Epilogue
Finally, I can kick my feet up and relax. If only I could see my feet.
It’s difficult to do so over the swelling of my stomach. The pregnancy hasn’t been difficult, my pack makes sure I’m comfortable. The problem is there’s just so much I want to do, and not enough time before this baby pops out.
It’s been three years since our bonding ceremony. I’ve kept myself busy. I was able to get both the degree and the graphic design career I always wanted. I’ve even been setting up a scholarship for other omegas to do the same.
That’s how I discovered I was pregnant. My mother in law, Meredith, was over at our apartment helping me establish it. She’d brought along Clementine, an old man now. We’ve always gotten along, but he was clingier with me than usual, much to Meredith’s dismay.
Meredith made one throwaway comment about dogs being attached to pregnant women and I was promptly whisked off to the doctor. A baby was the last thing I was expecting. We weren’t trying, but I suppose it was bound to happen when we can’t keep our hands off each other.
Somehow, the pregnancy has made my pack more obsessed with me. I wasn’t aware that was possible. Yet here they are, fluttering around me more than ever before.
“Is this okay?” Nico asks, massaging the feet I’ve kicked up.
“That’s amazing,” I nod, pulling my glasses off to rub my eyes. Today was my last day before maternity leave. I’m ready to relax as much as this baby will let me.
Sebastian works on my shoulders, unraveling the tension in them. “Poor bunny. Has she been kicking?”
Jason kisses my stomach, gently resting a hand against it. “She’s feisty like her mom.”
Evan sets a tray on the nest’s nightstand. They always supply me with three drinks. Water, some sort of herbal concoction Nico insists is for health, and then something pleasant like juice.
“Hopefully he takes after his mom. We’re screwed if he ends up like one of you bastards.” The blond jokes.
We’ve been divided. Nico and Evan insist the baby’s a boy. Sebastian and Jason firmly believe it’s a girl. I’m happy as long as the baby is healthy. According to the doctor, everything seems to be going well so far.
In full honesty, I wasn’t entirely sure if I wanted to have children. Past experiences had, to put it lightly, soured me on the idea a little. After years of healing with my pack, I became open to it. Knowing they’ll be good fathers made the decision easier.
Daydreaming about them and the baby has become one of my favorite pastimes.
I like to picture Sebastian buckling our child into the car seat, or Jason reading them a bedtime story.
Evan and I have already agreed they’ll be signed up for boxing and baseball.
As he says, it’s his turn to be the little league coach from hell.
Nico’s already started practicing baby food recipes.
Despite our enthusiasm, we don’t have a tiebreaker for our little gender gamble. We’ve decided to keep it a surprise. No matter the gender or designation though, I know our baby will feel loved. Smiling at my bickering pack fondly, I wrap my arms around my stomach.
Life’s become everything I could have ever wanted.
With the matching mating marks scarring our necks, and a bond that feels like an extension of myself instead of a weight on my chest, I feel complete.
I’ve found myself, the loves of my life, fulfillment, and the sense of belonging I spent my whole life chasing.
Funnily enough, it occurs to me that I might truly be the luckiest woman in the world now.