With Her Love

4: Mia

Several more weeks had passed since my bump had started to show, and I was already pretty big at almost five months pregnant. I could tell these babies were going to be huge, and I silently prayed for my vagina to not break entirely during the birth.

Since Riley and I had announced the pregnancy, everyone had been particularly mindful of me. Ellen was buying me excessive amounts of maternity clothes, although I lived in my mate's hoodies most of the time. Ray was baby-proofing the pack house and building two cribs for the babies, always careful not to create too many fumes within the house.

Mike and Joey were constantly checking on my condition, with the latter always being present at the right time to hold back my hair as I threw up. I was slowly getting used to being pregnant, the pelvic pain, nausea and general discomfort were beginning to disappear and I was hoping that they would remain gone for the rest of the pregnancy.

Despite usually being surrounded by people, today I had found myself pretty lonely. My mate was busy fulfilling her duties as Alpha, which also meant that everyone else in the pack house was carrying out different tasks related to the new alliance with Don's pack and the expansion plan. I could hear my footsteps echoing throughout the house as I drifted from room to room, desperate for some human interaction.

Just as I had reached the living room, deciding to watch a movie, I felt an unfamiliar poking sensation in my belly. I frowned, thinking it was just some discomfort, but when it happened numerous times, I pulled up my shirt to see movement. One of the babies was kicking. My excitement soon dispelled my boredom, and I began to march up the stairs as fast as I physically could in my state. I kicked off my slippers with impatience as I reached my mates office, throwing the door open with vigour.

My mate took in my wild appearance, panic instantly appearing on her face as she jumped from her seat and instantly stood before me.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

I struggled to catch my breath, shaking my head. "Wow, I cannot breathe well anymore".

Riley's brown hair fell around her face and as I tried to settle my heartbeat, I held on the shoulder of her black tank top.

"What happened babe?"

I took a final inhale. "One of the babies is kicking...like now".

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and she fell to her knees in her ripped black jeans, her hands instantly reaching for my growing belly and pulling up the shirt.

"Oh my gosh", she shrieked, putting her palm over the outline of a tiny foot. I smiled down at her, placing my hand over hers as she leaned her cheek on my belly.

"I just got a kick to the face", she laughed lightly. I giggled.

"Someone's got an attitude already", I mused.

When the little kicks finally ceased, Riley pulled herself to her feet, pushing my hair out of my face.

"Sorry I scared you, I really wanted to show you the kicks".

She shook her head. "Don't worry about it, I'm glad you did".

My eyes drifted to the endless stacks of paper on her desk and suddenly I felt guilty for interrupting. I knew she had a lot on her plate, but I also didn't want her to miss out on moments like this.

As if she sensed my unease, she pulled my attention back to her with a soft kiss. "You are a very, very cute pregnant lady".

I snorted and rolled my eyes. "This cute pregnant lady needs to pee, again, so I will leave you to your work, but please remember to take a break".

Her hand pulled mine to her lips leaving a peck on the back of it before I began to do back out of the room.

"I will I promise".

"And if you don't come downstairs to eat soon, I will come feed you myself".

I received a laugh and a hum of affirmation in return as I waddled down the stairs, one hand gripping the railing tightly, the other firmly on my belly. I couldn't help but smile. Finding true love, and being a mother were the two things I had always dreamed about when I was younger. Hoping I could fulfill those dreams is what got me through my darkest times, like leaving my family and home behind. Finally, I was living in the reality that those dreams had come true. And sure, I nearly peed myself once a day, and threw up way too often, but knowing I was growing two precious tiny babies that I would raise with my mate made it all worth it.

Returning downstairs, I noticed that the house was much more lively than it had been just minutes earlier. Curiosity got the better of me, and I quickly turned into the kitchen, to find Ellen beaming at my entrance. She was dressed far too extravagantly in a full white pantsuit and heels, diamond earrings sparkling from behind her long dark curls.

"Mia, just who I was looking for".

"Oh sorry, I was just showing Riley that the babies were kicking".

Her eyes glazed over again. "Gosh, I'm going to cry again".

I waved my hand in the air. "No, don't cry Ellen, you'll ruin your makeup".

She took a deep inhale, soothing herself while nodding. "You're right".

I leaned on the counter, facing her as she sipped from a cup of steaming tea.

"So why were you looking for me?"

She pulled her mug from her lips rapidly. "I was wondering, if you had thought about having a baby shower?"

I frowned. "I've never even been to a baby shower, they're not really a thing in Ireland".

Ellen looked slightly disappointed, and I rushed to dispel her worries.

"But, I'm not against having one. I mean, I would like to show people that I can still look like a decent human being whilst pregnant. And if there is food, then I am more than happy to have one".

My mother-in-law clasped her hands in excitement, practically running to me to embrace me in a gentle hug.

"Thank goodness, I was hoping you'd agree. Now don't you worry about anything, Zoe, Heidi and I have everything under control. All you have to do is show up".

"Thank you Ellen".

Her hands grabbed mine excitedly. "No, thank you my dear. I've always dreamed of this day, throwing a baby shower for my daughter in law, I just can't believe my dream came true".

I couldn't help but smile at her sweetness and sincerity, and soon she was traipsing out of the kitchen with a little pep in her step, leaving me to my own devices in the kitchen.

"Okay, good talk", I jokingly mumbled to myself. Leaving event planning to Ellen always meant that the whole day would go above and beyond any expectations I had. I was just hoping that it wouldn't be a full day affair.

Deciding to push any negative thoughts from my mind, I pulled the fruit bowl on the counter towards me and pulled some grapes out, throwing them into my mouth before exiting the room too.

In a matter of minutes I was on my own again, trying to think of things to do to entertain myself. I sighed to myself, all too familiar with the feeling of boredom

These next four months were going to be agonizing.

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Hey guysssss still tryna give a soft start! Let me know what you think about it! Thank you so much for reading! Stay safe and well lovelies!

-C