Its a baby

Avery to the side

"Avery, you up there? The guys sent out the products." Danny's voice echoed through the house, his tone excited yet always with that bit of urgency I'd come to know so well.

"Coming!" I called back. Not even pausing to catch my breath as I stood up from my design table. My pregnant body felt like a heavy weight these days, but my mind? That was racing

Since my winter line was a hit with moms everywhere, I was now diving headfirst into my spring collection—crossing off designs for the summer launch that was just around the corner. But it was hard to focus with this baby growing inside me.

My feet were throbbing, and my back felt like it was being twisted in every direction possible. "I'm here," I muttered, wobbling into the den and collapsing onto the couch with a sigh. "Ugh, my feet... and my back. Danny, this baby is definitely making me feel every inch of its growth."

I'm technically six months pregnant now, but this wolf baby is already eight months developed.

One more month, just one more, until this little one makes their grand entrance.

He chuckled from the kitchen, walking in with a coffee cup in hand.

When Danny and I visited the doctor, we had the option to find out the sex, but we chose to keep it a surprise. That's why the baby's room is filled with warm, neutral colors.

"Alright, Avery, let's get started."

Two hours later, after countless sketches and discussions, we finally had everything ready. The designs were set—shipped out, cut, and ready for the next step.

"I'm starving," I groaned, pushing myself up from the couch. "Danny, help me out here." I stretched my hand toward him, desperate for him to haul me to my feet. But before he could, the doorbell rang.

"Who the hell is that?" I muttered under my breath. Nobody ever came by without an invitation.

Following him cautiously toward the door, my curiosity piqued  I saw something I absolutely did not expect.

There, nestled in a car seat on our front porch, was a tiny baby girl. She was wrapped up in thick, soft blankets, her eyes wide looking around curiously. When she spotted us, she smiled—a big, heart-melting sweet grin. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

"Danny, did we order a baby?" I joked weakly, my voice shaky.

"Uh... no." He frowned, stepping closer. "But someone clearly left her here." He bent down, sniffing the air, his brows knitting in confusion, "there's no scent."

His expression darkened as he carefully lifted the car seat and bags off the floor and brought the baby inside.

I crouched down beside him. "Oh my God, Danny, look at her. She's so tiny... So perfect."

The baby gurgled, her bright eyes locking with mine. She reached out, her little fingers grasping at the air.

"Poor thing," I cooed, gazing at her little face. "She looks about four months old. Danny, can we keep her? She's so cute—and her scent... it's werewolf."

Danny hesitated. His jaw clenched, and I could see the internal struggle on his face "Avery, we can't keep her. We have to report this to the nearest pack police. This could be a missing child."

As he spoke, I watched the baby squirm in her seat, and that's when I noticed a note tucked under her blankets.

"Look, Danny. There's a note." I pulled it out gently, unfolding the worn paper with trembling hands.

Why am I nervous?

I unfolded the letter and began reading aloud:

Dear Daniel,

I know this may come as a shock, but this little girl is your niece. Clarissa-- your mate's sister, gave birth to her four months ago.

Sadly, she passed away shortly after giving birth. Before she died, she asked me to find you because she knew you were the only one she could trust to care for little Sophie. She wanted you could raise her as your own, to call her your daughter for she is now yours and love her as you would your own flesh and blood.

When she's older, you can tell her the truth about her mother's passing.

Under the seat of the carrier you'll find her birth certificate, a few letters for both you and Sophie and an adoption certificate. I know this is sudden but as her best friend I could only abide by he wishes and not leave her in the pack orphange or without her family.

Please take care of her.

When she is of age I will come again and I will explain things in more detail until then.

MKZ.

I felt the tears welling up as I finished reading reading the letter. Danny's eyes were tearing up too. My hands trembled as I handed him the note so he could read it for himself while I cradled little Sophie in my arms.

We both sat there for a moment, processing the weight of what we'd just learned. This wasn't just a strange twist of fate. This was a responsibility—a life we now had to care for.

"Hi, Sophie," I whispered softly my voice breaking with emotion. "I'm your Aunt Avery. That guy over there is your new daddy." I paused, letting my words sink in. "Do you want to meet him?"

Of course, she didn't answer.

"Here you go big guy" Sophie melted into his arms, her tiny body curling against him like she already knew she was safe, that was all the reassurance I needed.

