Chapter 33 - Joy
Brent's POV:
"Mommy! Daddy!" Tenley bounded into our room and began patting our faces with her little hands, "Santa came! There's sooooooooo many presents, get up, get up!" I stretched my arms above my head, realizing we were minutes from finding out what our baby was and I was dying to know. I placed my hand on Alyssa's hip and gently shook her, "come on babe! It's time!
Groaning, she got up and ate a few crackers and then stood up, "y'all are gonna have to let momma pee first or there will be a puddle." Tenley laughed and laid down next to me while we waited on her to get done. We laid there for a couple of minutes before Alyssa scared me half to death.
"brENT!" She yelled, causing me to fly up out of bed, covers getting sent across the room.
I ripped the door open, "what is it? Are you okay?"
She was standing in front of the full length mirror, "look who finally decided to show themselves!" She said as she turned towards me.
A perfectly round, little bump was protruding from my mate's abdomen and I silently walked to her placing my hands on either side, still small enough that my hands almost touched, but was definitely bigger than yesterday for sure.
"Well thank goodness we are telling the pack today, I'm pretty sure it will be impossible to hide now." I smiled, so ready to tell everyone we were having a child.
"Okay, let's go!" I shouted with excitement.
She laughed as she followed me, "I don't know who's more excited, you or Tenley."
"Definitely me, I have been patient and I'm ready, now let's go!" I slapped her ass as she walked past me, causing her to jump.
"Hey! That was a little hard, you turd," she glared at me and continued walking.
We finally made it to the bottom of the stairs where Tenley sat waiting.
I immediately reached for the red box, "wait let's do it last!" Alyssa suggested.
"Ha! Absolutely NOT, I have waited over three weeks for this!" I said as I began to open it, she had said I could be the first to know since she waited two days to tell me she was pregnant and I wasn't stopping for anyone.
My eyes were huge at the word I saw on the paper, accompanied with an ultrasound picture pointing out the gender, I cleared my throat, trying to keep from crying, "it's," I let out a slow breath, "say it!" My mate yelled.
"Hey now, I thought you wanted to wait?" I teased, causing her to glare at me and cross her arms. \
"Okay fine, It's a boy!" Screaming from the girls ensued as they piled on top of me. We had all guessed boy and thrilled wasn't even the word to describe this feeling. Both my sister and my Brother's mate were having girls. We would be having the first boy grandchild and I couldn't help but to feel prideful in thinking I would have the first boy as the first born son.
Alyssa came to sit on my lap, and put her forehead to mine, "you've given me the greatest gift, my love."
She pulled back and smiled big, "well, Mr. Alpha, I could say the same to you. I mean I didn't get myself pregnant, you know," she said, winking at me.
I smirked at her, "this is true, but you're the one doing the hard work." I kissed her forehead and Tenley hollered at us to let her open gifts.I parted my legs and Alyssa settled between them and rested her back against me as I sat propped against the couch.
"Go ahead, sweet girl, we're watching!" Alyssa said as she pulled her phone from her pocket to take pictures and videos. This was quite literally one of the best days of my life. A far cry from the last several Christmas mornings.
Tenley opened so many gifts from her mom and I. Her very favorite being her new tablet. She lay on the couch on her stomach kicking her little feet in the air as she played the games we had pre downloaded. Alyssa was in the kitchen making breakfast and I was cleaning up all of the wrapping paper. Alyssa had gotten me framed photos of her and Tenley as well as a large print of the family photo we had taken at the Luna ceremony. She'd even framed a recent ultrasound of the baby, my boy. It was an incredibly thoughtful gift, and I couldn't wait to put them up in my office. She'd also bought me a virtual golf simulator and it would be installed in our media room. I was pumped about that. She knew me so well. A little boy, pictures of my beautiful family, and my favorite game installed right here at home; what more could I ask for?
"Breakfast is ready!" Alyssa yelled just in time for my stomach to start growling .
