Chapter 7 Tyler #2
Dinner was surprisingly pleasant. Spike charmed my mother with his knowledge in everything from gardening to classic literature.
He let Jamie climb all over him like a jungle gym, and when Emma asked about his unusual name, he spun a story about being born during a thunderstorm that had her giggling.
Not once did he mention being a reindeer shifter, and I was grateful. That conversation could wait for another day.
"So, Spike…" My mother passed the mashed potatoes to me, but her attention was fully on my mate. "Tyler tells me you have a cabin out near Frost Creek. It must be stunning with all this snow."
"It is." Spike wiped his mouth with his napkin and gave her his full attention. "Especially when the sunlight hits the snow just right and it looks like the whole world is made of diamonds."
Mandy rolled her eyes and leaned toward me. “Okay, I guess I see what you see.”
I smiled at her, but she had no idea what I’d seen. "It’s gorgeous. I didn’t want to leave."
"Uncle Spike, do you have animals?" Emma asked with her mouth full of turkey.
"Emma, swallow before speaking." Mandy was quick to correct her daughter’s manners.
I barely noticed anything after the word uncle. Apparently, Emma was on board with Spike too. Good girl.
Spike smiled. "I do, actually. There are some reindeer that come by pretty regularly."
I nearly choked on my water when I caught the mischievous glint in his eye.
Jamie's eyes were huge, and he finally engaged in the conversation. "Real reindeer? Like Santa's?"
"Something like that." Spike winked at me, and I felt warmth spread through my chest.
The conversation flowed easily after that. My family quickly fell in love with Spike, and seeing him fit into my world made me emotional. Even Mandy was laughing at his stories before dessert was served.
When my mother brought out her famous cherry pie, the most delicious aroma filled the room.
I inhaled deeply. It was one of my favorite dishes, and my mouth instantly watered at the— “Oh.” A wave of dizziness hit me, and my stomach roiled. "Excuse me." I pushed back from the table and bolted down the hall to the bathroom.
I barely made it to the toilet before everything I'd eaten came back up in a violent rush. I clutched the porcelain as my body heaved until there was nothing left but my humiliation.
A cool hand settled on the back of my neck, and I knew without looking that it was Spike.
"Easy, little one," he murmured as his other hand rubbed circles on my back. "I've got you."
I slumped against him and caught my breath. "I'm sorry. I don't know what happened."
"Feeling better?" His eyes searched mine with a strange intensity.
I took stock of how I was feeling, and I felt great. Perfect. "Yeah, actually. That was weird, but I’m good now."
A small smile played at the corners of Spike's mouth. "I don't think it was the turkey, sweetheart. But I agree that you’re good."
"What does that mean?"
Instead of answering directly, he gently pressed his palm against my stomach. "Tyler, there's something different about your scent. I noticed it this morning but didn't want to say anything until I was sure."
I stared at him blankly for a moment before comprehension crashed into me like a freight train. "That's impossible," I whispered. "It's only been a week."
"The impossible happens sometimes." His eyes were filled with love as his hand stayed on my abdomen.
"Are you saying I'm...that we're..."
A knock at the bathroom door interrupted us. "Tyler?" It was Mandy. "Are you okay in there?"
I cleared my throat. "Yeah, just...give us a minute."
She sighed through the door. "I have some tests under the sink. In case you want to rule it out."
I exchanged a shocked look with Spike, and my jaw dropped. "How did she—"
"Big-sister intuition," Mandy said. "Plus, Mom suspected it the moment you two walked in the door. Something about the 'glow' or whatever. I'll give you a few minutes. Three, to be exact."
I leaned my head against Spike's chest. “Are you okay if I am?"
"So damn okay." Spike reached under the sink and grabbed a test. “Let’s find out for sure so we can share the news with our family.”
Our family. Our blended family that was about to grow.
Three minutes later, I was staring down at a little plastic stick with two very definitive pink lines.
Pregnant.
"Holy shit." I couldn’t look away. “This is really happening.”
Spike's arms encircled me from behind, and his chin rested on my shoulder. “We’re having a baby, omega." The reverence in his voice made my heart flip. “Are you okay with that?”
“Spike, you’re my mate. My heart. My future. This baby is the miracle that I didn’t even know I was waiting for. Nothing has ever been more okay."
The door creaked open and my mother peeked in, with Mandy hovering anxiously behind her. "Well?"
I held up the test wordlessly and smiled.
My mother's face broke into a radiant smile. "I knew it! A grandmother again!" She rushed forward to hug us both.
Mandy looked stunned. "That was...quick."
I nodded and pressed a kiss to Spike’s shoulder. “Quick, yes. But fate doesn’t waste time.”
Spike pulled me closer. “Or mistakes. This is exactly right for us.”
We both looked at my sister.
She nodded. “Yeah, I was skeptical at first, but I can see you’re perfect for each other. I’m happy for you both.”
The final grip of tension on my heart was lifted. We were going to be okay.
In fact, we were going to be amazing.