Danny held her with such tenderness .

"Avery, I don't know if I can do this." he whispered, his voice cracking. "What if I'm not a good dad?"

"Of course, you're going to be a good dad, Danny.  You've got this. Plus you're not alone—you've got me, just like I have you. And trust me, if I think you're slacking, I'll be right there making sure you step it up."

"If you even think for a second I'll just sit around and let you be a bad dad your mistaken" I gave him a reassuring smile.

"Look at her." She was cooing "She already loves you. You two have that bond already."

Danny let out a shaky breath, smiling at me. "Thanks, Avery. You always know how to make me feel better."

"Don't mention it. How about you take her to the nursery, get her settled, and I'll look through the bags and prepare a bottle for when she wakes up?"

"That's a great idea. Thank you, Avery. You're a life saver."

Danny's a dad!

A few months ago, Danny was happy to be the godfather to my baby, and now here he was, holding his own little girl. I could see the joy—and the fear—in his eyes. Honestly, I get it. When I think about my own baby coming into the world, my nerves go through the roof. But I know Danny will be there to help me, just like I'll be there for him. I'm so happy for him. He deserves this.

1 Month Later

"DANNY!!!"

"DANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNY!!!"

"DANNNNNNNNYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!"

"Avery, what's wrong?" Danny rushed into my room, his face pale with concern.

"My water broke!" I screamed as a contraction hit me like a freight train.

"Oh shit!" he gasped, sprinting into action. "Alright, the emergency bags are already in the car. Let's go."

he scooped me up in his arms, moving quickly yet carefully, making sure not to jostle me too much as I winced through the pain. My heart pounded in my chest as we hurried to the van.

Once i was strapped in he ran back inside for Sophie.

We'd already arranged for Sophie to be taken care of at the hospital's baby care unit while I was in labour. He didn't hesitate for a second, and that's when it hit me—this was really happening.

"Hold on, Ave. We're on our way," Danny said, voice steady, though I could hear the underlying tension. He strapped Sophie into her car seat, giving me a reassuring glance as he started the van.

In less than fifteen minutes, we arrived at the hospital. Danny rushed inside for help, returning with two nurses and a stretcher.

"Move your vehicle!" one of the nurses snapped, her voice sharp, but Danny didn't even blink as he continued to focus on me.

He'd parked illegally at the entrance so they could get to me faster.

"Hurry, Danny!" I cried, panicked as another contraction rippled through me.

"Don't worry Avery" he yelled.

He was gone and I was whisked away into a brightly lit room. Nurses everywhere gathering supplies and hooking me up to various machines.

The minutes felt like hours as I was prepped and positioned on the table, my legs in stirrups. Finally, Danny returned, looking winded. He had the bags with him. Good

is eyes locked onto my mine, full of love and support, and in that moment, I knew I wasn't alone.

"Where's Sophie?" I asked.

"Baby care," he replied.

"Oh, okaaaaaay!" Another contraction hit me like a wrecking ball. I couldn't stop myself from crying out, my body trembling from the force of it.

"Avery! Avery, sweetheart, I'm right here," he soothed, trying to calm me down as I screamed in pain.

"I'm right here. You're doing great. Just breathe, okay?" He grimaced a bit as i grabbed and squeezed his arm.

The minutes dragged on as contraction after contraction came, waves of agony crashing over me.

Finally, the doctor came and head nurse came and checked me".

"You're fully dilated. It's time."

Danny squeezed my hand tighter, his voice dropping to a whisper "You can do this, Avery,"

On the count of three, they instructed me to push.

"Ready?" they asked.

"One..."

"Two..."

"Three!"

I pushed with everything I had, but exhaustion set in quickly. Sweat dripped down my face, my muscles shaking with the effort.

"Almost there, Avery, don't stop pushing. When you feel the next  contraction push again."

They watched on the monitor tracking each contraction.

"Okay, go!" the doctor shouted. "Push again!"

I pushed again, my body screaming in protest, but I couldn't stop. I had to keep going.

"One more, Avery," the nurse said softly. "Just one more. You're so close."

"PUUUUUSSSHHHH!" I screamed as I gave everything I had left.

And then, after what felt like an eternity, I heard it—the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard in my life.

My baby's cry.

+Who can guess the sex of the baby? Let me know what you're thinking and no cheating, comment and tell me+