Chapter 14 Little Moments #2
Ross drops into the chair on my left. He steals a grape from my plate, earning a half-hearted glare from me. "You're going to be busy on Monday. The contractors are still set to break ground?"
"They are." I swallow my bite of food, nodding.
"I finalized the permits yesterday, the zoning is cleared, and the funding is fully locked in.
I still can't believe how fast the community stepped up.
" I shake my head, looking down at the blueprints.
"The donations from the other packs in Willowside covered almost half the building costs. "
"This town protects its own." Jethro pulls out a chair and sits down across from me.
"When people heard what you were trying to build, they wanted to be part of it.
Willowside is a safe zone: Sandra" are printed in neat black ink at the bottom of the title block.
A warm, settling feeling spreads through my chest. I spent years hiding my work, sneaking Omegas out the back doors of shady clinics, and living in constant fear of my father finding out.
Now, my name is on the front door. I have a pack backing me up with unlimited resources, tactical expertise, and unwavering support. I am not hiding anymore.
Oli wanders into the dining room a moment later. He wears a pair of paint-splattered overalls, his golden hair tied back in a messy knot. He smells like fresh laundry and his signature honeysuckle.
"The nursery is officially finished." Oli drops onto the bench next to Jethro with a dramatic sigh. "I put the last coat of sealant on the crib. We are ready for the baby."
"Perfect timing." Ross checks his watch. "Because we have exactly three hours before we need to be at the bar. Tracy texted me five minutes ago. The caterers are setting up the tables, and the decorations are mostly done."
My stomach does a small, nervous flip. The guys decided to host a baby shower at the Lucky Road today. It is going to be the first time I officially step out into a massive social event since Nero showed up in town months ago.
"Are we sure about this?" I look around the table, a sudden wave of apprehension hitting me. "It’s going to be a lot of people. A lot of noise."
Jethro reaches across the table, covering my hand with his massive palm.
His smoky marshmallow scent wraps around me, grounding my nerves.
"We rented out the entire bar, sweetheart.
" Jethro holds my gaze. "It is a private event.
Only invited guests are getting through the door. You are completely safe."
"You don't have to play hostess." Oli offers a reassuring smile. "You just sit in a comfortable chair, eat cake, and let everyone shower you with gifts. We handle the rest."
I take a deep breath, letting the logic settle my nerves. They are right. I can't let the ghost of my past dictate how I celebrate my future. I have a beautiful, healthy baby girl growing inside me, and I want to celebrate her.
"Okay." I push the blueprints aside and finish my sandwich. "Let's go get ready. I have a baby shower to attend."
Ross grins, standing up to clear the empty plates. "That's my girl. Go put on something nice."
The Lucky Road looks unrecognizable.
I step through the heavy wooden front doors and stop dead in my tracks.
The guys transformed the rustic, dimly lit bar into a bright, welcoming venue.
Strings of warm fairy lights drape from the exposed wooden beams. Large bouquets of pale pink and white roses sit in the center of every mahogany table.
A massive banner reading "It's a Girl!" hangs right over the polished bar top.
Jethro stands behind the counter, shaking a cocktail mixer with practiced ease. He pours a bright pink, sparkling mocktail into a tall glass, garnishing it with a sprig of fresh mint before sliding it across the wood toward me.
"Pomegranate and mint spritz." Jethro winks at me, his hazel eyes bright. "Zero alcohol, one hundred percent delicious."
I take a sip, the sweet and tart flavors bursting on my tongue. "It's amazing, Jethro. The whole place looks incredible."
"Only the best for our girls." Ross walks up behind me, resting his hands lightly on my hips. He wears a crisp button-down shirt that stretches tightly across his broad shoulders. He scans the room, his blue eyes tracking the small groups of people already mingling near the buffet table.
The door chimes, pulling my attention away from the bar.
Sophia walks in, balancing a massive gift bag in one hand while her other hand wraps around the tiny fingers of a waddling toddler.
The rest of her pack follows right behind her.
One of her Alphas quickly steps up to scoop the busy little boy effortlessly onto his hip, joining another Alpha who is already carrying his fraternal twin brother.
Sophia spots me and her face breaks into a massive, welcoming smile. She drops the gift bag on a nearby table and hurries over, pulling me into a warm hug.
