Bonus Epilogue
Jas
A Cold Wintry Night
The rich scent of chocolate fills the kitchen while I ladle the creamy cocoa into two mugs, piling marshmallows high on each.
“Seren! Hot cocoa’s ready!”
Outside, the snow has transformed into a proper storm. We’re five inches deep already, and it's still falling. I started the hot cocoa when Dom said he'd be leaving the shop soon and heading home.
“Thanks, Mom!” Seren says, sliding onto a barstool at the kitchen island, her legs swinging. She takes a bite of her cookie and chews slowly. “Is Dad almost home? I want to play the new video game Auntie Raene and Uncle Sylas gave me for Christmas last week!”
She’s practically bouncing in her seat. I can’t believe how big she’s gotten. How in the world is she seven now? She’s still my baby girl, but she’s growing too quickly for my liking. She shares her dreams with me, her thoughts, and her ideas. Already making friendships that may last a lifetime.
“He’ll be home any minute now.” I take a drink of the chocolatey goodness with marshmallows. It’s hot, delicious, and creamy. The perfect drink on a cold wintry night.
I head to my chair by the fire. Rain or snow, both are considered equal for cozy reading days or evenings by the fire.
When Seren and I moved in last year and sold the treehouse, I really didn’t have much to bring into an already furnished house.
I love Dominik’s decor, and now we have made it our home.
“Oh!” I laugh, rubbing my belly in soothing circles. That was one hell of a kick. I can’t wait to meet this little one. We decided to let the sex be a surprise, but I have my suspicions.
I think back to our wedding this past spring and our honeymoon. Seeing this man in a suit—Seven Divine have mercy. I may be the size of a small cow, but the way he worships my body now…
I squirm in my seat, anxious for my love to come home safe.
There are a couple of weeks left before the baby comes.
It’s crazy to think about where we are now, and I feel overjoyed.
Like I’m on the damn moon, and I can’t breathe, there’s no oxygen.
It’s bittersweet to have joy bloom from tragedy.
But is that not another definition of love, and proves it has no bounds?
We’re a family, and it’s growing. I watch a foot press and stretch in my belly. I love how round and beautiful my belly has grown, and I’d do it all over again.
I didn’t realize I was pregnant at first. I wasn’t paying attention to my cycle because I was so busy with the wedding and honeymoon. When I felt off, I assumed I was getting sick. Then I realized I was a few weeks late.
I dreamt about it. I dreamed of our sweet baby, with beautiful, light brown skin, hazel eyes, and thick, dark, curly hair.
The dream was so vivid, I took a test that same day during my lunch break. I cried for a solid ten minutes, holding a positive test. Seeing the vibrant two pink lines—no squinting needed. I was deliriously happy.
And the look on Dominik’s face when I surprised him with two small floral bouquets I picked myself—one pink, the other blue, along with the pregnancy test. He cried. We cried together, and then he claimed me on the kitchen floor.
The front door opens, letting in a burst of cold air, jolting me from my thoughts. Mellie yips, running to the snow flurries that dance inside the bitter air alongside Dom’s scent—the woods and citrus mixed with fresh snow. I love how his werewolf changes with the seasons.
“Jas—babe?”
“I’m in here,” I say with a wince, laying my book open on my belly. Resting my head back, I take a deep breath and let it out slowly, rubbing my round belly.
Braxton-Hicks contractions are a nightmare. I had my last check-up a few days ago, and I’m stuck at three centimeters. I thought that with the contractions—some being more painful than others—would give me a little more progress, but this baby wants to stay.
“What’s wrong?” Dom asks, his brows creasing with worry. He’s suddenly by my side, with his hands on my belly. He leans forward, kissing my bump.
“It’s only Braxton Hicks, babe. I’m good, and I made us some hot cocoa. The swelling has gone down a lot, see.” I lift my leg, pointing my toes to show him my ankles.
He grasps my leg and sits on the ground, my foot resting on his crisscrossed legs. He grabs my shea butter, which I keep on the coffee table for this special occasion—the world’s best foot rub. I moan when his fingers press and dig into the arches of my feet.
“I appreciate you spoiling me last week with a pedicure at the spa, but I love your hands more.” I rest my head back and relax. “Do you still love me even though my round belly makes me look like a beached whale?”
You’re beautiful, especially naked. With your beautiful belly growing our pup.
His words make me shiver. I think it’s adorable that he calls our baby a pup, and it makes sense considering this baby will be half-human and half-werewolf. However, Dom isn’t sure if the baby will be able to shift like him. So we will have to wait and see.
