16. Distance #2
“Don’t tell Jasper either. He’ll never be able to keep it from Kade.
He’s been so protective since he came to Sweetwater.
” Didn’t I know it? Papa and Dad hadn’t gotten the opportunity to get to know their son-in-law.
They were missing out on family time by having us all divided.
I vowed to press Jasper a little about telling Angelica so she could meet her grandparents properly.
“I won’t, I promise.” The doorbell rang, an alert going off on my phone. I opened the notification to see a worried-looking Jasper at the door. “Papa, I have to go. Jasper’s here.”
“Don’t say anything!”
“I won’t.” I repeated. “Bye.”
Taking a second to smooth back my hair, I tried to shake off the feeling that something was wrong. Jasper had never sought me out without calling, certainly not in the middle of the day. I opened the door and looked around for Angelica.
“Hey, Jasper—“ The scent hit me in the face before he could even hold up the box.
“I think I’m pregnant.” Jasper announced.
Wordlessly, he walked into the house and I followed. He put his phone and keys on the coffee table and turned to me. “Do you have a bathroom I can use?”
Still in shock, I pointed to a door down the short hallway.
How was he so calm about this? My mind was spinning.
Elation. Fear. Worry. Joy. They all warred within me for top billing.
A child. My child. This was the ultimate gift.
Yet, there was no guarantee that he’d go through with the pregnancy.
I so desperately wanted him to. Not that I could ask him to give up his body for months.
We were too uncertain for me to know what he’d do.
Less than a minute later, he was back. The sound of the toilet flushing in the background brought me back to the moment. He sat the test on the table and took a seat next to me on the couch. It wasn’t really like we needed the test. The scent alone told me he was carrying my baby.
We sat in silence until his phone timer went off.
Together, we leaned forward from our seats.
Positive.
I turned to look at him. A myriad of emotions flitted across his sharp face.
Comfort him , my bear prompted. I cupped his face and waited for him to speak, sure that my eyes were broadcasting how much I wanted this with him.
I loved Kade and Angelica, but this baby would be a fresh slate for us both. Accidental maybe, but wanted.
Jasper’s eyes filled with tears, and I could feel the horror in my expression. “No, these are happy tears. I want this baby with you, Dakota. Our little miracle.”
“Miracle?”
I handed him a tissue from the box on the coffee table and he wiped his eyes, taking a deep steadying breath.
“Did you know I went through seventy-four heats over eighteen years and didn’t fall pregnant once until Rincoln used fertility boosters on us both?
I think he expected me to fall pregnant as soon as my heats returned when Kade was two.
We tried everything. Diet, supplements, spells, the whole nine yards.
We literally tried everything for years before we got Angelica.
” He reached for my hands. “So to fall pregnant after one heat with you is not only a miracle, it’s a sign.
We are supposed to be together, so if you want this too, tell me. ”
I didn’t use words. Pulling him into my arms, I slotted my mouth over his and kissed him deeply until we had to break for air. “I’ve never wanted anything more.”
His smile glowed. Joy sparkled in those amber eyes that I loved so much. “Let’s go tell Angel!”
“Really? Are you sure?”
He looked worried. “Shouldn’t we tell her? She’s young, but she might scent the difference. I don’t think she noticed earlier because we were running late for a playdate.”
“I think we should tell her, but do you maybe want to get a checkup with my dad first?”
He visibly wilted. “That’s actually a good idea.”
Within a matter of moments, I’d sent a request that my parents come over with some of their medical kit. “We’re in luck. Dad was just doing a check up on Kade, so they are in the compound. Won’t be long.”
Jasper looked nervous. “Are you…? Are you looking forward to having a baby? With me, that is.”
I should have realized that he’d interpreted my hesitation wrongly. “Sweetheart, this is the greatest gift. I couldn’t be happier. I just want to be sure before we go tell Angel.”
He nodded. “You’re right. She’s going to be so excited.”
“There’s… ah… something I want to show you after they’ve checked you over.” There was a suggestive look in his eyes. “Not that. Well, maybe that too, after.”
We were only sitting, waiting for a few minutes before they arrived. Both looked a little confused, considering I’d been on a call to Papa not that long before Jasper had shown up.
There were brief introductions. Jasper had been so stressed the last time they’d met, so I pretended like that hadn’t happened.
This was our fresh start. It was awkward having my parents and Jasper in the same room for the first time together since he’d rejected me.
It got a whole lot easier once they picked up on his changed scent.
Papa’s eyes rounded with surprise. “No… it can’t be!”
Jasper looked at me to confirm it. “Dad, Papa, Jasper’s pregnant!”
My parents rounded on Jasper to hug him and welcome him into the family. His joy was infectious and a smile split my face as I watched some of my favorite people together. The only people missing were Angelica and Kade. Then, by extension, Blake.
“I take it that’s the test,” Dad said, pointing to the positive test still sitting on the coffee table.
“It is.” Jasper confirmed.
“Great. Let’s get you checked out then.”
I watched over my mate as my dad checked him over and got his sonogram machine from Papa, who had dashed outside to the car for it. “We just scanned the triplets!” he said excitedly as he helped prepare the portable machine.
Jasper laughed at the cold gel and kept his gaze on the screen. I alternated between watching his quiet joy and the fuzzy image. It was too early to see much, but we got to hear the most beautiful flub-flub sound of our baby’s heartbeat.
“Sounding strong,” Dad said proudly. He gave Jasper’s hand a pat while Papa wiped away a stray tear from his eye.
“The Luna is really blessing the pack with all these babies.” I saw the lines around Dad’s eyes pinch.
“Birth rates are down overall, but Sweetwater seems to buck that trend. I wonder why that is?”
“Blake.” Jasper answered firmly. “I really think it’s because of him. The goddess moved everyone into place just perfectly. Kade met Blake just when he needed him, and Blake was everything that he could have asked for. All the omegas here are so much happier now he’s properly in charge.”
Dad thought about that. “I have to agree with you there. When we first met him, he impressed me with his maturity. His mother did a great job with those boys. The Luna rest her soul.”
We all gave thanks to our goddess for guiding Blake and for the angel that his mother had been. I’d never met her since the bears had already separated from the pack when I was old enough to remember people. By accounts, she was lovely.
“How about we go tell the kids now?” Jasper suggested. “I’ll have Cadence drop off Angelica at Kade’s office.”
It was a beautiful early summer day, so we got a ride with my parents and would walk back to the house again.
Then I would unveil Angelica’s room in our house.
I desperately wanted Jasper and Angel to move in now that he was carrying my baby.
My bear grumbled at the idea of our cub and mate being far from us, so I hoped he’d go for the idea.
Angel was sitting in Blake’s chair in his office, Kade next to her, looking so healthy and happy I couldn’t help my grin.
“See, Angel-cakes,” Kade told his sister. “I told you they were finally going to tell you they were together.” He pointed to mine and Jasper’s joined hands.
“Does that mean we are going to live with daddy Kota now, Papa?” Angelica asked hopefully.
Jasper looked at me, and I nodded. “We are, darling. First, though, we have other news.”
Angelica jumped down from her seat and ran towards me, screaming, “there’s a baby!” I scooped her into my arms and I held her trembling form tightly as she cried into my neck.
“Are you sad, little kit?” Worry was getting the best of me.
She pulled away. “No bear, I’m happy. I’m going to be a big sister!” Her eyes shone with tears, yet her smile was brighter than the June sun.
Jasper and I shared a look. “I’m happy too.”