CHAPTER 51
12 days ago....
"I'm pregnant." She whispered.
Tracy sat alone with Laura in her mother's living room after she left the pack house.
"What?!"
"Are you upset?" (Author's Note: I am! I had no idea this was going to happen...).
"NO! No. I'm very happy for you all. How are you feeling?"
"So far so good. Not much by way of morning sickness."
"Soooo.... Who's the father?" Tracy asked taking a sip of coke.
"Well that part is complicated because both Jordan and Jackson claim that they can scent their 'pups' in my belly." Laura said hesitantly, "Either they're picking up their own scent or I'm carrying twins which would be strange, though not impossible, since twins don't run in my family."
"But I thought that you couldn't have more children because of the complications when I was born."
"That's right but since both Jackson and Jordan placed their claiming bites, it's changed me. Aging has slowed down and I noticed that when I accidentally cut my finger with a knife while making dinner the wound closed up almost instantly. So I guess I have werewolf healing as well."
"That's great mom. I'm finally getting the sibling I always wanted. But how do you feel about this?"
Tears gathered in Laura's eyes and a half sob choked out, "It's a dream come true. But what if I'm too old and not a good mother? What if I'm not healed all the way and something happens?"
"First of all, you're a great mother. I can personally testify to that. Thirty-six is not that old especially in werewolf years. Mrs. White, our pack cook and housekeeper, had her last baby at 68 so you'll be fine. And don't worry, I've seen wolf dads. They're extremely protective of their pregnant mates and you have two to pamper and look after your every whim and pickle filled craving. Besides, I heard that werepups are extremely resilient and it's very rare that they have any birth defects at all."
"But there's no guarantee that it will be a werewolf." Laura cried panicking as a whole new set of anxieties crashed through her mind. What if the baby is human and doesn't have werewolf healing? What if one of her mates die? Then they won't get to see their baby. What there's only one baby? One of her mates would be so disappointed. What if their so disappointed that they'll leave her? What if..... OMGoodness!!! WHAT IF THE BABY IS BORN WHAT FUR?!!!! And teeth?! Wait! How am I going to breastfeed?
"MOM!" Tracy shouted after the fifth time of trying to catch her mother's attention.
"What?!"
"First of all, is it just me or is the author really good at coming up with a list of anxieties that don't even exist both literally or figuratively?" Tracy asked.
"Yeah, I noticed that too." Laura said shaking her head, "The girl really needs to take a chill pill."
Author: Y'all are so mean... besides I'm an expert at coming up with situations that will never happen. Like if I'm driving down the highway and see a beer truck I always wonder how many times they get pulled over for a sobriety test.
>Laura and Tracy stare at Author<
"That's not even a situation."
Author: Exactly!...... uhem.... Okay I'm leaving... I should have NOT had that second cup of coffee.
"Secondly," Tracy says, taking her mother's hand, "do you remember when I was 4 and had to get a shot from the doctor? You said that the worst part was not the procedure itself but the fear of getting the shot. You told me to take a deep breath and relax. What will happen, will happen. Worry and fear accomplishes nothing except to make things harder. Breath and everything will be alright."
Laura took a deep breath and smiled, "Thanks sweetie."
"Your welcome and I love you."
"Love you too. Now how are things going?"
Tracy sighed, "Not good." she said explaining what happened.
"Well it's understandable that he's upset." Laura said, "I'm upset. That was very dangerous and stupid."
"Thanks mom." Tracy said sarcastically.
Laura raised a brow, "Don't be doing stupid stuff and expect me to be supportive of a dumb decision." she replied with sass, "Now how are you all going to work this out?"
"I have no idea." Tracy sighed.
The backdoor opened, Jackson popped into the front room a short time later. Striding across the room, he picked up his mate, before settling her on his lap. Laura's eyes shone with happiness as Jackson placed a short dominating kiss on her lips.
"Are you alright?" He asked quietly while gently caressing her still flat stomach.
"We're fine." Laura said placing her hands over his.
"How are you Tracy?"
"Alright I guess." Tracy replied, loving how Jackson was looking after her mother.
Jordan came through the front door with a vase full of a variety of flowers.