"Come on Ten, pause your game and let's go eat," I said as I picked her up from the couch. She'd raised her arms to me andmy heart grew even more, I'd carry her anytime she asked.
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Alyssa's POV:
Today was absolutely magical. We spent the entire morning together playing games, eating, and just being together. Our parents came over for a yummy lunch and to give Tenley her gifts. More eating, more games, and we also announced we would be having a boy. Everyone screamed with excitement, his mom just kept saying how excited she was to have a grandson amongst all the girls. My mate beamed. I knew his ego was being stroked, but my goodness, he deserved every second of it. The most patient man in the world was finally getting his baby and it was a boy. My eyes misted over, I was so blessed to have him.
After a very early wake up call, and an incredibly full morning, Tenley and I both needed naps; with Brent staying awake to put together the insane amount of toys Tenley had acquired today. The nap was glorious, and it was now almost time to head to the Christmas feast.
I finished putting on the final touches of my makeup as I stepped back and looked over my ensemble. I had used heated rollers, giving my hair tons of volume and curl, I absolutely loved it. I had decided on a creamy white, mock wrap sweater dress. It was belted at my waist and that along with it being form fitting really showed off my growing bump. I paired it with some low platform suede knee high boots. As far as jewelry I had on the gorgeous sapphire studs Brent had gotten me for Christmas as well was my Luna ring and my absolutely stunning mother's ring, which was also from Brent for Christmas. It had an April stone for the baby, and a May stone for Tenley. Tenely's stone was an emerald princess cut, and baby boy's was a pear shaped diamond. This style of ring had become quite popular and I had talked about wanting one. Not only had he remembered, but he chose the stone colors for both of our kids. I could go on and on for days at what it meant for me to have someone who listened so well to me and was beyond sentimental. I prayed our son would be just like him in every way. I rubbed my bump softly at the thought, knowing that there was a little boy growing in there made this all so much more real.
A tap on the doorframe took me out of my trance, the delicious scent of my mate let me know he was the cause of the sound. I smiled softly as he looked me up and down with his hands in the pockets of his perfectly tailored black slacks. The outfit complete with black loafers, a black button up that had the first three buttons undone and a cranberry colored blazer. The sight of him made my throat dry. He walked slowly toward me, placing his hands on my hips, "you look stunning, my love" he whispered into my ear, causing me to sigh.
"You don't look so bad yourself," I managed to get out.
He placed his hands on my stomach, rubbing his thumbs over the soft fabric of my dress, "we better go before I end up ripping this off of you."
My eyes widened, "I guess we probably should then." I said as I attempted to walk past him but he grabbed me by my upper arm and lightly pulled me back, "but tonight, your mine," he growled seductively.
I nodded, "yes, Mr. Alpha," I breathed.
He growled again, his eyes dark, "good girl."
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Brent's POV:
I couldn't take my eyes off of Alyssa. She was always gorgeous, but the way the dress hugged her curves, flaunting that she was pregnant with my child, did something to me. The fact that she was carrying my child ignited a flame in me, and soon everyone would officially know that she was pregnant and it made my wolf swell with pride.
I helped her into the car, kissing her before I shut the door and then turned my attention to Tenley who had crawled into her car seat. I quickly buckled her and off we went to the feast. We were only arriving a few minutes early since we wanted the room to be at close to full attendance before we announced and with her so visibly pregnant today, our words would be more of a confirmation than an announcement.
"I am so nervous," she whispered. I looked over at her as she continued to whisper, "what if the pack only views this baby as your child? What if they no longer respect the bond you two share?"
I looked in the rear view mirror to ensure Tenley was still on her tablet before answering in a hushed tone, "that would never happen, they adore Tenley and I have more than set the tone that she is mine, but in the very off chance someone were to disagree, they would be dealt with swiftly."
She turned to me, eyes wide with shock, "dealt with?"
