12. Bea #2
"Yeah, fire and I don't get along well, but there is enough chill in the air, it will be welcome if it gets cooler," I reminded her. "But I'm glad you waited for me. I don't need you burning down the cabin."
We both sat at the same time and enjoyed our food for a few minutes, watching the ripples on the lake.
I wasn't sure how to start but I thought a direct conversation was the easiest way. There was no way that I'd be like her mother and keep something this big from her. This not just affected my life, but now hers.
"So, I have something big to tell you," I started and she cut me off.
"You're making me leave?" she questioned in a broken voice, tears already streaming down her face.
"What, no, no, sweetie. You have a home here as long as you want one. We’re forever, I promise. You never have to worry about that.”
I pulled her to me, hugging her hard. She squeezed me back hard enough it ached but I wouldn’t complain. When she calmed a little, I continued.
“This is hopefully a good change," I reassured her. "Though, for me, it’s a bit of a shocking one as well."
"I’m sorry. It's my biggest fear that you'll decide that you don't want me anymore," she confessed, and my heart broke a little more for her.
“I hate that she did this to you, but you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Phoenix. I love you and I’m here for you as long as you want me to be,” I said again. My voice was hard and strong, ensuring she knew I was serious.
She took a deep breath and met my eyes again, forcing a smile. “Okay, go on. I didn’t mean to freak out.”
"Before you got here, I met my pack.”
She blinked at me. “Wait, why haven’t you introduced us? You know you don’t have to hide them from me.”
“I know,” I said with a sigh. “It was me. My past trauma had me running away, even though I really didn’t want to. They gave me space, but now I need to face them.”
“There’s more,” she guessed when I hesitated. “Out with it, Aunt Bea.”
“I’m pregnant.”
When the words left my mouth, the piece of pizza that she was holding fell to the ground and the tears started all over again.
I stood up and placed my plate on the chair, hurrying over to hug her to me again. My emotions were such a mess I ended up blubbering with her.
"Are you happy or sad? I can't tell," I managed to get out.
"Happy, I always wanted a brother or sister," she said, wiping the tears away when I released her.
"Oh, good. I was so worried that you'd think that I was replacing you, but you’re just as much mine as this little one will be," I promised her.
“I can’t wait. How long?”
“I’m not sure yet, I need to schedule with the doctor. I just realized today,” I admitted. "Now, I have to tell the pack."
"Does your pack live here in town? Have I met them?" she asked, wiping away the last couple of tears from her cheeks and picking back up the pizza that didn’t fall to the ground.
"No, they haven’t been around yet. They’re firemen," I answered, giving her at least a little info on the mystery men.
"They?" she asked with an eyebrow arched.
"Yes, there are three of them. Somehow, my besties and I have been blessed with more than one mate," I answered.
"When do I get to meet them?" she asked, her face open and curious. I was sending thanks to whatever gods were listening for letting this go well.
"Tomorrow. I'm going to have them come over for dinner. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to meet them outside and catch them up to speed. Then we can have dinner all together?”
We both took a bite before she answered.
"If that's what you want, but if you need me to kick any of their butts, just holler," she smirked at me. Such a strong girl, she was going to be a spitfire someday.
"Yes, I'll call you and my girls for back up. I still need to introduce you to the granny mafia in town, too. They’re two of the sweetest old ladies with a mean purse swing," I told her before launching into the story of how they defended Dani against her stalker, taking out the crazy man without breaking a sweat.
"They sound hysterical," she said, dipping the pizza in ranch before tasting them together. "Okay, I can see why people like this. Can I get more ranch?"
"Go for it," I answered, trying not to smile like an idiot. Every day with her felt a little easier and she brought so much happiness into my life.
While she was gone I scanned the lake. There were several docks like ours overlooking the water, but they were fairly empty.
On the dock next to ours, Dani waved quickly and I gave her a thumbs up. She returned the gesture before sneaking back inside.
My soul felt whole for the first time in a long time. Everything was falling into place for once and I loved to see that smile on Phoenix's face.
"I brought you another piece," Phoenix said from behind me as she walked out, placing it on my plate. "You need to eat more."
"Well, I'm not sure this little one will like it in the morning," I sighed. “It’s been awful.”
"I thought I heard you throwing up this morning. I'm glad you're not sick," she said, sitting down again.
"Sorry about that.”
“No worries,” she said around a mouthful before sliding over her book and reading the back.
“Are you ready to start Percy Jackson?” I grabbed my own copy and pushed my plate aside. “We can start our reading of chapter one. Then it’s time to shower and get ready for bed," I reminded her.
"Can I stay up later? Just tonight?" she pleaded with me.
"If we start that, it's going to be an everyday debate. How about tomorrow night? The guys will be here and we can have a bit of a girls’ night after," I countered.
"Fine," she said with a grin, knowing she won.