“Also, Seren wants to play her new video game with you.”
“Alright. I picked up a few treats from both bakeries. A few faerie honey cakes and those starlight pear tarts you love. Poppy made extra for you.”
“You seriously went to both bakeries out in this storm for me?” My breath catches.
“I’d do anything for you. Especially if it’s indulging in the satisfaction of your cravings. Do you want me to plate you one? Dessert before dinner can be a new thing, I wouldn’t mind.”
I laugh. “I appreciate you, babe, but I’ll save it as a special treat after. Maybe we can watch a movie?”
“I’m down.” He gets on his knees, lifts my feet onto the small ottoman after the massage, and kisses my forehead. “I’ll go check the stew and go play with Seren a bit. If you need me, let me know, okay?”
He leans down, pressing his lips to my belly, his hands moving in soothing circles as he whispers sweet words to our child.
“Of course, I will. Go get yourself a cup of cocoa and enjoy your gaming fun. I’m going to read.”
He stands up, holding my hand for a moment before we let them fall apart, and he heads to the kitchen.
My husband and our daughter are bonding over playing a new game together.
At the same time, my bump and I are enjoying our cozy spot here near the fire and Christmas lights.
Our Christmas tree stands in front of the largest window facing the front yard.
The snowfall is heavy, but it’s beautiful and feels magical.
Our little family in our own little snow globe.
Something’s wrong.
I’ve been up for an hour now with low to mild contractions, but intense low back pain. I didn’t have low back pain like this with Seren.
I lean over, my hand gripping the kitchen counter as a wave of pain crashes over me, my uterus tightening with a fierce contraction. Breathe. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. I breathe, mentally pushing through the pain until it fades. I need to wake up Dominik.
I look up at the sound of footsteps coming down the hall. He’s here. His hands are immediately searching me, like he's looking for injuries. “Jas, what’s wrong?”
“The baby, I think I’m going into labor. My panties feel a little wet. A lot of the pain is in my lower back, but I’ve been timing my contractions, and they’re about fifteen minutes apart now.”
“Okay,” he says and paces for a moment. He checks my underwear, informing me my bloody show has made its arrival.
I’m so damn happy he bought pregnancy books from the bookshop and read them. He’s been incredible during this pregnancy.
“Alright, I need you to get back into bed, baby. You got your water on your nightstand, right?”
I nod my head as he helps me waddle down the hall.
“I need you to get comfortable. I’m going to take a look at the weather and call your midwife, okay?”
He helps me lay down a few towels and take off my underwear, getting me settled as comfortably as he can into the bed. He turns on both of our lamps on the nightstands on either side of the bed and the fairy lights surrounding my bookshelves.
A tear slides down my face.
“Don’t cry, baby, you’re going to be okay. I need you to stay here, though. Focus on your breathing. I’m here.”
“Okay, okay,” I whisper. I take a quick sip of cold water and take a deep breath, lying back on my maternity pillow, but this back pain isn’t going away.
Dominik grabs his phone and calls my midwife, Sadie. They’re talking, and his face remains stoic. When he looks out the window, I see it’s still snowing. He repeats the words—snowed in, contractions, and back pain—then suddenly there is complete darkness.
“Dominik!” I yelp, panicked. “What is happening?”
He turns on the flashlight on his phone. “Shit. The power went out, and the call dropped.”
“No, no. I am in labor, and who knows—” My sentence is left unfinished as a contraction tightens my belly, taking my breath away. I glance at my phone to check the time. The last contraction was eight minutes ago.
Dominik is immediately by my side, holding my hand, letting me squeeze the hell out of it as I try to breathe through the pain.
And then I feel it—a light pop.
I look down, feeling warm gushes of fluid and seeing it puddle between my legs.
“D–Dom,” I say, looking up at him with wide eyes, my voice shaking. “M–my water broke.”
Dominik runs to the linen closet, returning shortly after with towels and sheets. “We got this, okay. We will figure this out. At least the fire from the living room will continue to give the house heat. I’m not going to let anything happen to you or our pup. Do you trust me?”
“Of course,” I say with no hesitation, and my gaze focuses on him.
“Okay.” He turns on the flashlight on my phone.
“Before your next contraction, I’m going to get the lanterns, flashlights, and candles from the garage, and I’ll warm a hot water bottle on the gas range.
We may need to wake up Seren, too. I don’t want her waking up frightened by the sounds of labor. ”