I simply nodded, "yes, it is treason to question the Alpha and his family without cause. It lowers pack morale and gives way for an uproar. So yes, they would be dealt with, but again, you have nothing to worry about." I assured her once more, "not only have you been the most incredible Luna, you've also proven you have their best interests at heart and no one will go against you." I rubbed her hand as she nodded and seemed visibly lighter.
We pulled to the front and headed for the ballroom. Alyssa had taken her jacket off and held it over her stomach to try and block the view. I didn't bother to tell her that her pregnancy pheromones were the strongest they'd been. I noticed that even the omega taking our keys seemed to sniff the air as she walked past. I knew how badly she wanted to surprise the pack and I wasn't going to rain on her parade. They would be excited regardless.
We walked into the room and it's like we were transported into a Christmas movie. The tables were alive with beautiful greens, reds, and golds. The room flickered and glowed with clusters of candles and red florals at the center of the tables. The gingerbread houses from yesterday were nestled on display, looking like a true Christmas Village that even had fake snow falling down over them. The room smelled delicious and I couldn't wait to see what she had planned. She had kept the menu a surprise, once again she was always up for the element of surprise.
We made our way to the front of the room, the officials table completely full minus our three empty seats. I held Alyssa's hand as we stepped up the three steps leading to the platform where our table sat, "are you ready?" I whispered to her.
She nodded her head and we turned to face the pack.
"Good evening and Merry Christmas everyone," I waited for the echoes to die back down before I continued, "I hope you all are enjoying the atmosphere as much as I am, once again our Luna has outdone herself for the enjoyment of the pack." Cheers resounded, my wolf and I sated at the respect our mate was shown so proudly.
"A beautiful gathering is not all our Luna has blessed us with this holiday season. I am proud to announce that she is carrying a male heir for the Valley Wolf pack." The cheers that resounded blew me away, my ears rang at the applause, shouts, and hollers of congratulations. Alyssa had tears in her eyes as I leaned down to her, "see I told you." The cheering finally quieted and I finished up, "this not only secures your future Alpha, but with the announcement of the Beta pregnancy, you will all be well taken care of for years and years to come," I glanced at Anderson, who was beaming at the public acceptance of his heir by the Alpha and I nodded at him in recognition, "Luna, would you like to address your pack pack?"
She stepped forward as I took Tenley's hand from her, "I cannot thank you all enough for your amazing words of encouragement and love. It was my absolute honor to plan and prepare so many holiday festivities for you all. I adore all of you and look forward to many years serving as your Luna." With one last round of cheers and applause I announced that dinner would begin being served.
The servers entered from the four side doors and served the entire room after serving our table. Once everyone was served they sat and waited for me to begin as was the tradition. However, I motioned for my mate to take her first bite instead, showing the pack that she was above me and that she was respected in the highest regard. Once she pulled the fork from her mouth the room came to life once more. The first course being an amazing cranberry and pecan salad with a strawberry balsamic dressing. Followed by prosciutto and mozzarella topped crostini, drizzled with a honey balsamic glaze. The main course being roasted duck, my favorite twice baked potatoes, green beans, carrots, croissant rolls, and pasta salad. To top it off she had every pie imaginable available for dessert. I chose apple, pumpkin, and pecan. As always my mate shook her head at the amount of food I ate, but I just shrugged in response. I couldn't get enough of the new recipes and menus she had brought with her to the pack. We had eaten like kings since she came and I wasn't the only one enjoying the new menu, "you alright over there Anderson?" I called down to my Beta.
He nodded, but didn't look like he meant it, "yep, just a little full and ready for a nap," he groaned as he rubbed his overly full stomach, "I don't know how you ladies deal with these big bellies all the time, this kinda hurts." Jess popped him on the back of the head at his mention of "big belly" and Alyssa glared at him from her seat.
He raised his hands, "down girls, I'm sorry, geez!"
I laughed and shook my head, life was way too perfect, and nothing was going to ruin it.