with a bored expression.

"In that case, come in. You are always welcome here." I motioned for her to enter and waved at Leonard from the doorway.

After I closed the door, I asked my son:

"When did you have time to text Clarissa what you were doing?" I was intrigued by this.

"Daddy, you're so square. I didn't text, I mind-linked her. She is my mate, remember?" He teased me and I gasped in shock. Yeah, you never let me forget that... *eye roll*

Both of them are shifting werewolves, so they have the ability to mind-link each other. All they needed was to be blessed by Alpha Phillip and that already happened months ago.

"Sure, son. Would you like anything to drink, Clarissa?" I offered her, politely.

"I'll take a juice, whatever flavor you have is fine." She replied, putting her bag over the center table in the living room. She took out a book, asked what he was reading and they started reading it. Not going to lie, they were so adorable studying together...

After I brought Clarissa some juice, I left the two of them alone and started preparing lunch. Stephano always gives his housekeeper the Holidays off to celebrate with her family and Christmas is the day after tomorrow.

I am used to cooking for two, so now it will take just a minor adjustment to include my lovely mate, who should be returning any minute now. I thought he said it would just be a minute. Whatever happened to working from home?

Clarissa was actively pushing my son to finish the first required reading assignment they had. I do not mind that Charlie spends his break playing games, but I refuse to let it dominate his life. In fact, I loved that Stephano took him away yesterday, they went to the arcade after, but at least they spent some time in the park.

Regency Falls' main sources of income are small farms and local businesses. There are great parks here and plenty of space for children to play and of course, the famed waterfalls that name the city. I was raised in a small town, so I am on board with living here.

It's just another state, but the atmosphere here is the same.

Stephano finally arrived around noon and apologized for the delay. Apparently, he got stuck discussing things with his best friend Thomas, who also happens to work for the pack's Human Resources. Since he was going there anyway, he talked to Iris and Clarkson one more time in person.

He told them no warrior was allowed to drink over the holidays, even during their time off.

I think that is a little too much, but I am not going to start a union for the warriors who work for my mate. I am sure he is frightened that Richard will pull something at the last minute. Who knows?

Like me, he was surprised to see Clarissa there when he arrived, but I quickly explained why she was there. We had lunch together as a family - and her, who should be my son's family one day - and I was in bucolic heaven.

"I could get used to this, you know." I told my mate, who helped me wash the dishes after lunch. Charlie and Clarissa were back in the living room.

"Used to what? Me coming home for lunch? The pack house cooks will be very jealous." He snickered, referring to the fact that he usually eats lunch with the Alpha family in the pack house.

"Used to this, us being together like a family." I replied, feeling content with having my mate and son by my side. This is all I ever wanted in life. A family with my son and mate. There will be a baby soon, but I am okay with that. Naturally.

Stephano kissed me on the lips as I washed the dishes - I could put them in the dishwasher, but I am a stickler for proper cleaning. I smiled at him, feeling fulfilled even as we were doing trivial stuff.

"We are a family. The four of us. That will never change for as long as I live." He pledged, romantically. He looked enamored by me as I was for him.

"The fourth being Clarissa?" I teased him, knowing full well what he meant by that.

"Her too, of course. But I meant this precious bundle of joy you are bringing into the world." He spoke, touching my belly and rubbing it. At this point, there was nothing there but my abs. It's too soon to feel anything.

"I can already tell you are going to spoil them. You are that kind of a father." I teased, laughing at him.

"Guilty as charged. I am going to love and nurture them just like my parents did to me." He said, feeling encouraged and excited about being a father. Though he already is in my book.

"What did I ever do in life to get mated to someone so perfect as you?" I was properly enthralled by him at this point. I have been for a while now.

Stephano looked at me with those magical eyes and his beautiful jet black hair that I find so handsome - and well combed - and told me:

"I am far from perfect. Trust me, mate. I am the one who hit the jackpot regarding the mate bond. You and our son are two angels that descended upon my life to bring it meaning. I was lost without you, my life was meaningless. Now I have a purpose. I just wanna love you and keep you both safe for the rest of my life." He declared and I stopped washing to make out with him because I am so in love.

If there weren't any children in the living room, this would be an entirely different story... *naughty grin*

Thank you, Goddess! I don't know what I did to deserve him, but I welcome the gift. I must have done something very good in my life. Because now I have the perfect man for me. What more could I want?

A|N: I was beginning to cry as I wrote the final paragraphs. Not gonna lie.

Again, it's eerie how I wrote this entire freaking chapter wanting to use one song and got stuck using another. Life as an exotic author is a bitch! LOL

By far, this is my favorite movie musical of all time. EVER!

I always wanted to use one of its songs, but it never came to pass until now. Go figure! They say life is what happens when you're busy making (other) plans. They are right.

Now let us see about someone Topping the Beta. It has been long overdue.

Love,

Léo.