"Look at you." Sophia steps back, her hands resting lightly on my shoulders as she takes in my bump. "You look absolutely glowing. Welcome to the Willowside mom circle, Sandra. It is exhausted, chaotic, and wonderful."
"I am definitely feeling the exhausted part." I laugh, resting a hand on my stomach. "Thank you so much for coming, Sophia."
"I wouldn't miss it." She gestures to the nearly two-year-old twins trying to escape their fathers' grips to inspect the tall bar stools. "Enjoy the quiet moments while you can. Once they start walking in two different directions, you never sit down again."
Before I can respond, another familiar face steps through the door. Lacey arrives with her pack, her arms full of beautifully wrapped packages. She wears a soft, flowing dress, her gentle demeanor radiating a quiet strength.
Lacey walks over, offering a warm, sweet smile. She carefully sets the packages down on the gift table. "I hope you don't mind handmade things. I crocheted a few blankets for the nursery, and the rest of my pack put together a basket of their favorite bedtime stories."
"Lacey, that is incredibly sweet." My heart swells at the gesture. "Handmade gifts and books are the absolute best. Thank you. The baby is going to love them."
The afternoon shifts into a beautiful, chaotic blur of laughter, food, and shared stories. The Alphas naturally gravitate toward the back of the room, standing in a large circle.
I sit in a plush armchair Jethro dragged out from his office for me. Oli sits on the armrest, fielding the endless stream of guests and making sure I constantly have a fresh mocktail and a plate full of appetizers.
The front door opens one more time.
Ruby walks in, flanked by her massive Alphas. She carries a baby carrier strapped to her chest. She spots me and navigates through the crowd, her bright, energetic personality lighting up the space.
"Sandra!" Ruby stops in front of my chair. She unclips the carrier, gently lifting a beautiful, chubby-cheeked four-month-old baby out of the fabric. "I brought the newest addition to the pack. Meet little Leo."
I look at the infant. He has a shock of dark hair and big, curious eyes taking in the fairy lights. A sudden, intense wave of emotion hits me.
"He is beautiful, Ruby." I keep my voice soft, almost afraid to startle him.
"Do you want to hold him?" Ruby offers him forward. "It's good practice. You are going to be doing this constantly in a few months."
I hesitate for a fraction of a second, my hands trembling slightly. I nod, reaching out.
Ruby gently settles the baby into my arms. I adjust my grip, supporting his head. The weight of him is solid and warm. He smells like baby lotion and clean laundry.
Leo looks up at me, blinking slowly. He reaches a tiny, uncoordinated hand out, his fingers brushing against the fabric of my dress.
A profound, life-altering realization clicks into place.
I’m holding a child in a room filled with people who care about me. The heavy, protective presence of my pack hums in the background. The community of Willowside surrounds me with genuine friendship. The nightmare of my past is truly over. I’m safe and loved.
This is what my daughter is going to be born into. She’ll never have to be taught how to steal cars to survive.
I look up, my eyes finding Jethro across the room. He watches me; a small smile pulls at his lips as his gaze flits between me and the child.
I look back down at the baby in my arms; a tear slips down my cheek. I wipe it away, a massive smile taking over my face. I’m really doing it. I'll be a mother soon.
The exhaustion of the baby shower hit everyone hard the second we walked through the front door. Jethro, Caleb, and Oli collapsed into the nest hours ago. I try to sleep, tossing and turning in the heavy blankets, but my mind refuses to shut down.
I give up trying to rest. I slip out of bed, pull a soft, lightweight robe over my silk nightgown, and wander downstairs.
I sit on the plush sofa on the covered back porch.
A soft, steady rain falls over Willowside.
The rhythmic drumming of the water hitting the metal roof provides the perfect white noise.
The cool night air feels amazing against my flushed skin.
I tuck my feet up onto the cushions, resting my hands over my six-month bump.
The baby is active tonight, kicking in a steady rhythm against my palms.
The sliding glass door clicks open behind me.
I turn my head. Ross steps out onto the porch, illuminated by the dim, yellow glow of the porch light. He wears a pair of gray sweatpants hanging low on his hips, his chest bare. He carries two steaming ceramic mugs.
"I thought I heard someone walking around down here." Ross walks over, his bare feet silent against the wooden deck boards. He hands me one of the mugs. “Chamomile, extra honey."
"Thank you." I take the warm mug, letting the heat seep into my chilled fingers. "I couldn't sleep. My brain just keeps running in circles."