"Oh my goodness! Their beautiful!" Laura exclaimed.
"They're hideous compared to you." Jackson said, pressing his lips to her temple.
Jordan leaned down to claim a sweet gentle kiss before setting the vase on the side table next to Laura.
"How are you doing, Tracy?" Jordan asked as he sat next to Jackson. His brother immediately set their mate on Jordan's lap. Picking up Laura's legs to sit on his thighs, Jackson removed her shoes and proceeded to give a foot massage.
Tracy wiped away a tear wishing that she was with her mate and they were having a close quiet moment like this. Jordan and Jackson immediately looked guilty.
Jordan sighed, "When Jackson told me what you had planned, we decided to call Jonathan and let him know in case something bad happened."
"What?!" Tracy half shouted, she actually wasn't surprised considering how reluctantly Jackson had been. With good reason, she supposed. But she couldn't help but feel a little betrayed.
"It's not his fault," Jackson said, taking all the blame, "I had already decided to call Jonathan but I didn't have his cell number."
Tracy sighed, "No, it's my fault. I should have told him."
"Damage done, lesson learned. No point in rehashing the past," Laura said, "As for Jonathan, he simply needs time."
"It's been 3 days." Tracy pointed out dryly
"Alpha's are stubborn." Jackson said simply, "In the meantime, I have something you might be interested in."
Pulling out a package, he handed it to her. She saw that the parcel was from her grandfather and it was addressed to her. "When did this come?"
"Early this morning."
Using a letter opener, she ripped through the tape. A cloth covered item lay in the center of the packing peanuts. Picking it up, she removed the covering to reveal a very old book covered in a writing that she could not read. She did however, recognized the literary object as being none other than the journal of the Wizard Muhammad.
"Well damn." Tracy said quietly.
"Watch your language!" Laura reprimanded sternly.
"Sorry mom."
"What is it?" she asked curiously.
"It's nothing." Tracy said distractedly, "Mom, I'm going to my room for a little bit. I'll see you later."
Tracy quickly walked down the hall and into her old bedroom. Shutting and locking the door, she placed the box on her desk. She stared at the book, mentally preparing herself to pick it up. Gently lifting the ancient diary, she closed her eyes to connect with the object's recent past.
Tracy saw the book lying on a coffee table in a ratty hotel room. Roger sat on the faded green couch in front of it. "Tracy." He said, "I meet with someone unexpected." A younger man took a seat next to her grandfather eating an egg roll looking thing, he looked towards the book and waved but didn't say anything. Roger continued, "I'll explain later. Since you and your mate are taking a break at the moment. Which by the way, is going to get that boy a piece of lead in his ass when I get back."
Tracy giggled at the threat but wondered how it was possible for him to have known about the fight before it happened.
"I need you to head back to Rogue Ranch in New Mexico. Someone is waiting for you. Best if you don't let anyone know where you're going because we really don't need a war right now. I'll be seeing you soon. Love you."
The vision faded. Tracy sat for a moment, desperately wanting to call Jonathan. Sighing she stood and pulled out a single suitcase. For once since gaining her powers she didn't feel confident and the only place she wanted to go was back home, to the packhouse with her mate even if he was mad at her. Wiping away a few tears that streaked down her cheeks she closed the lid on her luggage.
"Where are you going?" Laura asked from the bedroom doorway.
"I can't tell you mom." Tracy said.
"You can't run away from your problems." Laura said firmly walking forward to stand next to her daughter.
"I'm not running away. In fact the only place I want to run is back home to Jonathan. But I have to leave and I can't tell anyone where." Tracy said seriously.
Laura considered her daughter's words before nodding her head. "When will you be back?"
"I have no idea." Tracy said, "Hopefully within a week."
"I'm coming with you." Jackson cut in.
"Oh no you're not," Jordan said, "you already had father/daughter bonding time. It's my turn."
"Thanks but it might be better if we wait for a family camping trip or a lovely day at the beach." Tracy said.
"It's either him or me." Jackson responded.
"Fine. No cards, cash only, leave cell phones, and pack light. Oh and Jackson could you help Carla with training."
"Certainly. Just be careful."